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Driving through Colorado’s peaks and valleys is a year-round treat for the eyes — even at night, where the only interruption is the starlight’s soft lullaby, as John Denver would say.
Alpine lakes, awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, and dreamy waterfalls pepper the whole state. But a two-hour drive away from Denver sits a particularly magical spot, generous with breathtaking landscapes and exciting activities: Beaver Creek.
You can’t help but feel at peace with the world atop Beaver Creek mountain, overlooking rustic cabins hugged by snow.
Located between Avon and Vail, Colorado, Beaver Creek Resort is the center of a now beautiful Colorado mountain town, with tons of attractions, lovely scenery, and 240 days of sunshine to enjoy each year.
First time in Beaver Creek? No worries! Get settled in your Beaver Creek rental, and let us handle the planning for you. We’ll cover the best things to do in Beaver Creek during breezy winter and warm summer days.
Winter Activities in Beaver Creek Colorado
Embrace the snow! It might be cold, but it’s also fluffy, pure, and waiting for you to ski through it. You’re in for a fun-filled adventure when it snows in Beaver Creek!
Because it’s the perfect winter wonderland, brimming with snowmobiles, sleigh rides, dog sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The local business owners unleash their creativity with novel dining experiences in the mountains, and performing arts shows at the Vilar Performing Arts Center are a dime a dozen! If none of that appeals, there’s always the spa!
Here’s a list of the best winter activities to do in Beaver Creek.
Take a Stroll through Beaver Creek Village
Imagine waking up to the sunrise lighting up the divine landscapes of Beaver Creek mountain. Time for a cup of coffee, but you’re on vacation! Let’s go find your cup of joe in Beaver Creek Village.
A morning stroll is a peachy way to start a day in Beaver Creek Village. It’s chalet-inspired architecture hosts unique stores with friendly locals that can’t wait to share their wares. Enjoy the pedestrian-only area while taking in the stunning alpine scenery enveloping the village.
Ready for a wardrobe refresh? You’ll find popular retailers like Patagonia for that new ski coat or thermals. And if you’re hankering for a bite to eat, head over to the Park Hyatt’s sophisticated 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill for an open-kitchen experience (and a fab burger). There’s also Blue Moose Pizza for delectable pizzas and sandwiches.
- Address: 18 Elk Track Rd, Avon, CO 81620
Go Ice Skating
Grab your skates and have a blast at Beaver Creek Village’s ice skating rink! And if you don’t have equipment, Beaver Creek has you covered. You can visit the Nordic Sports Center’s equipment rental counter to rent skates, along with other winter activity equipment like snowshoes.
Traveling with little ones? Your family vacation is the perfect time for a skating lesson. The Beaver Creek Ski School hosts individual and group lessons for all ages — just remember to book 24 hours in advance. And if you’re with your beau, we can’t think of anything more romantic than gliding on ice, hand-in-hand, while gazing at the mountainous landscapes.
You can easily spend a whole afternoon, as the rink has comfortable couches for you to take cozy breaks when needed.
- Address: 60 Avondale Lane Avon, CO 81620
Learn How to Ski or Snowboard
Aspen gets all the hype for skiing in Colorado, but Breckenridge, Vail resorts, and Beaver Creek are fabulous winter destinations as well.
Beginner skier? No problem. And if you’re the next Bode Miller? Also, no problem. Skiing in Beaver Creek is famous for hosting diverse terrain for skiing that lends itself nicely to both newbies and thrill-seeking skiers. Take a gondola ride from Avon to Beaver Creek Mountain, where you’ll find green trails, a signal for kid- and beginner-friendly. But you’ll also find some blue and black-diamond sections that up the ante with steeper sections.
But Beaver Creek Resort offers a sweet daily treat to skiers and snowboarders mid-slope. Cookie time! At 3:00 pm each day, trays of freshly baked, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies make their way to the base of the Centennial Express Lifts. The resort tradition sees over 500,000 cookies baked every season!
You can either take the reins and hit the slopes yourself or schedule lessons with the Beaver Creek Ski School.
