Beaver Creek Ski Area, Beaver Creek, CO

Beaver Creek Ski Area usually opens toward the end of November and remains open until April. The hours of operation are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm from the time they open in November until a week before the holidays. After that they are open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm; however, lifts 4 and 5 close at 3:00 pm and lifts 1, 6 and 12 close at 4:00 pm. The elevation at the base of the mountain is 8,100 and at the summit it is 11,440 with a vertical drop of 4,040 feet. There are 149 trails and seventeen lifts. The beginner terrain covers 19%, intermediate 43% and expert 38%. Two bowls are at Beaver Creek: the Rose Bowl and Larkspur Bowl. Two gondolas, ten high speed quads, two triple chair lifts and three double chair lifts get 25,939 skiers up the hills every hour.

Average snowfall for Beaver Creek is 310 inches and the resort can make snow on 605 acres. The longest run is 2 3/4miles. They have four terrain parks and one half pipe for snowboarders. Visitors to Beaver Creek Ski Area can also participate in Nordic cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

If you look online for lift tickets you can purchase them before you head to the mountain. They can be purchased seven days in advance or fourteen days for International guests. Children under four ski for free, but the tickets must be picked up at the ticket window. Ticket prices are subject to change depending on the snow conditions. Lift ticket prices are generally $98.00 for adults, $62.00 for children 12 and under and $88.00 for seniors 65 and older. However, if guests purchase their tickets online there is a chance to save up to 40%.

Lessons are available at Beaver Creek Ski Area for adults and children. If visitors would like a private lesson they are available for up to five friends or family beginning at age three and up. Adult lessons can be for beginner, intermediate and expert. The children's classes begin with age's three to six with a day of lessons, lift access and a healthy lunch. Group ski and snowboard lessons are for children ages 7-14 and older teen's ages 15-18 have their own lift and lesson pricing.

If there are children who won't be skiing there is a childcare and nursery. They take infants, toddlers and pre- school aged children. Bring disposable diapers or pull ups, change of clothes, shoes for indoors and a sleep toy or blanket. The childcare is located down one level from the shopping level at Beaver Creek village. Price for a full day is $120.00 and they are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Equipment rentals are available at Beaver Creek Village or at Aalta Sports, Base Mountain Sports, Beaver Creek Sports or One Track Mind. A one day rental package is approximately $49.00 and includes skis, boots, and poles and is designed for beginners and intermediate skiers. A snow board package is the same amount, but their packages are designed for all levels of snowboarders.