Ski & Snowboard,
Destination Guides,
Events,
Kids
Oct 16, 2026
Planning a Ski Trip to Vail & Beaver Creek: Where to Stay, Ski & What to Know
Vail and Beaver Creek are close enough to ski on the same trip, but they feel very different once you’re on the mountain.
Vail is significantly bigger, which means more terrain, more runs and more choices for different ability levels. You can spend several days exploring the Front Side, Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin and still have plenty left to ski. The tradeoff is that Vail’s size can make it feel busier and harder to navigate, especially on a first trip. There are also more catwalks and connecting trails to figure out as you move across the mountain.
Beaver Creek is smaller and easier to get your arms around. It has dedicated beginner and family terrain, long intermediate runs and plenty for advanced skiers around Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes. For families or mixed-ability groups, the more compact layout can make the day feel simpler.
The good news is you don’t necessarily have to choose between them. Vail and Beaver Creek are available on the same lift-access products, depending on the ticket or pass you purchase, so a four- or five-day trip can easily include both mountains. Check Vail’s current lift ticket and pass options for access details and restrictions.
Here’s how to plan the trip, from where to stay and ski to getting around and choosing the most convenient Christy Sports location for your rental gear.
Vail vs. Beaver Creek: what’s the difference?
Vail makes sense if you want a bigger mountain with more terrain to explore over several days. Beaver Creek makes sense if you want a more compact resort, clear beginner progression and easier village-to-village navigation.
At Vail, first-time visitors can start on the Front Side and work their way toward the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin as conditions and ability allow. Vail Village and Lionshead also give you two base areas for restaurants, shops and après.
At Beaver Creek, beginners can progress through Haymeadow Park, Red Buffalo Park and McCoy Park. McCoy Park has 250 acres and 17 trails dedicated to beginner and intermediate skiing. More experienced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes.
For a four- or five-day trip, start with two days at Vail and one full day at Beaver Creek, then leave the remaining days flexible.
Where should you stay in Vail?
For most first-time visitors, the choice is Vail Village or Lionshead. Choose Vail Village for Gondola One and the heart of the dining and après scene. Choose Lionshead for Eagle Bahn Gondola access and a slightly quieter base. Both are slopeside and connected by Vail’s free bus system.
Vail Village
Vail Village puts Gondola One, restaurants, shops and après within an easy walk. It’s a good fit if your group wants to ski during the day and head back into the village at night.
If you’re renting gear, Christy Sports Vail Bridge Street is steps from Gondola One.
Lionshead
Lionshead is centered around the Eagle Bahn Gondola, with its own lodging, restaurants and shops.
Christy Sports Vail Lionshead is near the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Lionshead Ticket Office.
Vail Village vs. Lionshead: which should you choose?
Choose Vail Village if restaurants, shopping and après are a bigger part of your trip.
Choose Lionshead if your lodging or ski-school plans put you closer to Eagle Bahn.
Where should you stay at Beaver Creek?
Choose Beaver Creek Village if you want the easiest access to ski school, restaurants and the center of the resort. Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead offer quieter slopeside bases. Avon sits below the resort and makes more sense if you want easy I-70 access and flexibility to move around the valley.
Beaver Creek Village
Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the resort, with restaurants, shops, the ice rink, ski school and access to beginner through advanced terrain.
Christy Sports Beaver Creek is inside Beaver Creek Lodge at 26 Avondale Lane.
Bachelor Gulch
Bachelor Gulch is a quieter slopeside option centered around the Bachelor Gulch Express. It’s a good fit if ski-in/ski-out access matters more than having Beaver Creek Village outside your door.
Complimentary Village Connect transportation links Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek Village and Arrowhead.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead is Beaver Creek’s westernmost gateway. The Arrow Bahn Express provides access to beginner and intermediate terrain and connects into Beaver Creek’s village-to-village ski experience.
Avon
Avon sits below Beaver Creek and has its own hotels, restaurants, shops and services. You can access the mountain via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle.
Avon can make sense if you want easy access to I-70 or plan to split your ski days between Beaver Creek and Vail.
Christy Sports Avon is at 182 Avon Road in Chapel Square.
Avon vs. Beaver Creek Village: which should you choose?
