Finding your perfect mountain home

Ski season has officially arrived! That means Denver families are beginning their weekend treks to the mountains for powder, cozy fires and aprés treats.

And there’s nothing like having a home to land in after a long day on the slopes.

Everyone’s heard of Breckenridge, Vail and Winter Park, but less know of the attractive enclave just a few miles west of Vail off of I-70 — Lake Creek Valley. It’s one of the secrets of Eagle County, and just about a two-hour drive from Denver.

As an expert in the Denver neighborhood lifestyle, I meet many clients interested in buying their complementary mountain home. By talking with them and my colleagues I’ve learned a lot about the Colorado mountain home markets that serve Denver families well. This guide on buying your mountain home is meant to supplement your Denver neighborhood real estate knowledge.

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Lake Creek Valley

Just west of Edwards and Beaver Creek, Lake Creek is a little-known enclave. This local Eagle County spot remains unexplored by most Front Rangers.

Read previous posts in the mountain home series: Buffalo Creek, Breckenridge-Frisco and Winter Park.

Driving south on Lake Creek Road, epic mountain views greet you as you leave I-70 and a busy world behind. This valley feels like a new mountain nook that you alone are exploring for the first time.

The homes are impressive — even the owner of Architectural Digest owns a home here. The plots are large and space is plenty. For example, I would love to see this recently sold home.

Lake Creek is one of the hottest spots in Eagle County. Look here if you have a bit more room in your budget and want to escape from the world. The commute from Denver is also a bit longer than more well-known spots but it’s still a doable weekend distance — over two hours, barring weather and traffic.

On the south end of the neighborhood, two trailheads lie at the foot of the Sawatch range — enjoy these trails all to yourself.

For a return to the world, the shops, boutiques and restaurants at the Riverwalk at Edwards are just a 10- to 15-minute drive away.

Eagle County is growing fast — 41,000 more people are expecting to move here by 2040 — and inventory is low, so be prepared to turn up the heat on your house hunt if you decide you want to take the plunge.

Getting into a home at Lake Creek starts at about $1.5 million — comparable to a hot Denver luxury home. Homes can run up to $9 million.