by Ashley Casorio
As the cold draws in and the winter months come upon us, many look for an island getaway. Warm sunshine and turquoise waters are the perfect winter escape there’s no doubt, but have you ever considered heading to the mountains? Sure New Jersey has some perfectly skiable mountains that are within driving distance for a long weekend, but head further west and you’ll come upon a winter wonderland.
Beaver Creek, Colorado is only 30 minutes from Eagle Airport in Vail and with non-stop flights directly from Newark on United, getting there couldn’t be easier. If those flights have limited availability, flying to Denver is always an option as it’s about a 2-3-hour drive depending on traffic. The easy accessibility and not having to take a connecting flight make it a great choice for your winter vacation, especially when traveling with children.
The village of Beaver Creek is incredibly charming with quaint restaurants lining the streets, great shops, plenty of ski equipment rental shops, and an ice rink located directly in the center of the village. Directly from the village you can hop on the ski lift and be on your way up the mountain in no time to hit the slopes. Or if keeping your two feet firmly planted on the ground is more your style, there are plenty of restaurants that provide mountain views for you to keep an eye on everything.
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in town with its restaurant, 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill, located directly at the base of the mountain (check out their delicious brunch!). Hotel life on vacation can be super easy with daily maid service and anything you could need just one phone call away which makes staying at the Park Hyatt a great option. Beaver Creek, however, offers another option that is perfect for families – a plethora of condo rentals!
A condo rental is a fantastic option for those looking for a little bit more space. The condos at Villa Montane, for example, all have a different layout, some even spanning multiple floors, and all complete with a full kitchen and laundry machines. While you are not staying in a hotel per se, you essentially receive all the benefits of hotel services. Daily housekeeping is available if you’d like to schedule it and you receive access to the spa and gym facilities at the Park Hyatt. If you’ve got a pack with you, it makes sense to park it at a condo.
The dining options in Beaver Creek are plentiful with many of them offering fun happy hour specials after a day on the slopes like Black Diamond Bistro and Hooked. When you’ve exhausted these options, consider the short drive over to Vail Village to check out the scene. With incredible restaurants such as Sweet Basil as well as world class shopping options, you really can never get bored even if you don’t ski. When you’re done checking out Vail, head back to Beaver Creek in time to catch the complimentary snowshoeing tour through the snowy woods (talk about a workout!).
This vacation will certainly be a vacation for the mind, body, and senses and will be one that your family and friends will remember for years to come.
Ashley Casorio is the writer behind The Wandering Ash travel blog: www.thewanderingash.com. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @thewanderingash for photos and musings on her travels.
