Discover Why McCoy Park at Beaver Creek, Colorado, is Perfect for Beginner Skiers.
Beaver Creek is known for its luxurious amenities and is also a great destination for beginner skiers. McCoy Park, a dedicated beginner-friendly zone, offers wide, easy slopes in a peaceful alpine setting, making it an excellent place to learn without the stress of crowded trails. Beginners can get comfortable on skis with well-designed learning areas and a relaxed atmosphere. As part of Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek is included on the Epic Pass, allowing pass holders to explore multiple top ski destinations with one pass.
Beaver Creek Mountain Stats: Elevation, Terrain, and Snowfall
Summit Elevation: 11,440 feet (3,487 meters)
Base Elevation: 8,100 feet (2,469 meters)
Skiable Terrain: 2,082 acres
Total Runs: 167
Beginner Terrain: 19%
Intermediate Terrain: 43%
Advanced Terrain: 38%
Lifts: 25, including high-speed quads and gondolas
Annual Snowfall: Approximately 325 inches
Lifts that take you to the best beginner Runs at Beaver Creek
Navigating Beaver Creek as a beginner is easy with specific lifts that access green runs designed for learning and progression. Here are the key lifts that take you to beginner-friendly areas:
Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1): This short gondola leads directly to Haymeadow Park, a dedicated beginner zone with gentle slopes perfect for first-timers and young skiers. The area also features small terrain-based learning elements to help develop fundamental skills.
Highlands Lift (#2): This chairlift provides access to additional beginner runs near Haymeadow Park, offering slightly longer green runs for those looking to extend their skiing experience.
Riverfront Express Gondola (#7): Conveniently located near Avon, this gondola connects skiers to Beaver Creek Village, where they can access beginner terrain via additional lifts.
McCoy Park Lift (#16): This lift services McCoy Park, a dedicated beginner and low-intermediate ski area featuring multiple green trails with scenic views and a relaxed atmosphere. The terrain here is ideal for building confidence on longer, wide-open runs.
Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5): Accessing Red Buffalo Park, this lift takes skiers to an elevated beginner-friendly area at the top of the mountain. Wide, groomed trails provide a true alpine experience without the challenge of steep slopes.
McCoy Park: A Beginner's Paradise
Two skiers navigating the Enchanted Trail in McCoy Park, surrounded by dense clusters of pine trees.
McCoy Park is my favorite area to warm up in. The area spans 250 acres and features 17 trails made up of 14 greens and 3 blues, an excellent area for beginner skiers or for a warm-up. This expansive area offers a bowl-like environment with wide-open spaces where to be honest, you don’t have to stick to a trail per se. The terrain has a ton of trees to ski through and around, providing an adventurous experience for those new to skiing or not yet intermediate. By the map, I skied Enchantment and Bliss.
What Makes McCoy Park Ideal for Beginners:
Dedicated Terrain: The area spans 250 acres with 14 green runs, ensuring plenty of space to learn and practice without advanced skiers speeding by.
Bowl-Like Layout: The open, natural layout allows beginners to explore at their own pace, with gradual slopes that make turning and stopping easier.
Tree-Skiing for All Levels: Skiing through trees can feel intimidating, but McCoy Park offers widely spaced glades, allowing beginners to experience tree runs in a low-pressure setting.
Secluded & Uncrowded: Because McCoy Park is specifically designed for beginners and intermediates, it remains less crowded than other parts of the mountain, making for a relaxed experience.
Easy Access: The McCoy Park Express Lift (#16) provides direct access to this dedicated learning zone, so beginners don’t have to navigate tricky terrain.
Trail map of Beaver Creek. McCoy Park is marked by a yellow circle to indicate its location on the map.
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.
Pro tip: Park at Bear Creek parking lot and take the shuttle to Lower Creek Mountain Express Lift for cheaper parking and easy access to this side of the mountain. From there, you can take the shuttle to the Lower Creek Mountain Express Lift, which provides direct access to McCoy Park via.
This map shows the route from Bear Creek parking lot to McCoy Park, with a step-by-step guide in yellow highlighting the lifts and trails leading to the base of McCoy Park Express Lift.
Other Beginner-Friendly Areas at Beaver Creek.
While McCoy Park is the highlight for beginners, Beaver Creek has several other significant areas that offer easy terrain and a relaxed skiing experience. If you want to explore beyond McCoy Park, here are a few more beginner-friendly zones to check out.
While McCoy Park is the highlight for beginners, Beaver Creek has several other great areas that offer easy terrain and a relaxed skiing experience. If you want to explore beyond McCoy Park, here are a few areas with lots of green runs.
Bachelor Gulch: A Beginner-Friendly Mountain.
View from the top of Bachelor Gulch Express Lift (#16) as skiers and snowboarders unload.
After you have fun at McCoy Park, Bachelor Gulch is another excellent area at Beaver Creek for beginner skiers, offering a variety of green runs. This part of the resort provides a more secluded and less crowded experience, making it ideal for those looking to improve their skills at a comfortable pace. This area is below McCoy Park, so easy access to flow into this region is seamless. The terrain here is designed to be approachable while offering the scenic beauty and well-groomed conditions that Beaver Creek is known for.
