Just returned from a quick family trip to Beaver Creek Village, Colorado, and we loved it! Stayed over the long MLK weekend. Invited to join a couple other friends who were bringing their families. I was hesitant at first because I'm not much of a skier, and my girls (ages 3, 6, 9) are all beginning level skiers. But this was great!

Accomodations: Stayed at the Kiva condominiums. Excellent location because it was an easy walk downhill (about a block) to the Park Hyatt, which is pretty much the center of all skiing and activity. I always took the shuttle back to Kiva with the kids. Kind of icy to walk uphill with the small kids.

Had a two-bedroom unit with loft. Master had a king; guest had two doubles and a full bath; loft had bunk beds, a large couch and a full bath. Our friends shared a 3-BR with loft. Their unit was nicer and more spacious, had a hot tub on the deck. But both had plenty of space for us. Units are rather warm and the only way to cool down is open a window, but otherwise great. Need to bring your own laundry detergent. Dishwasher soap was there already. Each bathroom has shampoo, lotion, Colgate toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm, generic toothbrush. Plenty of towels (four sets in each bathroom). And the front desk gives you big, thick towels for use at the pool (not small, scratchy ones).

Front desk people are super-nice. They set out a simple continental breakfast of yogurt, donuts, juice, banana bread in the morning. Papers are at your doorstep in the morning. I called a week ahead, and Claire at the front desk even arranged babysitting for all seven of the kids in our group (all girls ages 3-12) so that the adults could go out by ourselves one night!

Outdoor pool is not heated enough to swim in during the winter (heated to about 88 degree, I believe), so the kids just used the hot tub instead.

Our friends' even-numbered unit had a nice view of the woods and mountain in back. Saw a fox walking around there a couple times - he appeared to be living right there in that area. This was also an area where we would see people walking around with their dogs, so just know there are a good number of fox. You see fox crossing signs. Odd number units like ours had views of the street, but could still see the mountains.

Skiing: Kids enjoyed their all-day lessons. Definitely register on-line, and then get there the afternoon before (after 3:30 pm, but before they close at 4:30 pm) to check in, get sized for skis and boots, etc. This saves a lot of time and crowds in the morning. Did the same for the adult rentals. Rent on-line, then get there the day before for fitting.

During lessons, they have these nice conveyer belts to carry the beginner skiers up a short ways. Much better than tow ropes or having to shuffle up the hill!

I am a cautious skiier and wanted to stay down low on the mountain, but my friends (who are all good skiers) had scoped out the top of the mountain and said it was ok for beginners. They were right! We went up Centennial lift, and then took the next one, Drink of Water lift, up to the top. Much less crowded up there, making it easier for us beginners! Our kids did fine up there as well! Went down Red Buffalo most of the time. But not our 3-year-old. She fell asleep during her ski lesson, so we had to just enroll her into the daycare, and we ate the cost of her lesson and two-day ski rental. But the rest of us enjoyed.

Restaurants: Beaver Creek Village has plenty of good restaurants for the family, but better go early if you have a large group (like us with 3 families together). It was either eat dinner at 5 or eat at 8. And even to eat at 8, you better put your name in an hour ahead of time. All the casual places do not take reservations, so it's first-come, first serve. All of them are pricey. Only Blue Moose Pizza seemed reasonable. We ate with all our families at Toscanini's, Blue Moose, Dirty Cowboy. All were good for the family. Went to Coyote Cafe just with adults - has more of a frat party atmosphere and was on the smaller side, so I'm glad we didn't take the kids there. There is a small game room next to Dirty Cowboy where we would go to kill time while waiting for our table to be ready. Worked out well.

Expense: Yes, everything up here is way overpriced and expensive. So just be prepared for that. At lunchtime, when we were on the slopes, we would eat at cafeteria style places (like McCoy's at the Hyatt or Saddleridge Lodge on the mountain), and we could never get away with less than $40 for two people. At McCoys, I just had one piece of lasagna with a small side salad; husband had a chicken sandwich with fries; we each had a soda. Bill was $42 dollars. The sodas alone are a little over $5. So yes, be prepared for sticker shock.

Transportation: Since we stayed so close to the Hyatt, we definitely did not need a car while we were at Beaver Creek. Were able to walk to the village all the time (and I am the type of person that doesn't like to walk any farther than I have to). And at the end of the evening, we called for the shuttle to take us back.

So we didn't rent a car. Just hired Vail Coach services to pick us up at Eage Creek/Vail airport and also to take us back at the end of our trip. They even stopped at a grocery store in Edwards for us on the way so that we could stock up on basics before getting to the condo. Much better than having to use the general store in the Village, since it is a much more limited selection there as well as much higher prices. I would definitely use their services again.

Extras: The girls loved ice skating at the rink in the village. Tried to skate during disco skate time in the evening, but it was crowded, and they ran out of all the skate sizes that we needed for our kids and adults. So we went first thing in the morning when they opened at 10 am - much nicer because empty! Girls loved it!

And the free cookies at the end of the ski day can be found at the top of the stairs, mountain level, near where the ski school overnight ski storage trailer is (and near where they set out the pictures that the photographers took that day of your kids at ski school). So at 3 pm, be sure to find the white-coated servers with the silver trays of warm cookies there!

Despite the exorbitant expense, I would definitely go back to Kiva and Beaver Creek again. Next time, though, I wouldn't mind trying out the Park Hyatt. They have a ski concierge so that you don't have to deal with the hassle of getting out and putting your skis away each day!

Great getaway for the family and for all levels of skiers!