149 km
2255 m - 3488 m
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Test report Beaver Creek
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Beaver Creek
Total result: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Test Beaver Creek
The review Beaver Creek was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Beaver Creek
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The Beaver Creek ski resort stretches from the Rose Bowl over the Grouse Mountain, the Larkspur Bowl, the Bachelor Gulch Mountain, all the way to the Arrowhead Mountain.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
100 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1233 m (Valley 2255 m - Mountain 3488 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
17
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 5 ← 4
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 5 ← 4
The Beaver Creek ski resort offers runs of all difficulty levels. The slopes lead through forest aisles down to the valley. The slopes on Grouse Mountain and in the Larkspur Bowl are mostly difficult. The runs at Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch Mountain are generally easier. The slopes at Beaver Creek Mountain and in the Rose Bowl are distributed across all difficulty levels.
Runs/slopes
Total 149 km
Easy
28 km
(19 %)Intermediate
65 km
(43 %)Difficult
56 km
(38 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
100 km
At Beaver Creek, there are many ski routes that are marked as "Double Diamond" and lead down to the valley through the forest.
Longest run
4.5 km
Run location
just above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Public race course with time measurement
The Riverfront Express 8 person gondola lift serves as a feeder lift up to the ski resort. The Buckaroo Express 8 person gondola lift is located in the beginner's area for children. Otherwise, there are primarily modern and rapid quad chair lifts throughout the resort. Unfortunately, there are no chair lifts with weather protectors.
Number of ski lifts
17
Total capacity
36865 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
26.3 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
2
14
1
Additional
2
The season begins already in November when a lot of dry, powder snow arrives. There are snow cannons in the lower part of the ski resort to help out in emergencies. Most of the main runs in the lower section have snow-making capabilities.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
25 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2009/2010
150 Days open
150 Days when valley run open
150 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
148 Days open
148 Days when valley run open
148 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
The groomed runs are always in perfect condition.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
The ski resort is very easy to access from the highway. Unfortunately, the fees for parking directly at the lift are expensive. There are also free parking spaces, but from these, you must take a shuttle bus to the ski resort.
Access via Highway 70 Denver-Grand Junction, Ausfahrt Avon
- Lower Beaver Creek Mountain Express (Avon), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 2 km · approx. 5 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
- Centennial Express (Beaver Creek), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 5 km · approx. 10 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Car park, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the entire ski resort very well. All lifts and slopes are indicated with detailed information. Altitudes, activities, restaurants, parking lots and all important telephone numbers are found on the trail map.
The trail map depicts the entire ski resort very well. All lifts and slopes are indicated with detailed information. Altitudes, activities, restaurants, parking lots and all important telephone numbers are found on the trail map.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There is current information about the groomed slopes and the status of the lifts at almost all mountain stations. The slopes are all clearly sign-posted with names. It is easy to orient yourself and to find your way back to Beaver Creek Village.
There is current information about the groomed slopes and the status of the lifts at almost all mountain stations. The slopes are all clearly sign-posted with names. It is easy to orient yourself and to find your way back to Beaver Creek Village.
They place a high value on the level of cleanliness in the entire ski resort.
Beaver Creek ski resort places a high priority on protecting the environment. There are numerous environmental projects and a comprehensive ski bus network. Unfortunately, plastic dinnerware is used to serve food and drinks at most of the restaurants on the mountain.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
Photos
The staff is very friendly. You are greeted at all ski lifts and assisted during boarding.
There are only self-service restaurants at the Beaver Creek ski resort and these are distributed throughout the lower part of the mountain. There are no restaurants at the top of the mountain. There are very nice restaurants in the hotels located at the base stations in Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, Riverfront and Arrowhead Mountain. Unfortunately, the exclusive restaurants (Allies Cabin, Saddleridge, Beano´s Cabin, Trapper´s Cabin and Zach´s Cabin) are only for members and not open to the public.
19 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Mamie’s Mountain Grill
At the mountain station of the Bachelor Gulch Express
Mamie's Mountain Grill is to be recommended by good weather. You can grill steaks, hot dogs and lamb yourself and enjoy them of the sun terrace. When the weather is bad, there is limited seating in a small tent next to the grills.
-
Allies Cabin, Saddleridge, Beano´s Cabin, Trapper´s Cabin, Zach´s Cabin
The exclusive huts are distributed on the mountain.
