Vail and Beaver Creek sit about nine miles apart on I-70, at exits 176 and 167. Both are on the Epic Pass, both have free buses or shuttles between their villages, and both publish lift and snow reports every day in season. This planner gathers what stays true all season, and points you to the official pages for anything that changes.
On this page: Conditions Mountains Getting here Parking Tickets Rentals & lessons Families Beyond skiing Where to stay Season dates Altitude & safety
- Vail opens: Nov 13, 2026, scheduled and subject to conditions.
- Beaver Creek opens: Nov 25, 2026, scheduled and subject to conditions.
- Closing dates: not yet published for 2026–27; seasons usually run into April.
- New to the valley? Start with Visitor Essentials for airports, I-70 winter driving and altitude.
Check before you go
ECL doesn’t publish live conditions. On the day you ski or drive, use these official sources:
- Vail: Terrain and lift status · Snow and weather report
- Beaver Creek: Terrain and lift status · Snow and weather report
- I-70 roads and closures: COtrip.org, the COtrip app, or call 511
- Traction and chain laws: Colorado Department of Transportation
- Weather forecast: National Weather Service, Grand Junction office
- Avalanche forecast (backcountry and out of bounds): Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Choose your mountain
Many visitors ski both. Vail is the larger mountain, with a town and two car-free villages at its base. Beaver Creek is smaller, with three slopeside villages linked by lifts and shuttles.
| At a glance | Vail | Beaver Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Skiable terrain | 5,317 acres, 32 lifts | 2,082 acres, 24 lifts |
| Terrain mix | 18% beginner, 29% intermediate, 53% advanced | 28% beginner, 38% intermediate, 34% advanced |
| Base and summit | 8,120 ft and 11,570 ft | 8,100 ft and 11,440 ft |
| Where you start | Vail Village (Gondola One), Lionshead (Eagle Bahn Gondola), Golden Peak (Riva Bahn Express) and Cascade Village | Beaver Creek Village (Centennial Express), Bachelor Gulch (Bachelor Gulch Express) and Arrowhead (Arrow Bahn Express) |
| For beginners | Golden Peak, Vail’s main ski school base and learning area | McCoy Park, a gentle area high on the mountain; Arrowhead has easy access to beginner terrain |
| Kids’ group lessons meet | Golden Peak and Lionshead children’s centers | Check the meeting place when you book |
| Full guide | Vail guide | Beaver Creek guide · Bachelor Gulch |
Figures from the resorts’ mountain information pages (Vail, Beaver Creek).
Getting there and around
- Flying: Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) is about 30–35 miles west of Vail; Denver International (DEN) is about 119 miles east. See Getting here.
- Driving I-70: Colorado’s Traction Law applies from September 1 to May 31 between Dotsero and Morrison, the whole drive from Denver. Check your tires, especially on a rental. See Driving I-70 in winter.
- Without a car: Town of Vail buses are free year-round between Vail Village, Golden Peak and Lionshead. Core Transit runs the valley routes, including the Vail–Beaver Creek Express, and Beaver Creek runs free shuttles between its villages and lots. Winter schedules usually start in late November or early December. See Getting around the valley and Beaver Creek transport.
Parking
- Vail: the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures are a short walk from the lifts. The Town of Vail sets winter rules and rates each season; 2026–27 rates had not been published when this page was checked. See vail.gov/parking and Parking in Vail.
- Beaver Creek: day skiers park in the Bear and Elk lots and ride free shuttles to the village. The resort doesn’t allow overnight parking in its lots or garages. Check this season’s fees on Beaver Creek’s Getting Around page.
- Staying in the valley? Ask your lodging about guest parking, or skip parking altogether on the free buses.
Tickets and passes
- Every skier and rider, including lesson students, needs a lift ticket or pass.
- Lift ticket prices change by date and are sold on each resort’s site: Vail lift tickets · Beaver Creek lift tickets.
- Season passes, including the Epic Pass, cover both mountains. Pass sales close for the season, so check the deadline before you plan around one.
ECL doesn’t list prices because they change often. The resorts’ pages are the only reliable source.
Rentals and lessons
Rentals
- Vail: Vail Sports, the resort’s rental shops, has its main store, Vail 21, at the entrance to Lionshead Village, and shops near the gondolas and Golden Peak. Delivery to your lodging is offered.
- Beaver Creek: rent through Beaver Creek’s rental page and pick up on the mountain. Delivery to select lodging needs at least 48 hours’ notice.
- Both resorts say booking online ahead costs less than walking in. If you have a morning lesson, pick up rentals the day before.
Lessons
- Vail Ski & Snowboard School: child group lessons for ages 3–15 (half days for ages 3–4, full days for ages 3–6 and 7–15) at the Golden Peak and Lionshead children’s centers; adult groups at Golden Peak and Lionshead. Arrive 15 minutes early, or 60 if you’re collecting rentals. Lessons · Know before you go
- Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School: child group lessons from age 7; younger children are placed in smaller ability-based groups and must be potty trained. Lessons · First-timers
- Helmets are required for lesson participants under 18 at Vail and for child lessons at Beaver Creek.
