We're planning to spend 9 nights in the Beaver Creek area over Xmas. Our air fare is in place but, I've been surprised at the high price of lodging in the Beaver Creek area. Has anyone stayed in the Arrowhead area? It looks less expensive and seems to be connected to Beaver Creek by lifts; but,I don't know anything about it. Is anyone familiar with the area?

I'd be interested, too. Threehearts

I haven't stayed in Arrowhead (we typically stay in Beaver CReek), but it should be connected to Bachelor Gulch and Beaver Creek by Christmas. I believe Arrowhead usually targets mid-December as the open date for "village-to-village" skiing between Arrowhead and the other two areas. The obvious disadvantage to Arrowhead is that there's limited skiing. If you have advanced intermediate/experts, they will probably want to head over to Beaver Creek each day. It could get old over nine days having to spend each morning skiing to the areas you want to ski. Especially during the high season where crowds could be a factor. Also, the beginner area at Arrowhead seems to be pretty limited (although I haven't skied there, I'm just looking at the map).

As I recall, there's a free shuttle between the villages. Because it would take a while to ski all the way from Arrowhead to Beaver Creek, you may want to take the free shuttle each morning that goes from village to village. Then, you could ski back at the end of the day or take the shuttle.

You can still enjoy all the fun and beauty of Beaver Creek, even if you stay in Arrowhead. You'll just have to put up with shuttles to go back and forth. Depending on your budget, it could be worth it.

[I would compare it to staying outside Disney World. You'll still have a great time, but it's not like staying in the park.]

To get to BC from Arrowhead is only 2 lifts - the AH lift and the Bachelor Gulch lift. There are some great condos in Arrowhead - comparable to any of the deluxe condos in BC and within walking distance to the lift. There are some nice beginner/groomed intermediate runs in AH and Bachelor Gulch as well.

The big drawback is you're in a gated residential community. No shops or restaurants within walking distance to your condo. However, the town of Edwards has some great restaurants only a couple miles away, and you could always take the shuttle to Beaver Creek at night.

Thanks for info BLYVAIL and SKIPOP. I have located one property in Arrowhead, the Seasons and one that appears just in the gate at Beaver Creek called Ridgepoint. Are either of you familiar with them? Our son will be in Beaver Creek, actually in Batchelor Gultch house sitting so proximity to him is attractive. I don't know how difficult shuttle access would be from Ridgepoint do either of you have any idea? Also I hear they've put in a new lift do you know where it is located?

Bachelor Gulch is "not in Beaver Creek" just as Arrowhead is not. All 3 areas are connected by ski lifts and blue/green catwalks but you wouldn't want to walk between the areas. Go to beavercreek.com and look at the map of the mountain. On the left side is BC, Bachelor Gulch is the middle right area and Arrowhead is the far right. Almost all of the lodging in BG or Arrow. is relatively newer than BC village.

I think there is a shuttle during the day. I know the Ritz has a shuttle to the village of BC.

When you ski, watch for signs posting what times the lifts close in the afternoon so you don't get stranded on the wrong side of the mountain.

We were going to go to BC for Xmas but decided it's just too overpriced compared to what we usually spend there during spring break. Look at Avon for lower lodging rates. Avon is the town at the base of BC mountain.

Sorry, I don;t know the property. As for the new lifts, I'm still not sure where they're located. The website says one lift is located on Prater Lane in Avon near an area called Beaver Creek Landing. It also indicates that the list for intermediate/advanced skiers or boarders because of the area of the mountain where ends. I would call the place where you're considering staying and ask how far to the shuttle stop. I would imagine that during Xmas the shuttle will run very frequently.

I've stayed at Ridgepoint a couple of times. A friend's mother owned one of the units for a few years. It is inside the gates of Beaver Creek, therfore, you have acess to their dial-a-ride shuttle. You just call and the van comes to get you. If you have a car, there are many other lower cost options.