Choose Beaver Creek Village if slopeside convenience is the priority, particularly with kids or early ski-school mornings.
Consider Avon if you want easier valley access and more flexibility to move between Beaver Creek and Vail.
Which Christy Sports location should I use to rent skis in Vail or Beaver Creek?
If you’re renting skis or a snowboard for a Vail or Beaver Creek trip, choose the Christy Sports location closest to where you’re staying. That makes pickup, boot adjustments and returning your equipment easier.
Here’s the simplest way to choose:
Staying in Vail Village? Use Christy Sports Vail Bridge Street at 293 Bridge Street, steps from Gondola One.
Staying in Lionshead? Use Christy Sports Vail Lionshead at 520 E. Lionshead Circle, near the Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Staying in Beaver Creek Village? Use Christy Sports Beaver Creek inside Beaver Creek Lodge at 26 Avondale Lane.
Staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead? Use Christy Sports Beaver Creek inside Beaver Creek Lodge. It’s our recommended Christy Sports location for guests staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead.
Staying in Avon? Use Christy Sports Avon at 182 Avon Road in Chapel Square. Avon is also a convenient choice if you’re staying elsewhere in the valley and want easy I-70 access.
Skiing both Vail and Beaver Creek? You don’t need to switch rental locations when you switch mountains. Choose the store that makes the most sense for where you’re staying and keep your equipment for the duration of your rental.
If you rent in Vail, plan to return your equipment to the same Christy Sports location where you picked it up.
All four locations offer ski and snowboard rentals, tuning and repair, and custom boot fitting. Avon also offers season rentals.
Book daily rentals at least 24 hours ahead to save 20% over walk-in rates. For current rental details and booking, see Vail Valley ski and snowboard rentals or Beaver Creek and Avon ski and snowboard rentals.
Want to try skis before you buy?
For the 2026–27 season, our Try Before You Buy program is available at Vail Bridge Street, Vail Lionshead, Beaver Creek and Avon.
Try Before You Buy lets you spend the day testing different adult skis to find the right fit before you buy. The program is $100 per day, and up to two days of Try Before You Buy fees can be applied toward a new pair of skis purchased that season. Skis are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be reserved in advance.
If you want to research what’s on the ski wall before your trip, see our Best Skis for 2026/27 guide.
A 5-day Vail and Beaver Creek ski itinerary
You could easily spend five days at Vail, but splitting the trip lets you experience both resorts without changing hotels. Because Vail and Beaver Creek share lift-access options, you can build both mountains into the same trip without buying completely separate resort products. Check the specific access included with your ticket or pass before purchasing.
Arrival day: check in and get your gear
Check in, get your bearings and pick up rental gear before your first morning on snow.
At Christy Sports’ Vail Bridge Street and Vail Lionshead stores, rentals can be picked up beginning at 3 p.m. the day before the reservation starts. Both locations also offer a 20% discount when you reserve daily rentals at least 24 hours ahead.
If you’re skiing with kids, getting the fitting done the day before is especially useful. It gives you time to deal with a boot that pinches or a size change without racing to a lesson the next morning.
Book Vail ski and snowboard rentals
Day 1: get to know Vail
Don’t try to cover the entire mountain.
Use the Front Side to get oriented and see how everyone in your group is skiing. Beginners can stick to learning terrain while intermediates explore groomed Front Side runs.
Save the bigger mountain tour for later.
Day 2: explore the Back Bowls
If your group is ready, head farther into Vail.
The Back Bowls aren’t exclusively expert terrain. China Bowl combines steep terrain with groomed intermediate skiing, and Poppyfields East and West offer groomed intermediate routes that can be a good introduction to bowl skiing.
Advanced skiers can seek out steeper terrain while intermediates still have options.
Check the grooming, weather and lift report that morning. Conditions should drive the plan.
Day 3: ski Beaver Creek
Give Beaver Creek a full day.
Beginners and families can explore its progression terrain, while intermediates can ski toward Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. Advanced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes.
If you’re visiting December 3–13, 2026, check the Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup schedule first. Racing takes place over two weekends: men’s races December 3–6 and women’s races December 11–13. Event organizers recommend arriving early because of crowds.
