Ski Winter Park | Old Winter Park Ski Brochure

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Resort ski brochure

I thought this old ski brochure for Winter Park was cool. Look at the prices $5.00 for a day of skiing in 1968. The lodging prices are very nice too! $20.00 to $28.00 for two people at Beaver’s. They were even having fashion shows there. It really must have been a hoot. Check out the trail map. What is there 6 lifts and not a whole lot of ski-able terrain. This map was done for the 1967/1968 ski year, that is the year I was born. My first time up to Winter Park was in 1973. Man has the resort changed. Bigger, bigger and better! Winter Park ski resort is now one of the top destination resorts in Colorado and is internationally recognized as one of the best resort for families and bump skiing. It has also won awards for their terrain parks, disabled skiing program and their environmentally sound design. The University of Colorado and the University of Denver as well as the US Special Olympics teams all train here. Looking at the above trail map all I can think is WOW! what changes in the last 40 years.

Mary Jane at Winter Park Resort | Best Moguls in North America

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Chris

The fall shadows are getting a little more slanted here in Winter Park. The air is starting to feel a bit more crisp in the morning and it has me thinking about skiing already.

So we have been writing lots about Winter Park but we rarely mention Mary Jane. I remember when I was young in Denver and we always referred to sking the Winter Park area as “We were going up to ski the JANE!” We didn’t say Winter Park it was the JANE or MARY JANE. So for those out there that don’t know much about the Jane I thought I would give a little history and accolades to the old dame.

Back in the late 1800′s Mary Jane was a well-known madam and local lady of the evening, Mary Jane’s good fortune for services rendered would turn a lonely sheep trail used for grazing into a highly sought-after path to a winter bed to ease the miners and loggers loneliness.

Mary Jane officially opened for the 1975-76 ski season, costing Winter Park $4.6 million to develop. The complex contained 4 new Poma double chairs, 26,700 square foot lodge, 18 trails, and 350 skiable acres. This increased Winter Park’s acreage by 80 percent.

Above you can see the original Mary Jane ski trail map. Just a bit different from the Mary Jane we know today.

Here are some awards that Winter Park/Mary Jane has won recently:

Winter Park Resort:

National Ski Area Assn. – Silver Eagle Award, “Visual Impact” (2009)
Transworld Snowboard Magazine – “Top 10 Resorts for Pipe”, “Park” and “Resort” (2007)
Westword Magazine – “Best Bumps” (2007)
National Ski Areas Assn.- Silver Eagle Award for Excellence in Visual Impact (2007)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Bronze Achievement Award for “Excellence in Pollution Prevention and Commitment to the Environment” (2007)

Check out Powder magazines write up for Winter Park/Mary Jane for ski season 2008/2009

Lets go ski! Book your Winter Park and Mary Jane lodging now!

Winter Park Events | Colorado Chili Cookoff

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park chili cookoff Saturday and Sunday August 22nd and 23rd the Winter Park Resort is hosting the return of the

Famous Flamethrowers High Altitude Chili Cookoff

This is a free event for spectators and a fun time to sample some chili, salsa, guacamole. Sampling will cost some $$ though. Times and schedule is as follows:

Time
7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Location
Winter Park Ski Resort

AM
7:30-9:00 Set-up and Registration
9:00 ICS Salsa assembly may begin
9:45 Cooks Meeting in Plaza-mandatory (head Judge)10:00 ICS Traditional red preparation/cooking begins
ICS Chili Verde preparation/cooking begins
11:00 GUAC OFF – Guacamole Judging (Saturday only)

PM
12:00 ICS Salsa judging begins
1:00 ICS Chili Verde (green) judging begins
2:00 ICS Traditional Red division judging begins
4:00 Awards Ceremony – all divisions

Note: Public sampling will begin once samples have been submitted to the judging area in each division (12:00, 1:00, 2:00). “Taste Tickets” will be sold to guests at the Cookoff entrance. Taste tickets are 2 for $1 and sampling will begin at noon.

If you would like to enter as a chef see the rules at Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber site.

Skateboard Park in Downtown Winter Park – McTwist!

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Chris

Let's see an ollie!!

