Fashionista Summer Escapes is a column by our favorite Fashionistas who escape the heat of Dallas and spend a few weeks, or in some cases months, summering away from home. Here’s a look at the best beds, tables and shops in Beaver Creek, Colorado by The Fashionistas Board Member, Gina Ginsburg.
Dress Code: What do folks wear in Beaver Creek? Lots of turquoise jewelry, cowboy boots, cute denim jeans or flowing skirts during the evening, all with the glitzy Dallas flair. The locals all know who is from Texas, in particular Dallas, mostly because of our additional “bling” and polished look. During the day we hike or bike, or do something outside, so it is casual athletic attire. Keep reading to see more.
Stay: We have a 7 bedroom ski in-ski out home in Bachelor’s Gulch with the most impressive view of the Gore Mountain Range. We are surrounded by National Forest and huge Aspen groves as well as 60 foot tall Alpine Pine trees. The smell of pine in the morning is so freshing. About two miles down the mountain lies the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch, which in my opinion, is the ONLY place to stay and be pampered like a true Fashionista- Mountain style.
Love: I love waking up with my family and friends who come from both coasts and Dallas each morning we are there to a 50 degree morning with crisp, clean air mildly scented with traces of pine and wildflowers. Usually, I look out my breakfast window and see several deer grazing on our grasses or occasionally a coyote running down our ski trail with some sort of prey in his mouth. We have yet to see any bears, but love to drive up the mountain to our home and see families of beautiful red foxes frolicking in the wildflowers.
Must Do’s: The Villar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek is a big draw for the comedian’s, artists, and performers. Each summer the Dallas Symphony Orchestra takes us residence in Vail for performances outside, which in the Gerald Ford Amphitheater is both beautiful and exhilarating. After the classical series leaves the Vail Dance Festival comes and stays for about a month, providing entertainment in the form of tap, jazz, romantic ballets all the way to ballroom dancing- dancing with the stars way. We also love to go into Beaver Creek on Fridays with the family and jump on the trampoline and ride the ponies, eat smores and have family time. Must do’s include white water river rafting, fly fishing, hiking (down the mountain) and riding bikes into Vail for a long, leisurely lunch. We recently tried Ziplining- which was the best time of my life. Definitely got me over my fear of heights as we soar across the valleys 500 feet above the river between mountains. We play a lot of golf at our country club, so during the days that is usually where you will find us, and the kids get to play in the pool or hit tennis balls at Red Sky Ranch.
Shop: Shopping is fairly limited in Beaver Creek/Vail, but some of our favorites are Kemo Sabe for boots and western attire, Gorsuch for ski and designer clothing, and we get most of our “goods” at Wal-Mart- it is the only time when I spend any time in a Wal-Mart. I never go in one in Dallas.
Dining: We eat out a lot, but fortunately have the opportunity to eat at home too. When we are home we grill meats and fish from the local farmers market held each weekend. Some of our favorite restaurants include:
Ti’Amo Italian Restaurant
Spago at the Ritz Carlton- our home away from home for lunches and dinners…definitely a must
Grouse Mountain Grille – all organic produce
LarkBurger -best burgers on the mountain
Pazzo’s Pizza -best pizzeria on the mountain, but are convinced everyone that works there is stoned
Splendido at the Chateau- the finest quality and finest dining experience
The Chophouse -for Steaks
Minturn Country Club- the kids love this beacuase they get to chose their own steaks and grill them theirselves
Dives- Wolcott Yacht club- a big biker hangout and bar, but very very good food
La Tour - in Vail
Sweet Basil – in Vail
Mirabelle- fine French food at the base of Bachelor Gulch
Dish – for small plates in Edwards
Juniper – for a great meal along the river
Zino’s – the newest restaurant in the valley. It is also along the river and great food.
By Gina Ginsburg
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