Beaver Creek Resort with Kids: Summer Mountain Magic

If you’re dreaming of an elevated (literally and figuratively) mountain escape where luxury meets family-friendly adventure—and where your kids might look up from their phones for more than five seconds—Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado is your next must-visit destination.

I recently took Eden and Jonah, two of my kids, on a family getaway to Beaver Creek in the summer. Nestled just up the road from Vail, this alpine village somehow pulls off that rare combo of being laid-back and luxurious at the same time. Here’s what to expect and what we loved.

The Vibe: Sophisticated Family Playground (Without the Snobbery)

Beaver Creek isn’t just a ski resort. In summer, it transforms into an all-ages playground where hiking boots replace skis, and everything smells like pine trees and freshly grilled burgers. The resort has over 60 miles of hiking trails, scenic gondola rides, live music, horseback riding, fishing ponds, 4×4 tours, yoga in the park, a brand new extensive playground, and enough sugar to keep your kids bouncing all the way back to your hotel.

We checked into The Osprey, a boutique slopeside hotel that feels part luxury lodge, part stylish ski chalet. It’s cozy and chic with a heated pool, steam room, and hot tub—aka heaven for sore legs after hiking uphill at altitude. One thing I appreciated was the snacks. They had granola bars and fruit available 24 hours a day, and when you are traveling with teenagers and their bottomless-pit stomachs, this is a big deal.

Day 1: Gondola Rides, Mountain Views, and Mediterranean Dining

After checking in, we headed to the Summer Adventure Center to pick up our scenic gondola passes and sign waivers to ride the lift up the mountain. The staff were incredibly helpful with the few questions I had. I noticed throughout our stay that no matter where we were or what we were doing, the staff was awesome. The people who live and work here are happy to be here, and it shows.

We took the gondola to the top of Chair 6 and had lunch at Spruce Saddle Lodge, which has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and food that hit the spot after the travel day. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich and skipping the caprese chicken sandwich. Eden and Jonah recommend getting two orders of fries. If you want to eat up on the mountain, this is the only place to eat. They offer $5 off most items if you have an Epic Pass.

After lunch, we decided to hike down the mountain, a 4-mile hike. We started on the Discovery Loop and then dropped onto another trail so we could keep descending.

Five days later my legs are still sore, so if you’re going with younger kids, I suggest not hiking down the mountain like we did and instead do Aspen Glade for an easy walk among the trees or Village to Village to Allie’s Way if you want to feel like you’re actually earning your dinner.

After such a long hike down, we were super happy the hotel had a hot tub, sauna, and steam room!

For dinner, we had a reservation at Citrea, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant right in the heart of the village. I expected it to be good. I didn’t expect it to be one of the best meals of the trip, Jonah said his lamb was phenomenal. Their Aper Sol is by far the best Aperol Spritz I’ve ever had, and the bread they serve was ridiculously good.

Day 2: Off-Roading, Free Concerts & Game Meat

We kicked off the next morning with The Osprey’s breakfast buffet. It had everything from bagels and cheese to pastries and yogurt parfaits. Jonah made it his personal mission to try every item. He succeeded.

Fueled up, we headed back to the Summer Adventure Center for our 4×4 Mountain Tour. This was one of the highlights of the trip. The guided ride up the rugged terrain delivered panoramic views, local wildlife sightings (deer and marmots, no moose), and some fascinating insights into the area’s ecology and mining history. It’s thrilling without being too intense—perfect for families with kids 8+. Keep in mind, if you have a neck or head injury, you shouldn’t do this tour. Eden has post-concussion syndrome, and it was very hard on her.

Our plan was to return to Spruce Saddle Lodge for lunch, but after waiting an hour and 20 minutes for the lift to reopen, we gave up. If there is lightning in the area, they close the lift, so be sure to check the weather before making your plans. Instead, we hit Blue Moose Pizza. It’s kid-friendly with crayons and paper tablecloths kids can draw on.

Afterwards, we had a few hours of downtime before the BC Unplugged concert on the Village Green. The Village Green has cornhole, shuffleboard, and ping pong tables for families to use.

Every Thursday in summer, Beaver Creek hosts these free concerts with national touring acts. We saw the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and even if ska/swing music isn’t your thing, the atmosphere is infectious. Families were dancing, dogs were lounging, and the mountains served as the world’s most epic backdrop.

Dinner that night was at The Golden Eagle Inn, a classic Beaver Creek spot known for game-forward dishes. Eden had the elk, because when in the Rockies… It was rich, tender, and the kind of dish that makes you wish winter would come early just so you could curl up with it again. I had the chicken, and Jonah had the gnocchi. We also had the brie appetizer and split the pear salad. Everything we had was great.

Day 3: Yoga in the Park

On our last morning, we strolled down to Creekside Park for a free outdoor yoga class led by Kenneth. The class was approachable, with modifications for all levels, and mats were provided. If your kids are old enough to participate, bring them. If not, let them roll around in the grass or play on the nearby playground while you try to recenter your overstimulated vacation brain.

After yoga, it was time to check out of The Osprey and head to the airport.

Bonus Activities to Add to Your Beaver Creek Itinerary

If you have more time—or if your kids are allergic to downtime—here are a few other family-friendly activities worth checking out:

Hawk’s Nest Cabin

An “underage club” that feels like a Gen Z dream den. Eden declared this the coolest place she’d been all week. There’s a ski simulator, charging stations, games, and mocktails. If your teens need a break from nature, this is the place.

Flood’s Pond

This one’s a hidden gem: free catch-and-release fishing for kids. Gear isn’t provided, so bring your own or rent from a local shop. It’s a great way to slow things down and maybe convince your kid they’re the next fly-fishing prodigy.

The Eager Beaver Scavenger Hunt

A completely free, interactive adventure through Beaver Creek Village that’s ideal for ages 7–14. Kids get a keepsake adventure kit and a prize if they finish the challenge, plus it gives them a reason to actually explore instead of just asking for gelato every 20 minutes.

Tips for Visiting Beaver Creek in Summer

• Altitude is real: We’re talking 8,000 feet here. Hydrate like it’s your job, and take it easy the first day if you’re coming from sea level.
• Layers are your friend: Mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm, and the temperature swings faster than your teen’s mood when the Wi-Fi’s slow.
• Use the Village Connect app: Free, on-demand shuttle service around Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead. It saved us multiple uphill walks.
• Plan ahead for activities: Tours and restaurants fill up, especially during summer weekends. Reservations and waivers are your friends.
• Unplug a little: There’s Wi-Fi, of course, but this is the kind of place where you want to put your phone down.

Final Thoughts: Will We Be Back?

Absolutely. Beaver Creek delivered a rare combo of natural beauty, luxe accommodations, adventurous activities, and true family-friendliness, without feeling like a giant kiddie resort. Whether you’re here to hike, bike, eat, or just soak up the mountain air with a cocktail in hand, this place has something for everyone. And yes, Eden and Jonah have already started planning their return. So, see you next summer, Beaver Creek.