A Beaver Creek tradition, warm chocolate chip cookies at end of day
By Eileen Ogintz
BEAVER CREEK, CO — Fantastic!
Not the snow, though it has been dumping snow it seems since we arrived in Colorado several days ago. Fantastic is how I feel during the sports fusion massage at the Beaver Creek Park Hyatt two-story Allegria Spa. The massage is designed to deliver relief from exercise at high altitude with hot stones, deep tissue massage, wintergreen and arnca body butter and eucalyptus steam. All of the stretching certainly helped my aching muscles after four days on the slopes.
I started my “me” time at the spa’s Aqua Sanitas — healing waters — which is modeled on ancient Roman baths and the origins of spa with hot and cold water treatments. I started in the Thermae Pool designed to raise core temperature and relieve aching muscles. Then there are separate women’s and men’s areas — a Caldarium mineral pool, Cascaia Rainshower and my favorite the Caldarium Steam Room with heat, wintergreen-scented steam and light. The final Tepidarium, infused with aromatic scents, is complete with contoured heating loungers.
Apres ‘smores at Beaver Creek Park Hyatt
I was feeling pretty good before the massage! How could anyone not enjoy this luxurious 30,000 square foot spa with a fitness center (if you aren’t getting enough exercise on the slopes) slope side pool, and hot tubs.
I was thinking of the Texas mom I’d met at lunch who lamented that her 10 year-old daughter had left the slopes in tears this morning, losing her confidence in icy, windy conditions. “The minute I saw tears, I knew she was done,” said Jody Gray. “Otherwise, everyone would be miserable.” Gray was skiing with her 12-year-old son who can’t get enough of the slopes while her husband was with their daughter.
Maybe one of the “Tween Delight” treatments at the spa — a 25-minute S’Mores Mini Pedi with a bubbling foot bath would perk up her spirits. (Would it be worth $90 to turn tears to smiles?) I know at times, I would have paid nearly anything to make that happen.
Beaver Creek Resort is famous for its level of service and small alpine-styled village with upscale shops, covered bridges and fire pits (where children were making s’mores acres ski). Maybe the resort is most famous for giving out warm chocolate chip cookies at the base.
The scene of several World Cup downhill races at Beaver Creek Resort
But I’m sure guests appreciate the Snowmaking Refresh Program, after two years of testing—during optimal conditions (cold and low humidity) the snowmaking machines activate and cover three of the most popular trails with fresh snow. Nice!
For the most discerning visitors there are “White Glove” luxury experiences—first tracks on untracked trails followed by a gourmet slope side breakfast at Allie’s Cabin. There are winter wine excursions on snowshoes (the resort boasts more than 30 km of snowshoe trails) and ends with charcuteries and wine parings.
New this season is Allie’s Cabin Family Dinners via open sleigh for a three-course buffet dinner in front of a floor to ceiling fireplace.
But if you are staying slope side at the 190-room Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, the kids might not want to leave. Parents will especially like the Ski Valet who takes care of your skis after you ski up to the hotel and dries your boots overnight. Kids like the hot chocolate in the lobby après ski and making S’Mores. Happy Hour around a giant firepit outside with the chef’s homemade marshmallows? M&M or toffee perhaps?
I’ll have a Grand Marnier marshmallow, please!