For more skiing adventures, head over to the Beaver Creek Nordic Center for 19 kilometers of cross-country skiing and skating trails. Just take the lift to hit up more advanced trails.
- Beaver Creek Ski Resort Address: 210 Beaver Creek Plaza, Beaver Creek, CO 81620
Hike With a Guide at the Walking Mountains Science Center
Peaceful hikes through the mountains offer solace and reflection. But are you the type to wonder what type of tree you just passed? A naturalist guide sounds like the perfect pairing with your afternoon hike.
Avon’s Walking Mountains Science Center offers various natural science programs to educate kids and adults about the area’s terrain. You’ll love the regular nature walks, where naturalists accompany you on hikes and share their knowledge about the mountains, wildlife, ecology, and more!
The Center also features regular climate speakers and recycling clean-ups, contributing to 234,000 pounds of waste diverted from landfills!
- Address: 318 Walking Mountains Lane, Avon, CO 81620
Marvel at Art at C Anthony Gallery
Are gusty winds hampering your day? Warm up with novel artworks at a Beaver Creek art gallery! The C Anthony gallery sits on Gallery Row, steps away from the ice rink. Once you’re finished with your figure 8’s, spend the afternoon relishing local and international artistic talent. Visitors praise the gallery’s thoughtful and knowledgeable staff and its dedication to diversity in art.
The gallery is chock-full of unique and immersive exhibition experiences and is known as one of the best galleries in the Vail Valley. Artists showcase their magnificent creations through diverse mediums, like oil on canvas, glass, bronze, resin, mixed media, and photography.
Just this summer, the BRITTEN exhibit featured eye-catching visuals and rich colors in mixed media. The BRIO painting was particularly lush, with rich floral imagery.
- Address: 61 Avondale Ln # 101, Beaver Creek, CO 81620
Cross-Country Ski at Beaver Creek Nordic Center
Downhill skiing is more popular, but cross-country skiing is a subtle yet extremely powerful form of fitness. Put your legs, glutes, shoulders, and arms to work as you wake up your entire cardiovascular system with endurance-building exercise.
If you’re afraid of heights or simply crave a more level-headed winter sporting experience, cross-country skiing offers you the world. And Beaver Creek is a prime destination for it. Pick from over 30 groomed and natural trails with a combined 20+ kilometers of terrain to glide across at McCoy Park.
Be sure to drop by the Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center for equipment rentals, right beside the Strawberry Park Express Lift. You can get ski gear or even snowshoes, which offer a more gentle workout. Additionally, you can pick smaller snowshoe varieties that make it easier to run in the snow!
- Address: 1280 Village Rd, Avon, CO 81620
Summer Things to Do in Beaver Creek Colorado
Still not sold on skiing? Beaver Creek offers you rich experiences in the summertime, too! July and August boast average temperatures between 68 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit. But the mountain’s cool breeze will keep you from sweating, ideal for long hikes in nearby parks or endless strolls in the village.
In June, July, and August, Beaver Creek experiences daytime temperatures between 70 to 75. But the mountain’s cool breeze will keep you from sweating, ideal for long hikes in nearby parks or endless strolls in the village. While most people come here in the summer to enjoy the epic hiking trails, there’s plenty of other great things to do in Beaver Creek in the summer.
Just make sure you bring an evening coat or sweater. Temperatures can drop between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let’s look at the best summer things to do in Beaver Creek.
Visit the Beaver Creek Golf Club
Imagine a smooth, green golf course against Colorado’s glorious mountains. With every put, take in the grounding sites of endless trees and mountain peaks.
That’s golfing, in Beaver Creek.
The most popular course is the Beaver Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole course only open in May and September — calm, perfect weather for a day on the course! Did you know higher elevations are linked to smoother carries in golf? Regardless, you can expect challenging holes at the start of the course. By the end, you’ll inch closer to the clubhouse, past a tranquil pond and fountain.
And if you’re a newbie? Just schedule a Golf lesson with seasoned golf professionals at $100/hour. You can also hit up the golf shop for gear, which is ranked one of the top 100 shops in the US.
