Beaver Creek resort founded in 1980 has evolved into what could be compared to places such as Telluride and Whistler. There are three mountains accessible from any of the three villages: Beaver Creek Village, Arrowhead Village, and Bachelor Gulch Village; this helps the crowds at Beaver Creek still seem small when the parking lots are packed. There is no simple way to explain the Beaver Creek experience. There are three towns, Beaver Creek, Avon, and Edwards, within 5 miles of the mountain making the area attractive for travelers with all sorts of different needs, but its all High Class. A family that chooses Beaver Creek for their vacation destination has a huge variety of lodging and dining options. At the high end, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch offers one bedroom accommodations starting at $575.00 per night, this provides access to the amazing infinity pool and spas at the base of the Bachelor Gulch Express. The Ritz-Carlton is a full-service platinum and diamond rated property that meets the needs of Beaver Creek’s high end guests. In the middle range, the Beaver Creek Lodge offers hotel style accommodations starting at $399.00 per night. This includes access to their health club, pool, room service, and restaurant, Rocks Modern Grill. The lower end of the accommodations in the Beaver Creek area are located in Avon, CO at the base of Beaver Creek, and are connected to the resort by bus and gondola. The hotels and condominiums in Avon are located close to Beaver Creek’s free parking lots and make mountain access a breeze. Located in Avon, Beaver Creek West is located adjacent to Nottingham Park and Lake, offers Gold-Rated one to four bedroom fully furnished condominiums that meet the natural living needs of their guests. Beaver Creek West is not a full service hotel, but does have the best summer and winter amenities around; with a pool, 3 hot tubs, sauna, tennis courts, and meeting facilities, Beaver Creek West is fully equipped to satisfy all your needs at a fraction of the price of the lodging options in Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch.

Dining in Beaver Creek can be one or a mixture of two things, expensive and satisfying. As with the lodging options there are many many dining options around the Beaver Creek area. At the high end, Beano’s and Zach’s cabins offer a unique dining experience with a variety of food styles and beverage selections for the big spender. These restaurants are located on Beaver Creek mountain and are serviced by snow-cats that take the guests on a spectacular scenic venture on the way to the best meal around. In the middle, we find a variety of great dining locations including Sato’s Sushi House in Edwards, Agave Mexican Cuisine in Avon, The Coyote Cafe in Beaver Creek, and The Dusty Boot Stake house and Saloon in Beaver Creek. These restaurants offer great service, great food, and affordable prices for a family or group to go out and have a great night without spending a fortune. At the low end, there are many many places that offer rations for the avid saver. Avon Bakery and Deli offers bagels, bread, fish, sandwiches, breakfast and a friendly atmosphere for around 10 dollars a person. Others include Marko’s Pizza, Fiestas Mexican Grill, Burger King, Outback Steak house, Finnegans Wake, and Bob’s Place.

The skiing experience at Beaver Creek varies greatly from that of Vail and other surrounding areas.  Beaver Creek is a private resort which makes for a much more intimate feeling than one gets at Copper Mountain or Vail Resort. The lifties are friendly and the lines are short. Something to notice about Beaver Creek is that even if a line is out the gate it will still be less than 15 minutes before you take your seat on one of Beaver Creek’s 10 high speed quads or 2 new gondolas.  Beaver Creek is separated into 4 areas that all offer different variations of terrain and scenery. If a group starts their day at the Beaver Creek Landing, they will be skiing Bachelor Gulch in less than 15 minutes, and be centrally located to any run on the mountain. If a group wants to start their day at the Beaver Creek Village they can head in two directions up the Strawberry Park Express Lift, or up the Centennial Express Lift. Beaver Creek offers skiing for riders of all ages and abilities, and is set in an environment that ensures any nature and winter fanatic a great time.

