Being a non-skier in Colorado could be perplexing to folks. Folks typically query why I moved to Colorado if I don’t ski. After all, that’s ludicrous – there are such a lot of issues to do within the Colorado Rockies moreover snowboarding!
It’s inevitable that as a non-skier in Colorado, you’ll seemingly have snowboarding mates, nevertheless, you don’t need to keep away from all of them winter – as a substitute, you may be part of them to go play within the mountains. I lately traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado, with my snowboarding pal Courtney, and I discovered plenty of non-ski issues to do, starting from journey to tradition!
Beaver Creek Colorado
This was my first journey to Beaver Creek Resort. It’s positioned in Vail Valley close to the city of Avon simply west of Vail ski resort. It was the latest addition to the lengthy listing of ski areas alongside the I-70 hall in Colorado. The ski resort opened within the 80s and has grown into one of many premier winter locations in Colorado.
The lovable resort city is nestled again into the mountains away from I-70 making it really feel unique. A creek runs by means of the village, and there are ample condos, resorts, eating places, and retailers to make your keep pleasant within the winter or summer season.
Issues to Do in Beaver Creek for the Non-Skier
After all, the most well-liked factor to do in Beaver Creek within the winter is snowboarding. Nonetheless, even if you happen to don’t ski you may nonetheless take in Beaver Creek’s wintertime environment. You may even stand up on the slopes…with out skis!
Nordic Middle at Beaver Creek
The Nordic Middle close to the Strawberry Park Categorical Elevate is your headquarters for winter adventures that don’t have anything to do with downhill snowboarding! Right here, you may hire snowshoes and cross-country skis and select organized excursions by means of McCoy Park with Nordic Middle guides. McCoy Park is a spectacular lift-accessed pure space that gives Nordic, snowshoe, and alpine trails. With breathtaking views of the Sawatch Vary, McCoy Park presents greater than 19 kilometers of groomed and rustic trails for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
I really like snowshoeing, it’s mainly winter climbing…what’s to not love? I received a information, rented snowshoes, and went snowshoeing round McCoy Park. My information, Carrie, was tremendous and took me throughout McCoy Park, declaring mountain ranges, eating spots, flora, and fauna.
My Finest Suggestions for Snowshoeing in Beaver Creek
In case you are new to snowshoeing – then I’d counsel renting snowshoes for the complete day and hiring a information for the morning. The information will take you up the mountain and likewise level out trails and get you oriented.
Snowshoe by means of Aspen Groves to Mamies Mountain Cabin, positioned on the high of Bachelor Gulch close to the Categorical Chairlift (#16), and have lunch on the deck with a spectacular view! When you have snowboarding mates – you may even plan to satisfy them there. Then, you may spend the remainder of the afternoon snowshoeing by yourself across the trails of McCoy Park.
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When you have your personal snowshoes and are positive with going out by yourself, then simply get a elevate ticket for McCoy Park for $61 for the day and exit and discover the paths by yourself! Maps can be found on the Nordic Middle, and the paths are well-marked.
Lastly, ensure that once you take the Strawberry Park Categorical elevate, you cease on the Sweet Cabin and decide up just a few of your favourite sugary sweets for a pick-me-up on the path! I extremely advocate just a few bitter gummy worms!
Cookies – A Beaver Creek Custom
At 3 PM, observe your nostril to the bottom of the mountain on the base space to take pleasure in a chocolate chip cookie! It doesn’t matter if you happen to skied or snowshoed down the mountains; simply search for the folks carrying chef hats and holding platters of chocolate chip cookies. This liked custom was the proper method to finish my day on the mountain!
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Ice Skating within the Coronary heart of the Village
On the coronary heart of Beaver Creek Village is a small ice rink that opens at midday every day. You may convey your personal skates or hire them and provides the rink a twirl. Or if you wish to give your legs a break, simply sit by one of many many cozy hearth pits to sip a drink and watch the ice skaters showcase their strikes. Both method, it’s a good way to take pleasure in an Apres ski expertise.
Go to a Present on the Vilar Performing Arts Middle (VPAC)
It’s arduous to think about, however beneath the ice-skating rink is the house of Vilar Performing Arts Middle (VPAC). This architectural marvel is hidden beneath the village and is the proper place to spend a cultural night.
After they had been creating Beaver Creek, they had been searching for a ‘coronary heart’ for the village. They discovered it within the uncommon architectural design of Gorden Pierce. The objective was not solely to present culturally enriching experiences but additionally to invigorate the village, and it did simply that. After all, native residents take pleasure in it ceaselessly. But it surely’s additionally an attraction bringing in folks like me from the encompassing communities in addition to Denver. It makes this typical Colorado ski resort a extra fascinating place to ski, go to, and dwell!
