PLAY, EXPLORE, AND SKI AT BEAVER CREEK IN COLORADO THIS WINTER
My great-niece Sammy, aged 14, fashioned snow angels outside our rented chalet in Beaver Creek and promptly burst into fits of giggles.
She laid on her back, giggling and reaching her arms upward, shouting, “I’m stuck, Auntie!”
On a sunny day when the temperature was only 36 degrees, my niece Kelly, her daughter Sammy, and I went on a snowshoe hike. Chad, Sammy’s dad, skied on some of Beaver Creek’s 1,815 acres of terrain, which are among the best in the world.
We spent the weekend enjoying the snow, touring the area, and relaxing in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
The best part is that we would be relaxing in the stunning Chalet Bello, a mountain retreat of the highest kind.
MOVING MOUNTAINS
Our stay at Chalet Bello was planned by Moving Mountains, a business that handles all aspects of catered vacations. The residence was a modern 3,500 square foot mansion located just a short stroll from Beaver Creek Village. We left our automobiles in the garage and didn’t worry about them the whole time.
We appreciated that our snowshoes were only a two-minute stroll from the house. Kelly, Sammy, and I decided to cut our snowshoe excursion short after less than an hour because we couldn’t wait to see the beautiful house.
SKI-IN/SKI-OUT CHALET
The spacious mansion has five bedrooms and five and a half baths. It was so big that we all had our own floors and bedrooms.
Sammy sped through the luxurious refuge, taking in the 75-inch flat-screen TVs, electronic blinds, touch lights, and views of the mountains as soon as we arrived. She decided on the loft with a king-size and two twin beds up top.
The induction stove, French-doored built-in refrigerator, and quartz worktops in the kitchen were, however, the show stoppers.
Uncle, take a look! A triad of coffee makers! Kelly and I were looking around the living room when Sammy called from the kitchen. Sammy was eager to tell me about her find because she knows how much I enjoy my morning coffee. Two Nespresso machines and a regular coffee pot were available. When we located a French press, the tally increased by one.
Snowshoeing adventures begin a short two-minute walk from Chalet Bello, a luxury residence provided by Moving Mountains. Sherry Spitsnaugle took this picture.
BEAVER CREEK VACATION RENTALS
In Colorado, my family and I are joined by my niece and her family. But it’s hard to find a weekend that works for everyone because of their busy job and school schedules. So that everyone could have their own room while yet being close to the slopes and the village, we opted for a holiday home.
Lift tickets, ski lessons, and off-piste entertainment are all handled by Moving Mountains. They will even set up a personal shopper and a cook for you.
Moving Mountains oversees the upkeep of the 3,000-square-foot Chalet Bello. The company takes care of every aspect of a trip. Sherry Spitsnaugle took this picture.
MOVING MOUNTAINS STORY
Providing all-inclusive ski trips was a concept conceived by Robin and Heather Craigen more than two decades ago. They were yacht chartering in the British Virgin Islands before starting their family in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
As of now, the number of properties owned by Moving Mountains—which “moves mountains every day for guests”—is at 250 across Steamboat Springs, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge.
Robin and his wife Heather, the company’s creators, put their customers’ needs first.
Recently, I had a video conversation with Robin and asked him what he enjoys most about working for their organization.
To quote him: “It makes our day when we read a guest survey that says, ‘That was the best vacation we’ve ever had!'” That means a lot to us.
Robin has always put the success of Moving Mountains and satisfied customers on the shoulders of his staff.
“Our staff is dedicated to providing our guests with an unforgettable stay,” he gushed. Everybody has to do their part really well. We enjoy resolving problems and making life easier for you.
The time we save you, Robin said, “is time you can spend relaxing on vacation.”
PERSONAL FAMILY CHEF
A personal chef was an option we considered for a home-cooked meal. Yet, Kelly and Chad have a passion for the kitchen. Especially in a gorgeously equipped kitchen with a professional-grade induction cooktop measuring 36 inches in diameter.
As they cooked fresh wild-caught scallops in bacon, they also prepared linguine and an arugula salad.
We sat down at the huge oak table, the adults with Pinot Noir and Sammy with sparkling seltzer. We toasted our family trip and our luxurious weekend retreat.
We were so close to the mountain that we could hear the snowcats working as we dined.
We walked across the street to the town after dinner and saw a party of eight climb into a snowcat-pulled sleigh en route to Beano’s Cabin. The five-course gourmet meal at this log cabin restaurant in the White River National Forest is not to be missed.
We went for a stroll under the full moon through the town’s jewelry shops, cafes, and outdoor gear stores. We also took a break to watch ice skaters whiz around the village green.
BEAVER CREEK RESORT
Beaver Creek, Colorado, was established in the 1980s and is located in the Vail Valley. It has blossomed into a tourist mecca since then. Its picturesque village and breathtaking ski runs are its main draws.
The resort also features the world-class Vilar Performing Arts Center, a 530-seat theater known for its excellent ballet, opera, comedy, jazz, and other acts. Artists like Norah Jones, the Colorado Symphony, and the Brandon Marsalis Quartet have performed at the Center.
Every Thursday from about the middle of December until the beginning of March is a fan favorite. Thursday Night Lights is when fireworks are set off above the Centennial Express Lift.
WHAT TIME IS COOKIE TIME?
Families are welcome in Beaver Creek as well. During the ski season, at 3 p.m. daily, servers in chef whites distribute freshly made chocolate chip cookies.
Since its inception in 1985, the custom of handing out cookies has expanded into a large-scale celebration.
The Beaver Creek Resort Company holds an annual contest to determine the year’s best cookie recipe. On Opening Day of the ski season, the judges taste the entries and pick the best ones to bake for the public. The winning cookie recipe is used by bakeries until the following competition.
On the day we visited, it was a hysterical party. Adults and children alike crowded around the personnel dressed as chefs and held out their palms for a reward.
While we waited, a woman carrying a young daughter told me, “This is the only way I can get my kid off the mountain!”
We bought some cookies and warmed up with some hot chocolate from the nearby Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Company. Beaver Creek is a brand-new shopping center. However, the business has been around for decades, and its name has become synonymous with high-quality coffee.
Hanging out at the Centennial Express Lift base station in the afternoons is a blast. Each year, guests consume around 500,000 cookies.
VACATION MEMORIES
When I think back, it isn’t the crystal wine glasses or the high-thread-count linens that stand out in my mind. It’s the four of us having hot tea and chatting before sleep while cuddled up on the couch under a fleece blanket next to the fireplace and watching a movie or playing a board game with Sammy.
At bedtime, I was flummoxed by my room’s high-tech thermometer, which included a touch screen and a menu. Sammy corrected it in a matter of seconds, as any kid would.
She gave me a big hug and then ran up the stairs to her room while yelling, “Goodnight, Auntie!”
With a happy thought, I yelled back, “Goodnight, my little snow angel.”
