Vail and Beaver Creek daily lift access returns this weekend
Chris Dillmann/Daily file photo
Beat the heat this summer by heading up to higher ground via lift access at Vail and Beaver Creek. Daily lift operations start this weekend at both resorts with Gondola One in Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead opening on Friday and Centennial Express opening Saturday in Beaver Creek.
Daily lift access until Labor Day
As always, if you have your Epic Pass for the upcoming 2025-26 ski season, you have unlimited access to the lifts this summer. Epic Passes are on sale now, and you can also utilize the pass for a 20% discount on bike rentals, golf, lodging, food at Vail Resorts-owned restaurants and other deals. There are a variety of prices for adults, kids, senior citizens and active and retired military. Inquire about free passes for kids with a paying adult ticket purchase.
Vail Mountain has teamed up with the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater to offer a discount through the “Flash your Ticket” program. Proof of a ticket to a concert at The Amp will get you 20% off your scenic lift ticket price at the Vail Ticket Office. On Thursdays at Beaver Creek, in honor of the resort’s free Thursday night concert series, you can take advantage of 50% off scenic lift tickets after noon. Head up the hill for some activities and scenery and then settle in for a free show on the plaza.
On mountain activities
Vail will once again have a variety of activities available at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Epic Discovery is your headquarters for adventure with the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, Eagle’s Nest Tubing, Marmot Mini Kids Tubing, Little Eagle Kids Zipline, Bungee Trampoline and the Paramount Peak Climbing Wall. At the base of Lionshead, there is the Gore Creek Mini Golf Course.
At Beaver Creek, you’ll find all sorts of activities at the base of Centennial Express and at Spruce Saddle at the top of the lift. Pan for gold with gem panning, climb and ring the bell at the top of the climbing wall. The bungee trampolines are also a fun thing for kids to do (and adults if they dare). Work on your short game at the putt-putt course. At Spruce Saddle, enjoy dining with a grand view of the Gore Range and beyond and an assortment of lawn games.
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Hiking and biking trails
Beaver Creek offers guided hikes for the novice right on Beaver Creek Mountain to the more experienced hikers who are up for climbing one of Colorado’s many 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks throughout the region. Book one of Beaver Creek’s Signature Hikes or set something up for a private group.
Vail Mountain offers free guided hikes courtesy of Walking Mountains Science Center, which operates the Nature Discovery Center at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. The Nature Discover Center also has a vast display of winter wildlife such as lynx, black bears, ravens, weasels and more.
If you want to mountain bike on Vail or Beaver Creek mountains but you want to spare your legs and lungs the difficulty of the uphill, let the lift get you and your bike up to the trails. A bike haul ticket is extra, but if you have an Epic Pass, you will get a discount on a bike haul pass.
Keep in mind that although the lifts are open, there are trail closures in place in some areas until June 30 due to the elk calving season. During this time, people and pets are not permitted on the following trails:
Vail Mountain:
- Mill Creek
- Two Elk
Beaver Creek:
- Elkhorn
- Mud Springs
- Village to Village (from Chair 14 to Arrowhead)
- Arrowhead Mountain, Primrose
- Beano’s Hill Climb
Free live music
Vail
Vail is hosting its popular musical offerings at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Last winter, the crowd got to experience great artists providing tunes at pop-ups at the rooftop of Eagle’s Nest and this summer has a whole new lineup. It’s all part of Vail Summer Sessions presented by Toyota on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 27-29. On Friday, Magoo will take the stage with support from Blue Ox Boys. This show will be on the rooftop of the Eagle Bahn Gondola building from 2:30 to 5 p.m. On Saturday, the music moves to the base of Gondola One from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Evan Honer will play a show with support from Wood Belly. On Sunday, the concert goes back up to the rooftop at Eagle’s Nest with Byrne and support from Moonstone Quill.
For the shows at the rooftop at Eagle’s Nest, although they are free, you will need to get a wristband at the base of Lionshead. Sign up at the Toyota tent and the wristband handouts begin at 10 a.m. the day of the rooftop shows. You are allowed to get one wristband for yourself and one for a friend. You will need your Epic Pass to gain access to the performance or buy a scenic lift ticket to get up to the top of Lionshead. For the Saturday show, no tickets or special requirements are needed to gain access.
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is excited to once again bring back live music a few nights a week. On Thursday nights, listen up for some great acts like Cracker and Pablo Cruise taking the Ice Rink Stage during the BC Unplugged concert series. On Saturday, celebrate Colorado’s music scene with some popular acts from around the state during the Colorado Showcase concert series. Denver’s Hazel Miller & The Collective play the first show on June 14. All shows are from 5-6:30 p.m.
For more information on Epic Passes, activities, trail closures, concert schedules and more, go to Vail.com and BeaverCreek.com.
