Beaver Creek (how far)

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject: Beaver Creek (how far)

Hey All,

We'll be coming out to BeaverCreek "on business" early March, what's the deal - fly into Denver and drive it from there? How far is it? What're the driving conditions? Dunno if any of these places have limo service, we're at the Pines Lodge

Apparently we can't get into Vail/Eagle County, so I assume it'll be driving from Denver.

Any help/tips're appreciated

Oh yeah, I assume my wife and older daughter (skiers) should just leave their Eastern Hill ice sticks at home and rent powder gear?

My younger daughter and I both ride so we'll bring our boards/FedEx'em ahead of time to the hotel

Any good spots for meals/good times will be taken under consideration...

Wes

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

http://pineslodge.rockresorts.com/info/htl.gh.asp

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

Hey jryoung,

Thanks for the link...my wife was getting horror stories about bad drive conditions...nothing too scary there....

Thanks again

Wes

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

wesgardner, It's all dependent on the weather, during a storm it could get nasty. I-70 is well maintained though, so they should have it cleaned up shortly after a storm.

DavidHoff · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 6:17 pm Post subject:

wesgardner, I've got a house in Beaver Creek and have been going the past 10 years. So I'll give you this info, and If you have any more questions just PM me...

I've made the drive to Denver in about 2.5 hours. Once you get up into the mountains, there are two passes (I forgot the names) and If the conditions are terrible, they will most-likely be shut down. The passes are pretty slow, since most 18-wheelers are putting their chains on, and all cars are going slow, it can get pretty backed up. But under most conditions, it is fine.

In Beaver Creek they have 2 main parks. There is "Moonshine" and "Zoom-Room" ... Moonshine is the pro-level park, with a super-pipe, huge rails, and large kickers ... Zoom-Room has rails no more than 3-5 ft. off the snow in some parts, then others that rest right on the snow. The kickers are pretty small but you can get good air off of them. The mountain has runs of all terrains, and is pretty diverse so that's good. The intermediate runs are scattered, the beginner runs will be all the way at the top of the mountain, and then "Grouse Mountain" is the most advanced terrain on the mountain. There are 2 "bowls" that can be nice when groomed, but the lifts are long and slow. It can get crowded sometimes, so my advice is get out as early as possible, especially on powder-days, and just enjoy...

For food, Beaver Creek town center (at the base of the mountain) has many restaurants from pizza/hamburgers, to sit down/dress up type stuff. On the mountains, the main place is "Sattle Spruce" and it can get really crowded, so If you want to eat quick, get their early in the day, or late after everyone leaves. There is another place, more BBQ-Style, called Red-Tail camp that is smaller and less crowded. If you want more options, you can always take the drive a couple of miles down into the city of Avon and you can find anything there.

In the village, there are many board shops to check out. Personally, I'd recommend "The Otherside Snowboard Shop" and it's somewhat hard to find, so If your interested, just ask around the town If you can't find it.

That basically covers it, so just PM if you have any more questions...

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject:

Hey jryoung,

I hear ya on the weather...she made it sound as if the roads were bad even on a clear day...having not been out there and having been on some pretty bad mountain roads, I just didn't know....thanks again

Wes

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 6:23 pm Post subject:

Hey DavidHoff,

Sounds good...thanks for the tip on the boardshop...maybe I'll just take my boots and bindings...I've been looking for a reason to upgrade my board...

Thanks again

Wes

billyjodonjimbob · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 280 City: Seattle

It is really all dependant on the weather. I have had it take anywhere between 2 and 12 hours. Getting over vail pass and through the tunnel is a bummer if it's dumping......but totally worth it when you get to the mtn. Very Happy

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 20, 2005 6:41 pm Post subject:

Hey billyjodonjimbob,

For now, bring on that dumping...the day I drive it (god says) it'll be clear.... Mr. Green

Wes

JohnD · Outlaw Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 176 City: San Diego

wesgardner, if you want to take the wife out for a nice dinner, try Splendido's. It will set you back a few bucks, but well worth it if you like good food.

http://www.splendidobeavercreek.com/

BTW, if you have never ridden Rockey Mountain POW (and you're lucky enough to get some during your trip), you're in for a real treat! Smile

~J.

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 25, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:

Hey JohnD,

Thanks for the meal tip, yup I'll need to do that as she will be in conference most days while I'm out on the hill Sad

Some pow went up my nose years ago but I've not ridden it...lookin' forward Shocked

Wes

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

it should take you about 2 hours or so to get there from denver.

Beaver Creek is the wealthiest resort among the vail resorts....there could be fancier places in CO but my guess is no.

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 27, 2005 8:12 am Post subject:

Hey kswiss,

Gotcha...having not been there but been to a bunch of my wife's conference locations worldwide, we've come to expect pretty top-shelf stuff...

Wes