After years of careful growth, Beaver Creek now encompasses 1805 acres, including formerly stand-alone Arrowhead, and boasts 4040 feet of vertical. The main area of hotels, shops, restaurants, galleries, and the performing arts center are knit together by a series of heated walkways, paths, and escalators to comprise Beaver Creek Village, the central part of which is pedestrian-only. Condominium communities meander up draws, connected by ski trails, making a tour from one village to another possible.

Although Beaver Creek draws fewer celebrities than, say, Aspen, it's definitely an upscale resort. That doesn't mean those with smaller bank accounts can't enjoy it- stay in Avon just down the road and use the free shuttle service-but Beaver Creek is a polished place. Polished and buffed. With roughly a third of the terrain for beginners and another third for intermediates, grooming is taken seriously. Even the very summit is accessible to beginners and intermediates, where kids will find fun zones that include glades. Intermediates will find Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch to their liking, and there are plenty of other choices across the mountain.

Advanced and expert skiers and riders no doubt already know about Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey complex of advanced terrain. It's now named The Talons, and spans the area between the new Birds of Prey Express (The old Birds of Prey Express lift has been renamed the Cinch Express to better reflect the trails it serves; the new BOP Express replaces the Westfall lift.) and Larkspur Bowl. There's some intermediate stuff here, but most of the terrain is advanced or expert.

"Park-ology" is Beaver Creek's new progressive learning program for would-be freeskiers and riders. It features Park 101, an entry-level park on Sheephorn, the more difficult Zoom Room, and a half pipe and expert park called Moonshine. Special instruction is available, and the resort has introduced beginner and intermediate "learning competitions."