Being a non-skier in Colorado may be perplexing to folks. 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 moreover snowboarding!
It’s inevitable that as a non-skier in Colorado, you’ll possible have snowboarding mates, nonetheless, you don’t should keep away from all of them winter – as a substitute, you possibly can be part of them to go play within the mountains. I not too long ago traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado, with my snowboarding buddy Courtney, and I discovered a number 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 situated in Vail Valley close to the city of Avon simply west of Vail ski resort. It was the latest 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 via the village, and there are ample condos, motels, eating places, and outlets to make your keep pleasing 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 for those who don’t ski you possibly can nonetheless take in Beaver Creek’s wintertime environment. You may even stand up on the slopes…with out skis!
Nordic Heart at Beaver Creek
The Nordic Heart 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 possibly can hire snowshoes and cross-country skis and select organized excursions via McCoy Park with Nordic Heart 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 gives greater than 19 kilometers of groomed and rustic trails for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
I like snowshoeing, it’s mainly winter mountaineering…what’s to not love? I acquired 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 Greatest Ideas for Snowshoeing in Beaver Creek
If you’re new to snowshoeing – then I’d recommend 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 via Aspen Groves to Mamies Mountain Cabin, situated on the prime 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 mates – you possibly can even plan to satisfy them there. Then, you possibly can spend the remainder of the afternoon snowshoeing by yourself across the trails of McCoy Park.
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If in case you have your personal snowshoes and are advantageous with going out by yourself, then simply get a raise 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 well-marked.
Lastly, ensure that if you take the Strawberry Park Categorical raise, 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 get pleasure from a chocolate chip cookie! It doesn’t matter for those who skied or snowshoed down the mountains; simply search for the folks carrying chef hats and holding platters of chocolate chip cookies. This cherished custom was the proper option 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 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 showcase their strikes. Both manner, it’s an effective way to get pleasure from 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 have been growing Beaver Creek, they have been seeking 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. In fact, native residents get pleasure from it ceaselessly. Nevertheless it’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 attention-grabbing place to ski, go to, and stay!
“I seemed and seemed 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 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 few constructing within the theater district in New York that was principally underground.”
What appeared like a loopy thought was an excellent thought! Nevertheless, it actually got here with challenges too. A lot of the stage rigging wanted to be created horizontally, slightly than vertically, because the ice rink was instantly above the stage! Additionally they needed to keep in mind the potential noise from the Zamboni clearing the ice throughout live shows (a fairly uncommon theater situation to have)!
Impressed by the heritage of European theater design, the 535 seats within the theater’s horseshoe form are harking back to many basic European halls. Raised, parterre seating on the orchestra degree, 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 atmosphere.
Study extra in regards to the founding and constructing of VPAC
You could 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 residing 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 “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 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 refined. Greater than as soon as I needed to remind myself the place I used to be!
Alice was among the finest reveals I’ve ever skilled; inventive, stunning, and ingenious. The costumes and lighting have been out of this world – creating Alice’s world of illusions. That is one ’journey’ you undoubtedly need to take! Lots of the performances included props that have been so primary however utilized in ways in which I by no means might have imagined. I stored imagining how enjoyable it will’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 among Beaver Creek’s eating cabins!
Allie’s Cabin gives an on-mountain expertise, full with unparalleled views of Beaver Creek village and scrumptious Italian meals. Get there and again by sleigh journey and benefit from the views alongside the way in which!
Take a 25-minute sleigh journey to Beano’s Cabin for a advantageous eating expertise. Throughout the sleigh journey, 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 motels to condos to dwelling leases. We stayed at Creekside at Beaver Creek, a luxurious ski-in/ski-out property situated inside 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, buying, and the theater.
Subsequent time your snowboarding mates need to head to the mountains to catch some runs, go along with them! Beaver Creek has a wide range of issues to do for the non-skier, corresponding to hanging out together with your snowboarding mates on the mountain or within the VPAC theater. Generally, the very best experiences are present in essentially the most stunning 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.
