PREPARING FOR THE TRIP
Beaver Creek is BEAUTIFUL, but be aware that the altitude is very high and mountain weather can be extreme!
Weather
Before your trip, we recommend checking the weather forecast for Avon, Colorado (zip code 81620) at www.weather.com. Colorado has more than 300 days of sunshine each year, but the weather is often unpredictable and can quickly change in the mountains.
The temperature during the day may fluctuate between 5 and 50 degrees!
In the last few years, large storms have become more prevalent. Please allow time to get from Denver to Vail. Mountain passes can close or be slow. If you are driving, try to avoid driving at night from Denver to Beaver Creek.
At 10,000 feet, the top of Beaver Creek mountain, exposure to the sun is 40% greater than it is at sea level. Sunscreen (at least SPF 30) is recommended for all exposed skin, particularly the face, lips and neck. Be certain to protect your eyes with sunglasses. You will find Beaver Creek to be an arid climate, so hand lotion and lip balm are essential.
High Altitude
Beaver Creek is more than 10,000 feet above sea level and guests may struggle with altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can hit anyone regardless of physical condition or age.
The most common symptoms include:
headache
dizziness and nausea
fatigue
shortness of breath
loss of appetite
disturbed sleep
Staying hydrated is ESSENTIAL!
If you can, consider arriving early to give yourself time to adjust. We usually feel back to normal after 24 hours have passed.
Also, please note that alcohol is more potent at high altitudes. Don’t find out the hard way! When drinking, we recommend you alternate between a drink and a glass of water. ONE DRINK HERE = 2 DRINKS THERE!
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BEAVER CREEK RESORT
Free Shuttles
Beaver Creek offers complimentary door-to-door shuttle service within the resort. Download the Village Connect App. The shuttles run from 6:30 a.m. to Midnight, 7 days a week. Please allow 15 to 20 minutes for pickup.
Taxi Services
The below three cab companies listed below offer 24 hour door-to-door service and have 6 passenger caravans:
-High Mountain Taxi – 970.524.5555
-Vail Valley Taxi – 970.476.8294
-Ride Taxi Vail - 970.949.1111
Babysitting Service
For those of you who need a babysitting service, “Care for Kids” comes highly recommended. To learn more about their service call 970.748.0857 or mobile phone at 970.376.7228.
Other babysitting options include:
Mountain Munchkins Sitting Services at 970.524.0309
Resort Sitters at 970.748.3012
Packing Tips
It is very important that you pack your suitcase with the appropriate apparel. Remember, you can always take layers off, so it’s better to "over pack". Winter in the mountains is COLD, especially at night, so layer up!
Suitcase Must-Haves:
-Warm socks
-Shoes that are practical- waterproof boots
-Long sleeve shirts/turtlenecks/sweaters
-Comfortable pants/thermals
-Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
-Sunglasses
-Hand lotion (don't forget this! your skin gets so dry in the mountains!)
-Lip balm
-Warm hat
-Gloves
-Warm, lined winter coat
ACTIVITIES
We want you to have fun during your time in Colorado, and there are a variety of optional activities you can do on your vacation!
SKIING
The Ritz has its own chair lift right outside on the lawn and it leads to the entire mountain (but some of our favorite skiing is right there at the Ritz also!) The skiing is world class and you can bring your own or rent gear right in Beaver Creek or at the hotel. You can also have your gear delivered and purchase lift tickets right at the Ritz Carlton.
SNOWMOBILING
This is a fun and adventurous activity with multiple options in the Vail Valley! If you have time, we highly recommend Nova Guides at Camp Hale. It is a beautiful and remote mountain location
http://www.novaguides.com/colorado-winter-activities/
SNOWSHOE
There are also many beautiful snowshoe trails, an ice rink right by the Hyatt in Beaver Creek, and many fun holiday festivities happening during our wedding weekend.
DINING OPTIONS
Beaver Creek is known for its fine dining, but there is a wide variety of places to choose from to accommodate your mood! If you have time, we suggest you take advantage of some of the wonderful restaurants the area has to offer, or drive 15 minutes down the road to Vail.
If you are staying at the Ritz, the concierge is happy to make reservations for you at any of these restaurants.
Dining Options in BEAVER CREEK:
SPLENDIDO at The Chateau
970.845.8808
http://splendidorestaurant.com/
$$$
-An elegant, mountainside kitchen serving choice New American Fare. Absolutely beautiful setting for breathtaking views!
