Built in 1980, Beaver Creek is the "youngest" of the world's great ski areas. Owned by neighboring Vail (ten miles down the road), Beaver Creek offers village-to-village skiing in a "European manner" but unlike the Stowe-Smugglers interconnect in Vermont, Vail resorts had to build the villages to which Beaver Creek is linked.

The resort offers a well designed lift system and skiing for all abilities, with 146 named trails largely consisting of excellent cruising terrain. A plus for guests is that the Beaver Creek lift ticket is also valid at the other resorts owned by Vail - Vail itself, Breckenridge and Keystone, as well as independent Arapahoe Basin.

Beginners have their own special learning areas at Beaver Creek and the resort's 400 instructors are available for every level and nationality, with an incredible 30 different languages represented. The steepest terrain at the resort is on Grouse Mountain where the double black diamond runs are steep and demanding while other notable expert terrain includes the long thresher, Gladed, and the short chutes in Larkspur Bowl.

Since its opening two decades ago, Beaver Creek has become the epitome of high class lodging and high taste dining. Direct access to the slopes is made easy with eight covered escalators leading from the village to the base of the Centennial Express lift. Pricing, of course, reflects this luxury but affordable packages can be found if you are prepared to travel off-peak