Day 4: let the conditions decide
By now, you’ll know which mountain your group wants to revisit, and you’ll have an actual snow and weather forecast.
Go back to Vail if there’s more terrain you want to explore. Return to Beaver Creek if the group prefers its layout or terrain. A fresh-snow morning may make the decision for you.
Day 5: ski your favorites
Use the last day to revisit your favorite terrain. If it’s also a travel day, ski a few hours rather than trying to squeeze a major mountain objective into the final morning.
Where should you ski at Vail?
First-timers and beginners
If you’re completely new to skiing or snowboarding, start with learning terrain or a lesson instead of following experienced friends around the mountain.
Check the current trail map and grooming report before heading out. Terrain and lift operations change with conditions.
Intermediates
Start with Front Side groomers, then consider the Back Bowls as your confidence builds.
China Bowl has intermediate groomed bowl skiing alongside expert terrain. Poppyfields East and West are groomed intermediate runs and one of the more approachable ways to experience Vail’s Back Bowls.
Advanced and expert skiers
The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are natural goals for experienced visitors, but don’t build your whole trip around a fixed run list.
Snowfall, grooming, wind and lift operations can change the best terrain choice from one day to the next. Check the morning report and go where the conditions are best.
Where should you ski at Beaver Creek?
First-timers and beginners
Beaver Creek has a clear progression setup.
Haymeadow Park is a dedicated learning area at the base with gentle terrain, magic carpets and a beginner-friendly gondola. Red Buffalo Park adds beginner and intermediate terrain higher on the mountain.
McCoy Park is the next step: 250 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain with 17 trails, including natural, groomed glades.
Intermediates
Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead give intermediate skiers room to cruise while exploring another side of the resort.
Instead of lapping one area all day, use the village-to-village terrain to see more of Beaver Creek.
Advanced and expert skiers
Beaver Creek isn’t just a beginner mountain.
Advanced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes, giving mixed-ability groups harder terrain without requiring everyone to ski the same runs.
Planning a Vail or Beaver Creek ski trip with kids
With kids, plan the morning before you plan the mountain.
Confirm where ski school meets, then work backward to lodging, transportation and rental pickup. Beaver Creek child group lessons currently meet slopeside in Beaver Creek Village between Haymeadow Express Gondola 1 and Centennial Express Lift 6. The resort recommends arriving early.
Pick up rental equipment the day before when you can. It gives everyone time to try on boots and fix fit issues without racing to a lesson.
Christy Sports’ Kids Rent Free program is also worth checking for a longer family trip. For 2026–27, kids 12 and under rent free with a qualifying adult ski or snowboard package of four or more consecutive days. The published 2026–27 blackout is December 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
For packing, our family ski trip packing guide covers what kids actually need on the mountain and what can stay home.
Do you need a car in Vail or Beaver Creek?
If you’re staying in Vail Village or Lionshead and skiing only Vail, you can comfortably plan a trip without using a car every day. Beaver Creek also provides transportation within its village areas. A car becomes more useful if you want to move frequently between Vail and Beaver Creek.
The Town of Vail provides free year-round bus service throughout town, including service between Vail Village and Lionshead.
At Beaver Creek, Village Connect provides complimentary transportation among Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead.
If you’re staying in Avon, Beaver Creek lists access to the slopes via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle.
What should you do besides skiing?
In Vail, take an afternoon to walk Vail Village and Lionshead. Early-season visitors can also check Vail Après programming. Free ice-skating exhibitions are scheduled on select dates from November 27, 2026 through January 2, 2027 at the Arrabelle rink and Solaris Plaza.
At Beaver Creek, spend some time in the village. Village Connect makes it easier to get there if you’re staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead.
Check what’s playing at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Village. Its 2026–27 winter season runs from December into April with concerts, comedy, dance, Broadway and family performances, making it an easy après or evening option even if you’re staying elsewhere in the valley.
Vail & Beaver Creek events for the 2026–27 ski season
If your dates are flexible, check the event calendar before booking. A few weekends bring major events to Vail and Beaver Creek, while concerts and holiday programming can give you something to do after the lifts close.
Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup: December 3–13, 2026. Beaver Creek hosts its largest World Cup program yet, with seven men’s and women’s races over two weekends. Men race December 3–6 and women December 11–13 at Red Tail Stadium, with additional viewing and festivities in Beaver Creek Village. If you’re visiting during either race weekend, plan for bigger crowds and allow extra time for transportation. Check the Birds of Prey schedule.
Holiday season in Vail and Beaver Creek: December 2026. Both resorts add holiday programming throughout December. Vail’s calendar includes holiday activities, ice-skating shows and New Year’s Eve fireworks, while Beaver Creek celebrates New Year’s Eve with village entertainment, an illuminated ski-down and fireworks. Check the resort calendars as your trip approaches for the current schedule.
Vilar Performing Arts Center: December 2026–April 2027. If you’re staying in Beaver Creek—or want something to do off the mountain—the Vilar Performing Arts Center has a full winter schedule in the heart of Beaver Creek Village. The 2026–27 lineup includes concerts, comedy, dance, Broadway and family performances, with artists including The Temptations, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Wynton Marsalis and Oteil & Friends, plus a two-night run of Shucked. Check the calendar for what’s playing during your trip.
Fireworks in Avon: January 16, 2027. Fireworks in Avon brings a free MLK weekend celebration to Harry A. Nottingham Park, with fireworks, hot cocoa and live entertainment.
Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek: February 20–21, 2027. Advanced skiers can take on Beaver Creek’s signature Talons Challenge, built around 14 black and double-black runs and roughly 26,000 vertical feet in a day. Check Beaver Creek’s event calendar for registration and current details.
Vail Legacy Weekend: February 28–March 1, 2027. This free celebration of Vail’s ski history and the 10th Mountain Division takes place in Vail Village and on Vail Mountain. Programming has included the 10th Mountain Parade, historic military vehicles, live events and an anniversary ski-down. Check the Vail Legacy Weekend schedule as the weekend approaches.
Taste of Vail: March 31–April 3, 2027. Taste of Vail is one of the valley’s major spring events, with food-and-wine experiences in Vail Village and on Vail Mountain.
Event schedules and mountain operations can change, so check current resort and destination calendars before your trip.
Vail & Beaver Creek ski trip FAQs
Can you ski Vail and Beaver Creek on the same trip?
Yes. They’re close enough to combine in one trip, and Vail and Beaver Creek are available on the same lift-access products depending on the ticket or pass you buy. A four- or five-day trip gives you enough time to ski both without changing lodging. Start with two days at Vail, one at Beaver Creek and leave the final days flexible for conditions and favorites.
How many days do you need for a Vail ski trip?
Three days gives you time to explore several parts of Vail without trying to cover the whole mountain at once. Four or five days gives you more flexibility for weather and a day at Beaver Creek.
Is Vail or Beaver Creek better for beginners?
Both have beginner terrain and instruction. Beaver Creek has a particularly clear progression through Haymeadow Park, Red Buffalo Park and McCoy Park. Lodging and ski-school logistics may matter just as much as terrain when you’re choosing between them.
Should I stay in Vail Village or Lionshead?
Choose Vail Village for Gondola One and the center of the dining, shopping and après scene. Choose Lionshead for Eagle Bahn Gondola access. Both are slopeside, and free town buses connect them.
Can I stay in Avon and ski Beaver Creek?
Yes. Avon sits below Beaver Creek, with mountain access via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle. It can also be convenient if you’re planning to ski both Beaver Creek and Vail.
Where should I rent skis in Vail or Beaver Creek?
Choose your Christy Sports location based primarily on where you’re staying.
Vail Village: Vail Bridge Street
Lionshead: Vail Lionshead
Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead: Christy Sports Beaver Creek
Avon: Christy Sports Avon
If you’re skiing both Vail and Beaver Creek, you don’t need to switch rental shops between ski days. Choose the location that makes the most sense for where you’re staying and keep your equipment for the duration of the rental.
Do I need a rental car in Vail?
Not necessarily. Vail Village and Lionshead are walkable and served by free town buses. A car becomes more useful if you plan to move frequently between Vail and Beaver Creek.
Can I pick up my ski rentals the night before?
Yes. Rentals can currently be picked up starting at 3 p.m. the day before the reservation begins.
