Deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Beaver Creek’s terrain has a way of surprising first-time guests. Situated only 10 miles (16 km) away from Vail, the skiing experience is entirely different. Widely considered to be one of the most luxurious ski resorts in North America, its upscale amenities, meticulous grooming and accessible slopes offer up a polished skiing experience for those who enjoy being pampered. The ski day even ends with guests being served freshly baked cookies from polished silver platters at the base.
More importantly, Beaver Creek’s terrain is intentionally crafted to meander the mountainside rather than shoot straight down it. This creates a thoughtful balance of concentrated beginner and intermediate terrain with advanced lines in dedicated areas. This makes Beaver Creek a prime destination for families and groups of all skill levels.
Ready to uncover the best ski terrain at Beaver Creek? Let this terrain overview break down the mountain into its core areas and help you uncover the best ski runs at Beaver Creek.
The Resort
Beaver Creek consists of 167 named runs, a 3,340 ft (1018 m) vertical drop and 2,082 acres of terrain welcoming all abilities of skiers and boarders. The three interconnected villages, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead, bring a welcoming warmth to life up here at 8,100 ft (2,500 m).
Terrain layout is one of the resort’s strong suits with zones organized by difficulty. There’s also an affinity for beginner and intermediate terrain here. Learning zones sit close to the base while novice and intermediate runs traverse nearly the entire resort. Advanced terrain consisted of concentrated areas with dedicated chairlifts leaving the pros to play amongst themselves.
The overall ski experience at Beaver Creek reflects its reputation for perfection and attention to detail. High-speed lifts, thoughtful crowd management and industry-leading grooming creates a thrilling yet peacefully refined experience simply like no other. Here’s all you need to know about Beaver Creek’s Terrain, organized by difficulty.
Photo Credit: Vail Resorts - Beaver Creek
Beginner Terrain Itinerary
At Beaver Creek, beginner skiers and boarders are treated pretty well. Roughly 39% of the skiable terrain is rated beginner and there’s more than a few areas to explore. Although you’ll find some green runs running through the eternity of the resort, Centennial Zone is where your journey begins. From there, beginners can explore Beaver Creek’s Signature Parks Collection, dedicated progressive learning areas spread across the resort.
Beginner and Novice Lifts: Haymeadow Express, Highlands Lift, Centennial Express, Cinch Express, Reunion, McCoy Park Express
Centennial Zone
The Centennial Zone just above Beaver Creek Village encompasses the entire learning area from short magic carpet slopes to the first official green runs you’ll knock off. The terrain here is predictable, gently rolling and short with easy progression. The Haymeadow Park consists of the resort’s dedicated learning area with a gondola, the Highlands Lift, magic carpets and gentle terrain reserved for never-evers.
McCoy Park
Confident beginners and novice guests can ascend Strawberry Park Express Lift to the resort’s newest Signature Park, McCoy Park. The 250 acre learning area was created as a separate, lift serviced family-friendly zone with welcoming terrain and groomable glades.
Red Buffalo Park
The final beginner zone lies right at the summit above 11,000 ft (3,000 m). Normally at major resorts, it’s uncommon to find beginner terrain at the peak but Beaver Creek crafted a special alpine experience for beginners with the Red Buffalo Park. Accessible by taking the Centennial and Cinch Express, those who’ve mastered basic turns can find a handful of longer green runs meandering through the alpine.
Notable runs: Haymeadow, Sentinel, Cinch, Booth Gardens,
Explore lodging at Beaver Creek, from slopeside condos near beginner runs, to sprawling private chalets.
Intermediate Terrain Itinerary
With 31% of the ski resort classed as intermediate, skiers and boarders will find a variety of blue terrain across the entire map. Beaver Creeks’ abundant intermediate terrain features gentle bowls, rolling ridges and some of the best groomed cruisers on the continent.
There are also lots of sneaky side hits dotted along those meandering blue trails. Although most lifts will have blue terrain, here are the most popular intermediate areas to check out.
Intermediate Lifts: Strawberry Park Express, Elkhorn Lift, Bachelor Gulch, Arrow Bahn.
Strawberry and Elkhorn Via Beaver Creek Base
The mid-mountain blues in this zone represent the heart of Beaver Creek’s intermediate hub. Quickly accessible from the main base, Strawberry Express is the go-to lift. Terrain here has a moderate grade, and can be lapped quite fast.
