advice on Vail/Beaver Creek

[Barb]

So since my son is having the time of his life in Vail and already wants to go back I found a great deal on a condo in Avon 12/17-12/21. Christmas break out here is 2.5 weeks long! Anyway I booked this particular place because it said it was near the gondola that takes you right to the base of Beaver Creek. From what I've read, Beaver Creek is not as crowded as Vail since its further. Any thoughts on this? I am sure we want to go to Vail a day or two also. Looks like there is a bus from Avon transit station to Vail for $4.00. Anyone ever taken it, is it a huge pain in the ass? I think parking at vail is $25 so I think I would only be saving $5 by taking the bus since I will have at least 4 kids with me.

 

I think I read Beaver Creek doesn't have a day lodge, is this right? If so where do you put your stuff. I plan on packing lunch for the boys.

 

Any advice appreciated.

[Ullr]

Parking at Vail SUCKS! Yea, $25 for the parking deck (if you can find a spot), then if your wheel even comes close to touching one of the faded yellow lines that is completely covered in road salt, they will tack on another $35 fine on your windshield! Went a few years ago, and I think they just went around and put a ticket on everyones windshield for touching the line (whether it was true or not). Take the bus, you will have more fun, and meet new people to boot.

[nick malozzi]

I had some sick BBQ mid mountain at Beaver Creek when I was there. So there is def food. There was also a massive village type area at the base. I'm assuming there is food in there, but I didn't go in. I really like Beaver Creek, but it was a super blue bird day, and I was with some locals that showed me the goods.

 

I have yet to this day been to vail. With all the other amazing options it seems hardly worth the parking headaches and crowds. I hear there is some great terrain though!

 

In the end, you're all gonna have a blast no matter how you do it. Super jealous.

[jordan]

beaver creek is not as crowded as vail, that is true. The bus from avon to vail is fine, and I am pretty sure there is a reduced rate for kids. There are no base lodges at vail or beaver creek (or keystone), just bring a backpack and stash it in one of the on mountain lodges or ski with it if it doesn't bother you. just make sure you go get it before the lifts stop turning. There is free parking at vail, it is kinda far away, but buses in town are free. you also have to get there super early to get a spot. on weekends, you can also park on the north frontage road in west vail for free.

 

Jordan

[Johnny Law]

The facilities are pretty fucking posh though, not Snowbasin bathroom posh but not too far off.

 

I don't remember a lodge like where you could sit with stuff and chill but I'm not a big lodge person.

 

The Pizza place was pretty good all things considered and the bar at the far end has sweet deals on PBR and other hipster shit.

 

I had duck at a really nice place in the village with a slightly anti-Semitic Englishmen, the place was a solid A but I was way too drunk so take that review with a grain of salt.

 

Beaver is a nice place to ski, a little flat (even with the bald spot shit) but still a nice place to ski for sure.

[Barb]

Thanks for the replies. On Beaver Creek's website (and I'm sure on Vail's too) they have lodging specials going on right now. If you book by 12/15 you get 30% off your stay throughout the season. I got a 2 BR 2 Ba condo in Avon for $207 per night. But I just realized my younger son's 6th grade ski pass is not valid at any of the Vail resorts (D'oh).

 

Ullr-that parking thing is a bitch. I got a ticket my first week in Boulder for my passenger back wheel touching the line in a municipal lot.

[nick malozzi]

Ullr-that parking thing is a bitch. I got a ticket my first week in Boulder for my passenger back wheel touching the line in a municipal lot.

The parking scenario in Boulder is totally fucked. I easily paid a few hundred dollars over the 2yrs I lived there between meters/garages/tickets. It's honestly easier to park in downtown Denver, and you're less likely to get run over be a Prius (those things are fucking stealthy quiet).

[jordan]

Beaver is a nice place to ski, a little flat (even with the bald spot shit) but still a nice place to ski for sure.

 

yeah, beaver creek is flat alright!

 

Edited November 21, 2011 by jordan

[Johnny Law]

yeah, beaver creek is flat alright!

 

 

Stone Creek I believe as I can see the lower line. Stone creek is kinda flat too.

 

My sister who lives in Florida and rides 4 days a year can ride stone creek as well as her sometimes telly sometimes snowboarder boyfriend.

 

I wrote BC is a little flat and it is. In the entire place you got some steeps around Stone creek, a little on the roll over before you hit the bottom run out on centennial, the short section above rose bowl, a few random trails on grouse and the tree run under the bald spot. That's pretty much it.

 

I like meadow skipping some of my favorite places are meadow skipping and I will probably end up at Beaver in April again this year but nobody is confusing beaver creek with Snowbird or Squaw.

[jordan]

My sister who lives in Florida and rides 4 days a year can ride stone creek as well as her sometimes telly sometimes snowboarder boyfriend.

 

anyone who can hold an edge can make it down just about anything on skis. skiing it well is another story. I would hardly consider something that tops out over 45 degrees flat.

[AtomicSkier]

 

 

anyone who can hold an edge can make it down just about anything on skis. skiing it well is another story. I would hardly consider something that tops out over 45 degrees flat.

 

Sounds like hop turns are required...

[Barb]

With the epic pass you get epic mix which keeps track of your stats. I just looked up my son and his best day was 19,379 vert in 10 runs. But that may be low because the other days it only tracked him doing 2 runs per day and they definitley rode more than that. Pretty cool feature though.

[Shadows]

both sides of frontage road are free at vail now. and theres a few off base lots you can hit up for free. bus is easy (and free) from those lots/frontage. just get there early. both spots fill up by 930.

 

which gondy at the beave are you talking about?

the gondola at beave was made specifically for that hotel down there but anyone can use it if youre condo is close. obviously.

it doesnt drop you at the base

 

the actual base gondola is on hill AT the base area. the other one is just a hot box that takes you to the top of strawberry park i believe. somewhere on the far right side of the mtn thats all cat walks and terrible.

 

youre your yowr yer yor

Edited November 24, 2011 by Shadows

[Barb]

The gondola is being advertised as the fastest way to get from Avon to Beaver Creek Mountain. A three-minute gondola ride delivers skiers to Beaver Creek Landing, where two high-speed quad chairlifts deliver skiers and snowboarders in 16 minutes to the main mountain.

 

This is all I know since I've never been there.

[Shadows]

yea yea, thats the one thats built for the hotel. i usually park over in that free lot in avon and take the chairs up and over to the mountain. the gondola is just an easier way for the ritzy folk to get there haha.

it just takes longer. like whatever that said...20 minutes.

[Shadows]

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