Ski & Snowboard,
Destination Guides,
Events,
Kids
Oct 16, 2026
Planning a Ski Trip to Vail & Beaver Creek: Where to Stay, Ski & What to Know
Vail and Beaver Creek are close enough to ski on the same trip, but they feel very different once you’re on the mountain.
Vail is significantly bigger, which means more terrain, more runs and more choices for different ability levels. You can spend several days exploring the Front Side, Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin and still have plenty left to ski. The tradeoff is that Vail’s size can make it feel busier and harder to navigate, especially on a first trip. There are also more catwalks and connecting trails to figure out as you move across the mountain.
Beaver Creek is smaller and easier to get your arms around. It has dedicated beginner and family terrain, long intermediate runs and plenty for advanced skiers around Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes. For families or mixed-ability groups, the more compact layout can make the day feel simpler.
The good news is you don’t necessarily have to choose between them. Vail and Beaver Creek are available on the same lift-access products, depending on the ticket or pass you purchase, so a four- or five-day trip can easily include both mountains. Check Vail’s current lift ticket and pass options for access details and restrictions.
Here’s how to plan the trip, from where to stay and ski to getting around and choosing the most convenient Christy Sports location for your rental gear.
Vail vs. Beaver Creek: what’s the difference?
Vail makes sense if you want a bigger mountain with more terrain to explore over several days. Beaver Creek makes sense if you want a more compact resort, clear beginner progression and easier village-to-village navigation.
At Vail, first-time visitors can start on the Front Side and work their way toward the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin as conditions and ability allow. Vail Village and Lionshead also give you two base areas for restaurants, shops and après.
At Beaver Creek, beginners can progress through Haymeadow Park, Red Buffalo Park and McCoy Park. McCoy Park has 250 acres and 17 trails dedicated to beginner and intermediate skiing. More experienced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes.
For a four- or five-day trip, start with two days at Vail and one full day at Beaver Creek, then leave the remaining days flexible.
Where should you stay in Vail?
For most first-time visitors, the choice is Vail Village or Lionshead. Choose Vail Village for Gondola One and the heart of the dining and après scene. Choose Lionshead for Eagle Bahn Gondola access and a slightly quieter base. Both are slopeside and connected by Vail’s free bus system.
Vail Village
Vail Village puts Gondola One, restaurants, shops and après within an easy walk. It’s a good fit if your group wants to ski during the day and head back into the village at night.
If you’re renting gear, Christy Sports Vail Bridge Street is steps from Gondola One.
Lionshead
Lionshead is centered around the Eagle Bahn Gondola, with its own lodging, restaurants and shops.
Christy Sports Vail Lionshead is near the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Lionshead Ticket Office.
Vail Village vs. Lionshead: which should you choose?
Choose Vail Village if restaurants, shopping and après are a bigger part of your trip.
Choose Lionshead if your lodging or ski-school plans put you closer to Eagle Bahn.
Where should you stay at Beaver Creek?
Choose Beaver Creek Village if you want the easiest access to ski school, restaurants and the center of the resort. Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead offer quieter slopeside bases. Avon sits below the resort and makes more sense if you want easy I-70 access and flexibility to move around the valley.
Beaver Creek Village
Beaver Creek Village is the heart of the resort, with restaurants, shops, the ice rink, ski school and access to beginner through advanced terrain.
Christy Sports Beaver Creek is inside Beaver Creek Lodge at 26 Avondale Lane.
Bachelor Gulch
Bachelor Gulch is a quieter slopeside option centered around the Bachelor Gulch Express. It’s a good fit if ski-in/ski-out access matters more than having Beaver Creek Village outside your door.
Complimentary Village Connect transportation links Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek Village and Arrowhead.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead is Beaver Creek’s westernmost gateway. The Arrow Bahn Express provides access to beginner and intermediate terrain and connects into Beaver Creek’s village-to-village ski experience.
Avon
Avon sits below Beaver Creek and has its own hotels, restaurants, shops and services. You can access the mountain via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle.
Avon can make sense if you want easy access to I-70 or plan to split your ski days between Beaver Creek and Vail.
Christy Sports Avon is at 182 Avon Road in Chapel Square.
Avon vs. Beaver Creek Village: which should you choose?
Choose Beaver Creek Village if slopeside convenience is the priority, particularly with kids or early ski-school mornings.