The cold weather has finally hit the Vail Valley to give us a little preview of what is coming this winter!   There was little to no accumulation, but the sight of the little white flakes was enough to spark the enthusiasm of this contributor. We are expecting more cold weather, rain, and snow until Thursday September 24, 2009.  With the snow coming fast the 2009-2010 Winter Sports Season is rapidly approaching, and now is the best time to book your 2009-2010 ski and/or snowboard vacation.  Lodging complexes all over the Vail Valley are cutting winter rates, and they are creating spectacular deals for everyone from the avid extreme skier to the family of four looking for a mountain get-a-way.  The lodging options in Avon are going to  be the most economical, and the most centrally located between the 2 Resorts, Vail & Beaver Creek, Avon hotels and condominiums offer access to the Riverfront Gondola located at the Westin Riverfront Resort giving them nearly instant access to the world class skiing at Beaver Creek Resort.  Avon is located 8 minutes from the “Main Vail” exit and 5 minutes from Edwards where the Arrowhead entrance to Beaver Creek is located.  There are some amazing deals available for the 2009 – 2010 season, and one in particular is the Ski and Snowboard packages offered by Beaver Creek West Condominiums. They are offering this year 4 night 3 day packages including Lodging in a fully furnished condominium, Lift Tickets good at all 5 Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek, Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge, & Arapahoe Basin, and Equipment Rentals from Charter Sport. These 4 night 3 day packages start at 400 dollars USD per person. These packages basically save you from paying for the Lodging if you multiply the price of a lift ticket for the 09-10 season, $90, times the 3 days, then add equipment rentals at 29 dollars per day, you are at 370 dollars per person. This alone makes these packages a one of a kind promotion in the Vail Valley.  Call Beaver Creek West TODAY to book your 2009-2010 Winter Vacation Package 1-800-222-4840.

When:Mens’ Divisions: >Men’s Elite: July 2, 3, 4 & 5>Men’s Masters: June 27, 28 & 29>Men’s Supermasters: June 27, 28, 29 & 30>Under 19 High School Boys: June 28, 29, 30 & July 1>Grandmasters (men over 50): June 27, 28 & 29For more information/team registration contact: Connie Streich – vaillaxinfo@comcast.net 303-814-2714Womens’ Divisions: >Women’s Elite: July 2, 3, 4 & 5>Under 19 High School Girls: June 28, 29, 30 & July 1For more information/team registration contact: Michelle Secor – jmsecor@netzero.net 719-528-1090Where:The Vail Lacrosse Shootout is played on various fields that are spread down 13 miles of the Vail Valley.  Teams will battle in Vail, Avon, and Edwards depending on which division they are registered to play in. For a comprehensive list of the fields and directions from the 2008 Shootout visit Vail Lacrosse Shootout – Locations.The Vail Lacrosse Shootout brings people from all over the country and world to the Vail Valley, and the shootout also gives visitors to the Vail Valley an exciting competitive atmosphere that rivals the world cup races at Beaver Creek during the winter.  The Vail Lacrosse Shootout is difficult to get into, but this makes for the best competition in all of the competition groups.  It does not matter which of the three towns, Vail, Avon or Edwards, that you stay in there is plenty of Lacrosse being played across the Vail Valley in 2009.Teams coming to the valley for The 2009 Vail Lacrosse Shootout should contact Beaver Creek West Condominiums group reservations director Lorrayne Bell at 800-222-4840 ex. 1003 for the best lodging rates available.  (Specific discounts will be updated as received)The 2008 Vail Lacrosse Shootout recap is available at The Vail Lacrosse Shootout website; as wells as registration, location, date, FAQs, Photos, and contact information.

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it was a chilly night on December 19, 2008, but the crowds were still out in full force for the 2008 Vail Village Christmas Tree lighting. There were many different caroling groups singing to the crowd, a live orchestra, and multiple guest speakers including Vail Mayor Dick Cleveland who eventually lit the tree.

There was a parade from Lionshead Village to The Vail Village with Dancing Christmas Trees, Santa and his reindeer, Two Frosties, a Polar Bear, and other fun characters for the kids to enjoy. Once all the extrativities (yes i made that word up, but i like it) the tree was finally lit and what a sight to see it was. And since you all are so diligently reading this article you get to see it to. YAY!!!

The normal Christmas tree that is normally used has been relieved of its duties this year due to stress from having the Christmas lights on it all winter long, but I have to say that the substitute still looks amazing.