- Beaver Hill Golf Club Address: 103 Offerson Rd, Beaver Creek, CO 81620
Eat Delicious Local Fare at Beano’s Cabin
While there’s so many great Beaver Creek restaurants, this is one of the best. At the foot of Larkspur Bowl lies a triple-A, four-diamond-awarded restaurant: Beano’s Cabin. You’ll spend a pretty penny here, but the five-course gourmet meal is certainly worth it. Since 1986, Beano’s has delighted guests with locally sourced, playful dishes.
Remember, the nearby Eagle River is a short distance away, the perfect source for fly fishing fresh rainbow trout and salmon to feature on special menus. What’s more, the rabbit confit dances on your tastebuds with carrot coconut velouté; the prime beef tenderloin satisfies even the most discriminating clientele. Finally, the wild boar shank is a decadent, crowd-pleasing favorite.
Then there’s getting there. Take a tractor-drawn wagon to the restaurant, or an open-air winter sleigh. But don’t worry, you’ll keep cozy in the sleigh’s warm blankets.
Travelers applaud Beano’s for its impeccable service, from the welcoming wagon guide to the hostesses, teams of servers, and runners — all working together to ensure you have the most unique and pleasurable dining experience.
Sip on a fine pinot noir as you look out the window and enjoy the starlit landscapes.
- Address: Beaver Creek Resort, Avon, CO 81620
Visit Beaver Creek Stables for Horseback Riding
For some, outdoor activities aren’t complete without animals. Horse lovers, to the front! Beaver Creek Stables provides impeccably unique horseback riding experiences through the Rocky Mountains.
The business carefully selects each tailored trail to meet your experience level and desires. The result? An exhilarating, peaceful trot along tree-lined trails in the Rocky Mountains. Pick from multi-hour picnic rides or special trails to Beano’s Cabin!
Reviewers gushed about the stables’ well-behaved horses, experienced staff, and nature-filled trails, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for couples, families, and individuals alike.
- Address: Elk Track Rd, Avon, CO 81620
Enjoy an Afternoon of Mountain Biking
If you’re an avid cycler or crave a mountain adventure, Beaver Creek is the perfect spot for mountain biking. Your first stop? High Gear Cyclery for $100-a-day bike rentals. The store’s knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect bike for your experience and needs.
Then what? Don’t worry; the staff offer great tips for mountain biking locations in Beaver Creek, too. Just ask! But we’ll lay out a couple of options for you here as well.
Thinking of biking near Beaver Creek Mountain? Don’t try anything reckless — stay on the designated biking trails, like:
- Aspen Glade: A challenging, 1.1 KM trail surrounded by high trees and wildflowers
- Lost Buck: An uphill, 2-km path for energetic bikers
- Elkhorn Trail: A 700-foot elevation gain trail, with plenty of deer and wildlife
Go Whitewater Rafting
Ready to check whitewater rafting off your bucket lists? Only one requirement: you can’t be afraid of getting wet! Whitewater rafting is a spectacular Colorado activity —- Beaver Creek and the Vail village delivers it in heaps!
But where to start?
Venture over to Lakota Guides, a reputable business offering whitewater rafting and a self-declared leader Colorado’s adventure industry. They even cater to camping families and offer overnight trips! A popular trip is the Colorado River Shoshone, where quick rapids excite travelers without feeling too overwhelming.
Crave an easy float? You might want to start with the company’s scenic rafting tours — no big waves. Just lush forests and sounds of wildlife. Perfect.
- Lakota Guides Address: 411 Metcalf Rd, Avon, CO 81620
Enjoy Beaver Creek Attractions with Rent By Owner!
Who wouldn’t want gorgeous mountain views of the Rockies and the shimmering Beaver lake as the everyday setting for their vacation?
Rent By Owner offers that and more with endless vacation rental options in the Beaver Creek area.
Itching for the Ritz-Carlton-type suites with a jacuzzi tub? Craving a luxurious chalet with cozy fire pits near Vail Mountain? Or perhaps you’re after a rustic cabin experience.
We’ll help you find what you’re looking for, to the last bedroom, ancillary, and neighborhood. Book a Beaver Creek rental today!
Featured Image Credit: nschwensow
