Red Tail Rafting Guest Deals

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Valarie

Looking for something different to do in Winter Park? Consider an adventure on the Colorado River. Winter Park Lodging by Owner and Red Tail Rafting have teamed up to offer our guests 10% off raft trips. Red Tail Rafting offers full and half-day trips on the Upper Colorado River, which consists of Class II and Class III rapids, so you can sit back and relax most of the trip but still get a little excitement here and there. The trip is an excellent activity for families - even kids as little as four years old can come along.

There is a relaxing natural hot spring on the bank of the river about mid-way and as well as the famous “Jump Rock”, a spot where some of the guides will jump off (though I’m not sure guests are allowed). Regular prices for a full day is $65/pp and a 1/2 day is $50/pp, but if you’re a guest of Winter Park Lodging by Owner, the prices are $58.50 or $45. Snacks and transportation are provided.

Just mention that you’re a guest of Winter Park Lodging by Owner when you arrange your river trip with Red Tail Rafting. To book, give them a call at 888-8-GO-RAFT or check out the Red Tail Rafting website for more info.

Cheeky Deals at Cheeky Monk this Mud Season

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Valarie

The Cheeky Monk, the brand-new restaurant at the Winter Park Resort base specializing in Belgium beers and gourmet food, is open all of the mud season and is offering enticing specials to bring you in. Starting this Sunday, May 10th, they will we doing weekly beer-pairing dinners each Sunday for a great price. Each meal is three courses designed to pair well with one of their specialty beers (they have nearly 50).

This week, they are offering the following menu:
First Course
Roasted Fennel and Orange Salad with Cocoa Dressing paired with Triple Karmeleit

Second Course
Cocoa Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Puree and Chocolate Cherry Compote paired with Bacchus

Third Course
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake, White Chocolate Sorbet paired with Kasteel Rouge

All of this for only $20!

Starting at 5:30 pm each Sunday through mud season and possibly throughout the summer. For upcoming menus call (970) 726-6871. They’re located at 130 Parry Peak Way, at the Winter Park Village. Check out this article by the local paper or their cool website for more info about the restaurant that promises a truly unique and delicious experience in Winter Park.

Favorite Winter Park Summer Activities

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Amy

Rodeo in Fraser

There’s so much to do in Winter Park, that if you only have a few days, it can be overwhelming. Here are my favorite 5 things to do in the summertime.

1) Hike/walk the Columbine Lake trail (easy, pretty, not too many people)

2) Eat outside at Carver’s Bakery.

3) Bike the Flume Trail in Fraser (pretty easy as far as mountain biking goes)

4) Ride the Alpine Slide at Winter Park Resort – goes faster than you’d think!

5) Go to the High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser on Saturday nights. A truly Western experience!

Winter Park Summer Vacation for Under $750

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Chris

Hike a Trail - it doesn't cost a dime!

With us all hearing (and thinking) about the recession these days, we thought we’d spell out how inexpensive a summer vacation can be in one of the best places to BE in the summer – Winter Park, Colorado. How’s this for frugal but also very fun?

Lodging for 3 nights at the brand new Trailhead Lodges in downtown Winter Park- one bedroom that sleeps 4 = $472.82

Day 1:

Rent bikes ($40) and cruise the Fraser River Trail. Have a picnic along the trail ($10) and check out a moose by the river. Concert in the Park on Tuesday night (just across the road from your condo): FREE, Bring dinner to the concert ($27.18 for some good sandwiches and chips from Safeway)

Day 2: Hang out at Winter Park Resort and ride the alpine slide, play mini-golf, try the maze, and eat at Cheeky Monk in the new Village at Winter Park (get a free beer by mentioning our name!). Total: $75. Eat in at night so the worn out little ones can rest. Pop in a DVD (free!) from the condo to entertain. ($20)

Day 3: Drive to Grand Lake and walk around the town and shops (free unless you buy something you fancy!). Have a yummy shake in town ($10 for all 4 of you) or ice cream. Lunch is cheap there too. Rent paddle boats and enjoy ($20). Find a trail and go for a hike (free!). If you’re there for 4th of July, enjoy the parade!

Drive back to WP and walk to dinner at the Mirasol with our 15% off coupon: $45 (food for all, salsa bar & drinks for the ‘rents)

Day 4: Sad to go, but you had a great time and made memories for life, not to mention some holiday card contenders!

