When visiting Vail Colorado, you must visit beautiful baby sister Beaver Creek. Just a 10-minute drive from sister resort Vail and available on most interchangeable multi-day lift tickets and the Epic Pass. When we visited Beaver Creek, it was celebrating closing weekend with unbelievable ski conditions on most of the 1,625-acres (typically closing date April 15, due to lack of skiers, not snow).

Even on closing day, we witnessed the groomers’ waltz as Beaver Creek’s legendary fleet of 10 was out in perfect procession creating white carpet for the fortunate few. Everything at three decade old Beaver Creek is posh, planned and near perfection– it’s the Deer Valley of Colorado.

Beaver Creek even offers an escalator to whisk skiers from the heated pedestrian village up to the slopes. You have to experience The Beav’ to appreciate their slogan, “Not exactly roughing it.”

Beaver Creek is one of our favorites, most of their 146 trails are well-pitched and their lifts are speedy but cushy. The Beav' hosts the annual men's downhill season opener on their hair raising Birds of Prey terrain. Ski it nonstop and you will feel like Bode Miller in flight (or an accident careening toward the trailside fence worthy of ABC agony of defeat).  There is also plenty of perfectly groomed trails with gorgeous rocky mountain scenery, especially in the Bachelor Gulch ski area.

But Beaver Creek is also stand out because of their mountain lodges, absolutely drool inducing impressive – you can even ski to the Ritz Carlton for lunch at Bachelor Gulch. Even better, stay at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch and enjoy ski butler service, swank lobbies with overstuffed leather chairs and crackling fireplaces.

Beaver Creek Village has numerous top rated ski hotels including the Osprey (a Rock Resort), Westin, Park Hyatt  and Park Plaza at Beaver Creek all with close proximity to the slopes and the village for shopping and dining. In the evening, treat your taste buds to any of the fabulous restaurants overlooking the centerpiece ice-skating rink in Beaver Creek’s classy Village. Sister ski resort to Beaver Creek is the impressive Lech Zurs in Austria.

Beaver Creek Photos l Vail Ski Images