Beaver Creek

The usual plan for a resort more people and greater profit.  Beaver Creek is the exception because the entire community is gated - you have to check in to get in.

Once inside, you'll find outstanding hotels as well as high dollar vacation properties available for purchase - in 2002, a home went for over $6 million.  Local residents include former President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford.

Beaver Creek has great restaurants and shopping (a quart of milk was well over $3) fit only for those whose wallets are heavy enough not to wince at a $90,000 price tag on a "garden size" sculpture.  (Winter apparel sales abound in summer.)

Full size public art (all cutesy) is not crammed into sculpture gardens.  It abounds in the village where you can ice skate under the summer stars and receive a cheery hello from every stranger you pass.

The Beaver Creek experience is memorable because it's not the real world for most of us.  It's like a movie set you can sleep in and mountain bike through.  And who doesn't love living the good life?

Related links: 

• Concierge - Our interview with Renée V. Steiner, Director of Conciege Services at The Charter at Beaver Creek.

• http://vailhorses.com/ - Beaver Creek Stables - Expensive and worth every penny.

• Weblog August 4, 2002: Bloody Shoes - A post mortem on a travel adventure to remember.

 

Vail

Vail is a taste of mountain living at its finest.  Park, walk and enjoy.

The most overlooked site in Vail is the Betty Ford Alpine Garden.  (President and Mrs. Ford are former residents of Vail) in Ford Park.  The garden in August was an early morning delight - even with the water turned off for the waterfalls because of the drought.  Park in the nearby public parking garage, which does not charge for summer parking and walk through a well manicured neighborhood to get there.

Related links: