Beaver Creek is a modern day wonder, three villages that in the 1980s seemingly sprung up out of nowhere. No silver mining history here. A modern day boom town built around real estate, snow, and mountain recreations like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and golf. Like everything here, your money-saving vacation rental is likely to revolve around Beaver Creek Mountain. Though Aspen and Vail are nearby, Beaver Creek seems a quiet family-friendly retreat away from the main mass of party animals.

Beaver Creek Resort, which opened in 1980, calls itself “the most environmentally sensitive ski resort ever built in North America.” You will have to judge the truth or hyperbole of that for yourself. But no denying that a Beaver Creek vacation rental home, condo, apartment, or townhouse is one of the better money-saving values in the area. Beaver Creek Village provides heated walkways and escalators to get you between the shops and restaurants in winter comfort. Evenings, ice skate in the village rink. With only 17 lifts and 149 runs, Beaver Creek Mountain’s 1,815 acres of skiing are relatively intimate. Consider being there for Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week's Men's Downhill, GS Races, and Slalom.

Beaver Creek and its aspen groves can be explored via mountain bike, horse, 4x4 vehicle, or even hot-air balloon. Fly fishing, rafting, hiking, tennis, and other outdoor pursuits are also available if the spirit moves you. Or tee off into the steep, narrow canyon fairways of the Beaver Creek Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Red Sky Golf Club’s Tom Fazio and Greg Norman courses alternate daily availability between club members and guests. Kids will enjoy the children’s museum and the Hike-ology program of wildlife, botany, and history trails. Time your visit for the rodeo or the TransRockies multi-day long distance run.

The SaddleRidge restaurant, built by a global financial services firm at the height of the 1987 boom, is now part steakhouse serving up buffalo prime rib and venison along with chipotle butters and honeys. Now part of the Vail Resort portfolio, the SaddleRidge holds treasures of the American West such as cast-iron Colorado railroad turntable wheels doubling as chandeliers, Edward S. Curtis photographs, and Buffalo Bill and Native American artifacts.

Transport the family 3 miles west of Beaver Creek to the old ranching town of Edwards for an evening or Sunday matinee play at the Riverwalk Theatre. Like your Beaver Creek family vacation rental, the Community Circle Players productions in Edwards will save you money. Also a good family value is a concert, Broadway or dance show at Beaver Creek’s horseshoe-shaped Vilar Performing Arts Center.