- Both schools offer a guarantee for first-timers who don’t reach a qualifying green run by their third lesson; read the terms on their sites.
Planning with kids
- Childcare at Beaver Creek: Small World Play School takes children from 24 months to 6 years. The resort strongly recommends reservations; online bookings close two days ahead.
- At Vail: ask the ski and ride school about options for younger children when you book.
- First days on snow: Golden Peak at Vail and McCoy Park at Beaver Creek are the gentlest starting points.
- Altitude: children feel it too. Plan an easy first day and plenty of water; see Altitude.
- Rest days: the ideas under Beyond skiing work for all ages.
Beyond skiing
- Ice skating in Vail: outdoor rinks at the Arrabelle in Lionshead and at Solaris in Vail Village.
- Scenic gondola rides: Gondola One from Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead; check vail.com for sightseeing tickets.
- Nordic skiing and snowshoeing: the Vail Nordic Center, run by the Vail Recreation District, grooms about 17 km of track and has 10 km of snowshoe trails, rentals and lessons. Opening depends on snow.
- More ideas: Discover Vail lists sledding hills, tubing and guided tours on its winter page.
At Beaver Creek and Avon:
Beaver Creek Ice Rink
Outdoor ice skating
Beaver Creek Village
An outdoor rink in the center of the village, with couches around the ice. Pay at the walk-up booth; rentals are available.
Best for: Families, an evening in the village
Season: Winter; check the resort site for this season’s dates
Time needed: 1 hour
Price: See site
Last checked: October 2026
Cookie Time
Village tradition
Beaver Creek Village
Fresh chocolate chip cookies are handed out daily at 3 p.m. in the village and at the base of Centennial Express.
Best for: Families, an end-of-day stop
Season: Check the resort site for this season
Time needed: 15 minutes
Price: See site
Last checked: October 2026
Vilar Performing Arts Center
Concerts and performances
Beaver Creek Village
A nonprofit performing arts venue in the village, beneath the ice rink. Tickets are required, so check availability before you go.
Best for: An evening out
Season: Year-round; check the show calendar
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
Price: See site
Last checked: October 2026
McCoy Park
Beginner and intermediate terrain; Nordic skiing and snowshoeing
Beaver Creek Mountain
A gentle area of about 250 acres high on the mountain, reached by the McCoy Park Express lift, with a warming hut at the top.
Best for: Families, newer skiers, a quieter day
Season: Ski season
Time needed: Half a day
Price: Lift ticket or pass
Last checked: October 2026
Harry A. Nottingham Park
Town park and lake
Avon
Avon’s central park around Nottingham Lake, with a beach, playground and sports areas, paddling in summer and skating in winter.
Best for: Families, a relaxed afternoon
Season: Year-round
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
Price: Free
Last checked: October 2026
Avon Recreation Center
Pool, fitness and wellness
Avon (90 Lake Street)
The town’s recreation center, with a lap pool, kids’ water features, hot tub, steam room, sauna and fitness areas.
Best for: A rainy or cold day, families
Season: Year-round; check the town site for hours and holiday closures
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Price: See site
Last checked: October 2026
Where to stay
Choose the area first, then the property. ECL doesn’t recommend specific hotels; each guide below explains the areas in more detail.
| Area | Good for | More |
|---|---|---|
| Vail Village | Walking to Gondola One, restaurants and shops | Vail: where to stay |
| Lionshead | Eagle Bahn Gondola access and more condos with kitchens | Vail: where to stay |
| Beaver Creek Village | Walking to Centennial Express, the rink and village dining | Beaver Creek: where to stay |
| Bachelor Gulch | A slopeside village with its own lift, between Beaver Creek Village and Arrowhead | Bachelor Gulch guide |
| Avon | A town base with free buses and a gondola to the resort | Avon: where to stay |
Before booking, ask how your lodging connects to the lifts and whether parking is included.
Season dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Sept 1 – May 31 | Colorado Traction Law in effect on I-70 from Dotsero to Morrison |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Vail Nordic Center pro shop opens; the Nordic track opens when snow allows |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Vail’s scheduled opening day, subject to conditions |
| Nov 25, 2026 | Beaver Creek’s scheduled opening day, subject to conditions |
| Late Nov – early Dec | Town of Vail and Core Transit winter bus schedules usually begin |
| Holidays, January, February | Busiest weeks; lodging sells out early |
| April | Seasons usually end; 2026–27 closing dates not yet published |
Dates from the resorts’ hours pages (Vail, Beaver Creek), the Vail Recreation District and Visitor Essentials.
Altitude and safety
- Both bases are above 8,000 feet and both summits above 11,000. Take the first day easy and drink plenty of water; see Altitude.
- Terrain beyond the ski area boundary isn’t patrolled or controlled for avalanches. Check the avalanche forecast and carry proper equipment and training.
- Winter storms can close I-70. Check COtrip.org before you set off, and see Safety, health and wildlife.
Last checked October 24, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
