A White Christmas in Avon Vail, Colorado

If you're like us and from hot sunny Australia, then you have probably dreamt of having a white wintery Christmas holiday filled with snow-capped mountains, luxury accommodation, and festive cheer. In 2024 we spent a magical Christmas at The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon, Vail, and this article shares some of our experiences. Here is also a link to our Instagram Post on our stay.

Nestled in the heart of Colorado's stunning Rocky Mountains, Avon Vail and the Beaver Creek Mountain serves as the perfect base for your Christmas getaway, offering a blend of holiday charm, world-class amenities, and the kind of breathtaking scenery that only a winter wonderland can provide.

The hotel and villas are approximately 30 mins from the Eagle County regional airport and 2 hours from Denver.

As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the concierge and valet parking team. The front entrance was dressed in its holiday finest, with sparkling decorations, festive wreaths, and a giant Christmas tree and fireplace in the lobby that instantly fills the space with warmth and holiday spirit.

The check in process was seamless and the staff so friendly, despite it being slightly chaotic with so many guests checking in. The next day we walked past the front desk and we were surprised that they remembered us by name and asked how our stay was so far!

The Westin at Beaver Creek Mountain offers a variety of rooms. We booked one of the Villas and was pleasantly surprised at the size and amenities. Our room had a large king size bed, sofa bed, full kitchen, laundry, large bathroom and balcony.

If you're a skier or snowboarder, you'll love having immediate access to Beaver Creek Mountain, which offers world-class slopes for all skill levels. Downstairs were the chairlifts that took you straight from The Westin to the Beaver Creek ski fields.

While Christmas can be a busy time of year, The Westin makes it easy to find moments of peace and relaxation. The hotel's full-service spa offers a range of treatments designed to pamper and rejuvenate. After a day of skiing or for those of us who are non-skiers a dip in the outdoor hot tubs was a great way to end the day.

Whilst we aren't much into skiing we love sledding. The hotel provided free loan sleds and advised where we could go sledding nearby. There are great fields near the local golf course and the locals were all there skiing and sledding. It made for wonderful family memories!

The hotel offers on-site dining options as well as a convenience store but as we had a full kitchen in our villa we were able to do Christmas meals in our own room.

But what we loved most was the 3.30pm cookie and hot chocolate! Every afternoon, the hotel rolls out the fresh homemade cookies and hot chocolate (for free) - which was loved by both little and big kids!

Nearby is the town of Vail, which is another ski resort town that has been designed to look and feel like you are in Bavaria! Vail’s pedestrian-friendly village becomes even more enchanting during Christmas, with charming shops, restaurants, and galleries all decorated for the season. A stroll through the village is like stepping into a winter fairy tale. Twinkling lights reflect off the snow, and the sound of festive music fills the air. You’ll find everything from boutique shops offering handcrafted jewelry to cozy cafés serving up freshly baked pastries and hot chocolate.

For those who love to shop, Vail offers an array of high-end boutiques and ski gear stores where you can pick up the perfect souvenir or last-minute gift. Whether you’re looking for luxury fashion or unique local goods, the Vail Village has something for everyone. In Vail, we were able to do some ice-skating.

At The Westin in Beaver Creek Mountain, we found our short Christmas stay to be something truly special. From the pristine snow-covered slopes to the cozy fireside lounges, every detail is thoughtfully designed to make your stay unforgettable. Whether you’re enjoying the festive activities, relaxing in your luxurious room, or indulging in gourmet meals, you’ll feel the warmth and magic of Christmas here.