Exploring the Good Life at Beaver Creek Resort

Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek

As we drove up the road from Interstate 70 to Beaver Creek, sparkly snow fell in the sunlight. I call it ‘snowshine’, and although I’m sure I made that name up, I love it.

Beaver Creek Resort is a bit of a glamorous paradise hidden in its little bit of mountainside, just ten or so minutes past Vail in Vail Valley, Eagle County. It’s smaller than Vail with fewer dining choices, but the ones that are there are high-end and delicious.

Photo courtesy of Creekside at Beaver Creek

It’s home to Park Hyatt, a property in which we’ve stayed. The crown jewel of the village, it fronts the ski slope and boasts a restaurant, a vast lobby/bar with a view of the mountain, a spa, a beautiful swimming pool, and multiple slopeside hot tubs. Beaver Creek Resort also features Patagonia Kids, Gorsuch, North Face, and much more. We love Vail Mountain Coffee, a local company, for a quick coffee and breakfast before a day on the slopes.

On the trip, we stayed at Creekside at Beaver Creek, which is an excellent location for going to the Vilar Performing Art Center (VPAC), our final destination. However, we’d picked a great weekend to be at the resort because the Birds of Prey World Cup races were in town.

Dale Chihuly Chandelier. | Photo courtesy of VPAC

If a vacation can be paired with an event at Beaver Creek, like Winter Culinary Weekend (February 1-4), it will enhance a visit. However, there is always something happening like live music and/or a show at VPAC.  This Vail Valley venue is 25 years old and has been built into the mountain. Below the Beaver Creek ice rink, this 530-seat theater hosts huge acts, the likes of which one would expect to see at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

VPAC Stage. | Photo Teri Fotheringham

A show here pairs perfectly with a ski vacation to Beaver Creek. In addition to holiday shows like The Nutcracker, VPAC has a stellar winter lineup. It includes magicians Michael Carbonaro and Penn & Teller, as well as musician Grace Potter. My personal favorite, The Lone Bellow, is on January 20. This intimate venue will be a perfect complement to this band’s spine-tingling harmonies. In addition, VPAC hosts films, theater, and dance companies.

VPAC Theater. | Photo Teri Fotheringham

We’ve been to a lot of venues and this one is without a doubt at the top. There isn’t a bad seat in the house and the entire place is upscale without being elitist. It couldn’t be stuffy on the last night we were there; they were hosting Grateful Shred, a Grateful Dead cover band.

There aren’t endless restaurants in Beaver Creek because it’s a relatively compact ski village. However, the offerings are top-notch, and there’s little need to drive elsewhere for an excellent meal. Restaurants like Hooked serve some of the freshest fish in the Rocky Mountains, and their sushi rivals that in oceanside cities. Plus, there is an impressive amount of Japanese whiskey to be sampled.

Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek

Citrea is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant located in front of the ice rink. With a modern flair, they whip up fantastic pasta dishes and make their homemade naan bread, which is addictive. Get the eggplant tapenade as it comes with a homemade bread.

I ordered seafood pappardelle and ate it with gusto because it comes with octopus. If it swims, I like it but if it has lots of legs and swims, I love it. The entree was reminiscent of sitting in a seaside Italian restaurant, and yet a gentle snow fell outside the window. A delightful experience that I won’t soon forget. 

Photo courtesy of Beaver Creek

For those seeking a less lavish dining experience, Dusty Boot Roadhouse is a refreshing option. With hamburgers, tacos, and pork green chile, it’s a Colorado food extravaganza that’s been happening in Beaver Creek since 1997. Note that guests of the VPAC receive 25% off their bill at Dusty Boot on the evening of their show, making it an excellent go-to joint for dinner and a show.

Platinum Residence. | Photo courtesy of Creekside at Beaver Creek

Creekside at Beaver Creek is a five-minute walk to the performing arts center and the village. Our modern two-bedroom condo was spacious and featured a giant kitchen and wood-burning fireplace, cozy on those snowy Colorado evenings. With a hot tub for lounging, ski lockers, and a ski-in ski-out location, Creekside makes a nice headquarters for a Beaver Creek getaway.  

Whether visiting for skiing or another mountain activity like snowshoeing, adding a show at Vilar Performing Arts Center is a simple way to make a Beaver Creek vacation a little extra fantastic.