Why Beaver Creek is Perfect for Beginner Skiers.
A guide to the best green runs, learning areas, and beginner-friendly terrain.
Two skiers navigating the Enchanted Trail in McCoy Park, surrounded by dense clusters of pine trees.
Beaver Creek Mountain is one of the best ski resorts for beginners, offering a mix of well-designed learning areas, easy terrain, and a relaxed atmosphere. In this article, I’m going to go into detail about why Beaver Creek Mountain is a great place for beginners, from the best learning areas to how its uncrowded slopes help build confidence. While we were there just for a day, we really enjoyed our time. My biggest takeaway was how uncrowded it was—quiet, super gorgeous, and most importantly, how many green runs it has compared to other resorts in the Vail corridor. Unlike some larger, busier resorts, Beaver Creek Mountain is also less crowded, which helps beginners feel more comfortable and build confidence on the slopes without worrying about heavy traffic or advanced skiers rushing past. With dedicated beginner zones, wide green runs, and a layout that makes progression simple, it’s a great place to build confidence on the slopes.
Beginner-Friendly Terrain at Beaver Creek Mountain
Beaver Creek Mountain has a variety of green runs that make learning to ski easier. McCoy Park stands out because it is an entire area designed for beginner and low-intermediate skiers. With 14 green runs and wide-open spaces, McCoy Park gives skiers room to practice without the pressure of faster skiers nearby.
For those looking for more, Red Buffalo Park offers long, easy green runs at the top of the mountain with great views. Bachelor Gulch has well-groomed, quiet trails that are perfect for beginners who want a little more space.
Here’s a look at the best places to start:
Haymeadow Park – A small, dedicated area at the base, ideal for first-time skiers.
McCoy Park – A step up from Haymeadow with longer green runs and open terrain.
Adventure Zones – Fun, hidden trails that are great for kids and beginners looking for variety.
Haymeadow Park: The Best Spot for First-Time Skiers
Beaver Creek Mountain trail map with Haymeadow Park highlighted in a yellow circle, showcasing its beginner-friendly terrain.
Haymeadow Park is the perfect place for first-time skiers to get comfortable on their skis. Located at the base of the mountain, this dedicated beginner zone is easily accessible and designed for learning. The terrain is flat and forgiving, allowing skiers to practice basic movements without feeling overwhelmed. The Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1) provides quick access to the area, eliminating the need for beginners to navigate more advanced terrain to get started. This area also includes terrain-based learning features, which help first-timers develop essential skills like turning and stopping in a controlled environment.
McCoy Park: Wide-Open Terrain for Easy Progression
Beaver Creek Mountain trail map with McCoy Park highlighted in a yellow circle, showcasing its beginner-friendly terrain.
McCoy Park is a natural next step for those ready to move beyond the basics. This 250-acre area is designed for beginners and low-intermediate skiers, offering 14 green runs with wide, open terrain. The bowl-like setting makes it easy to explore at your own pace without worrying about crowded trails or advanced skiers flying by. Skiers can enjoy gentle, rolling slopes and even some tree-skiing sections that are approachable for beginners. Accessed by the McCoy Park Express Lift (#16), this area provides a great balance of freedom and security, making it one of the best beginner-friendly areas at Beaver Creek Mountain.
Check out our video, McCoy Park at Beaver Creek: The Ultimate Beginner’s Ski Playground, to see what makes it the perfect spot for beginner skiers.
Adventure Zones: Hidden Trails for Extra Fun
Beaver Creek Mountain’s Adventure Zones add a playful element to learning. These fun, hidden trails wind through wooded areas and offer small bumps and gentle curves that help beginners get comfortable with varied terrain. Unlike standard green runs, these zones allow skiers to practice control and maneuverability in a more dynamic setting. Some of the most popular adventure zones include:
Jack Rabbit Alley – A winding tree-lined trail for practicing turns.
Mystic Maze – A gentle, forested run with small terrain changes to help with balance.
Ghost Town – A playful, themed trail with elements that can help beginners improve their skills in a unique setting.
These areas provide a fun alternative to traditional green runs, allowing beginners to build confidence. Not all beginner areas are the same. Beaver Creek Mountain makes learning simple by keeping beginner terrain fun and engaging.
Other Fun Areas for Great Green Runs at Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek has even more fantastic areas beyond McCoy Park and Haymeadow Park for beginner skiers to explore. If you're looking for additional green runs with scenic views and a relaxed atmosphere, check out these spots:
Bachelor Gulch Mountain – This area offers well-groomed, wide green runs that are perfect for beginners who want a quiet and comfortable skiing experience. The terrain here is ideal for practicing turns and building confidence without the hustle and bustle of the main mountain.
Beaver Creek Mountain (Adventure Zone Area) – While known for its fun Adventure Zones, this part of the mountain also features many great green runs. These trails provide a mix of gentle slopes and entertaining features, making it a great place for beginners looking to add variety to their skiing experience.