MIRABELLE
970.949.7728
$$$
-The charming ranch house and creekside dining at Mirabelle are a favorite among returning guests to Beaver Creek. Fine dining with a European touch are paired with the family owned restaurant nestled at the base of Beaver Creek...this is one of our very favorites!
CHOPHOUSE
970.845.0555
$$
-A fun, outdoors and centrally located restaurant for all occasions with great food and frequent live music at the base of the Beaver Creek mountain. A few hundred yards from the Hyatt.
CITREA
970.754.5590
$$
https://www.beavercreek.com/explore-the-resort/the-village/dining/citrea.aspx
-Located in Beaver Creek Village next to the ice rink, Citrea combines Colorado ingredients with modern culinary interpretations of Mediterranean cuisines.
8100 MOUNTAINSIDE BAR & GRILL
970.827.6600
http://beavercreek.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/8100MountainsideBarandGrill.html
$$
Enjoy a relaxed, informal family-style atmosphere with great slopeside views, located in the Park Hyatt
THE DUSTY BOOT STEAKHOUSE & SALOON
970.748.1146
http://dustybootbeavercreek.com/
$$
-Family-friendly dining. Top-notch burgers, seafood, Mexican cuisine and Mondo Margaritas. Located next to St. James Place in Beaver Creek Village.
Open for lunch and dinner 11:00am daily
BLUE MOOSE
970.845.8666
http://bluemoosebeavercreek.com/
$
-Serving up New York Style Pizza, hot Italian entrees, calzones, panini sandwiches, salads and much more!
Open for lunch and dinner 11:00am daily
Dining Options in VAIL:
(a quick 15-minute car ride from Beaver Creek)
SWEET BASIL
970.476.0125
http://www.sweetbasilvail.com/
$$$
-Voted #1 in Colorado by Zagat Survey, Sweet Basil has been a must for travelers and locals alike since 1977. The cuisine is creative contemporary American utilizing many cultural influences from around the world. Located in the heart of Vail Village, the restaurant blends fine dining with a captivating "bistro-like" energy.
MATSUHISA
970.476.6628
$$$
-Featuring Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature new-style Japanese cuisine, Matsuhisa Vail is located in the Solaris Plaza in the heart of Vail Village.
LA NONNA
970.393.5959
$$
-"La Nonna", Italian for grandmother, reflects our passion for Italian food, wine and creating memories with friends and family. Some of the best Italian food we've ever had!
FLAME STEAKHOUSE
970.477.8650
http://www.fourseasons.com/vail/dining/restaurants/flame/
$$
-As Four Seasons Vail’s signature restaurant, we want FLAME to focus more on “fun dining” rather than traditional fine dining. Locally sourced and seasonally inspired dishes combined with unique steak cuts and tableside experiences provide guests with an interactive dining adventure you can’t get just anywhere.
DECA + BOL
970.476.5300
$
-DECA is an elevated restaurant that offers a chef-executed menu with world class tastes, creative cocktails and delicious wines. An experience that is focused on quality food, flavors and company. Just beyond DECA, experience the best nightlife in Vail Village at BOL - a high-end bowling ally that will offer a fun experience you will never forget.
EL SEGUNDO
970.763.5470
$
-El Segundo is a high-energy, fast-paced, sophisticated semi-traditional taqueria & tequila bar, in the middle of Vail Village.
BULLY RANCH
970.479.5460
$
https://sonnenalp.com/dining/bully-ranch/
-Bully Ranch, a restaurant located inside the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail, is a casual dining experience that focuses on Southwestern and American food presented in a western style ambiance. The traditional fare at Bully Ranch is hearty, flavorful, and has a little bit of something for everyone.
EXPLORE
If you’d like to venture out on your own, here are some other suggestions.
You can also visit this link:
https://www.beavercreek.com/explore-the-resort/activities/winter-activities/overview.aspx
Ice Skating
Who knew that you could enjoy the family fun of ice skating in the middle of Beaver Creek?!
970.845.0438
Avon Recreation Center Swimming Pool, Avon
970.748.4060
Shopping and Art Galleries
You can find World-Class Shopping and Art Galleries around every corner in Beaver Creek Village. From one-of-a-kind artwork to elegant jewelry to the newest skis and snowboards. Check out Gorsuch, North Face and Pismo Gallery. Stroll and explore St. James Place, Park Plaza, Village Hall and Market Square in Beaver Creek Village.
Spas
Unwind and cleanse in the tranquility of the Spa at the Ritz Carlton! Make sure to call ahead to book your spa appointments though - they book up fast!
970.343.1106