Your Guide to Beaver Creek Colorado Christmas Fun

Wax those skis and snowboards, and carve out time this holiday season because ski season is hastily descending upon us!

Spend the holidays at Beaver Creek, one of the premier skiing destinations in Colorado, located in the famous Vail Valley. This year’s ski trip will be more than just hours on the slopes. Beaver Creek is a family-friendly resort with tons of other winter sports and holiday activities to keep your spirits a mile high.

From mornings on the slopes to evening après and everything in between, it’s time to see how you should spend this holiday at Beaver Creek. Here are 15 things to do during your Beaver Creek Colorado Christmas adventure.

THE COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN BEAVER CREEK FOR THE HOLIDAYS

• When Ski-in/Ski-out is Important: Park Hyatt hotels are always one of our favorites when we are skiing around the country. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort is not exception, as it sits right on the mountain. Upscale rooms, a great lodge-feel, and delicious eats make this an ideal choice.

• More Skiing; More Luxury: Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch offers the luxury and service the brand is known for, and it’s also only a few steps away from our family’s favorite lift – at our favorite ski resort! Don’t let the name fool you; there are several affordable options here around the holidays.

• The Ski Chalet Feel You Want At Christmas: In Vail, not too far from Beaver Creek, Four Seasons Resort…an ideal solution for the family if you want to enjoy a taste of both ski resorts. We love the “ski-chalet” feel of the resort, the year-round outdoor pool, Remedy Bar, and the family-friendly details this brand is known for.

• Luxurious Condo: At Beaver Creek Landing, this penthouse condo offers the ski-in/ski-out perk in addition to a full kitchen and great covered deck with all the Christmas-y views. And privacy!

• More Spacious and More Affordable: This modern and spacious condo sleeps eight, so you can share it with the family this Christmas. More affordable than the option above, it’s really a steal. So much space!

• More Space on the Mountain: Sometimes you need to be right on the mountain, but you’re bringing the entire crew! No worries, this Highlands Slopeside property offers 3 bedrooms and sleeps 11 people – without breaking the bank.

KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE WORLD’S BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE COMPETITION 

Date: November 27, 2024

After an exhilarating day on the mountain, Beaver Creek is known for its hospitality and its chocolate chip cookie. Come down to the village on Wednesday, November 27th and cast your vote for the best chocolate chip cookie.

To be an official judge, you must stop by the Judging Sign-Up tent next to the North Face to get your official lanyard. You will be asked to judge and taste all 5 cookies. Judging criteria: taste, texture, cookie creativity and appearance.

Got little ones? They too can join the fun. Kids 6 and under will receive a special lanyard as a keepsake as well as plenty of cookies to eat. We call them “Judges In Training”.

One of the five finalists will be taking home $2,000, will be featured in the Vail Daily, and will have a full year of bragging rights.

SEE THE TREE LIGHT UP AT BEAVER CREEK RESORT

Date: Friday, November 29, 2024

Beaver Creek Resort feels more like Whoville during the holidays as all guests are invited to attend the annual tree lighting ceremony. However, it’s one Christmas tree that the Grinch won’t steal, so come with all your holiday cheer for the celebrations!

Kick the afternoon off with free ice skating from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visit Santa Claus from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., as he is making a special visit from the North Pole. When the evening settles in, gather around the ice rink in the center of the village for their live music and ice-skating spectacular. 

• Family Fun Zone | 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Fountain Patio + Hawk’s Nest Cabin

Then at precisely 5pm, count down to the finale when they light the holiday tree and shoot off fireworks. Stay afterwards for dinner at one of Beaver Creek’s many restaurants.

TAKE IN ALL THE BEAVER CREEK EXTRAORDINAIRE ACTIVITIES

Looking for things to fill up your itinerary while visiting Beaver Creek for the holidays? You won’t have to search for long because events and holiday-themed activities are always happening. Whether hanging out in Beaver Creek Village or venturing to the mountain summits, there will never be a dull moment.

Every year, Beaver Creek releases an activity schedule outlining exciting things to put on your calendar. The goal is to keep you in the holiday spirit, and it far exceeds your expectations.

Gather the family for a Holiday Movie Night to see a special screening of your favorite holiday movies. See the Charles Dickens legend come alive with carolers performing on the Fountain Stage. You’ll even get to spend quality time with the big guy himself during Santa Story Time.