“I regarded and regarded for a location in Beaver Creek for a website and couldn’t discover an accessible or appropriate location. I assumed that the plaza space would possibly work, besides that the required top of the fly for all the rigging would block the views from the Market Sq. constructing condos,” architect Gordan Pierce mentioned. “Then a lightbulb in my mind went on. I remembered studying a few constructing within the theater district in New York that was largely underground.”
What appeared like a loopy concept was a superb concept! Nonetheless, it actually got here with challenges too. A lot of the stage rigging wanted to be created horizontally, fairly than vertically, because the ice rink was immediately above the stage! In addition they needed to bear in mind the potential noise from the Zamboni clearing the ice throughout live shows (a reasonably uncommon theater situation to have)!
Impressed by the heritage of European theater design, the 535 seats within the theater’s horseshoe form are paying homage to many basic European halls. Raised, parterre seating on the orchestra stage, together with a curved balcony, create an intimate room, bringing the viewers nearer to the performers. Inside finishes, using pure wooden, and custom-designed carpets and materials reference the wealthy, autumnal palette of the Colorado mountain surroundings.
Be taught extra concerning the founding and constructing of VPAC
You is likely to be considering {that a} small little group like Beaver Creek may not have an excellent lineup. Okay – that was me considering that! I suppose after dwelling for 3 years in New York Metropolis, I turned a little bit of a theater snob. That’s why I used to be so stunned to see that VPAC has attracted big-name acts out to the small-town mountain group. VPAC has performed host to world-renowned performers like B. B. King, Ringo Starr, Lyle Lovett, Tony award-winners “Lease” and “Kinky Boots” and comic Jay Leno.
MOMIX
Courtney and I went to see MOMIX carry out their present, Alice. This journey down the rabbit gap was a nod to Alice in Wonderland. MOMIX is a contemporary dance firm that performs all around the world. I by no means anticipated a city like Beaver Creek, this small and distant, to have productions which might be so refined. Greater than as soon as I needed to remind myself the place I used to be!
Alice was probably the greatest reveals I’ve ever skilled; artistic, shocking, and ingenious. The costumes and lighting had been out of this world – creating Alice’s world of illusions. That is one ’journey’ you positively wish to take! Most of the performances included props that had been so primary however utilized in ways in which I by no means may have imagined. I stored imagining how enjoyable it could’ve been to work with the props and give you the choreography!
Eating Tip: Have dinner on the Dusty Boot or Aritza Restaurant earlier than the present, and allow them to know that you will the present at VPAC since you’ll get 25% off your invoice.
Have a Meal at Beaver Creek’s Eating Cabins
In order for you a novel eating expertise, make reservations at considered one of Beaver Creek’s eating cabins!
Allie’s Cabin presents an on-mountain expertise, full with unparalleled views of Beaver Creek village and scrumptious Italian meals. Get there and again by sleigh experience and benefit from the views alongside the way in which!
Take a 25-minute sleigh experience to Beano’s Cabin for a positive eating expertise. Throughout the sleigh experience, you’re handled to sweeping views of Larkspur Bowl and Grouse Mountain. In operation for greater than 35 years, Beano’s is Beaver Creek’s longest-running eating cabin, and it’s recognized all through the state for its five-course menu.
Board a snowcat-towed sleigh at Bachelor Gulch, and after a couple of minutes, you’ll arrive at Zach’s cabin tucked between the Cabin Fever and Stirrup ski runs. The meals at Zach’s is Alsatian, and the heartiness befits the mountain environment.
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The place to Keep
Since Beaver Creek is a ski resort, there are many choices for lodging, starting from resorts to condos to dwelling leases. We stayed at Creekside at Beaver Creek, a luxurious ski-in/ski-out property positioned inside the coronary heart of Beaver Creek Village. Nestled proper up towards the effervescent Beaver Creek, it’s simple strolling distance to eating places, purchasing, and the theater.
Subsequent time your snowboarding mates wish to head to the mountains to catch some runs, go together with them! Beaver Creek has quite a lot of issues to do for the non-skier, comparable to hanging out together with your snowboarding mates on the mountain or within the VPAC theater. Typically, the very best experiences are present in essentially the most shocking locations!
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Disclosure:
I used to be a visitor of the Vilar Performing Arts Middle for my journey, nevertheless all opinions expressed listed below are my very own.