Being a non-skier in Colorado could be perplexing to folks. Folks usually query why I moved to Colorado if I don’t ski. After all, 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 doubtless have snowboarding associates, nonetheless, you don’t need to keep away from all of them winter – as a substitute, you may be part of them to go play within the mountains. I lately traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado, with my snowboarding pal Courtney, and I discovered numerous 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 newest addition to the lengthy checklist 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 by means of the village, and there are ample condos, accommodations, eating places, and outlets to make your keep gratifying within the winter or summer season.
Issues to Do in Beaver Creek for the Non-Skier
After all, the preferred factor to do in Beaver Creek within the winter is snowboarding. Nonetheless, even should you don’t ski you may nonetheless absorb Beaver Creek’s wintertime ambiance. You may even rise 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 may hire snowshoes and cross-country skis and select organized excursions by means of 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 principally 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 Finest Suggestions for Snowshoeing in Beaver Creek
In case you are new to snowshoeing – then I’d counsel renting snowshoes for the complete 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 by means of Aspen Groves to Mamies Mountain Cabin, situated on the high of Bachelor Gulch close to the Categorical Chairlift (#16), and have lunch on the deck with a spectacular view! When you have snowboarding associates – you may even plan to fulfill them there. Then, you may spend the remainder of the afternoon snowshoeing by yourself across the trails of McCoy Park.
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When you have your individual snowshoes and are wonderful with going out by yourself, then simply get a carry 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 whenever you take the Strawberry Park Categorical carry, you cease on the Sweet Cabin and decide up a couple of of your favourite sugary sweets for a pick-me-up on the path! I extremely suggest a couple 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 should you skied or snowshoed down the mountains; simply search for the folks carrying chef hats and holding platters of chocolate chip cookies. This liked custom was the right approach 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 carry your individual 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 fireplace pits to sip a drink and watch the ice skaters exhibit 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 laborious 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 right place to spend a cultural night.
After they have been growing Beaver Creek, they have been in the hunt for 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. After all, native residents get pleasure from it incessantly. However 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 fascinating place to ski, go to, and reside!
“I seemed and seemed for a location in Beaver Creek for a web site and couldn’t discover an obtainable or appropriate location. I believed that the plaza space may 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 couple of constructing within the theater district in New York that was largely underground.”
What appeared like a loopy concept was an excellent concept! Nonetheless, it definitely got here with challenges too. A lot of the stage rigging wanted to be created horizontally, moderately than vertically, for the reason that ice rink was instantly above the stage! In addition they needed to consider the potential noise from the Zamboni clearing the ice throughout live shows (a reasonably uncommon theater problem to have)!
Impressed by the heritage of European theater design, the 535 seats within the theater’s horseshoe form are harking back to many traditional European halls. Raised, parterre seating on the orchestra stage, together with a curved balcony, create an intimate room, bringing the viewers nearer to the performers. Inside finishes, the usage of pure wooden, and custom-designed carpets and materials reference the wealthy, autumnal palette of the Colorado mountain surroundings.
Study extra concerning the founding and constructing of VPAC
You is perhaps pondering {that a} small little neighborhood like Beaver Creek won’t have an excellent lineup. Okay – that was me pondering that! I suppose after residing for 3 years in New York Metropolis, I turned 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 neighborhood. 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 all around the world. I by no means anticipated a city like Beaver Creek, this small and distant, to have productions which are so subtle. Greater than as soon as I needed to remind myself the place I used to be!
Alice was probably the greatest exhibits I’ve ever skilled; artistic, shocking, and ingenious. The costumes and lighting have been out of this world – creating Alice’s world of illusions. That is one ’journey’ you positively wish to take! Most of the performances included props that have been so fundamental however utilized in ways in which I by no means may have imagined. I stored imagining how enjoyable it will’ve been to work with the props and give you the choreography!
Eating Tip: Have dinner on the Dusty Boot or Aritza Restaurant earlier than the present, and allow them to know that you’re going to the present at VPAC since you’ll get 25% off your invoice.
Have a Meal at Beaver Creek’s Eating Cabins
If you would like a novel eating expertise, make reservations at one in every of 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 trip and benefit from the views alongside the way in which!
Take a 25-minute sleigh trip to Beano’s Cabin for a wonderful eating expertise. Through the sleigh trip, 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 ambiance.
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The place to Keep
Since Beaver Creek is a ski resort, there are many choices for lodging, starting from accommodations 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 towards the effervescent Beaver Creek, it’s straightforward strolling distance to eating places, buying, and the theater.
Subsequent time your snowboarding associates wish to head to the mountains to catch some runs, go together with them! Beaver Creek has a wide range of issues to do for the non-skier, corresponding to hanging out together with your snowboarding associates on the mountain or within the VPAC theater. Generally, the perfect experiences are present in probably the most shocking 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 here are my very own.
