Being a non-skier in Colorado will be perplexing to individuals. Individuals typically query why I moved to Colorado if I don’t ski. In fact, that’s ludicrous – there are such a lot of issues to do within the Colorado Rockies in addition to snowboarding!
It’s inevitable that as a non-skier in Colorado, you’ll probably have snowboarding pals, nonetheless, 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 not too long ago traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado, with my snowboarding pal Courtney, and I discovered a lot 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 newest addition to the lengthy checklist 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 way of the village, and there are ample condos, inns, eating places, and retailers to make your keep satisfying within the winter or summer time.
Issues to Do in Beaver Creek for the Non-Skier
In fact, the most well-liked factor to do in Beaver Creek within the winter is snowboarding. Nevertheless, even should you don’t ski you may nonetheless absorb Beaver Creek’s wintertime ambiance. You possibly can even stand up on the slopes…with out skis!
Nordic Middle at Beaver Creek
The Nordic Middle close to the Strawberry Park Categorical Carry is your headquarters for winter adventures that don’t have anything to do with downhill snowboarding! Right here, you may lease snowshoes and cross-country skis and select organized excursions by way of McCoy Park with Nordic Middle guides. McCoy Park is a spectacular lift-accessed pure space that provides 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, stating mountain ranges, eating spots, flora, and fauna.
My Finest Ideas for Snowshoeing in Beaver Creek
If you’re new to snowshoeing – then I might counsel renting snowshoes for the total 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 way 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! If in case you have snowboarding pals – you may even plan to fulfill them there. Then you may spend the remainder of the afternoon snowshoeing by yourself across the trails of McCoy Park.
If in case you have your individual snowshoes and are nice to exit 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 very well marked.
Lastly, guarantee that whenever 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 should you skied or snowshoed down the mountains, simply search for the individuals carrying chef hats who’re holding platters of chocolate chip cookies. This beloved custom was the right strategy to finish my day on the mountain!
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 possibly can convey your individual skates or lease 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 exhibit their strikes. Both method, it’s an effective 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 right place to spend a cultural night.
Once they have been growing Beaver Creek, they have 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 offer culturally enriching experiences but in addition to invigorate the village, and it did simply that. In fact, native residents take pleasure in it regularly. However it’s additionally an attraction bringing in individuals like me from the encompassing communities in addition to Denver. It makes this typical Colorado ski resort, a extra attention-grabbing place to ski, go to, and reside!
“I regarded and regarded for a location in Beaver Creek for a website and couldn’t discover an accessible or appropriate location. I believed that the plaza space may work, besides that the required peak 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 couple of constructing within the theater district in New York that was largely underground.”
What appeared like a loopy thought was an excellent thought! Nevertheless, it definitely got here with challenges too. A lot of the stage rigging wanted to be created horizontally, reasonably than vertically, for the reason that ice rink was straight above the stage! In addition they needed to consider the potential noise from the Zamboni clearing the ice throughout concert events (a fairly uncommon theater concern 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, the usage of pure wooden, and custom-designed carpets and materials reference the wealthy, autumnal palette of the Colorado mountain atmosphere.
Be taught extra in regards to the founding and constructing of VPAC
You is perhaps pondering {that a} small little group like Beaver Creek won’t have an excellent lineup. Okay – that was me pondering 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 shocked 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 “Hire” 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 everywhere in the world. I by no means anticipated a city like Beaver Creek, this small and distant, to have productions which might be so subtle. Greater than as soon as I needed to remind myself the place I used to be!
Alice was among the finest exhibits I’ve ever skilled; inventive, shocking, and ingenious. The costumes and lighting have been out of this world – creating Alice’s world of illusions. That is one ’journey’ you undoubtedly wish to take! Most of the performances included props that have been so primary, however utilized in ways in which I by no means may have imagined. I stored imagining how enjoyable it might’ve been to work with the props and provide you with 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 trip and benefit from the views alongside the way in which!
Take a 25-minute sleigh trip to Beano’s Cabin for a nice eating expertise. In the course of the sleigh trip, 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 identified 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 ambiance.
Take a look at these distinctive issues to do in Denver from an area
The place to Keep
Since Beaver Creek is a ski resort, there are many choices for lodging starting from inns to condos, to residence leases. We stayed at Creekside at Beaver Creek, a luxurious ski-in/ski-out property positioned throughout the coronary heart of Beaver Creek Village. Nestled proper up in opposition to the effervescent Beaver Creek, it’s simple strolling distance to eating places, purchasing, and the theater.
Subsequent time your snowboarding pals wish to head to the mountains to catch some runs, go along with them! Beaver Creek has quite a lot of issues to do for the non-skier the place you may even hang around along with your snowboarding pals on the mountain or within the VPAC theater. Typically the most effective 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, nonetheless all opinions expressed listed below are my very own.
