Beaver Creek’s McCoy Park Expansion Begins Construction
Earlier today, Beaver Creek announced the start to construction on its long-anticipated McCoy Park expansion project. This project is set to bring 250 new acres of beginner and intermediate terrain to the Colorado ski area.
When complete for the upcoming winter, Beaver Creek says the expansion will include 17 new, natural glade trails. The overwhelming majority of new terrain will be rated as green, while a few blue runs will exist at the far east end of the expansion. The expansion will also include two new lifts: one high-speed quad directly servicing the terrain, and one fixed-grip quad providing return access from the area.
This expansion was originally set to open for the 2020-21 season, but it was delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Our Take
Beaver Creek already boasts one of the best beginner experiences of any Colorado resort, and the McCoy expansion is set to take it to another level. When it opens next season, McCoy Park will provide a dedicated learning area completely separated from more experienced (and more aggressive) skier traffic. High-alpine, wide-open beginner terrain is hard to come by (Beaver Creek’s Red Buffalo area is actually one of the few other places we’ve experienced with terrain like this), and by continuing to expand in this area, Beaver Creek is cementing itself as a top-tier destination for novice skiers. That being said, this expansion will not bring any of the true above-treeline bowl terrain that Beaver Creek lacks—and many of its competitors enjoy in spades.
Beaver Creek is known for its high-speed lifts, but it appears that the McCoy Egress chair—the shorter of the two—will be a slow, fixed-grip lift. However, based on the resort’s graphic, it seems like an upper-mountain traverse will be available for those trying to leave the area who want avoid this lift.
While not revolutionary, the McCoy Park expansion seems to be the next logical step in Beaver Creek’s advancement as a resort. We look forward to visiting next season to try the terrain out for ourselves.
Considering a trip to Beaver Creek next winter? Read our comprehensive mountain review here. Additionally, check out our Colorado rankings.