This map shows the Bachelor Gulch area outlined with a yellow circle.
Key green runs in Bachelor Gulch include:
Sawbuck – A long, winding green run that allows beginners to get comfortable with longer descents while enjoying tree-lined views.
Cabin Fever – A wide, forgiving trail that provides plenty of space to practice turns and build confidence.
Intertwine – A scenic slope connecting different Bachelor Gulch sections and providing an easy, enjoyable ride.
Stirrup – A shorter, beginner-friendly trail that is great for refining basic skiing techniques.
With access to beginner lifts and a welcoming ski school presence, Bachelor Gulch is a great choice for those who want to escape the busier main areas and enjoy a more relaxed skiing environment.
Haymeadow Park: The Best Place for First-Timers.
This map shows the Haymeadow Park area outlined with a yellow circle.
I didn’t ski at Haymeadow Park since I’m too advanced for this area, but it’s the perfect spot for super beginners. This dedicated learning zone is one of the best places at Beaver Creek for those just starting. The terrain is wide, easy, and designed to help new skiers get comfortable on the slopes.
Haymeadow Park features terrain-based learning elements that naturally guide beginners into proper skiing techniques, making it a stress-free way to build confidence. It’s also conveniently accessed by the Haymeadow Express Gondola (#1), making it easy to reach without navigating more challenging trails. This area provides a safe and encouraging environment for kids and adults alike to take those first turns on skis.
Red Buffalo Park: Iconic Green Runs and a Sweet Reward.
At the top of the mountain, Red Buffalo Park is home to some of the best green runs at Beaver Creek. This area is accessed via the Red Buffalo Express Lift (#5) and offers wide, easy slopes perfect for beginners who want a high-alpine experience without the difficulty of steeper terrain.
A highlight of skiing in Red Buffalo Park is the famous cookie cabin at the top. We intended to stop here but were only at Beaver Creek for a day, so we didn’t have time. However, if you’re there for longer, it’s a must-visit spot! Stopping here for a warm, fresh-baked cookie is a must, making it a fun and rewarding spot for new skiers. The runs here are long and scenic, allowing beginners to work on their turns while enjoying breathtaking mountain views.
This map shows the Red Buffalo area outlined with a yellow circle.
Notable green runs in this area include:
Buffalo's Trail – A smooth, winding run with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Lower Booth Gardens – A wide, confidence-boosting trail that’s great for practicing technique.
Powell – A gentle, flowing run that allows skiers to enjoy the peaceful setting of Red Buffalo Park.
Booth Gardens – One of the longer greens, ideal for skiers looking to get comfortable with longer descents.
Kids’ Adventure Zones: Fun for All Ages
Beaver Creek isn’t just about traditional green runs—its Kids’ Adventure Zones add an extra layer of fun for both kids and adults. These specially designed trails wind through wooded areas, featuring small rolling hills, fun turns, and small terrain features that make skiing feel like an adventure. Even if you’re an adult, these zones offer a playful and unique way to enjoy the mountain at an easy level.
There are seven adventure zones scattered across the left side of the mountain, so be on the lookout for the signs as you explore! These zones are marked with Ripperoo's face on both the trail map and on-mountain signs, making them easy to find.
Some of the most popular adventure zones include:
Jack Rabbit Alley – A winding trail through the trees that’s great for practicing turns in a fun setting.
Mystic Maze – A twisting, forested run with small bumps and gentle curves that make it feel like a hidden trail.
Ghost Town – While primarily designed for kids, this area features some playful terrain elements that can still be fun for beginners looking to work on balance and control in a unique setting.
These areas provide a break from traditional green runs and allow beginner skiers to explore new terrain while keeping things easy and approachable. They are peppered on the left side of the mountain, so be on the lookout for the signs as you explore!
Beginner Progression Path: Where to Start and Where to Go Next.
If you're new to skiing at Beaver Creek, there's a great way to progress through the beginner-friendly terrain as you build confidence. Start at Haymeadow Park, where the easiest slopes and terrain-based learning features help you get comfortable on skis. Once you feel ready for slightly longer runs, McCoy Park offers a spacious area with more variety, including tree-skiing sections that feel adventurous but remain beginner-friendly.
From there, you can move on to Red Buffalo Park, where wide-open green trails give you a true alpine experience at the top of the mountain. Finally, for those looking for a relaxed and scenic way to continue practicing, Bachelor Gulch provides longer, flowing green runs with fewer crowds, making it a great spot for refining your technique.
Beaver Creek is a Great Place to Learn to Ski.
I’ve been to a lot of ski resorts, and Beaver Creek is hands-down one of the best for beginners. The main reason? McCoy Park—a massive area almost entirely dedicated to green-level skiers. Other large resorts have a lot of greens but nothing like McCoy Park. Just below McCoy Park, you'll find even more green runs to explore. And when you're ready to tackle a blue, Beaver Creek has plenty of options to help you make that transition.
Another great thing? Beaver Creek wasn’t crowded when I visited. The vibe is high-end yet relaxed. It’s not loud or chaotic like some other resorts. It’s also incredibly family-friendly.
