RESORTS & RETREATS
Family Fun …
Beaver Creek, Colorado
By Craig Swill, Publisher
I know it seems crazy to start thinking about summer plans with
your family but I know firsthand that summer camps are requesting
enrollment forms for summer 2008. Once you have the summer camp figured
out, you’ll realize that you have a few spare weeks at summer’s
end before school begins.
For the past two years my family has spent that interim period at
Beaver Creek, Colorado, where the tagline is "not exactly roughing
it"! It’s a remarkable place.
August weather ranges from a low in the 40's in the evening to a
high in the 70's during the day as the elevation ranges from 8k feet
up to 11k feet. Probably most noted for skiing, Beaver Creek is actually
a summer wonderland for us Florida residents. Beaver Creek combines
excellent service, food, amenities etc., without any stuffiness. Everyone
dresses casual and appreciates life!
My family and I spend each day in the great Rocky Mountains, and
with many, many activity choices. My daughter and I have enjoyed a
wading fly-fishing trip where I caught my first 14-inch fish, with
the great help of my guide from Gore Creek Flyfisherman. (The shop
is located right in the heart of Beaver Creek).
We also enjoyed a few horseback rides through the beautiful mountains.
One special excursion I highly recommend is a horse ride to Beano's
restaurant on the mountain of Beaver Creek -- excellent dining with
an incredible wine list; pricey but worth the experience!
Other activities that we enjoy are taking the chair lift up the mountain
and eating your typical barbeque type fare at Spruce Saddle. You can
either bike down the mountain, hike or chair lift down. The scenery
is absolutely breathtaking! At the base of Beaver Creek, many children’s
activities are available such as my kid’s favorites -- trampoline
bungee jumping, rock wall climbing, miniature golf, etc.
Everyday at 4 p.m. the Park Hyatt Resort has a pit campfire, supplied
with Smore's ingredients: graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate
bars. And on Friday early evenings, a great outdoor party is available
to all with food, drinks, live music, etc. All of these activities
are outside as the summer weather is perfect!
Another fine feature at Beaver Creek is the kid’s camp, with
activities for almost all ages. My seven-year-old daughter spent one
day in camp on a rafting trip. She loved it so much she wanted to
go back to camp the next day for jeep rides through the mountains.
But being this was a family vacation, we did all want to be together
so we chose the local county fair.
For lodging, we have always opted to stay in a condo. The first year
we stayed at the Oxford and this past summer we stayed at the St.
James. Both are close to downtown Beaver Creek.
And transportation to Beaver Creek is fairly simple from South Florida.
You can either fly direct from Miami to Denver and then drive two
and a half hours to Beaver Creek or fly from Ft. Lauderdale to Dallas
and then Dallas to Eagle airport and only drive about 20 minutes to
Beaver Creek. Regardless of where you sleep or how you get to Beaver
Creek, it is a trip worth taking with your family. Go plan your next
summer vacation to Beaver Creek.
To learn more go to www.Beavercreek.snow.com.
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