Located in the Eagle River Valley, Avon, Colorado, is a small town nestled at the base of Beaver Creek Ski Resort and just eight or so miles from better known Vail. Avon is also home to the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa — one of the poshest resorts in the area. The award-winning resort has onsite dining and a bar, both with incredible views, as well as a spa, athletic club, a Starbucks, a heated outdoor pool and three infinity hot tubs. An added bonus to staying at the Westin is that one of the two gondolas, the Riverfront Express, runs skiers and snowboarders from the property straight to Beaver Creek Ski Resort.
GETTING THERE
Avon is about a two-hour drive from the Denver International Airport — and oh, what a lovely drive it is! Towering spruce, fir and pine trees in a kaleidoscope of green, yellow and gold are on one side, and the beautiful Rocky Mountains are on the other.
ATTRACTIONS
With long verticals of 3,340 feet and 149 trails, world-class Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Peak ski time is March, as the snow is still on the slopes, yet it’s not overwhelmingly cold.
If you’re not enthusiastic about skiing and snowboarding, you might consider ice skating, tubing or sleigh rides —or if you visit during the off-season, you may enjoy fly fishing, zip-lining, rafting, hiking, horseback riding, swimming or golfing.
Oh, and I know that you’re just “asking for a friend,” but yes, marijuana dispensaries are plentiful and scattered all over the state. And the purchasing process is really no different from buying a bottle of vodka in Lafayette. You present your driver’s license, make your selections, pay and go on your merry way. (That’s what I hear, anyway.)
However and whenever you decide to spend your vacation, you can count on Avon’s incredible scenery to wow and impress.
EATS
Maya at The Westin Riverfront features a modern twist on Mexican fare from Chef Richard Sandoval’s menu. Maya offers a daily happy hour from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., with select margaritas, wine and beer. Tapas include edamame, nachos, flautas, chips and salsa and pork ribs, and are also offered at a reduced price. We sat on the patio for dinner, enjoying fresh mango margaritas as we absorbed views of the mountains lightly dusted with snow. We opted to start with traditional guacamole, but there were three other choices: bacon, tuna tartare and pomegranate. The mushroom huarache (pronounced “wah-RAH-che”), a flatbread topped with avocado, mushroom, goat cheese, truffle
oil and chile glaze was a standout dish. We also enjoyed the sweet corn empanadas and chicken tacos.
We spent four days there for the wedding of my friends, Connor Duffy and Chris Uhland. The couple live in New York and chose The Westin Riverfront in Avon as the site of their destination wedding, hosting more than 130 guests at pre-and post-ceremony events over three days. “While we looked at 18 killer venues for our wedding, Avon won out as the place to
bring together our tribe of beloved family and friends,” explained Duffy. “We love that restaurants offering everything from fancy wines to chicken wings are within walking distance.
The resort has stunning features — hot tubs, hiking along the river, an on-site gondola, proximity to Vail — and I could go on and on about the gorgeous scenery.” And while I treasure our friendship, I have to admit that the scenic venue was a big factor in RSVP’ing ‘Yes’ to the wedding.
PRO TIPS
• Book rental car in advance. Use the rental service’s app for convenience. Doing so will allow you to check in and out in the parking lot, avoiding crowds inside.
• Reap rewards. If you’re a Marriott Rewards member, you can use your benefits at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa.
• Dress code. With temperatures varying as much as 20 degrees from day to night, it’s best to dress in layers. You’ll also want to bring a pair of comfortable shoes if you plan on walking around the resort property or nearby villages. Masks were not required at the resort (but they are required in Uber and Lyft cars).
• Elevate your dining experience. The restaurant at Game Creek Club offers an epic dining experience. Make a dinner reservation for 5:30 p.m., so you can enjoy sunset views as the gondola glides you up the mountain.