Historic Beaver Village Lodge is no more

The iconic Beaver Village Lodge was demolished last week June 11. For 85 years, the building, with its distinctive A-Frame, has marked the east entrance of Winter Park, signaling to visitors and residents that they are back in Grand County from a trip down Berthoud Pass. The building, also known as Beavers, opened in 1940, the same year the ski area opened.

The Beavers was a beloved lodge for generations, welcoming visitors to stay in its rooms, swim in the pool and boat in the pond. The building also once operated as guest ranch, offering horseback rides and Western ambiance.

As years passed, the lodge fell into disrepair. It stopped serving guests in the late 2010s. Before its demolition, the fire department considered it one of the most dangerous buildings in Grand County, with many sections not up to code.

Crews with the Roam development began demolishing the building on June 12. In its place, upcoming Roam Community Clubhouse will be built

Roam, comprised of 218 residential units and 23,000 sq. ft. of commercial space in the first phase, is an extension of the stewards of the land vision set forth by Bob Fanch, co-owner of Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa.

According to Roam’s website, the clubhouse will “incorporate key architectural elements of the historic Beaver Village Lodge and is designed as a gathering place.”

Roam added that residents of its development and the community at large will be able to use amenities in the clubhouse, such as a game room and pool.