Where do you go to turn off “go mode,” lose track of time and recharge? For me, it was the edge of wild at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.

The luxury mountain resort sits at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. Hiking trails and forests surround it in summer. During winter, guests enjoy ski-in, ski-out access from the Bachelor Gulch Express lift.

I arrived desperately needing a solo weekend filled with hiking, fabulous food and a little pampering. The Ritz delivered so well that I extended my stay another night.

Arriving at a Grand Mountain Lodge

The resort’s lodge-inspired architecture features massive timbers, natural stone and a soaring three-story fireplace. Its “parkitecture” design takes inspiration from grand lodges in America’s national parks.

Despite a large wedding taking place that weekend, the staff made me feel like the only guest arriving. That warm service continued throughout my stay.

My spacious room had a large bathroom and balcony overlooking the pool and forest. The moment I opened the door, I let out a long “aaahhhhh.” My weekend of letting go had officially begun.

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Dining With a Mountain View

After settling in, I headed to Buffalos for an early dinner. My house-made veggie burger, truffle fries and glass of rosé were perfect after the drive from Denver.

I took a second glass outside and settled into an Adirondack chair. Children played on the lawn while couples and wedding guests gathered nearby. The sun slowly dipped behind the surrounding mountains.

That patio captures what makes the resort special. You can enjoy polished service and a lovely glass of wine while sitting steps from the forest.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch currently has several dining options. WYLD serves regionally inspired dishes in an upscale setting. Sakaba specializes in sushi, while Buffalos offers mountain gastropub fare.

The Great Room remains one of my favorite spaces. Comfortable seating surrounds its towering stone fireplace and expansive windows frame the mountain.

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Hiking Around Bachelor Gulch

My Saturday started with a group hike led by the resort’s general manager, Steve Janicek. His daughter, niece and several guests joined us.

The real star was Bachelor, a rather well-fed Saint Bernard and beloved canine ambassador.

We started near Mamie’s Mountain Grill and hiked through aspen groves, meadows and open ski runs. Mountain views appeared around nearly every bend.

While talking with the group, I said something that still guides my travels: “I live for experiences, not things.” Nature has a wonderful way of creating conversations that go deeper than small talk.

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After the mellow morning hike,  I headed out to hike from Bachelor Gulch to Beaver Creek.  Caitlyn at concierge desk mapped out a village-to-village hike for me.

The chairlift right from the Ritz was running that Saturday.  So, I took a ride up to Mamie’s, listened to some live music and sipped a little sparkling Italian wine in the sunshine as a break in between trails.

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Later, I headed out again for a longer solo adventure. I followed Daybreak Ridge to the Village-to-Village Trail, then continued toward Beaver Creek Village.

I added a little extra mileage by connecting with Beaver Lake Trail and Five Senses Trail. Apparently, one morning hike wasn’t enough. After grabbing a post-hike snack, I called for the shuttle for the fast way back to the Ritz.  I’d logged enough miles for the day!

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Dinner at WYLD

Having worked up a huge appetite, I was ready for a memorable dinner dining al fresco back at WYLD.

I started with a ginger cocktail before working my way through ceviche, beet salad and sea scallops. A crisp French Sauvignon Blanc paired beautifully with the scallops.

Dessert was a lemon meringue tart with the meringue on the bottom. It was a playful twist on a classic and a delicious finale.

The food was exceptional, but the conversations made the evening. Staff members stopped to chat about food, wine, travel and their dreams. I was dining solo, yet never felt alone.

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Sunday Sunrise and Hike

Sunday morning, I got up early for coffee at sunrise. There was a crispness in the air with temperatures in the 50s as a hint of fall soon arriving.

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I hiked again with Steve and Bachelor. As we made our way down the mountain, he made a comment about how blessed he felt to live and work in Bachelor Gulch, right at the edge of wild.

Stand on the mountainside terrace of the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch and you’ll understand exactly what he means.  You’re in the lap of luxury, yet just steps away from the rugged beauty of the forest that attracted the seven bachelors who made it their home so many years ago.

Relaxing at the Bachelor Gulch Spa

Next on my agenda was the resort’s expansive spa. Steve offered a piece of wisdom I couldn’t dispute: You can’t get a stress-relief massage and immediately jump into I-70 traffic. It defeats the purpose.

He was right, so I extended my stay.

The 21,000-square-foot Bachelor Gulch Spa has treatment rooms, steam rooms, saunas and hot and cold plunges. My massage worked wonders on my tired hiking muscles.

I lingered in the Grotto afterward and drifted into a short nap. Another poolside nap followed later that afternoon. Clearly, it’s easy to embrace relaxation here.

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Sunday Brunch and Pool Time

With morning quickly turning into afternoon, I partook in the lovely Sunday jazz brunch.  As the saying goes, “It’s not brunch without a mimosa.”

Keeping relaxation vibes high, it’s easy for brunch to roll right into chill time at the pool.  The brunch patio and pool are right next to each other. Sitting in the sun or reading in the shade, it’s easy for the buzz of families enjoying the pool to lull you to doze into dreamland for an afternoon nap by the pool.

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Last Blissful Night

In the late afternoon, Fireside Bar & Daniel’s BBQ is the perfect spot to sip a refreshing frozen rosé.

Needing to do a little screen time on my computer, I had dinner in the Great Room. My favorite spot in the Ritz has a three-story stone and wood-burning fireplace surrounded by lots of seating nooks and expansive windows looking out to the mountain. I ordered the cast iron nachos, and didn’t even make a dent in the huge portion of deliciousness.

It’s the perfect ending to a last blissful night on the edge of wild, in full luxe style.

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Is The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Worth It?

The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch blends mountain adventure with polished luxury. In winter, the location provides direct access to Beaver Creek’s ski terrain. Summer and fall bring hiking, biking, golf and golden aspen views.

My weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch offered exactly what I needed: miles on the trail, wonderful meals and quiet moments in the spa. The resort sits in the lap of luxury, yet the rugged beauty of the Rockies begins just outside.

That is the magic of staying on the edge of wild.

If you’d rather stay in Beaver Creek Village, check out my post on a late summer weekend in Beaver Creek.