Things to do · · Peak Oxygen, Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek has a reputation for polish: heated walkways, escalators up to the lifts and a village that feels calm even on busy days. That calm carries into the evening. When the lifts stop, the village slows down, the lights come up around the ice rink and the day shifts from skiing to strolling, eating and relaxing. Here is how to make the most of the hours after the slopes close.
Start with the afternoon cookies
One of Beaver Creek's best-known traditions happens as the ski day winds down. Each afternoon in winter, staff hand out warm chocolate chip cookies at the base of the mountain. It is a small thing, but it has become part of the Beaver Creek routine for skiers and non-skiers alike. Kids love it, and it is a nice way to mark the end of the day before heading back to your lodging.
Skate under the lights
The ice rink in the middle of Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the evening scene. Skate rentals are available, and the rink is surrounded by shops, restaurants and fire pits, so the people who would rather watch can stay warm nearby. Skating after dark, with the village lights around you and the slopes rising above, is one of the classic Beaver Creek experiences. Check the rink's schedule for public skate times, since lessons, hockey and events take some slots.
See a show at the Vilar
Beaver Creek has something few ski villages can offer: a real performing arts theater. The Vilar Performing Arts Center sits right in the village and hosts concerts, comedy, dance, family shows and film through the winter. It is an intimate venue, so there is not a bad seat, and you can walk there from most village lodging. Look at the calendar before your trip and book ahead for popular shows.
Dinner in the village or on the mountain
The village has restaurants for every mood, from casual spots for families to long, relaxed dinners. Reservations help during holiday weeks and weekends, when the best tables go early.
For something more memorable, Beaver Creek is known for its on-mountain dinners, where guests ride a sleigh or snowcat up to a mountain cabin for an evening meal. These are special-occasion outings and book up early, so reserve well ahead if one is on your list.
Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead
If you are staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead, the smaller villages along the mountain to the west, your evenings will be quieter. Many visitors enjoy a fire and a slow dinner at their lodging, then head into Beaver Creek Village for one or two nights of the trip. Resort and lodging shuttles link the areas, and Avon is a short ride down the hill for more restaurants and a grocery run.
Keep the evening easy at 8,100 feet
Beaver Creek Village sits at about 8,100 feet. That is lower than the Summit County towns, but it is still a big jump for visitors from sea level, and a full day on the slopes followed by a late night adds up. A few habits help you enjoy your evenings:
- Drink plenty of water through the day and with dinner. The air here is dry.
- Go easy on alcohol the first night or two, since many people feel it more at elevation.
- Plan one quiet evening early in the trip, especially if you arrived the same day.
- Dress warmly for walking between the village and your lodging. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset.
Talk to a doctor about any medical questions before your trip, especially if you have a condition affected by altitude.
Oxygen waiting at your lodging
Some guests like to have oxygen ready at their Beaver Creek lodging for the end of the day. Peak Oxygen delivers in-home and portable oxygen concentrators to Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, Arrowhead and Avon for recreational use at altitude. No prescription is needed, and deliveries do not require you to be present. See our FAQ or call (970) 368-9190 with any questions.
