Welcome to ThinkVail – we hope you find this article about Beaver Creek Snowshoeing helpful.
Beaver Creek, Colorado is a world-class ski resort but it also offers tons of fabulous snowshoeing and an amazing annual snowshoe series that is fun whether you participate as a competitor, an amateur setting your own pace or just a spectator.
If you like sports, particularly running, than you’re going to love snowshoeing. It’s easy to learn, poses little risk of injury and is a great way to get exercise. A 3-hour hike in deep snow can burn over 1,500 calories according to Fitbit.
See Also: Best Snowshoes for Trail & Backcountry
At the base of Beaver Creek ski mountain lies the Nordic Center that will get you geared up for snowshoeing. From the Nordic Center you can either take one of the many trails up the ski mountain (just stay to the side and out of the way of skiers) or take the chairlift up to McCoy Park, the resort’s huge, signature playground. Here’s more information about the Nordic Center, McCoy Park, snowshoe tours and the Beaver Creek Snowshoe race series. See the video at the end of the post to see what McCoy Park is like.
The Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center is located across from the covered bridge in the Strawberry Park building and next to the Strawberry Park express lift (chair #12) The full-service rental shop offers the latest and greatest in snowshoe equipment rentals as well as daily lessons and tours, ticket sales, clothing, accessories, winter adventure gear and snacks.
McCoy Park is one of North America’s premier, lift-accessed, Nordic trail systems and is conveniently located at the top of Strawberry Park Express Lift in Beaver Creek (chair #12). It can also be accessed by the Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express (chair #18) Although it lies among the ski trails, McCoy Park is an area unto itself and only allows cross country skiing and snowshoeing here.
From the moment you get off the lift and strap on your snowshoes you can leave the bustling ski resort behind and turn your attention to the quiet, serene, pristine wilderness that will envelope you.
Nestled high on the slopes, in between Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch lies a 32-plus kilometer playground of beginner, intermediate, advanced groomed and rustic trails for snowshoers of all abilities. Situated at 1,200 feet above sea level, McCoy Park offers spectacular 360 degree views of 3 mountain ranges, it is just breathtaking!
Day passes for the chairlift to access this Nordic area costs about $25
Laurie Hardmeyer, a Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center Guide says this about her favorite snowshoe trail: “Taking Morningstar trail to the deeply forested areas of Upper Atlas Traverse, where photo options are abundant. On a fresh powder day, with the trees heavily laden with snow, letting out at Sanctuary and onto the Overlook trail, you realize you are standing upon one of the most beautiful places on earth.”
Nature Snowshoe Tours – Explore the stunning beauty of McCoy Park with a local guides; who will tell you about the area’s folklore, history, flora and fauna all while enjoying views of three mountain ranges. These 2 ½ hour tours are offered daily, in the mornings and afternoons. No reservations required, and already includes a lift ticket for track access. $116
Fit Tours – These tours are more about the workout than the scenery, geared more towards the fitness-oriented snowshoe enthusiast that is looking for a real workout. Offered Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am – 12:00pm, and already includes a lift ticket for track access. *Reservations required $116
Complimentary Family Snowshoe Tour – A complimentary snowshoe tour is offered on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. It’s a great way to end your ski day and try snowshoeing. Geared towards families and kids ages 6 and older. Guide, Atlas Snowshoes, cookies and cocoa provided. *Reservations required. FREE
Winter Wine Excursions – A guided snowshoe tour and a wine pairing is a match made in heaven. The adventure begins with a scenic snowshoe tour led by a knowledgeable guide who will tell stories of Beaver Creek’s history and the unique natural environment that surrounds you. Enjoy a quick stop at Beaver Creek’s original Candy Cabin near the end of your hike. Afterwards, relax at an apres snowshoe culinary experience at the elegant, slope side Osprey Fireside Grill featuring exclusive wines, gourmet cheeses and charcuterie. Tours are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please contact the Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center at (970) 754-5313 to make your reservation. *Reservations are required. Tour includes McCoy park lift access, equipment, guided tour and tasting. $185
Private Instruction – Private snowshoe instruction offered daily; please call (970) 754-5313 for details.*Reservations required. 2-hour, 3-hour or full-day private instruction available $323-$681
Challenge yourself with this unique, on-mountain snowshoe race! The Beaver Creek Snowshoe Series attracts first-time non-competitive snowshoers as well as, world-class snowshoe athletes, and everyone in between. This series of races showcases the wintry beauty of Beaver Creek in three different areas of the resort. Join for a single race or the entire series with the 10K course or the 5K course.
