Originally, this area known as the Eagle River Valley, was a popular summer hunting and fishing grounds for the Ute Indians. In 1874, gold and silver miners discovered ore and roamed the area. Ranching and farming followed mining into the 1950’s.
The origins of Beaver Creek are intertwined with those of Vail. In 1956, local rancher Earl Eaton and John Burke transverse the Beaver Creek and McCoy Creek areas thinking about the possibilities of a ski resort. In 1957, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton hiked up Vail Mountain in search of a good site for a ski area. Beaver Creek was put on-hold and in 1962, the Vail Resort was opened.
With Pete Seibert’s involvement, the U.S. Forest Service completed an analysis in 1962 confirming that the Beaver Creek area would environmentally support a ski resort. Denver was awarded the winter games for the 1976 Olympics. The alpine events were to be hosted at Beaver Creek. Shockingly, Denver voters declined!
Although at a slower pace, the Beaver Creek Resort was opened in 1980. Ever expanding, Beaver Creek is known for its stunning mountain backdrop and pedestrian shopping village.