Roughing it? Not exactly. 300 days of sunshine, 1,805 acres of Colorado grandeur and the intimacy of an alpine village. Heated walkways, escalators to the slopes and immaculate grooming. Slopeside accomm- odations, warm après-ski cookies and the Ivy League of ski schools. Mouthwatering cuisine, blissful spas and captivating performing arts. Simply unparalleled in North America. Your Shangri-La. Welcome to Beaver Creek.

• Beaver Creek

• Vail

At the gate you leave everyday life behind. That's why people travel here from all over the world, and many make it a tradition.

The drama of rock and sky, the sheer grandeur of this place is one reason. That it is North America's World Cup Mountain is another.

"The consummate kid-friendly resort." That's what SKI Magazine has called Beaver Creek, and strolling through the square you can see why. It is a modern, custom-designed resort with the cozy, unhurried feel of an Alpine village.

• Gondola Connects Town of Avon to Beaver Creek Mountain

• New Children's Ski & Snowboard School
Beaver Creek introduces The Ranch, a state-of-the-art children's ski and snowboard school that will revolutionize the way kids learn to turn. The Ranch is a key part of Beaver Creek's commitment to offer a top family vacation experience. The 4,000 square foot, on-mountain center is located at the top of the Buckaroo Express Gondola and is surrounded by premier beginner learning terrain. The center's picture windows will allow parents to discreetly view their kids learning to ski and ride on customized slopes designed to facilitate the correct body movements. Parents can also rest easy knowing their kids will have healthy and fresh food options at lunchtime. All natural Coleman meat, Horizon organic dairy and a yogurt bar will be served as part of Vail Resorts' Appetite for Life initiative. Wireless touch screen technology at each lunch table will allow instructors to stay seated with the kids while placing food orders. The Ranch is a key part of Beaver Creek's commitment to offer a top family vacation experience. Last winter, the resort introduced the kid-friendly Buckaroo gondola, a customized learning area and a beginner terrain park, as well as complimentary family programs each evening.

• Boutique Hotel to Open Just Steps from Chairlift
Discerning travelers will find a sophisticated, luxury, boutique hotel experience just steps from the chairlift this winter. The Osprey at Beaver Creek, formerly known as the Inn at Beaver Creek, is undergoing a $7-million transformation this summer and will be re-launched as RockResorts' newest addition in time for the 2008-2009 ski and snowboard season. The 41-room hotel, owned by RockResorts, is situated in the heart of Beaver Creek Village and is the closest hotel to a chairlift in North America.

• New Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa is the Vail Valley's newest luxury resort. Nestled on the banks of the Eagle River at the base of Beaver Creek Resort, this full-service condo hotel features 210 residence-style accommodations ranging from spacious studio suites to three-bedrooms complete with custom designed contemporary furnishings, large kitchens, fireplaces, LCD televisions and more. The cornerstone of a $500 million resort development also features a signature restaurant by acclaimed chef Thomas Salamunovich, the 23,000 square foot Spa Anjali, and the Riverfront Express Gondola, delivering skiers to Beaver Creek Mountain. The Westin Riverfront is being built "green" from the bottom up and is on track to become Colorado's first high-end hotel to achieve LEED certification.

• New Safety Scavenger Hunt, Family Programs
Beaver Creek is the recipient of the 2008 Best Overall Safety award from the National Ski Areas Association. Beaver Creek's safety ambassadors Harry and Milli will show your kids just how much fun it is to ski and ride safely. This winter, the animated characters will team up with the Beaver Creek Children's Ski and Snowboard School to offer the Harry and Milli Safety Scavenger Hunt. Safety clues will lead kids and their instructors to Harry and Milli's secret hideaways on the mountain, following a safety talk from Ski Patrol. After the lifts close, check out the new Western Family Dinner Theatre, glow stick ski down, kids' tubing, ice skating and other family programs offered each night.

1. Beaver Creek is consistently rated among the top 10 resorts in North America by the readers of Ski Magazine.

2. Winter 2006-07 heralds the first terrain expansion in Beaver Creek in more than a decade. Expert skiers and riders can enjoy the Stone Creek Chutes area which comprises 180 acres of steep, gladed chutes with pitches up to 44 degrees.

3. Beaver Creek Mountain has 1,805 acres of skiable terrain, comprising 162 trails and 16 lifts, 10 of which are high-speed quads. 800 acres of terrain is groomed daily and the resort also features three terrain parks and a mid-mountain Nordic Sports center featuring 20 miles of groomed trails.

4. Looking to push the envelope? Try the Talons Challenge, offered exclusively through Beaver Creek Ski School. One day, 23,722 vertical feet on 13 of the most demanding runs in North America. Call the BC Ski School for more info at 970.845.5300.

Beano's Cabin™
Arrive by sleigh at this luxurious log hideaway set high on the mountain. Executive Chef Steven Topple presented at the prestigious James Beard House in New York last year, and offers Colorado cuisine featuring all natural meats and organic dairy. Awards include the "Best Of" Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the AAA Four-Diamond Award, and the DiRona Award.

SaddleRidge - Home to one of the largest private collections of Western artifacts, SaddleRidge offers a delicious blend of flavors and an international wine list.

Zach's Cabin - Perched on the mountainside high above Bachelor Gulch, Zach's offers American cuisine with a distinctly Pacific flavor. Executive Chef Tim McCaw is a Colorado native, and not surprisingly he favors fresh Colorado produce and all natural meats and organic dairy. Last November, he accepted an invitation to present his culinary creativity at the prestigious James Beard House in New York. Zach's is deliciously elegant, a fair-tale ending to a starlit sleigh ride. Zach's is one of just a handle of restaurants in the valley to hold a "Best Of" Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Vilar Center for the Performing Arts
World-class performances are offered throughout the year in this intimate, 500-seat venue. 970.845.8497 or www.vilarcenter.org

Black Family Ice Rink
A perfect evening activity for the entire family - open year-round. 970.845.0438

Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing
Explore McCoy Park, our Nordic sports area at mid-mountain. Featuring 20 miles of trails through open glades and groves of aspen and pine trees.

Snowmobile Tours
A host of tour operators offer snowmobile tours throughout the winter. They'll even pick you up outside your hotel.

For a full list of winter activities, please visit www.beavercreek.com.

Charles Schwab Birds of Prey World Cup December 4-7

Talons Challenge January 24

Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine January 29-31

The New Yorker on the Slopes February 26 - March 1

Cookie - Kids Fest March 14-15

Ski with the Pros TBA

For a full list of winter activities, please visit www.beavercreek.com