For those who can’t get enough of the slopes, immerse yourself into the Beaver Creek winter wonderland by skiing on nature tours with rangers, or grab your glow sticks to join the nighttime ski thrill of the Thursday Night Lights event.

SEE HOLIDAY FAVORITES AT VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Music is an essential part of creating a lively holiday atmosphere at Beaver Creek Resort during the Christmas season. You’ll see plenty of signs for live music shows at the bars and restaurants in Beaver Creek Village. But if you take the escalator down from the main level, you’ll run into the Vilar Performing Arts Center, which always puts on a show to remember.

This year, the headlining holiday event at the Vilar Performing Arts Center is The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Vail Friends of Dance December 19-21, 2024. Dancers from the Vail Youth Ballet Company and Vail Valley Academy of Dance will be on stage in an incredible performance of this classic holiday production.

You should also make time to see Polar Express and ELF!

INDULGE IN A SLEIGH RIDE DINNERS

ALLIE’S CABIN

Hop in an open-air sleigh ride up the mountain, where a warm fireplace awaits you inside Allie’s Cabin restaurant. Taste the exquisite cuisine hailing from Northern Italy. Warm up with a bowl of tomato soup before taking a bite of the Elk Filet, which pairs well with the select wine choices.

The large windows surrounding the dining hall showcase the beauty of the surrounding aspen forest landscape.

BEANO’S CABIN

A sleigh ride is your express shuttle to Beano’s Cabin. Decorative chandeliers crafted from elk antlers hang above your table, providing just enough light for an intimate dining experience in one of Beaver Creek’s upscale restaurants.

Its famous Christmas Eve dinner is a multi-course dining experience that serves seafood and contemporary American dishes.

ZACH’S CABIN

Bundle up as you skid through the snow on a sleigh ride to Zach’s Cabin for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The unassuming rustic cabin will give you a cozy dining experience of excellent food and even better wine.

Start with a foie gras appetizer before digging into a hearty elk steak for your main course. End the night with a white chocolate cherry dessert before returning to Beaver Creek in the same fashion you arrived.

4 EAGLE RANCH

Close your Uber app because you’ll be taking a special kind of transportation when dining at 4 Eagle Ranch — a sleigh!

This summertime horse ranch puts its trusted steeds to work during the winter for a ride to an elegant evening dinner. Break bread at the round tables as waiters serve prime steak cuts of the New York Strip or fresh-tasting salmon.

BEARCAT’S CABIN

Horse-guided sleigh rides guide you down into the Squaw Creek Valley to the Bearden Homestead for a dinner fit for a family outing or romantic date night at Bearcat’s Cabin. Grab a seat at Doc’s Bar for a signature cocktail before being served dinner buffet-style by a chef. Save room for dessert, because you’ll feel nostalgic while roasting s’mores in good company.

SAMPLE THE MOST LUXURIOUS HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE STATE

Thirsty for a sensational elixir that will be the “cure to what ails?” Try the famous Haute Chocolate at the Remedy Bar. Hot cocoa gets a couture makeover that will warm you up and revive you after a day on the slopes.

Less than a 20-minute drive east on I-70 will transport you into a life of luxury. You’ll arrive at Four Seasons Vail to find The Remedy Bar, where Chef Andrew Schweska has created a French-inspired holiday treat for thirsty skiers.

Get your cameras ready because the Haute Chocolate is an entire experience. Pour hot Swiss chocolate from that traditional French pot over a plump marshmallow that melts instantly into a cup of hot cocoa blended to perfection with Chantilly Crème.

While this luxurious hot chocolate warms you up inside, you’ll be toasty on the outside thanks to the fire pit burning on the venue’s outdoor patio fire pit to views of the surrounding snow-capped Rocky Mountains. Cheers to a white Christmas!

VISIT RITZ-CARLTON BACHELOR GULCH EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT OVERNIGHTING

You’ll be in good company while visiting Beaver Creek, Colorado for the holidays. Plan a day trip to the neighboring Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, which is only 10 minutes away but feels like a new world of holiday excitement. The holiday season is the best time to visit the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch resort. It becomes a luxurious winter wonderland full of things to do — even without staying overnight at the resort! 