TOTAL TALLY: $720 ($30 to spare so you can go out to breakfast one morning)

Ride the Skies of Winter Park in a Hot Air Balloon

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Amy

It’s such a strange combination of feelings when you ride in a hot air balloon. Last summer, my mom and I went for a ride and I have never been so exhilerated and then pacified at the same time. By the time I got over my fear, I realized how absolutely peaceful it was to be so high in the sky with nothing around you, including noise. I would recommend a trip in a balloon to everyone who visits our wonderful valley. Jack and Sue, of Grand Adventure Balloon Tours, take you on a first class trip and then celebrate your return to the ground with a champagne toast. For reservations and information call 970. 887.1340, or visit the web site at rides@grandadventureballoon.com.

A visit by the VRBO Bear to Winter Park!

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Amy

As the snow began to melt a few months ago, the bears started coming out of hibernation. We were lucky enough to have the VRBO Bear choose one of our properties, Telemark 698, as her first adventure of the season. This is quite an honor to have the bear stay at your home. Here’s what she said “Nestled in the pines of Winter Park, Colorado our family was in bear heaven in this luxurious, yet comfortable townhome.” Check out the full review of the bear who was happier with her visit to Winter Park than Pooh Bear with a full pot of honey. Give us a call now to make your reservation before all the bears discover the fun to be had in WP in the summer. 877.329.1383

Tell Us What YOU Like Best About Winter Park and Win THREE Free Nights of Lodging

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Chris

Zephyr Mountain Lodge Lobby

It’s pretty simple. Respond to this post with your favorite thing about Winter Park. Maybe it’s a favorite ski trail, bike trail, or shop. Maybe it’s a great meal you had, or a fun time long ago. Or maybe you haven’t been to Winter Park but want to get here and tell us what you’ve heard would probably be your favorite thing.

We will pick the winner the old fashioned way: we’ll put everyone’s name in a hat and draw the lucky winner. The winner will get three nights free lodging this summer at either Zephyr 2419 (one bedroom in the Winter Park Base Village) or Winter Park Place 16 (a quiet two bedroom in Old Town Winter Park).

It’s that easy!

Oh, and if another response triggers a memory, feel free to comment on that too!

Drawing will be held June 1, 2009 and the winner will be announced on this blog.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Chris

With a signature from Woodrow Wilson in 1915 Rocky Mountain National Park was established. The tenth U.S. National Park is 358 square miles of lush green valleys and streams to the wind swept top of Longs Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park is a grand living display of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. From the wet grassy valleys to Longs Peak summit at 14,259 ft. the park is a visual masterpiece. If you have not visited the park I recommend you do so. The Rocky is just a short drive of about 40 minutes (25 miles) from Winter Park and Fraser. See map.

The activities are endless in the summer: hiking, fishing, biking, scenic drives, camping, and climbing and mountaineering. There is something at the park for everyone especially the kids. Activities in the winter are a bit more limited but just as fun if not more. And in the fall the buggling elk are something to behold. The park is open everyday of the year!

Park entrance fees are $20 per car and $10 per person on motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds and scooters. There are also camping fees for overnight stays.

A wonderful day trip can be had driving to Grand Lake for breakfast then a nice drive thru the park with a late lunch in Estes Park and a return trip back to Winter Park for dinner.

Winter Park Golf Deals

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Lodging by Owner has teamed up with Pole Creek Golf Club and Grand Elk Golf Club to bring our guests a 10% discount on green fees at the two clubs. Just mention that you booked with Winter Park Lodging by Owner when setting your tee time and you will get a 10% discount. These are the premier golf courses in Grand County. Pole Creek was named the #1 Public Course in Colorado and Grand Elk was voted #3 best new course in Colorado.

On top of the 10% off your green fees Winter Park Lodging by Owner is offering 15% your entire lodging when you mention the Winter Park Loging by Owner golf blog.

Come on up to the beautiful Rocky Mountains to play some golf.

Winter Park Resort Opens for Summer

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Resort will open for 2009 summer season on June 13, 2009. All of the favorite activities are back: alpine slide, human maze, the bungee trampoline, the Gyro, miniature golf , outdoor climbing wall and the Zephyr lift.

Hours of operation are from 10AM to 5:30 PM with the Zephyr lift closing at 5PM. The Trestle Bike Park opening will be announced later and is dependant on the the weather. The Resort will close down again on Labor Day September 7, 2009 for weekdays but will remain open on weekends through September 26, 2009.

The opening coincides with Race #1 of the Winter Park Mountain Bike Series. The Village restaurants and shops will be open also.

If you haven’t been to Winter Park in the summer you are missing out. The saying goes “You come to Winter Park for the winter but end up staying for the summer”.