Beaver Creek
1,832 acres, 150 runs near Vail. Luxury resort, World Cup racing, Epic Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
141
Annual snow
232in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Beaver Creek's summit reaches 11,437 feet, dropping 4,040 vertical feet to a base at 7,398 feet across 150 runs spread over 1,832 acres near Avon, Colorado. Terrain splits 38 per cent beginner, 30 per cent intermediate, 24 per cent advanced and 8 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 232 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Twenty-six lifts, including thirteen quad chairs and one six-person chair, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, one triple chair, three gondolas and seven surface lifts.
Beaver Creek has built a reputation as one of Colorado's most polished, service-oriented luxury resorts, famous for touches like fresh-baked cookies distributed to guests at the end of the ski day. The resort's considerable World Cup racing heritage, hosting the Birds of Prey downhill course, gives it genuine standing among the sport's elite competitive venues.
Earl Eaton and John Burke first explored possible resort opportunities in the area from 1956, though serious planning and negotiations for Beaver Creek did not begin until 1970. The site was initially intended to help host alpine events for the 1976 Winter Olympics, with Denver as the formal host city, but Colorado voters rejected hosting the Games by a margin of three to two, citing transportation, development and environmental concerns.
In 1976, the US Forest Service granted Vail Associates permission to develop the site as ski terrain, with Colorado Governor John Vanderhoof's approval. Groundbreaking took place in July 1977, and Beaver Creek opened for skiing on 15 December 1980 with six chairlifts and a slopeside lodge, going on to host the 1989 Alpine World Ski Championships alongside neighbouring Vail. Adult daily tickets run from 189 to 295 US dollars.
4,042ft
Vertical
150
Runs
1,832 acres
Skiable
232in
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
150 runs across 1,832 acres skiable
Beaver Creek covers 1,832 acres (741 hectares) above Avon in the Vail Valley, with 150 runs. The base sits at 7,400 ft (2,255 m) and the summit at 11,440 ft (3,487 m), a vertical drop of 4,040 ft (1,232 m). Beginner runs account for 38% of the terrain, with 30% intermediate, 24% advanced and 8% expert. Average snowfall is around 232 inches a year. Beginner runs take the largest share, so it suits learners, while the Birds of Prey and Grouse Mountain zones give advanced skiers something to work with.
The Birds of Prey downhill course, which hosts World Cup racing and is served by the Birds of Prey Express, has steep, sustained runs such as Golden Eagle and Peregrine that hold fresh snow longer than the front side. Grouse Mountain delivers fall-line steeps, best on powder days, and Stone Creek Chutes is a hike-to zone of tight lines, cliff drops and deep snow. Intermediate skiers can explore Larkspur Bowl, Rose Bowl and the upper sections of Bachelor Gulch. Beaver Creek suits families, beginners and intermediates, with enough steeps to challenge advanced skiers for a few days.
Terrain split
150
runs
150 runs across 4 grades
Beginner57 runs · 38%
Intermediate45 runs · 30%
Advanced36 runs · 24%
Expert12 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Beaver Creek
The 2025-26 season at Beaver Creek ran from 27 November 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 232 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather and World Cup race scheduling.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Beaver Creek's beginner-and-intermediate-weighted terrain. As an Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Beaver Creek draws substantial visitation from Epic Pass holders alongside a genuinely luxury-focused visitor base drawn to the resort's exceptional service standards.
The resort's Birds of Prey World Cup downhill course continues to draw ski racing enthusiasts and spectators during the competitive season. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's considerable beginner-weighted terrain and renowned children's programming. The daily cookie tradition remains a beloved, distinctive touch throughout the season.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and World Cup racing is not confirmed in available resort information. Since opening in December 1980 following the failed 1976 Olympic bid, Beaver Creek has continued to build on its purpose-built, luxury-focused foundations. The resort's polished service reputation remains central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
141
Days open
232 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Beaver Creek
Daily snow reports at Beaver Creek go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
10 in
Snowiest day
24 Jan 2026
6 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
60 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Beaver Creek, and where to stay
Beaver Creek sits near Avon, Colorado, in the Vail Valley, with a base elevation of 7,398 feet and a summit at 11,437 feet across a 4,040-foot vertical drop over 1,832 acres. This setting places Beaver Creek within the same broader valley as its considerably larger neighbour, Vail.
Avon and the resort's own purpose-built village provide substantial luxury lodging, dining and shopping directly at the base, giving Beaver Creek a genuinely self-contained, high-end destination-resort character. The broader Vail Valley surrounds the resort with extensive additional amenities.
Interstate 70 provides direct access to the resort via Avon, connecting to the broader Colorado highway network. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled interstate is regularly maintained given the valley's status as a major destination corridor. Complimentary village transportation connects the base area to surrounding lodging.
Eagle County Regional Airport, a short drive away, and Denver International Airport, roughly two hours distant, both serve the resort, with Eagle County offering particularly convenient access for visitors flying directly into the Vail Valley.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Beaver Creek, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Beaver Creek's ski season?
Beaver Creek's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 21 through April 11. That window is roughly 141 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Colorado, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Beaver Creek have?
Beaver Creek lists about 1,832 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 150 named runs (741 hectares alongside 1,832 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Beaver Creek?
Trail grading at Beaver Creek breaks down roughly as 38% beginner, 30% intermediate, 24% advanced, 8% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Beaver Creek have?
Beaver Creek operates 26 lifts across 6 lift types. The fleet includes 13 quad chairs, 7 surface lifts, 3 gondolas, 1 6-person chair, 1 triple chair, and 1 double chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Beaver Creek?
Base elevation at Beaver Creek is about 7,398 ft (2,255 m), with the summit around 11,440 ft (3,487 m), giving roughly 4,042 ft (1,232 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Beaver Creek get each season?
Beaver Creek averages about 232 inches (589 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Beaver Creek accept the Epic?
Beaver Creek is affiliated with the Epic. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Epic, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Beaver Creek lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$146 to US$271, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Beaver Creek before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 7 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Beaver Creek so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Beaver Creek have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Beaver Creek. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Beaver Creek located?
Beaver Creek sits in Colorado, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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