Edwards Ski Guide
Edwards is the value base for the Vail Valley, a real working town with a riverside center about fifteen minutes from both Beaver Creek and Vail, and it suits families and longer stays happy to trade ski in ski out for lower nightly rates and a short daily drive or bus to the lifts.
Reviewed for the 2026 season by the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team
Photos via Google.
Where does Edwards sit and how do you reach the lifts?
Edwards sits in the Eagle River valley west of the two ski mountains, roughly 14 miles from Vail and about 10 to 12 miles from Beaver Creek, which works out to a drive of around fifteen to twenty minutes to either base in normal conditions. There are no lifts in Edwards itself, so every ski day starts with a short hop up the valley by car or on the free valley bus network that links Edwards, Avon, Beaver Creek and Vail on regular seasonal routes.
The practical upshot is that Edwards trades doorstep skiing for position and price. You are central to both resorts rather than committed to one, which is rare in the valley, but you do drive or ride a little each morning. For a group that wants Beaver Creek one day and Vail the next without paying resort village rates, that central position is the whole point. Source figures for the distances are linked below.
What is the village of Edwards actually like?
Edwards is a genuine year round town rather than a built for tourists ski village, and it is the largest population center in the valley outside the resort bases, with a little over 11,000 residents at the 2020 census. The heart of it is Riverwalk, a compact modern center beside the Eagle River with restaurants, cafes, a grocery, shops and services within walking distance of each other.
That gives Edwards a different feel from a manicured resort plaza. You eat where locals and resort staff eat, prices are closer to everyday Colorado than to a slopeside dining room, and the town keeps running outside ski season. The flip side is that the evening is quiet and spread out. There is no buzzing apres ski scene by the lifts and no pedestrian only village core, so if a lively walk out your door at five o'clock matters to you, Edwards will feel low key.
Where should you stay in Edwards?
Stay in or near Riverwalk if you want to walk to dinner, or take a condo or house rental further out if space and a kitchen matter more than walkability. The lodging mix leans toward an inn at Riverwalk, condominiums and private rentals rather than large branded resort hotels, which is exactly why a week here costs less than the same week at the foot of Beaver Creek.
For a family or a group of friends self catering, the math is favorable: nightly rates in town typically sit a clear step below slopeside, and the saving across a week of a $4,000 to $8,000 per person trip is real money that can go toward lift passes, lessons or a guide. Book a place with parking and easy bus access and you keep the daily commute painless.
How do you get to Edwards?
The closest airport is Eagle County Regional Airport, about 25 to 30 minutes west of Edwards, with seasonal flights from several US hubs, which is the easiest way in for a ski week. The bigger alternative is Denver International, roughly two hours east by road, which has far more flights but adds a mountain drive that can be slow after snow.
Whichever airport you use, prebook a transfer or a rental car, because you will want wheels in the valley for the daily run to the lifts and for reaching dinner in town. Lift passes, ski hire, transfers, lessons and travel insurance can all be arranged ahead through #AFFILIATE_LIFTPASS, #AFFILIATE_SKIHIRE, #AFFILIATE_TRANSFER, #AFFILIATE_LESSONS and #AFFILIATE_INSURANCE.
Who should base in Edwards and who should skip it?
Base in Edwards if you are price aware, want easy access to both Beaver Creek and Vail, and value a real town with everyday restaurants and a kitchen over a slopeside address. It is a strong call for families and longer stays where the weekly saving on lodging and dining is the deciding factor.
Skip Edwards if your idea of a ski holiday is clicking out of your boots into a hotel lobby, or if you do not want to drive or catch a bus each morning. In that case stay at Beaver Creek or Vail and pay for the doorstep convenience. Edwards is the smart base, not the effortless one.
Is Edwards right for your trip?
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Skiing near Edwards
These resorts are within reach of Edwards, each with our full review:
- Beaver Creek. The polished, family friendly mountain about fifteen minutes up the valley, with groomed cruisers and a quieter feel than Vail.
- Vail. The huge back bowls and one of North America's largest ski areas, roughly a twenty minute drive from Edwards.
Common questions
How far is Edwards from Vail?
Edwards is about 14 miles east of Vail, which is normally a fifteen to twenty minute drive along the valley. You can also use the free valley bus, though it is slower than driving. There are no lifts in Edwards itself, so plan to travel to the mountain each morning.
How far is Edwards from Beaver Creek?
Beaver Creek is roughly 10 to 12 miles from Edwards, around fifteen minutes by car. That central position between the two resorts is the main reason to base in Edwards, since you can choose either mountain on any given day.
Is Edwards a good base for families?
Yes. Edwards suits families well because condo and house rentals with kitchens cost less than slopeside lodging, the town has everyday restaurants and a grocery, and both Beaver Creek and Vail are a short drive away. The trade off is the daily commute to the lifts.
Do you need a car in Edwards?
A car is strongly recommended in Edwards. While a free valley bus links the town to Avon, Beaver Creek and Vail, having your own vehicle makes the morning run to the lifts and evening trips to dinner far easier, especially across a full week.
Book the extras and save
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