Beaver Creek, Colorado sets the bar HIGH for family travelers.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to vacation with the family, I would highly recommend Beaver Creek, CO. With frequent flights to Denver from Houston, it’s a quick trip to your destination.
From the time we landed, I knew the trip was going to be a breeze. With flight delays and cancellations in these uncertain times, reservations can be hard to keep. Upon arriving at Denver Airport, behind schedule due to flight delays, I went into a panic about our shuttle reservation and wondering how we were going to make it to our hotel. Yet the Epic Mountain Express workers were quick to accommodate us even though they were booked for the day. **With kids in tow, I would recommend the personal car service they offer.
Where to Stay
Upon arrival we were gifted with one of the best views The Pine Lodge, A Rock Resort has to offer. Picture a 180 degree view of snowcapped mountains, twinkle lights in the trees around the village, with hues of soft pinks, yellows, and oranges on the horizon at sunrise. A warm cup of coffee or tea, if that’s your preference sitting on the deck in the morning as the sun rises over the mountains to wake the sleepy dreamers. No matter the timing morning, sunset or night, the view was probably the hardest part to leave. The Pine Lodge offers accommodations for families of all sizes from regular rooms to 4-bedroom townhomes with kitchens and patios. Close access to the slopes, walking distance to the village and a quick shuttle ride can get you access all over the resort especially with any tiny feet in tow. The amenities offer everything you need and the dining experience speaks for itself.
What to Do
I personally have always avoided learning to ski or snowboard, due to my fear in heights. However, at Beaver Creek there are certain lifts that are full gondola or partial gondola to aid in getting children up to the top of the slope. I loved that I had the option for the gondola because it allowed me to take lessons. The Ski school is for everyone 3+ and the kids’ classes were the best thing to experience. Watching the little one’s confidence grow and leaving their parents to hit the slopes was inspiring! Our little one is not quite old enough, but look out when she is!
**If you plan on taking snow board lessons for the first time carve out 3-4 days for lessons before you will be able to make it down a hill/slope. Oh, and be prepared to fall a few times!
Learning how to snowboard for the first in our thirties was a BLAST, but watching a pack of toddlers’ ride by with better skills, faster speed and less falls was a quick punch to the ego. At the end of the day being able to soak our bodies in the hot tub was a delicious feeling. **Pack those bathing suits and be ready to soak those sore muscles.
McCoy Park is Beaver Creek’s newest addition to the slope experience. It offers a 250-acre expansion of lift-served, welcoming ski terrain for beginner and intermediate skiers & riders, as well as a dedicated family friendly zone for beginner and low intermediate skiers. The new learning terrain features 17 trails served by two new lifts, while still maintaining snowshoe and cross-country areas. We didn’t get to experience McCoy Park for ourselves because snowboarding lessons for beginners start on a different mountain in another park. It’s definitely on the list for the next visit!
Let’s talk Food
Every place we tried was delicious. Grouse Mountain Grill is attached to the The Pine Lodge, but is more well-known of the two places. People fly or drive in just to eat there and head back home! It offers local Colorado farm to table in a scratch kitchen and the finest quality service. Breakfast was good, but dinner was great!
Citrea is their newest addition to the restaurant line up. Citrea combines fresh local ingredients with modern culinary interpretations of Mediterranean cuisine. It is in the heart of Beaver Creek Village and runs alongside the ice rink. Delish!
**A must do experience is dining at Allie’s Cabin where guests are whisked away from C Bar in Beaver Creek Village to the cabin via an open-air sleigh. You can dine near the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace while enjoying views of Beaver Creek Village below. Known for its atmosphere of rustic and intimate elegance, Allie’s Cabin pours forth a refined, classic Northern Italian fare. Each of these places it made it easy to travel with a gluten allergy and not be concerned about food choices.
Not a fan of the snow or the slopes?
There is plenty to do! Burton and Beaver Creek Sports are both great places for ski and snowboard rentals but also have great clothing and gear to buy. Options for stores range from children’s clothing and toy stores, jewelry to sunglasses. **The ice rink in the middle of the village is a great place to stop and play or grab a bite to eat. Peppered around the village are fire pits with seating to stop and take in the scenery. We didn’t stay in the village but on the outskirts and the mobile app of Beaver Creek Village helped enhance our visit. We were able to browse services available in the resort and plan transportation.
We can’t wait to head back soon when our little girl is a little older and can hit the slopes and the ice rink. Beaver Creek, CO is a beautiful place to make some great family memories.
For more information visit beavercreek.com
Tips for how to prepare for bringing along children:
1. Snagging a couple bottles of water and canned air upon arrival before making the trek up the mountain to a resort will help with dehydration, headaches and potentially decrease the effects of possible Altitude Sickness
2. Taking a personal car from the Epic Mountain Express so that the ride is quicker and more personal with children
3. Getting lodging with multiple rooms for everyone to have their own space and ability to sleep, as needed
4. Making sure there is a kitchen in our accommodations; as we travel with a food allergy it makes it easier to cook our own food without issue
5. Grabbing food, snacks, toys, and souvenirs at the Beaver Creek Market to keep everybody happy!
