Being a non-skier in Colorado could be perplexing to individuals. Folks usually 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 apart from snowboarding!
It’s inevitable that as a non-skier in Colorado, you’ll probably have snowboarding associates, nonetheless, you don’t must keep away from all of them winter – as an alternative, you possibly can be a part of them to go play within the mountains. I just lately traveled to Beaver Creek Colorado with my snowboarding good friend 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 record 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 the village, and there are ample condos, motels, eating places, and retailers to make your keep pleasing within the winter or summer time.
Issues to Do in Beaver Creek for the Non-Skier
After all, the preferred factor to do in Beaver Creek within the winter is snowboarding. Nonetheless, even should you don’t ski you possibly can nonetheless absorb Beaver Creek’s wintertime environment. You possibly can even rise up on the slopes…with out skis!
Nordic Heart at Beaver Creek
The Nordic Heart close to the Strawberry Park Categorical Raise is your headquarters for winter adventures that don’t have anything to do with downhill snowboarding! Right here you possibly can hire snowshoes, cross nation skis and select organized excursions by McCoy Park with Nordic Heart 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 affords greater than 19 kilometers of groomed and rustic trails for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
I like snowshoeing, it’s mainly winter mountain climbing…what’s to not love? I obtained 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 Ideas for Snowshoeing in Beaver Creek
In case you are new to snowshoeing – then I’d 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 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! You probably have snowboarding associates – you possibly can even plan to fulfill them there. Then you possibly can spend the remainder of the afternoon snowshoeing by yourself across the trails of McCoy Park.
You probably have your personal snowshoes and are superb to exit by yourself, then simply get a carry ticket for McCoy Park for $61 for the day and exit and discover the paths by yourself! Maps can be found on the Nordic Heart and the paths are very well marked.
Lastly, make it possible for whenever you take the Strawberry Park Categorical carry you cease on the Sweet Cabin and choose up a number of of your favourite sugary sweets for a pick-me-up on the path! I extremely advocate a number of 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 proper approach 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 deliver 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 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 Heart (VPAC)
It’s onerous to think about, however beneath the ice-skating rink is the house of Vilar Performing Arts Heart (VPAC). This architectural surprise is hidden beneath the village and is the proper place to spend a cultural night.
Once they had been growing Beaver Creek, they had been in quest of a ‘coronary heart’ for the village. They discovered it within the uncommon architectural design of Gorden Pierce. The aim was not solely to provide culturally enriching experiences but additionally to invigorate the village and it did simply that. After all, native residents take pleasure in it often. But it surely’s additionally an attraction bringing in individuals like me from the encircling communities in addition to Denver. It makes this typical Colorado ski resort, a extra fascinating place to ski, go to, and dwell!
“I seemed and seemed for a location in Beaver Creek for a website and couldn’t discover an out there or appropriate location. I assumed that the plaza space would possibly work, besides that the required peak of the fly for the entire rigging would block the views from the Market Sq. constructing condos,” architect Gordan Pierce stated. “Then a lightbulb in my mind went on. I remembered studying a couple of constructing within the theater district in New York that was principally underground.”
What appeared like a loopy thought was a superb thought! Nonetheless, it definitely got here with challenges too. A lot of the stage rigging wanted to be created horizontally, moderately than vertically, for the reason that ice rink was straight above the stage! In addition they needed to take into consideration the potential noise from the Zamboni clearing the ice throughout concert events (a reasonably 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 traditional 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 pondering {that a} small little group like Beaver Creek may not have an excellent lineup. Okay – that was me pondering that! I suppose after dwelling for 3 years in New York Metropolis, I grew to become 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 “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 are so subtle. Greater than as soon as I needed to remind myself the place I used to be!
Alice was top-of-the-line exhibits I’ve ever skilled; inventive, 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 need to take! Most of the performances included props that had been so primary, however utilized in ways in which I by no means might have imagined. I saved imagining how enjoyable it could’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
If you need a singular eating expertise, make reservations at one in every of Beaver Creek’s eating cabins!
Allie’s Cabin affords 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 superb eating expertise. Through 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.
The place to Keep
Since Beaver Creek is a ski resort, there are many choices for lodging starting from motels 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 straightforward strolling distance to eating places, purchasing, and the theater.
Subsequent time your snowboarding associates need 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 the place you possibly can even hang around together with your snowboarding associates on the mountain or within the VPAC theater. Typically the perfect 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 Heart for my journey, nonetheless all opinions expressed listed below are my very own.