These exclusive huts are unfortunately only for members. The normal skier is not able to eat lunch here or to enjoy these restaurants. Some of these huts offer dinner on the mountain in the evenings. It is a shame that these huts are not open to the public because otherwise, there are only self-service restaurants available.
Photos
It is possible to celebrate Après-Ski at the base stations in Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead Mountain. There is even an umbrella bar in the ski resort, but unfortunately as of 2:30 PM, there is nothing going on here anymore. At the base stations, you can sit and let the ski day end, sometimes while enjoying live music. A highlight is a dip in one of the outdoor whirlpools located directly next to the slopes.
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Buffalo Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch
Base station of Bachelor Gulch
You can let the ski day come to an end with live music and an open fire. The sun terrace is inviting when the weather is nice. There is even a small beer tent where you can order beers from all over the world.
Photos
You can live and sleep wonderfully, directly in the ski resort. The hotels in Beaver Creek Village have direct access to the slopes. The same is true in the Riverfront Village, Bachelor Gulch and at Arrowhead Mountain. The quality of the accommodations at Beaver Creek Mountain is very high and luxurious.
Ski-in/Ski-out
Almost all accommodations have direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Avon
Distance to ski resort fewer than 1 km - Beaver Creek Village
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Guest beds 3500
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
Beaver Creek is very family and child friendly. The Buckaroo Express gondola goes up from Beaver Creek Village to the tubing park and the easy slopes. The Ski School Learning Area is located directly at the base station in Beaver Creek Village and is operated by the Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School. There are separate trails for children with funny characters and caves distributed throughout the ski resort.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Child friendly access to lifts
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Playground / park
- Tubing slope with own lift
Special tips for children
-
Ski School Learning Area
The Ski School Learning Area is located directly at the base station in Beaver Creek Village and is operated by the Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School. The little ones can practice their first curves here.
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Tombstone Territory
Tombstone Territory is a slope for children. They pass by funny characters on the way through a western town to the gold mine. The children love this slope.
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Jack Rabbit Alley
Jack Rabbit Alley is a slope for children. It runs through the forest, teepee tents and over wave runs. It's a real highlight for children.
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Haymaker Tubing Hill
The Haymaker Tubing Hill is easy to access with the Buckaroo Express gondola. It's ideal for the whole family. For $29/hour, you can speed down the slope and ride back up to the start again on a covered people mover.
Photos
Beaver Creek is an ideal ski resort for beginners. There are separate beginner lifts and people movers directly at Beaver Creek Village. Beginners can ski on many easy slopes in the upper area. A very easy run leads from the mountain back to the village. The runs at Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead Mountain are also very easy and suitable for beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
Photos
Advanced skiers will find unlimited difficult and extreme slopes between the Rose Bowl, the Grouse Mountain and the Larkspur Bowl. Amongst these are many mogul slopes and extreme forest runs through the trees and through forest aisles.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- very many mogul slopes
- many extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 149 km
Difficult
56 km
(38 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
100 km
At Beaver Creek, there are many ski routes that are marked as "Double Diamond" and lead down to the valley through the forest.
Most difficult run
-
Birds of Prey · Length 3 km · Altitude difference 700 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There are three first-class snowparks and a halfpipe at Beaver Creek Mountain. The snowparks are very suitable for beginners, advanced riders and experts.
Information for Snowboarders
- some cat tracks
- few runs with ascent
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- The Rodeo Park mit Halfpipe
The Rodeo Park is located on the lower part of the mountain at the Centennial Express lift and is the largest park in the ski resort. The halfpipe is also found here. The park is very suitable for advanced riders.
- Park 101
Park 101 is located at the mountain station of the Cinch Express lift and is the beginner park at Beaver Creek.
- Zoom Room Park
Zoom Room Park is located at the mountain station of the Cinch Express lift and is the intermediate park at Beaver Creek.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 32 km
There are cross-country trails and snow shoe paths at the McCoy Park Nordic Sports Center at the mountain station of the Strawberry Express lift. In order to cross-country ski here, you must pay for a ride on the Strawberry Express lift ($28).
Photos
Conclusion
Pleasure skiing, family-friendly, well groomed runs
Expensive parking fees, early closings of many lifts, exclusive huts only for members
Test Report issued on 2012-03-23
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Highlights
Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa
*****
At Beaver Creek Mountain
81620 Avon
0 m to ski resort Details »
At Beaver Creek Mountain
81620 Avon
0 m to ski resort Details »
