June 24, 2011

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Beaver Creek's Pines Lodge has spectacular views of the ski mountain above and the snow-covered valley below.

For newlyweds who love to ski—or would like to celebrate their vows by learning how—few destinations mix powder and pampering better than the neighboring Colorado resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek. Vail Village, the older and vastly larger of the two mountain villages, was built from scratch starting in the 1960s to resemble an Alpine retreat. Its narrow streets are lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and clusters of condos. Beaver Creek has a similar storybook appeal, albeit with a more modern motif and a more compact footprint. In each case, the ambience could not be more romantic. Both villages boast plentiful dining options, from Southwestern casual to Continental chic, and a plethora of hotel choices—many with “ski-in, ski-out” access to the respective mountains.

Destination Colorado: Honeymoon on Skis

Amid all the amenities, the skiing is the main attraction. Spread along a series of peaks, Vail has a mind-boggling array of terrain for all skier types. Those who truly love skiing (second only to their new spouses) will revel in Vail’s famed Back Bowls—miles of wide-open, back-country terrain and gladed runs (through the trees) with endless views of the neighboring snow-capped ridges. The skiing at Beaver Creek is impressive on a smaller scale, though no less challenging and diverse—and far more spectacular than anything found in the East.

These ski areas are so big you’ll feel like you need a guide to show you around. Good news: Free guided tours are available daily on both mountains. It’s a fun way to learn your way around on skis; for short stays, these tours are essential. Speaking of essentials, both areas offer excellent and creative on-mountain dining options. You’ll never go hungry at these resorts.

There’s also plenty to see and do at night. A premier Beaver Creek experience is dinner at Beano’s Cabin (970-754-3463; beanoscabinbeavercreek.com), an imposing log structure nestled partway up the mountain. Getting there via Sno-Cat drawn-sled is half the fun. What could be better than huddling together under the blankets beneath a perfect starry sky, entertained for the 15-minute ride by an ebullient, banjo-picking host? Beano’s serves a five-course, prix-fixe menu (with locally inspired entrées like elk Wellington and buffalo steak), accompanied by a spectacular wine list. It’s a pricey evening—but unforgettable.

The village of Beaver Creek tends to be cozy and quiet after hours; Vail, on the other hand, comes alive at night. Vail’s walking streets teem with activity, even on the coldest nights, and hot spots like the Red Lion (970-476-7676; theredlion.com), Pepi’s (970-476-4671; pepis.com) and Bully Ranch (970-479-5460) are packed with skiers sharing stories of the day’s downhill glories.