A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Calgary vs. Beaver Creek for Families, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Calgary and Beaver Creek can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Calgary

Calgary is a western, local, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek is a active, adventurous, and charming town. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Calgary and Beaver Creek: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beaver Creek. Although Calgary and Beaver Creek are popular destinations, Beaver Creek has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beaver Creek is very popular for its skiing, theatre productions, food, resorts, and hiking, while Calgary attracts visitors for its museums & sights and nightlife. Beaver Creek is more touristy than Calgary and is popular for its skiing and charming atmosphere It is also well known for Beaver Creek Golf Club. Calgary is famous for its farming and oil industries as well as the Calgary Stampede.

How is Calgary different from Beaver Creek?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaver Creek and Calgary. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Skiing?

Beaver Creek is an unbeatable place for winter skiing. However, Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a top ski destination with 26 lifts and 149 different trails. It climbs to an elevation of 11,440 feet and the village is filled with ski-in/ski-out accommodation. There's also an excellent ski school.

Calgary is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Calgary is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

Calgary is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's worth visiting the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, the Hangar Flight Museum, and Heritage Park, among others.

Beaver Creek does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Theater?

Beaver Creek is not so good for its theatre productions. However, Calgary is not a theatre destination.

Beaver Creek has a few theater choices. There are a couple of art galleries around town.

Calgary is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Calgary or Beaver Creek? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaver Creek is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Beaver Creek. There are many great dining options where you can enjoy a meal after working up an appetite on the slopes. The cuisine has many mountain classics as well as fine dining and more casual restaurants.

Calgary may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The food scene is constantly evolving and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants. The city is known for its beef, so you should definitely sample a local steak.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Nightlife?

Calgary is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Beaver Creek is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Calgary has a few options to choose from. Visitors often head to Stephen Avenue Walk for its bars and pubs. There's also a decent theater scene around town.

Most people don't head to Beaver Creek specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. You won't find a wild nightlife scene, but most of the activities center around the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Resorts?

Beaver Creek is a town with good options for its resorts. However, Calgary is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Beaver Creek makes a nice vacation spot. There are many resorts in the area including the Westin and the Hyatt.

Calgary is not a resort destination.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Hiking?

Beaver Creek is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calgary is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Beaver Creek. The surrounding countryside is filled with trails that take you through flowered meadows, along scenic ridgelines, and to the top of dramatic peaks. During the warmer months, hiking is a wonderful way to enjoy the area.

Calgary is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Beaver Creek and Calgary.

Calgary offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of independent shops around town as well as some great shopping neighborhoods. Make sure you check out Fourth Street and 17th Avenue. There are also large shopping malls.

Beaver Creek has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The village has pedestrian streets that are lined with fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, sporting equipment stores, and art galleries.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Families?

Beaver Creek is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Beaver Creek is an extremely popular town to visit for families. This is one of the most kid-friendly ski resorts in the country. There's a ski and snowboard school where kids can enjoy private or group lessons as well as other fun activities for kids. There are also many family-friendly restaurants in the area.

Calgary offers lots of family activities. There are a surprising number of things around town to do with kids such as petting zoos, museums, and even amusement parks. The Calgary Zoo is worth a visit, but also make sure you check out Calaway Park Amusement Park and the Telus Spark science center.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Couples?

Beaver Creek is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Calgary is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Beaver Creek frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic resorts nearby as well as great adventure sports, skiing, snowboarding, and a beautiful setting.

Calgary is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find outdoor sports, boat tours, and plenty of great restaurants around town. If you're looking for a low key destination with a great vibe, then this is a great city for a weekend trip.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Calgary is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Beaver Creek is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Calgary. A surprising number of backpackers end up passing through town, so you'll find a handful of hostels to choose from.

Beaver Creek is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many facilities that cater to backpackers.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calgary and Beaver Creek.

You'll find some public transit in Calgary, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system is relatively efficient with both light rail and buses.

While Beaver Creek offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There free transportation that's offered by Village Transportation.

Is Calgary or Beaver Creek a more walkable city?

Beaver Creek is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. However, Calgary is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Beaver Creek on foot is easy. It's a quaint little village that is very walkable.

Calgary is generally not a very walkable city. While there are a couple of walkable neighborhood's around town, it's definitely not the most walkable city.

For even more information, also check out Is Calgary Worth Visiting? and Is Beaver Creek Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaver Creek or Calgary?

How long in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Both Calgary and Beaver Creek have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beaver Creek than in Calgary. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Calgary, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beaver Creek.

Families should spend more time in Beaver Creek than Calgary. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaver Creek, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaver Creek than Calgary. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaver Creek that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calgary than Beaver Creek if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Calgary.

One day in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

In Calgary, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Beaver Creek, you'll find shopping and skiing. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Calgary is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Beaver Creek, you'll find skiing and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the local destination of Calgary. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Beaver Creek is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beaver Creek has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Calgary or Beaver Creek?

Calgary is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaver Creek. In Beaver Creek, you'll find shopping and skiing. One reason most visitors come is for the skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calgary and Beaver Creek, we can see that Beaver Creek is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaver Creek would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaver Creek than you might in Calgary.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Calgary Expensive? and Is Beaver Creek Expensive?.