Races are Sundays, January 13, February 10, and March 3, with registration between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and the 5k and 10k races starting at 10 a.m. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female athletes overall and the top male and female athlete in each age bracket for the 5K and 10k races. All athletes will be entered into the raffle at the post party where you will also receive a post race lunch.
Participants may enter the race on one or all three of the event dates. In addition to snowshoe demos and sponsor booths, competitors enjoy a post-race party in the Village.
Whether you’re running for a medal or for fun, come out and enjoy the beauty of snowshoeing an incredible setting.
Race 1: Sunday January 5th
The first race of the Beaver Creek Snowshoe Series occurs on January 13th at Creekside Park. Registration next to Beaver Creek Sports in the Beaver Creek Village.
Race 2: Sunday February 2nd
The second race of the Beaver Creek Snowshoe Series occurs on February 10th. Registration is next to Beaver Creek Sports in the Beaver Creek Village.
Race 3: Sunday March 8th
The last race of the Beaver Creek Snowshoe Series takes place at the McCoy Park Nordic Center at the top of the Strawberry Park Chair Lift.
Come and enjoy a day of snowshoeing at Beaver Creek either on your own, with a guide or try your hand at one of the fun races at the Beaver Creek snowshoe series and you won’t be disappointed. Thanks for reading!
Reserve your Beaver Creek lodging today to enjoy all the FUN!
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Check out this video of McCoy Park in Beaver Creek
See Also: Best Back-Country Snowshoes
We hoped you found this article about Beaver Creek Snowshoeing helpful. What is your favorite snowshoe trail in Beaver Creek? Have you ever participated in the Beaver Creek snowshoe series? What’s your favorite thing about snowshoeing? We would love to hear your thoughts, comments and stories about snowshoeing in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
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I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the Winter Wine Excursion at Beaver Creek. It was part of the activities offered at our family reunion and it was awesome. Snowshoeing is a really different kind of sport that I had never tried before, but it was easy and super fun. The guide kept the hike very interesting and entertaining but the scenery is just breathtaking and you never get tired of it. After the hike we went to an amazing restaurant where they had a wonderful, gourmet assortment of cheeses and meats and the most delicious wines I have ever tasted. This was an amazing treat for me. If you get a chance take this tour - Enjoy!
Hi Kris, You are so lucky! That is a wonderful tour and I have only heard good things about it. I have not had a chance to do it yet but it is on my local "Bucket List" So glad you enjoyed it.
We ski Beaver Creek every year but we plan our ski vacation around one of the dates of the Beaver Creek Race Series as well. We love snowshoeing, almost as much as skiing, and the race series does not disappoint. It is such a fun event, filled with people who love being out on the mountain. The competition can be fierce for those athletes, we snowshoe more for fun and so we do the series at a slower pace. At the end of each race there is a medals ceremony, raffel with really cool prizes and a post party with food for everyone who participated. It is great fun and I highly recommend to not miss it.
Thanks for the article about Beaver Creek Snowshoeing. I have just moved to Avon, Colorado (the town at the base of Beaver Creek) this past summer and I have been snowboarding all winter so far. Everytime I go up the chairlift I would see the McCoy Nordic area but I really didn't know what it was, I only knew it was closed to snowboarders and downhill skiers. Now that I know a little more about it I am very interested in exploring that area on snowshoes. I do not know anything about snowshoeing but I am excited that I could just rent them from the Nordic Shop and give it a try. I have the Epic Pass so it would only cost me to rent the snowshoes. Also the Beaver Creek Snowshoe Race Series sounds cool, I missed the first race but I will definitely be looking to check out the next race in February, and who knows maybe I will be racing in the third race in March! Thanks again for the info.
Hi Sylvia, so happy that this article was able to help. Yes, take advantage of your ski pass and give the McCoy Nordic area a try this winter, it is so beautiful and so much fun.