For those who’re dreaming of an elevated (actually and figuratively) mountain escape the place luxurious meets family-friendly journey—and the place your youngsters would possibly lookup from their telephones for greater than 5 seconds—Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado is your subsequent must-visit vacation spot.
I just lately took Eden and Jonah, two of my youngsters, on a household getaway to Beaver Creek in the summertime. Nestled simply up the highway from Vail, this alpine village one way or the other pulls off that uncommon combo of being laid-back and splendid on the similar time. Right here’s what to anticipate and what we liked.
The Vibe: Refined Household Playground (With out the Snobbery)
Beaver Creek isn’t only a ski resort. In summer season, it transforms into an all-ages playground the place mountaineering boots substitute skis, and every thing smells like pine timber and freshly grilled burgers. The resort has over 60 miles of mountaineering trails, scenic gondola rides, stay music, horseback using, fishing ponds, 4×4 excursions, yoga within the park, a model new intensive playground, and sufficient sugar to maintain your youngsters bouncing all the way in which again to your lodge.
We checked into The Osprey, a boutique slopeside lodge that feels half luxurious lodge, half trendy ski chalet. It’s cozy and stylish with a heated pool, steam room, and sizzling tub—aka heaven for sore legs after mountaineering uphill at altitude. One factor I appreciated was the snacks. They’d granola bars and fruit obtainable 24 hours a day, and when you’re touring with youngsters and their bottomless-pit stomachs, it is a large deal.
Day 1: Gondola Rides, Mountain Views, and Mediterranean Eating
After checking in, we headed to the Summer season Journey Middle to select up our scenic gondola passes and signal waivers to experience the raise up the mountain. The workers had been extremely useful with the few questions I had. I seen all through our keep that regardless of the place we had been or what we had been doing, the workers was superior. The individuals who stay and work listed here are completely satisfied to be right here, and it reveals.
We took the gondola to the highest of Chair 6 and had lunch at Spruce Saddle Lodge, which has gorgeous views of the encircling mountains and meals that hit the spot after the journey day. I like to recommend the pulled pork sandwich and skipping the caprese hen sandwich. Eden and Jonah advocate getting two orders of fries. If you wish to eat up on the mountain, that is the one place to eat. They provide $5 off most gadgets you probably have an Epic Go.
After lunch, we determined to hike down the mountain, a 4-mile hike. We began on the Discovery Loop after which dropped onto one other path so we might hold descending.
5 days later my legs are nonetheless sore, so when you’re going with youthful youngsters, I counsel not mountaineering down the mountain like we did and as a substitute do Aspen Glade for a straightforward stroll among the many timber or Village to Village to Allie’s Method if you wish to really feel such as you’re truly incomes your dinner.
After such an extended hike down, we had been tremendous completely satisfied the lodge had a sizzling tub, sauna, and steam room!
For dinner, we had a reservation at Citrea, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant proper within the coronary heart of the village. I anticipated it to be good. I didn’t anticipate it to be among the best meals of the journey, Jonah mentioned his lamb was phenomenal. Their Aper Sol is by far the perfect Aperol Spritz I’ve ever had, and the bread they serve was ridiculously good.
Day 2: Off-Roading, Free Concert events & Recreation Meat
We kicked off the following morning with The Osprey’s breakfast buffet. It had every thing from bagels and cheese to pastries and yogurt parfaits. Jonah made it his private mission to strive each merchandise. He succeeded.
Fueled up, we headed again to the Summer season Journey Middle for our 4×4 Mountain Tour. This was one of many highlights of the journey. The guided experience up the rugged terrain delivered panoramic views, native wildlife sightings (deer and marmots, no moose), and a few fascinating insights into the world’s ecology and mining historical past. It’s thrilling with out being too intense—good for households with youngsters 8+. Consider, you probably have a neck or head harm, you shouldn’t do that tour. Eden has post-concussion syndrome, and it was very arduous on her.
Our plan was to return to Spruce Saddle Lodge for lunch, however after ready an hour and 20 minutes for the raise to reopen, we gave up. If there may be lightning within the space, they shut the raise, so make sure to test the climate earlier than making your plans. As an alternative, we hit Blue Moose Pizza. It’s kid-friendly with crayons and paper tablecloths youngsters can draw on.
Afterwards, we had just a few hours of downtime earlier than the BC Unplugged live performance on the Village Inexperienced. The Village Inexperienced has cornhole, shuffleboard, and ping pong tables for households to make use of.
Each Thursday in summer season, Beaver Creek hosts these free concert events with nationwide touring acts. We noticed the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and even when ska/swing music isn’t your factor, the environment is infectious. Households had been dancing, canines had been lounging, and the mountains served because the world’s most epic backdrop.
Dinner that evening was at The Golden Eagle Inn, a traditional Beaver Creek spot identified for game-forward dishes. Eden had the elk, as a result of when within the Rockies… It was wealthy, tender, and the type of dish that makes you would like winter would come early simply so you may curl up with it once more. I had the hen, and Jonah had the gnocchi. We additionally had the brie appetizer and break up the pear salad. The whole lot we had was nice.
Day 3: Yoga within the Park
On our final morning, we strolled right down to Creekside Park for a free out of doors yoga class led by Kenneth. The category was approachable, with modifications for all ranges, and mats had been offered. In case your youngsters are sufficiently old to take part, convey them. If not, allow them to roll round within the grass or play on the close by playground whilst you attempt to recenter your overstimulated trip mind.
After yoga, it was time to take a look at of The Osprey and head to the airport.
Bonus Actions to Add to Your Beaver Creek Itinerary
When you’ve got extra time—or in case your youngsters are allergic to downtime—listed here are just a few different family-friendly actions value testing:
Hawk’s Nest Cabin
An “underage membership” that seems like a Gen Z dream den. Eden declared this the best place she’d been all week. There’s a ski simulator, charging stations, video games, and mocktails. In case your teenagers want a break from nature, that is the place.
Flood’s Pond
This one’s a hidden gem: free catch-and-release fishing for teenagers. Gear isn’t offered, so convey your individual or lease from a neighborhood store. It’s a good way to gradual issues down and possibly persuade your child they’re the following fly-fishing prodigy.
The Keen Beaver Scavenger Hunt
A totally free, interactive journey by means of Beaver Creek Village that’s preferrred for ages 7–14. Youngsters get a memento journey equipment and a prize in the event that they end the problem, plus it offers them a purpose to really discover as a substitute of simply asking for gelato each 20 minutes.
Ideas for Visiting Beaver Creek in Summer season
- Altitude is actual: We’re speaking 8,000 ft right here. Hydrate prefer it’s your job, and take it simple the primary day when you’re coming from sea stage.
- Layers are your pal: Mornings will be chilly, afternoons heat, and the temperature swings quicker than your teen’s temper when the Wi-Fi’s gradual.
- Use the Village Join app: Free, on-demand shuttle service round Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead. It saved us a number of uphill walks.
- Plan forward for actions: Excursions and eating places refill, particularly throughout summer season weekends. Reservations and waivers are your pals.
- Unplug a bit of: There’s Wi-Fi, in fact, however that is the type of place the place you need to place your cellphone down.
Remaining Ideas: Will We Be Again?
Completely. Beaver Creek delivered a uncommon combo of pure magnificence, luxe lodging, adventurous actions, and true family-friendliness, with out feeling like a large kiddie resort. Whether or not you’re right here to hike, bike, eat, or simply absorb the mountain air with a cocktail in hand, this place has one thing for everybody. And sure, Eden and Jonah have already began planning their return. So, see you subsequent summer season, Beaver Creek.