Consider Avon if you want easier valley access and more flexibility to move between Beaver Creek and Vail.
Which Christy Sports location should I use to rent skis in Vail or Beaver Creek?
If you’re renting skis or a snowboard for a Vail or Beaver Creek trip, choose the Christy Sports location closest to where you’re staying. That makes pickup, boot adjustments and returning your equipment easier.
Here’s the simplest way to choose:
Staying in Vail Village? Use Christy Sports Vail Bridge Street at 293 Bridge Street, steps from Gondola One.
Staying in Lionshead? Use Christy Sports Vail Lionshead at 520 E. Lionshead Circle, near the Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Staying in Beaver Creek Village? Use Christy Sports Beaver Creek inside Beaver Creek Lodge at 26 Avondale Lane.
Staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead? Use Christy Sports Beaver Creek inside Beaver Creek Lodge. It’s our recommended Christy Sports location for guests staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead.
Staying in Avon? Use Christy Sports Avon at 182 Avon Road in Chapel Square. Avon is also a convenient choice if you’re staying elsewhere in the valley and want easy I-70 access.
Skiing both Vail and Beaver Creek? You don’t need to switch rental locations when you switch mountains. Choose the store that makes the most sense for where you’re staying and keep your equipment for the duration of your rental.
If you rent in Vail, plan to return your equipment to the same Christy Sports location where you picked it up.
All four locations offer ski and snowboard rentals, tuning and repair, and custom boot fitting. Avon also offers season rentals.
Book daily rentals at least 24 hours ahead to save 20% over walk-in rates. For current rental details and booking, see Vail Valley ski and snowboard rentals or Beaver Creek and Avon ski and snowboard rentals.
Want to try skis before you buy?
For the 2026–27 season, our Try Before You Buy program is available at Vail Bridge Street, Vail Lionshead, Beaver Creek and Avon.
Try Before You Buy lets you spend the day testing different adult skis to find the right fit before you buy. The program is $100 per day, and up to two days of Try Before You Buy fees can be applied toward a new pair of skis purchased that season. Skis are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be reserved in advance.
If you want to research what’s on the ski wall before your trip, see our Best Skis for 2026/27 guide.
A 5-day Vail and Beaver Creek ski itinerary
You could easily spend five days at Vail, but splitting the trip lets you experience both resorts without changing hotels. Because Vail and Beaver Creek share lift-access options, you can build both mountains into the same trip without buying completely separate resort products. Check the specific access included with your ticket or pass before purchasing.
Arrival day: check in and get your gear
Check in, get your bearings and pick up rental gear before your first morning on snow.
At Christy Sports’ Vail Bridge Street and Vail Lionshead stores, rentals can be picked up beginning at 3 p.m. the day before the reservation starts. Both locations also offer a 20% discount when you reserve daily rentals at least 24 hours ahead.
If you’re skiing with kids, getting the fitting done the day before is especially useful. It gives you time to deal with a boot that pinches or a size change without racing to a lesson the next morning.
Book Vail ski and snowboard rentals
Day 1: get to know Vail
Don’t try to cover the entire mountain.
Use the Front Side to get oriented and see how everyone in your group is skiing. Beginners can stick to learning terrain while intermediates explore groomed Front Side runs.
Save the bigger mountain tour for later.
Day 2: explore the Back Bowls
If your group is ready, head farther into Vail.
The Back Bowls aren’t exclusively expert terrain. China Bowl combines steep terrain with groomed intermediate skiing, and Poppyfields East and West offer groomed intermediate routes that can be a good introduction to bowl skiing.
Advanced skiers can seek out steeper terrain while intermediates still have options.
Check the grooming, weather and lift report that morning. Conditions should drive the plan.
Day 3: ski Beaver Creek
Give Beaver Creek a full day.
Beginners and families can explore its progression terrain, while intermediates can ski toward Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. Advanced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes.
If you’re visiting December 3–13, 2026, check the Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup schedule first. Racing takes place over two weekends: men’s races December 3–6 and women’s races December 11–13. Event organizers recommend arriving early because of crowds.
Day 4: let the conditions decide
By now, you’ll know which mountain your group wants to revisit, and you’ll have an actual snow and weather forecast.