If this 5 year old can do it, so can you? We watched all of the local kids of Winter Park last Thursday show their stuff at the skateboard park in downtown Winter Park – in Hideaway Park. What an incredible skateboard park they have created. Jumps, Vert Ramps, Half Pipes, and if I write anymore terms, I’m out of my league.

This little guy was grinding it out and stealing the show. Come on down and be a good spectator, or strap on some knee pads and try out a Caballerial!

Plus, it’s free!

Trailhead Lodges Pool – Concrete complete, opening August 22nd

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Amy

Trailhead Lodges Pool - Almost done!

The outdoor heated pool at Trailhead Lodges in downtown Winter Park is almost done as is the clubhouse and hot tub. Book your lodging at one of our Trailhead Lodges (1 bedroom #512, or 2 bedroom #633 or 2 bedroom #734).

It will be heated and usable all winter!

Winter Park Discounts | Grand Sports Winter Park Colorado

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Chris

I was out the other day riding the mountain bike trails up behind Rendezvous, the best mountain biking in Winter Park, and got a flat. Bonehead me didn’t have a patch, tube or anything. I talked my buddy into fetching a patch kit and we were on our way for a great day of biking. But what this led me to was a chance to get into the Grand Sports shop.

I needed to upgrade my pedals and a bunch of other stuff. Anywho, I got to talking with Dan, the owner, and we now have a set 20% discount on all services and products for Winter Park Lodging Company guests. I highly recommend the Grand Sports Shop. Dan who did the work on my bike was very knowledgeable and is as local as local gets here in Winter Park. They have all you need for your biking and skiing needs. Check out Grand Sports Shop when you are here in Winter Park.

Dan also mentioned they have a bike drop off service for those lacking transport to either of their shops.

Grand Sports in Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Chris

We have another discount partner here in Winter Park, Colorado. Grand Sports is teaming up with the Winter Park Lodging Company to offer 20% of all services and products to all Winter Park Lodging Company guests. Dan the owner is a very friendly, knowledgeable bike man. They have good products in the shop and have everthing you would need in the way of biking. Stop by Grand Sports Shop for all you biking needs when you are up in Winter Park.

Winter Park Restaurants | A Cheeky Monk Review

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Chris

Cheeky Monk Winter Park

My sister came into town this week and stayed at Zephyr at the Winter Park Village. The family, Sarah, Nicholas & Willem, accompanied my sister and her husband for dinner at the Monk. Got there at about 6PM and they were doing a pretty good business. Michael, the manager, said this past weekend was the best weekend of the summer and they were doing good business. Great to hear because Winter Park needs the three restaurants that are in the Village to stick around. Hopefully, they will add one or two more soon. Anywho, Sam (Samantha) was our server and she was fantastic! Knowledgeable, friendly and not shy about recommendations, she made the meal. For food we had two fish & chips and two Waterlooi’s (White broth fish stew) and the kids had a meat plate appetizer. All were very good. The beer was cold and refreshing and the patio was perfect for a summer evening.

We still have a deal with the Cheeky Monk so tell them you are with Winter Park Lodging by Owner or Winter Park Lodging Company and you will get a free Blanche de Bruxelle.

If you you are up in Winter Park check out the Cheeky Monk. Food is good and service is awesome and the beer is cold.

Winter Park 2009/2010 Snow Predictions | El Nino is gonna dump!

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Chris

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an article about El Nino weather on July 9th, stating that they “expect this El Niño to continue developing during the next several months, with further strengthening possible. The event is expected to last through winter 2009-10.”

So what in the world does that mean forWinter Park Resort? Since the Colorado Rockies have enjoyed exceptional snowfall during past El Niño winters, it means there’s a great chance that Winter Park has an exceptional powder-filled winter on its way. Cross your fingers for tons of snow for us this winter. And think ahead for lodging in Winter Park so you can come enjoy the white stuff!

Taste of Grand County

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Chris

Taste of Grand County 2009 Get up here and lets celebrate the finer things that Winter Park, Fraser and Grand County have to offer in food, beer and wine. As you can see the date is August 15th from 11AM to 3PM at the Winter Park Base. Proceeds go to the National Sports Center for the disabled. There is truely not a better cause to support that I can think of. What a great way to do it. Eat some great food get a buzz on and help out the NSCD.

Book your Winter Park Lodging and get 25% off three nights when you mention that Winter Park Lodging Company Winter Park blog.