Build Skills and Confidence: Beginner Ski Lessons at Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek offers beginner ski lessons designed to help first-time skiers and those looking to build confidence on the mountain. The resort provides group and private lessons tailored to beginners.
Adult Beginner Lessons
Designed for those new to skiing, adult beginner lessons focus on the fundamentals, including balance, turning, and stopping. The Adult First Time 3-for-2 Series is a great option, allowing first-timers to take three lessons for the price of two. This three-day series helps new skiers progress at a comfortable pace while developing confidence on beginner terrain.
Child Beginner Lessons
For young skiers ages 3-15, Beaver Creek's beginner ski lessons offer a fun and engaging way to learn. Lessons are structured by age and ability, ensuring kids get the right level of instruction. Prices start at $420 for a one-day session, with a 20% discount available for Epic Mountain Rewards members.
Private Beginner Lessons
Private lessons provide one-on-one instruction for beginners who prefer personalized coaching. These lessons can be taken solo or with a small group (up to six people) and are customized to individual learning goals. Options include half-day (3 hours) or full-day (6½ hours) sessions.
Booking and Discounts
Booking beginner lessons in advance is highly recommended to secure availability and the best rates. Epic Pass holders receive a 20% discount on group lessons through Epic Mountain Rewards. First-timers can also access discounted lift tickets and rentals when booking beginner group lessons.
For the most up-to-date information or to book a lesson, visit Beaver Creek's first-timers page.
Pro-tip: I had a private ski lesson this year. They really do help, and the instructor will help you dial in the proper technique.
My Top Tips for Beginners at Beaver Creek
If you are a beginner skier or snowboarder, Beaver Creek is a great place to be. My ski level when I visited Beaver Creek was Beginner to Intermediate.
Logan, the snowboarder, carving through the snow on the Enchanted Trail at McCoy Park, sending a spray of powder my way beneath the McCoy Express Lift.
Tip 1: If you are a straight-up newbie, I would start at Haymeadow Park. Get used to your skis or board on your feet before tackling the greens on the legit mountain. Remember, you are in the Rockies, and greens vary from tiny mountains in the Midwest to the Rockies.
Tip 2: Take a lesson if you can tolerate the cost. I took a lesson this year, and the fine-tuning a ski instructor does hands-down will improve your skiing. But first, make sure you even like skiing if you are a super newbie. (see tip one again)
Tip 3: McCoy Park is legit an awesome place for green riders or a warm-up for more advanced. The wide open range with pines throughout is very enjoyable. And if you get to do McCoy Park on a POW day, that would be even better.
How Beaver Creek Compares to Other Beginner-Friendly Ski Resorts (By the Numbers)
Beaver Creek stands out as one of the best ski resorts for beginners, but how does it compare to beginner-friendly ski resorts regarding the number of green runs available? Many ski resorts have great beginner areas but lack many green runs, making progression more difficult. Here’s a quick comparison:
Beaver Creek, CO – With over 25 designated green runs, Beaver Creek offers one of the most extensive selections of beginner-friendly trails. McCoy Park alone has 14 green runs, plus additional greens at Red Buffalo Park, Haymeadow Park, and Bachelor Gulch.
Keystone, CO – Keystone is well known for its long beginner runs, mainly the Schoolmarm trail (3.5 miles), but the resort has fewer designated green runs overall than Beaver Creek.
Breckenridge, CO – Breckenridge has about 12-15 green runs, mainly located on Peak 9, but the resort’s high visitor traffic can make learning more challenging for beginners.
Park City, UT – Park City offers a handful of green runs spread across its vast terrain, but it is not as concentrated with beginner-friendly areas as Beaver Creek. Some green runs also require traversing steeper blue terrain to access them.
Steamboat, CO – Steamboat has about 15-20 green runs, with its best beginner areas found around the Sunshine Peak region, offering scenic, long runs similar to those in McCoy Park.
Compared to these resorts, Beaver Creek offers more green runs, dedicated beginner terrain, and a quieter atmosphere—making it an excellent place for new skiers to learn and progress confidently.
Why Beaver Creek is the Perfect Place to Start Skiing
I was amazed at how many green runs Beaver Creek has compared to other ski resorts I have been to. The best part is McCoy Park because it is dedicated to green runs. Not to mention, it has an entirely different vibe than Vail or Breckenridge, which is down the road, or, I should say, the Vail Pass. And I never felt like I had to look over my shoulder to see if some nut on a snowboard or skis was about to pummel me. I have been there, have you? The mountain is not overcrowded like others on the Vail Pass.
If you're a beginner looking for the perfect place to start skiing, Beaver Creek has everything you need—plenty of green runs, less crowded slopes that makes learning enjoyable. Whether it’s your first time on skis or looking to build confidence, Beaver Creek is the ideal destination to develop your skills and have an amazing first-time experience on the slopes.
Check Out Our Other Blogs or Videos on Beaver Creek Below.
Our Day at Beaver Creek: Skiing on the Epic Pass.
YouTube: Beginner Skiing at Beaver Creek – Unwinding on Unwind After McCoy Park
