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
19ft
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
19ft
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
19 ft
Annual snow
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Beaver Creek, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026
Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.
14 Oct 2026
Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028
Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.
14 Oct 2026
Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.
13 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.
13 Oct 2026
Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck
Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.
11 Oct 2026
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
9 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Webcams
7 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Beaver Creek's live webcams
Check live conditions across Beaver Creek with 7 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Snow Stake10,174ft
- Monitor fresh powder accumulation at Colorado's premier luxury destination through this essential Beaver Creek webcam positioned at 3101 meters elevation. Track real-time snowfall as storms blanket the resort's meticulously groomed 1,832 acres of world-class terrain. Perfect for planning your perfect day on the slopes, this live Beaver Creek web cam helps you time your visits for optimal conditions across all 150 trails of this legendary mountain experience. Essential for discerning skiers seeking the perfect combination of challenging terrain and five-star amenities that define the Beaver Creek difference.
- Spruce10,174ft
- Experience breathtaking alpine vistas from Spruce Saddle with this panoramic Beaver Creek webcam positioned at 3101 meters elevation. This strategic viewpoint offers sweeping perspectives of the resort's perfectly maintained slopes and surrounding Gore Range peaks that define Colorado's dramatic landscape. Essential for assessing visibility and snow conditions before venturing out, this live Beaver Creek webcams feed reveals why the resort's legendary grooming standards and luxurious guest experience keeps discerning skiers returning season after season to this crown jewel of Colorado skiing.
- McCoy Park10,344ft
- Discover the serene beauty of McCoy Park through this high-elevation Beaver Creek web cam positioned at 3153 meters elevation. Watch as morning light illuminates this beloved terrain zone, renowned for its gentle glades and peaceful atmosphere that offers a uniquely Colorado high-alpine experience. This live Beaver Creek webcam provides crucial insights into snow coverage and visibility across one of the resort's most distinctive areas, perfect for families and intermediate skiers seeking perfectly groomed runs surrounded by spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery.
- Red Buffalo10,344ft
- Experience the heart of Beaver Creek's family-friendly terrain through this strategically positioned webcam at 3153 meters elevation. Monitor real-time conditions across the beloved Red Buffalo area, where perfectly groomed beginner and intermediate runs welcome skiers of all abilities to experience authentic Colorado high-altitude skiing. This essential Beaver Creek webcam provides live views of one of the resort's most accessible high-alpine experiences, helping families plan their perfect mountain day at this legendary destination known for its impeccable guest service and world-class amenities.
- Talons Restaurant8,911ft
- Monitor mid-mountain conditions from this strategically positioned Beaver Creek webcam at 2716 meters elevation. Overlooking the popular Talons Restaurant area, this live Beaver Creek web cam provides visibility of crucial terrain intersections where multiple lift-served zones converge. Watch as skiers navigate this central hub while monitoring snow conditions across the resort's legendary Birds of Prey terrain, home to World Cup racing and some of Colorado's most thrilling expert descents that have challenged the world's best ski racers for decades.
- Arrowhead Village7,398ft
- Monitor the western gateway to Beaver Creek's expansive terrain through this Arrowhead Village webcam positioned at 2255 meters elevation. Track base area conditions and lift operations at this secondary village access point to Colorado's most luxurious ski destination. This Beaver Creek webcam helps you gauge morning activity and plan your entrance to the mountain's western terrain, ensuring you maximize every moment on the resort's world-famous slopes while enjoying the heated walkways and premium amenities that set Beaver Creek apart from all other Colorado resorts.
- Village Cam8,130ft
- Experience the elegant heartbeat of Colorado's premier luxury ski destination through this centrally positioned webcam at 2478 meters elevation. Watch as morning light touches the European-inspired architecture of Beaver Creek Village while monitoring base area activity and current weather conditions. This signature Beaver Creek webcam captures the resort's refined atmosphere where heated walkways, exclusive shopping, world-class dining, and the famous aroma of fresh-baked cookies create the perfect complement to championship-caliber skiing and riding.
Beaver Creek snow cams FAQ
How often do Beaver Creek snow cams update?
All Beaver Creek snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Beaver Creek.
Which Beaver Creek webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation McCoy Park webcam at 3,153m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Beaver Creek webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Beaver Creek lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Beaver Creek snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Beaver Creek snow cams?
Check Beaver Creek webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Beaver Creek lift tickets?
Use our Beaver Creek webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Beaver Creek webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Beaver Creek snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Beaver Creek intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.