Use your Epic Pass to access a new set of ski trails on Beaver Creek Mountain or enjoy other activities like ice climbing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. See the colorful lights decorating more than two dozen Christmas trees. It has two weeks of family activities planned to kick off its holiday season with visits from Santa, eating s’mores, and more.

TRY OUTDOOR ICE SKATING

Located in the center of Beaver Creek Village, the Beaver Creek Ice Rink offers endless family-friendly fun. Teach the little ones to skate, take a spin around the rink with your sweetie, or sit back on one of the plush couches that line the rink and kick your feet up. Skate rentals are available at the walk-up booth located next to Base Mountain Sports.

GO SNOW TUBING

Hold on tight to the hang grips for an exhilarating snow tubing ride. No experience is needed since gravity does all the work! The rush of cold mountain air drowns out your screams, so bundle up and prepare for a session of downhill tubing fun.

Beaver Creek Resort puts you just a short drive away from snow tubing sites around Eagle County, from its own Haymaker Tubing Hill to Adventure Ridge at Vail. So grab tickets, your tube, and a couple of friends, and you’re all set.

Ascend to the top of the summit and set your bum in the donut hole to slide down the snowy paths — some routes extend more than 700 feet! If you’re up for the challenge, race each other on adjacent tracks to see who comes to the snowy halt at the bottom first. Or make it a group adventure and connect the tubes to slide down simultaneously.

Snow tubing locations can vary in minimum height requirements.

TAKE A GUIDED WINTER WINE EXCURSION

“Crunch, crunch!” The sound of your snowshoes plowing through the powdery snow of Beaver Creek Mountain with one thing in mind keeping you going — a wintertime wine tasting when you reach the end!

You deserve some adult-only fun, and wine tasting is one of the best ways to experience it at Beaver Creek. These four-hour guided tours take you on an adventure through the snow-covered terrain before reaching the Osprey Fireside Grill to indulge in a tasteful kind of holiday spirit.

Meet up with your expert mountain guide at the Beaver Creek Nordic Center. Then, you’ll ascend to McCoy Park via the Strawberry Park Express chairlift, where you’ll begin the snowshoe hike. Guides share information about Beaver Creek Mountain, avalanches, and more before reaching the restaurant.

Pair select red and white wines with a neatly arranged meats and cheese charcuterie board while telling stories about your ski excursions at Beaver Creek.

DON’T MISS SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING, OF COURSE!

What’s a trip to Beaver Creek Resort without checking out the slopes? We’ve saved the best for last, but it’s likely to be the first thing you cross off your bucket list during your visit. Ski season at Beaver Creek started in November, and the best deals on lift tickets are purchased at least a week in advance.

Beaver Creek has 2,158 acres of skiable terrain designed for all skill levels. The mountain gets 323 inches of snow every year, leaving the 126 trails perfect for shredding on skis or snowboards.

First-timers on the slopes can find ski and snowboard lessons. Beginners can get started with routes like the Piece-O-Cake and Mystic Island trails. Ride the Larkspur Express lift to the summit for intermediate trails. And the famous Birds of Prey is reserved for experienced riders when not in use for the annual World Cup Downhill Ski.

Purchase the Epic Pass for huge savings on all the top trails in Beaver Creek and other neighboring ski resorts like Vail, Heavenly, and more!

Ready to hit the slopes, but don’t have the equipment? We’ve made snowboarding a lifestyle, but before we owned our equipment, Ski Butlers was our ski (and boarding) rental service of choice. These guys deliver to your hotel or condo – and pick up- for only a few dollars more than the jam-packed shops just down the road. And the equipment? Best in the business! Check out Ski Butlers on your next vacation!

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO COLORADO

• YOUR COLORADO VACATION
• VAIL: 33 Sensational Things To Do In Vail
• SKI RESORTS: 3 Affordable Ski Resorts In Colorado Great For Out-Of-Towners
• COLORADO RESORTS: 21 Amazing Colorado Resorts Perfect For Every Type Of Traveler
• BRECKENRIDGE CHRISTMAS: 11 Best Ways To Celebrate A Breckenridge Colorado Christmas
• GAYLORD ROCKIES AT CHRISTMAS: YOUR GUIDE TO A FESTIVE FAMILY TRADITION
• COLORADO CHRISTMAS: Christmas Colorado Style: 17 Festive Ways To Celebrate

WHERE TO STAY IN COLORADO