Quick Info
When: 3:00 PM daily during ski season. Where: Base of the escalators in Beaver Creek Village. Cost: Free. Quantity: About 3,500 cookies per day.
Every afternoon at 3pm, something happens at Beaver Creek that doesn't happen at other ski resorts: staff in crisp uniforms distribute freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to anyone who wants one. It's been happening since the resort opened in 1980, and it's become as much a part of the Beaver Creek experience as the skiing itself.
The Tradition
The cookie program started on opening day and hasn't stopped since. The concept was simple—welcome tired skiers back to the village with a warm cookie and a smile. Four decades later, it's become legendary.
The resort bakes roughly 3,500 cookies every ski day. That's over a million cookies per season. The recipe has remained essentially unchanged: semi-sweet chocolate chips, real butter, and a soft, chewy texture that stays warm in the mountain air.
Where to Find Them
Primary location: The base of the escalators where skiers return to the village. Staff members in Beaver Creek uniforms hold trays of cookies. You can't miss them.
Other locations: Cookies are sometimes distributed at the base of certain lifts and at Bachelor Gulch Lodge. The main village distribution is the most reliable.
Timing: Distribution starts at 3pm sharp. Arrive a few minutes early if you want to be in the first wave. Cookies typically last until late afternoon, but popular days can run out.
The Recipe
Beaver Creek has shared its recipe publicly—they're not secretive about it. The magic is in the execution: baked on-site, served warm, timed perfectly. You can make them at home, but it won't be quite the same.
Key elements: semi-sweet Guittard chocolate chips, softened butter, brown and white sugar, and a slightly underbaked center. They're meant to be eaten immediately, still warm.
Why It Matters
The cookies represent something about Beaver Creek's philosophy. While other resorts compete on terrain statistics and lift speed, Beaver Creek competes on experience. The cookies cost money to produce and generate no direct revenue. But they create a moment—a small, deliberate kindness that skiers remember.
It's hospitality for hospitality's sake, which is increasingly rare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get more than one?
Officially, one per person. Practically, if you're polite and there are plenty, staff usually oblige. Don't be greedy—there are enough to share.
Are they available in summer?
Yes, during summer operations. The tradition continues when the resort is open, regardless of season.
Do they ever run out?
Rarely at the main location. Satellite distribution points might run short on busy days. The 3pm start time is consistent.
Can I buy them?
The distributed cookies are free. Some on-mountain restaurants and bakeries sell similar cookies if you want extras to take home.