Beaver Creek, Colorado, is best known for its epic ski slopes and luxurious accommodations. It’s where rugged meets refined. Whether you have expensive taste or like to splurge every now and then, the Ritz Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, is the ultimate Beaver Creek Colorado ski-in ski-out resort, combining the best of the mountain with endless glitz and glam.
Founded by a bunch of bachelors (hence the name), Bachelor Gulch has always been where people go to play, but with an exclusive group of friends. What feels like a secret club as you enter through the gate to Bachelor Gulch Village, you’ll soon understand why this coveted area welcomes visitors from all over the world.
Here are a few reasons why I think the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is the ultimate Beaver Creek Colorado ski-in ski-out resort.
Private ski lift access
Tucked away in the famed Vail Valley, the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch is one of the last true ski-in, ski-out resorts with direct access to Beaver Creek Mountain’s slopes. A snowball’s throw away from the back of the resort is the Bachelor Gulch Express—the private chair lift, exclusively for the guests of the Ritz Carlton.
This lift provides direct access to over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain within the Beaver Creek Resort. And because it’s exclusive to the resort, your wait time in the lift line is next to nothing. You can walk out of your room and in five minutes, be skiing world-class slopes.
For first-time skiers, while the mountain features a few green runs at its base, I would classify them as a bit steep for a beginner.
Ski concierge and ski valet
Skiing at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch feels almost effortless with its ski concierge and valet service. Upon arrival, guests don’t have to worry about lugging their gear to their rooms or lockers. The hotel’s ski concierge readies the guests’ gear for them, so they’re easily ready for a day on the mountain. When you leave, the Ski Concierge coordinates with the bellmen to ensure equipment is smoothly transferred to the resort’s Front Drive for convenient loading.
Ski nanny in Beaver Creek
If you’re a family looking to unload the children for the day or a few hours, take advantage of the Ritz Kids and Ski Nanny programs. Ritz Kids caters to young adventurers aged 5-12, and for those children enrolled in Beaver Creek Group Ski School’s full-day program, the Ski Nanny service is a parent’s dream.
Luxury living
I don’t know about you, but as I get older, I look forward to rest and relaxation even more, partly because I need it more! Skiing is demanding on the body and takes a lot of work getting on and off the slopes (well not at the Ritz with their ski concierge), but even still, I need a place where I can truly unwind and feel pampered.
When I think of ski vacation getaways, I think of the rustic mountain lodge with a roaring fireplace, low-slung leather couches, and comfy corners to sip your hot chocolate. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Ritz Bachelor Gulch. Constructed with large wood beams, the modern mountain chalet invites you in with its high ceilings and large light-filling windows in the Great Room making a cozy afternoon curled up by the fire absolutely necessary.
Outside of the log cabin look, you’ll hardly be roughing it with luxurious newly-renovated rooms where an afternoon indoors feels luxurious with your robe and a glass of champagne, crackling fires, warming winter cocktails, and a 21,000 square-foot spa and fitness center with 19 treatment rooms, a rock-lined grotto.
Exceptional dining in Beaver Creek
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is home to three world-class dining options. The award-winning restaurant, WYLD, was honored with a second Michelin Guide Recommended distinction in Colorado’s Michelin Guide and Wine Spectator’s Best of Awards Excellence list. The locally inspired menu is filled with meats, seafood, and vegetables, all made with hyper-seasonal ingredients. WYLD will offer prix fixe menus on key holidays–Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
The hotel’s latest food concept, Sakaba, might be some of the best sushi you’ll find in Colorado. I love sushi, but I’m always a little skeptical about ordering from Colorado restaurants. But Sakaba serves fresh fish flown in several times a week from Japan for some of the best and freshest sushi. Dine in an intimate sushi lounge with your friends and family, sip on hand-crafted cocktails or choose from their impressive selection of sake to toast to another beautiful day on the mountain.
On New Year’s Eve, Sakaba will offer a seven-course Omakase menu for $365/person. The dinner will also include a Kagami Biraki ceremony—a symbolic sake barrel breaking known as ‘opening the mirror’ in Japan — meant to bring good fortune for the year ahead.
And because it’s cold and snowy outside, you might be craving comfort food and not cold fish. Then dine at Buffalos, where gastropub fare meets Rocky Mountain’s rustic charm. Treat yourself to savory comfort foods, with the restaurant’s Bison chili or other local favorites. For me, the best part about Buffalos is their heated outdoor terrace that serves as the perfect spot to après.
Snowshoeing
Of course, when staying at the best Beaver Creek Colorado ski-in ski-out resort, you’re spending most of your days on the slopes. But for those who need a break or prefer to stay slopeside, the resort offers a variety of winter activities including snowshoeing.
Always a good alternative to skiing, snowshoeing is like hiking in winter. And because of the resort’s location, there are plenty of snowshoe routes to choose from. Favorites include the sunset snowshoe hike, the four-mile village-to-village snowshoe hike from Bachelor Gulch to Beaver Creek village, and the newest route, a full moon snowshoe tour under the night sky. This particular experience is available near the full moon cycle, December 15, January 13, February 12, and March 14, weather permitting.
Mixing the arts with cocktails
If you’re looking for more off-mountain fun, sign up for classes like whiskey and woodburning, painting and pinot, collars and cold ones, and an artisanal mixology class. I had the chance to experience the whiskey and woodburning during their summer program. A fun concept where you can enjoy whiskey tasting, and learn how to woodburn. And the best part, is you get a souvenir to take home with you.
Birds of Prey Ski World Cup
Starting December 6th, the resort’s backyard transforms into a stage for world-class athletics in the 2024 Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup on Beaver Creek. The men’s and women’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races will be held on the famed Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek Resort on back-to-back weekends for the first time ever this December.
Celebrate the holidays in Beaver Creek
Why not celebrate the holidays at the best Beaver Creek Colorado ski-in ski-out resort? The Ritz-Carlton created 13 days of Holiday programming from December 20 – Thursday, January 1. Enjoy snow globe and ornament making, cookie decorating, storytelling, and nightly lighting of the Menorah. Additional experiences include encounters with Santa’s reindeer and New Year’s Eve programs for the entire family.
Getting to Beaver Creek
Driving from Denver to Beaver Creek is a short 2.5-hour drive. But if you are flying into Denver International Airport, expect to add 45 minutes to an hour to your drive (maybe even more depending on traffic).
Or if you prefer to fly into the Vail-Eagle Airport only 30 minutes from the resort, there are new winter seasonal direct flights that now include San Diego (SAN) and Seattle (SEA) via Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines will service Dallas Forth Worth (DFW), San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN).
