Facility Overview

Situated along Prater Road and US Highway 6 in Avon, Colorado, the Bear Lot serves as one of the premier designated parking portals for Beaver Creek Resort. As a sprawling, open-air surface parking facility, it is designed specifically to handle substantial alpine traffic, welcoming day skiers, snowboarders, outdoor adventurers, and local visitors. Because this is an open-sky lot without parking decks or overhead garage portals, there are no vertical clearance restrictions, making it exceptionally accommodating for high-clearance four-wheel-drive trucks, full-size SUVs with rooftop ski boxes and bike racks, and passenger vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

The Bear Lot is strategically positioned at the base of the mountain corridor in Avon, providing seamless connectivity to world-class alpine recreation and local amenities:

• Beaver Creek Resort & Village: Seamlessly reached via frequent, complimentary resort shuttle buses departing right from the transit shelters within the lot, delivering passengers directly to the Village escalators, Centennial Express Lift (Chair 6), and Strawberry Park Express Lift within an 8- to 12-minute scenic ride.
• Harry A. Nottingham Park & Pavilion: Located less than a 5-minute drive (approx. 1 mile) away, hosting seasonal festivals, outdoor ice skating, open-water paddling, and community performances.
• Downtown Avon Dining & Shopping: Just minutes away across US-6, offering access to grocery stores, ski rental outfits, coffee shops, and local apres-ski breweries.
• Vilar Performing Arts Center: Located up in Beaver Creek Village, easily reached using the direct shuttle connection from Bear Lot for evening concerts and theatrical performances.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can access the Bear Lot effortlessly via Interstate 70 (Exit 167 for Avon). After descending through the roundabout system toward US Highway 6, the entrance on Prater Road is clearly marked with large digital and static highway signage. The lot features dedicated transit shelters where free Beaver Creek resort shuttles run continuously throughout the ski season—often arriving every 5 to 10 minutes during peak morning load-in and afternoon download periods. Regional transit connections, including the Avon Transit local loops and Eagle County Transit (ECO Transit) routes along US-6, are also accessible nearby for travel across Vail Valley.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Expansive open-air asphalt layout designed for straightforward snow clearing and vehicle maneuvering.
• No height barriers or ceiling limits, comfortably accommodating rooftop racks and tall SUVs.
• Dedicated covered passenger waiting shelters with seating and real-time transit information.
• Frequent, complimentary shuttle bus service directly to Beaver Creek Village drop-off.
• Well-demarcated ADA accessible parking bays located adjacent to primary shuttle boarding islands.
• High-efficiency illumination across all parking rows for early-morning arrivals and evening returns.
• Pay stations and mobile payment compatibility (where seasonal or peak parking fees apply).

Ideal For

• Day skiers and snowboarders heading to Beaver Creek Resort seeking budget-friendly base parking.
• Families and groups traveling in oversized SUVs or trucks with rooftop winter equipment.
• Summer hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers exploring the Beaver Creek trail network.
• Event attendees visiting Avon and Beaver Creek Village for winter races or summer concert series.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Bear Lot fills quickly on peak powder days, winter weekends, and major holiday weeks (such as Christmas through New Year\'s and Presidents\' Day weekend). Plan to arrive before 8:30 AM on high-volume days to secure a spot close to the shuttle stop. Keep in mind that overnight camping and sleeping in vehicles is strictly prohibited to facilitate overnight snow plowing and winter maintenance. Always double-check current seasonal parking policies, as parking is often free during weekdays and off-peak periods, with nominal daily rates or carpool incentives (vehicles with 4+ passengers often parking for free or reduced rates) implemented during peak winter weekends.