Breakfast in the Winter Park Village

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Chris

Goodys in the Winter Park Village

I headed out the other morning to give Goodys breakfast crepes a try and to hit the Winter Park slopes for some early morning turns. Well, it was a great day all around.

I had a breakfast crepe with ham and cheese while I sat at Goodys counter. There was some skiing videos to get me psyched up to ski and there was a good stream of customers coming through the doors. The service was quick, efficient and friendly. The man working the counter, Gill was his name, was chatty and pleasant with a great attitude. The crepe, as I said, was very tasty and the price of around $7.00 for the crepe and a medium OJ was more than reasonable. I have to say for a quick tasty bite before you hit the slopes, Goody’s can’t be beat. I will have to make a return to try a desert crepe.

The rest of the day was spent on the Winter Park/Mary Jane hills and even a bad day skiing is a pretty darn good day.

The Back bowl Soup Company Breakfast

Last week I also had a chance to try the Back Bowl Soup Company’s breakfast burrito. The burrito was very tasyt and I would recommend the one with bacon – filling and quick to get you on your way to hit the slopes. The burrito was good and service from Jodi and Woody, the owners, is always very friendly.

The Back Bowl Soup Company offers an all you can eat end of day bowl of soup so be sure to stop in around 4:30 or so to fill up on some soup. Here is a sample of the soups they had this past Tuesday:

Beef Stew
Artichoke Pesto
Thai Chicken
Green Chili
White Mountain Chicken Chili
Cheesy Brats

Come up to the Winter Park Village to get your treats and eats before you hit the slopes!

Is Winter Park the Next Vail?

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park to become Vail?

A friend of ours was flying back home to Boston and found this interesting article about Winter Park Resort becoming the next Vail in the inflight magazine. The article title is “A Mountain of Opportunity”. I would like to think that Winter Park will be the next Vail and I wouldn’t mind if Winter Park got some of the attention Vail does but I don’t think this is going to happen tomorrow.

It is a pretty good read of an article, however, the author got a couple things wrong. The Winter Park Village actually is at the base of Winter Park Resort but the Town of Winter Park, which Google is now calling Hideaway Park, is 2 miles down US Highway 40.

My favorite part of the article is the part about the new Winter Park lofts:

“MODERATE: The nicest offerings at Intrawest’s new base area are the slopeside Lofts of Winter Park Village, luxury condos above the retail storefronts and restaurants. Finished with hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, large balconies and fireplaces, the units are first rate but relatively affordable. A two-level, three-bedroom, 1,070-square-foot unit runs about $700,000.”

The lofts are fantastic. Right above the Winter Park Village and just steps from the Zephyr lift. Very very convenient location for ski lodging. When Winter Park Resort starts doing summer music at the base again the lofts will be the best place to stay I’m thinking.

Anywho, Winter Park Lodging Company offers two Winter Park Village lofts and if you are looking for lodging at the Winter Park/Mary Jane Base, the lofts can not be beat.

So, here is to Winter Park moving towards the likes of Vail but we really don’t want to be Vail.

New Year’s Eve Party, Grand Blues Style

Posted on December 30, 2009 by sam

Winter Park is not going to be short on entertainment this New Year’s Eve, thanks to the Grand County Blues Society. The society managed to bring Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, along with 2010 Grammy Nominee Lurrie Bell, to our very own small town. As always, expect a fun party with fantastic live music and dancing, but this time you’ll also be treated to a midnight champagne toast!

Nick Moss’s style is that of traditional Chicago Blues, and his gift for rhythm is clear from the first moment he starts to play. Lurrie Bell, having grown up surrounded by blues music, is certainly not short on talent either. Check out what the Grand County Blues Society has to say about both musicians on their website.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to check out Nick Moss and the Flip Tops and Lurrie Bell in Winter Park this New Year’s Eve. The show starts at 9 pm at Silverado II Resort and Event Center, hope to see you there!

Winter Park, CO Winter Carnival

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Winter Carnival

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Winter Park Resort are putting on a carnival celebration for the 70th anniversary of skiing at Winter Park Resort. On the January 22nd through January 24th there will be a Winter Carnival celebration at Winter Park Resort in the Town of Winter Park and at Grand Park in Fraser.

The Celebration will include:

Winter Park Resort

• Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash
• Winter Park’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
• 26th Annual Chef’s Cup
• Pancakes, snow sculptures, snow golf, live music

Downtown Winter Park

• Snowshoe Hikes
• PlayZone
• Human Bowling
• Lighted Parade including you and your pet!

