TRAVEL DIARIES , k e e r C r e v a e B Vail & A S U o d a r o l o C
Traveller’s
LETTER
Skiing is part of my life. I make sure I go at least once every season just to experience the adrenalin of flying down a mountain, as well as over-indulging in the alpine culinary offering during aprés. When I got offered to go and experience Carrier’s latest educational to Vail and Beaver Creek in Colorado, I couldn’t have been more excited to explore this ski destination. If you have only ever skied in Europe and wondered if the journey to the USA is worthwhile, or if it lives up to the tracks closer to home; it most certainly does. This is Business Class skiing and much, much more. The following pages will hopefully give you an idea as to why USA skiing is on another level. I hope you enjoy reading my travel diary and it inspires you to get in touch so we can curate a holiday as extraordinary as this trip.
Conor Magee
Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Pages 4-6 Beaver Creek Perfect for young families wanting immaculately groomed slopes and an abundance of child-friendly activities and aprés ski.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Pages 7-9 Vail A more grown up family ski resort, with gourmet restaurants and lively evening entertainment, not to mention the vast skiing landscape.
Travel day We started our journey with Club World British Airways tickets. Direct daily flights from London Heathrow to Denver are the quickest routes to get to Colorado, with a 2 hour 30 minute transfer to Beaver Creek. Vail has a slightly shorter transfer time by just 30 minutes, so you can explore both resorts during your visit without too much of a distance.
On arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch hotel, a warm welcome note with a gift box from Carrier, complete with personalised ski socks, pillow sleep spray and hand warmers was the perfect way to start the trip.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Day 1 - Skiing Beaver Creek We were met first thing in the morning by a lovely ski guide called Coker, before heading up to the top of the slopes for a full day of skiing Beaver Creek. If you have never skiied the area before, its absolutely worth investing the time in hiring a ski guide - they show you the best slopes to ski on the mountain, give history on the surrounding area, as well giving you technique tips to improve your style. And the best bit - you get to jump all the chair lift queues.
Top tip: Be sure to visit the Candy Cabin at the top of the slopes and pick up a bag with every flavour of sweet you can imagine.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Day 1 - Evening Dinner You can’t leave Beaver Creek without visiting the historic Anderson’s Cabin, situated just above the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Anderson’s Cabin is the original home of John Anderson, one of seven bachelors who settled the gulch in the early 1900s. Boasting sweeping views of the surrounding Beaver Creek Mountain and Vail Valley, the exclusive Colorado cabin offers unique private BBQ lunch and dinner dining, for an authentic Coloraden experience.
Seven course taster menu for an authentic American/Alpine style experience.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Day 2 Guided Snowshoe Hike Take advantage of specially trained and educated guides at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch hotel, who take you on a walking hike through proven tracks designed for all ages and abilities. Taking regular pit stops to learn about the area, the history as well as the types of wildlife you might be lucky to see, the guides provide an informal experience that teaches you about the location and its beauty. It’s not for the fainthearted - this activity is a complete workout, but don’t let that put you off this incredible explorative experience.
Top tip: If you prefer to have a day on the slopes without the kids, the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch hotel offer a Ritz Kids Club specially designed hike that educates them on the history of Native American Indians, as well as how to build a camp site and fire. Let their inner Bear Grylls take hold!
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Day 3 - Exploring Vail Village Top tip: towards the end of the ski season, Burton Snowboarding Championships are held here with the top USA snowboarders competing. Watch how the pro’s work the half-pipe with numerous tricks and flips from the front row.
We headed down the valley for our remaining few days to explore the wonderfully lively resort of Vail. More grown-up than Beaver Creek, this area is better for teenage and older families looking for advanced skiing slopes as well as party scene aprés. For high end luxury living, The Solares apartments make the perfect accomodation for families and groups. The village is filled with designer boutiques, restauarants and bars, as well as numerous skiing apparel outlets.
As part of the Burton Snowboarding Championships, live music and aprés ski entertainment is all part of the event, featuring world renowned DJs and bands playing late into the night.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Day 4 - Skiing Vail
Unlike many European ski resorts, Vail offers extra comfort and luxury throughout the resort, from heated chair lifts and gondolas to warm you up in between runs on those particulary cold days, to policed slopes to make sure yours and your family’s safety is first and foremost. Much of the mountain has first aid ski volunteers who keep a look out for anyone injured or seperated from their group and call for help when needed. The best part of the resort, however is the open ‘fields’ - slopes that have so much space to ski and manouever that they never feel crowded.
A highlight is skiing amongst the trees, without going off-piste. The slopes are policed with different ‘lanes’; part of the slope for skiers who prefer to go more gently down the mountain, and the other part of the slope for the more advanced wanting ultimate exhileration. Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
Top tip: Many of the cabins feature a Starbucks offering the perfect refresher after a morning on the mountains.
Day 4 - Evening Dinner at Game Creek Club The perfect way to end your skiing week is by taking a very special trip up to the top of the mountain to eat at the Game Creek Club restaurant. Only accessible via a gondola and snowcat, this incredibly exclusive restaurant is what can only be described as fine alpine mountain dining with a unqiue American influence. The journey alone to the restaurant feels like trekking through wilderness, and the unknown secrecy of the location only heightens the experience. Once inside, a more sophisticated American welcome awaits, along with an instant feeling of luxury and opulence. This is the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Vail village, and dine in a restaurant completely shut off from the world, in the middle of the night.
Four course menu which changes throughout the season, with a variety of fresh and locally sourced produce cooked and prepared to Michelinstarred standard.
All of the dishes are artistically created, not only delivering on flavours, but presented to the highest of standards.
Vail & Beaver Creek: by Conor Magee, Managing Partner, Pinnacle Worldwide
With special thanks to... Carrier The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Hotel The Solaris Residencies Vail Resorts British Airways We look beyond the ordinary, creating bespoke experiences that ignite the senses, materialise even the wildest dreams and make every possibility a reality. Discover travel through our eyes.
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