Go back to Vail if there’s more terrain you want to explore. Return to Beaver Creek if the group prefers its layout or terrain. A fresh-snow morning may make the decision for you.
Day 5: ski your favorites
Use the last day to revisit your favorite terrain. If it’s also a travel day, ski a few hours rather than trying to squeeze a major mountain objective into the final morning.
Where should you ski at Vail?
First-timers and beginners
If you’re completely new to skiing or snowboarding, start with learning terrain or a lesson instead of following experienced friends around the mountain.
Check the current trail map and grooming report before heading out. Terrain and lift operations change with conditions.
Intermediates
Start with Front Side groomers, then consider the Back Bowls as your confidence builds.
China Bowl has intermediate groomed bowl skiing alongside expert terrain. Poppyfields East and West are groomed intermediate runs and one of the more approachable ways to experience Vail’s Back Bowls.
Advanced and expert skiers
The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are natural goals for experienced visitors, but don’t build your whole trip around a fixed run list.
Snowfall, grooming, wind and lift operations can change the best terrain choice from one day to the next. Check the morning report and go where the conditions are best.
Where should you ski at Beaver Creek?
First-timers and beginners
Beaver Creek has a clear progression setup.
Haymeadow Park is a dedicated learning area at the base with gentle terrain, magic carpets and a beginner-friendly gondola. Red Buffalo Park adds beginner and intermediate terrain higher on the mountain.
McCoy Park is the next step: 250 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain with 17 trails, including natural, groomed glades.
Intermediates
Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead give intermediate skiers room to cruise while exploring another side of the resort.
Instead of lapping one area all day, use the village-to-village terrain to see more of Beaver Creek.
Advanced and expert skiers
Beaver Creek isn’t just a beginner mountain.
Advanced skiers can head toward Grouse Mountain, Birds of Prey and the Stone Creek Chutes, giving mixed-ability groups harder terrain without requiring everyone to ski the same runs.
Planning a Vail or Beaver Creek ski trip with kids
With kids, plan the morning before you plan the mountain.
Confirm where ski school meets, then work backward to lodging, transportation and rental pickup. Beaver Creek child group lessons currently meet slopeside in Beaver Creek Village between Haymeadow Express Gondola 1 and Centennial Express Lift 6. The resort recommends arriving early.
Pick up rental equipment the day before when you can. It gives everyone time to try on boots and fix fit issues without racing to a lesson.
Christy Sports’ Kids Rent Free program is also worth checking for a longer family trip. For 2026–27, kids 12 and under rent free with a qualifying adult ski or snowboard package of four or more consecutive days. The published 2026–27 blackout is December 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
For packing, our family ski trip packing guide covers what kids actually need on the mountain and what can stay home.
Do you need a car in Vail or Beaver Creek?
If you’re staying in Vail Village or Lionshead and skiing only Vail, you can comfortably plan a trip without using a car every day. Beaver Creek also provides transportation within its village areas. A car becomes more useful if you want to move frequently between Vail and Beaver Creek.
The Town of Vail provides free year-round bus service throughout town, including service between Vail Village and Lionshead.
At Beaver Creek, Village Connect provides complimentary transportation among Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead.
If you’re staying in Avon, Beaver Creek lists access to the slopes via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle.
What should you do besides skiing?
In Vail, take an afternoon to walk Vail Village and Lionshead. Early-season visitors can also check Vail Après programming. Free ice-skating exhibitions are scheduled on select dates from November 27, 2026 through January 2, 2027 at the Arrabelle rink and Solaris Plaza.
At Beaver Creek, spend some time in the village. Village Connect makes it easier to get there if you’re staying in Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead.
Check what’s playing at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Village. Its 2026–27 winter season runs from December into April with concerts, comedy, dance, Broadway and family performances, making it an easy après or evening option even if you’re staying elsewhere in the valley.
Vail & Beaver Creek events for the 2026–27 ski season
If your dates are flexible, check the event calendar before booking. A few weekends bring major events to Vail and Beaver Creek, while concerts and holiday programming can give you something to do after the lifts close.
Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup: December 3–13, 2026. Beaver Creek hosts its largest World Cup program yet, with seven men’s and women’s races over two weekends. Men race December 3–6 and women December 11–13 at Red Tail Stadium, with additional viewing and festivities in Beaver Creek Village. If you’re visiting during either race weekend, plan for bigger crowds and allow extra time for transportation. Check the Birds of Prey schedule.
Holiday season in Vail and Beaver Creek: December 2026. Both resorts add holiday programming throughout December. Vail’s calendar includes holiday activities, ice-skating shows and New Year’s Eve fireworks, while Beaver Creek celebrates New Year’s Eve with village entertainment, an illuminated ski-down and fireworks. Check the resort calendars as your trip approaches for the current schedule.
Vilar Performing Arts Center: December 2026–April 2027. If you’re staying in Beaver Creek—or want something to do off the mountain—the Vilar Performing Arts Center has a full winter schedule in the heart of Beaver Creek Village. The 2026–27 lineup includes concerts, comedy, dance, Broadway and family performances, with artists including The Temptations, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Wynton Marsalis and Oteil & Friends, plus a two-night run of Shucked. Check the calendar for what’s playing during your trip.
Fireworks in Avon: January 16, 2027. Fireworks in Avon brings a free MLK weekend celebration to Harry A. Nottingham Park, with fireworks, hot cocoa and live entertainment.
Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek: February 20–21, 2027. Advanced skiers can take on Beaver Creek’s signature Talons Challenge, built around 14 black and double-black runs and roughly 26,000 vertical feet in a day. Check Beaver Creek’s event calendar for registration and current details.
Vail Legacy Weekend: February 28–March 1, 2027. This free celebration of Vail’s ski history and the 10th Mountain Division takes place in Vail Village and on Vail Mountain. Programming has included the 10th Mountain Parade, historic military vehicles, live events and an anniversary ski-down. Check the Vail Legacy Weekend schedule as the weekend approaches.
Taste of Vail: March 31–April 3, 2027. Taste of Vail is one of the valley’s major spring events, with food-and-wine experiences in Vail Village and on Vail Mountain.
Event schedules and mountain operations can change, so check current resort and destination calendars before your trip.
Vail & Beaver Creek ski trip FAQs
Can you ski Vail and Beaver Creek on the same trip?
Yes. They’re close enough to combine in one trip, and Vail and Beaver Creek are available on the same lift-access products depending on the ticket or pass you buy. A four- or five-day trip gives you enough time to ski both without changing lodging. Start with two days at Vail, one at Beaver Creek and leave the final days flexible for conditions and favorites.
How many days do you need for a Vail ski trip?
Three days gives you time to explore several parts of Vail without trying to cover the whole mountain at once. Four or five days gives you more flexibility for weather and a day at Beaver Creek.
Is Vail or Beaver Creek better for beginners?
Both have beginner terrain and instruction. Beaver Creek has a particularly clear progression through Haymeadow Park, Red Buffalo Park and McCoy Park. Lodging and ski-school logistics may matter just as much as terrain when you’re choosing between them.
Should I stay in Vail Village or Lionshead?
Choose Vail Village for Gondola One and the center of the dining, shopping and après scene. Choose Lionshead for Eagle Bahn Gondola access. Both are slopeside, and free town buses connect them.
Can I stay in Avon and ski Beaver Creek?
Yes. Avon sits below Beaver Creek, with mountain access via the Riverfront Express Gondola or free shuttle. It can also be convenient if you’re planning to ski both Beaver Creek and Vail.
Where should I rent skis in Vail or Beaver Creek?
Choose your Christy Sports location based primarily on where you’re staying.
Vail Village: Vail Bridge Street
Lionshead: Vail Lionshead
Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch or Arrowhead: Christy Sports Beaver Creek
Avon: Christy Sports Avon
If you’re skiing both Vail and Beaver Creek, you don’t need to switch rental shops between ski days. Choose the location that makes the most sense for where you’re staying and keep your equipment for the duration of the rental.
Do I need a rental car in Vail?
Not necessarily. Vail Village and Lionshead are walkable and served by free town buses. A car becomes more useful if you plan to move frequently between Vail and Beaver Creek.
Can I pick up my ski rentals the night before?
Yes. Rentals can currently be picked up starting at 3 p.m. the day before the reservation begins.