Long, meandering runs with a consistent pitch exist and it tends to see less crowds than the more busy Centennial Zone. It’s also the fastest route to access Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead Mountains.
Notable runs: Bitterroot, Settler’s Way, Borders Loops
Bachelor Gulch Mountain
Ascending the Bachelor Gulch Express outside of the Ritz Carlton, you’ll find another quiet zone home to few well-groomed cruisers. Like Arrowhead, it’s more smooth meandering blues and a quieter spot to enjoy closer to the base.
Notable runs include Gunder’s and Coyote Glades
Arrowhead Mountain
On the far right of the ski map lies Arrowhead Village and the Arrow Bahn Express. This area caters to intermediate who seek a more laid back experience. Wide open blue runs span the 1500 ft (457 m) vertical and because of the distance from the main village, it’s often less crowded and more quiet than anywhere else on the mountain. The perfect place to perfect those big sweeping turns.
Notable runs: Pow Wow, Cresta, Golden Bear.
Photo Credit: Vail Resorts - Beaver Creek
Advanced and Expert Terrain Itinerary
The final 30% of the resort comes in as advanced and expert. Again, you’ll find this type of terrain around the entire resort but there’s a few sectioned off zones where you and your fellow adrenaline junkies can thrive.
If you’re comfortable going fast and riding steep, Beaver Creek and Grouse Mountain are where you’ll want to explore. The best part? All three chairlifts used to access the advanced terrain surround the Talons Chalet at 8,850 ft (2,697 m). No need to kill time travelling to different areas. Just make the choice after each run.
Advanced Lifts: Rose Bowl, Birds of Prey, Grouse Mountain Express, Larkspur Express,
Beaver Creek Mountain
From the base, ascend Centennial and Cinch Express, turn right and venture towards the Birds of Prey Express. This area’s terrain is steep, exposed and fast. Given its big mountain fall line, it’s also home to one of North America’s most respected downhill races courses.
To access the resort’s most extreme terrain, turn left off of Red Buffalo and drop into Stone Creek Chutes. Located in the Rose Bowl, this steep section of glades tests seasoned riders with technical drops, tight lines and consequential couloirs.
Rose Bowl Express is your ticket back up the mountain. Additional black runs lie below the chair ready to challenge your on-piste carving skills. Just be mindful of time in this area as they close early and you’ll be stuck walking out if you miss the last lift.
Notable runs: Birds of Prey, Peregrine and Golden Eagle. Stone Creek Chutes, Ripsaw
Grouse Mountain
As you ascend Grouse Mountain Express, you’ll gaze out at a zone filled exclusively with black and double black terrain. The personality of this area is steep, gladed and it houses more moguls than the rest of the resort. On a pow day, this becomes the most rewarding spot on the map.
Notable runs: Screech Owl, Royal Elk Glades, Raptor
Larkspur Bowl
Although this lift consists of terrain for all skill levels, there’s enough black terrain here to embrace once it dumps. It’s also one of the first higher lifts to open on a pow day.
A mixture of wide open groomed runs and some shorter steep gladed runs will keep most advanced riders entertained. Even the wide open intermediate run Larkspur will have you hollering on a pow day.
Larkspur Bowl almost feels like it’s own little self contained ski resort given it’s position nestled into the mountainside. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, this area is a must stop for its variety and location.
Notable Runs: Yarrow, Shooting Star, Loco
Ready to Visit?
While Beaver Creek Resort offers abundant terrain and plentiful snow, what truly sets the resort apart is its natural, intuitive layout. Beginners can learn and explore comfortably near the village, intermediates have the freedom to thrive across the entire resort and experts can access steep and challenging terrain from a single hub.
Combine that with a modern lift system, luxurious resort lodging and industry leading grooming and the result is clear: Beaver Creek is the perfect destination where families and groups of friends of all skill levels can have a perfect day.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada, home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his written work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt. He also proudly holds a B.Sc in Nanoscience and Engineering from the University of Guelph and gets impressively excited about anything science-related.
When away from the office, Anthony celebrates his freedom by being immersed in mountain culture, playing instruments and travelling internationally. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking take up his free time, often complemented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.