Grand Park Saturday January 23, 2010:

Sled Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)

10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)

12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)

Dog Agilities: 10am, 11:30am

Grand County Pet Pals Stomp & Romp: 1:30pm-4pm

Skijoring Clinic: 2-3pm

The Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District is hosting the Grand Park Community Recreation Center Grand Opening: 10am-3pm Offering public tours, mini-exhibits, free coffee, cocoa and cookies

Other activities during the day:

Kids dog sled rides

Silent Auction for Pet Pals

Bon Fire/S’Mores/Hot Chocolate

Retail Vendors

Food Vendors

Grand Park Sunday January 24, 2010:

Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)

10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)

12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)

Awards to follow

Grand Park Saturday January 23, 2010:Sled Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)
10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)
12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)
Dog Agilities: 10am, 11:30am
Grand County Pet Pals Stomp & Romp: 1:30pm-4pm
Skijoring Clinic: 2-3pm

The Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District is hosting the Grand Park Community Recreation Center Grand Opening: 10am-3pm Offering public tours, mini-exhibits, free coffee, cocoa and cookies

Other activities during the day:
Kids dog sled rides
Silent Auction for Pet Pals
Bon Fire/S’Mores/Hot Chocolate
Retail Vendors
Food Vendors

Grand Park Sunday January 24, 2010:

Sled Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)
10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)
12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)
Awards to follow

Mary Jane and Parsenn Bowl Now Open

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Chris

Mary Jane at Winter Park Open

Winter Park Resort has opened Parsenn Bowl and some of the more popular runs over at Mary Jane.

Parsenn Bowl is Now Open

Catch a ride on the highest six passenger chairlift in North America – the Panoramic Express and enjoy open intermediate bowl skiing and some of the most fun intermediate gladed terrain around. The Winter Park snow forecast is looking good for the next few days so now is a great time to head up to WP to make some turns.

Winter Park Winter Carnival featuring Grand Park Winter Dog Days

Don’t miss Winter Park’s 70th Anniversary on January 22nd thru 24th. Be “Old School” by celebrating and dressing in your favorite decade. Join us at SnowZone at Hideaway Park for fun activities including sledding, human bowling, campfire, and hot chocolate from. Check out the “Old School” outdoor Parade at 6pm. Fireworks and cake will be served after the parade.

Here are some of the events that will take place over the January 22ns weekend:

Downtown Winter Park

• Snowshoe Hikes
• PlayZone
• Human Bowling
• Lighted Parade including you and your pet!

Grand Park, Fraser

• Grand Park Sled Dog Races
• Dog Skijoring Clinics
• Snowshoe Event to benefit Pet Pals
• Campfire & S’mores

Winter Park Resort

• Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash
• Winter Park’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
• 26th Annual Chef’s Cup
• Pancakes, snow sculptures, snow golf, live music and more!

Winter Park Winter Carnival Presented by Sprint featuring Grand Park Winter Dog Days Winter Park Winter Carnival Presented by Sprint featuring Grand Park Winter Dog Days

Winter Park Ski Train Coming to an End?

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Ski Train

It is looking like the Winter Park Ski Train is not going to run for it’s 70th season. The agreement between Amtrack, the taxpayer backed National rail line, and Iowa Pacific, owner of the proposed new ski train, has come to an impasse.

The problem as I see it is Amtrack didn’t want to have anything to do with a rail service that didn’t need a taxpayer handout.

The proposed new set up was for Iowa Pacific owned trains to run on Union Pacific track using Amtrack staff and engineers. Amtrack raised their required insurance amount by 100 fold at the last minute to scuttle the 70th year of service of the Winter Park Ski Train. Service is will not resume to at-least January 6th when a federal judge will hear Iowa Pacific’s injunction against Amtrack to force Amtrack to run the train for this season.

Iowa Pacific has sold more than 13,000 tickets already that it now will be forced to refund. Iowa Pacific thought it had reached an agreement with Amtrak, which enjoys a government-protected monopoly to operate intercity passenger trains, to continue the ski train as an excursion line.

It really is a shame as the Ski Train was a unique amenity that Winter Park was able to offer to guests wanting travel to the Colorado Rockies from Denver on rail. The Ski Train will be missed by all who have grown up with the service and those of us here in Winter Park.

Grand Park Community Rec Center

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park/ Fraser Rec Center

The Grand Park Community Rec Center is open and running. We had a chance to visit the rec center this weekend and facility did not disappoint. Nice work Y’all at the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District. Most private fitness clubs I’ve seen can not match the the Rec Center’s finishes. The place is a masterpiece! There is now an escape from the long cold winters up here in Grand County. A soak in the pool, hot tub or some time in the steam sauna will warm up the bones and get us all back on the the ski slopes very quickly.

The Rec Center has something for everyone but is just about perfect for the kids. Day care, a water playground and a lazy river will provide hours of healthy entertainment for the young ones. There are climbing walls, basketball courts and trampolines with a foam ball landing pit that looks just spectacular. I may be gushing but I still can’t believe we have an asset this nice right here in Winter Park.

Follow the Rec Center happenings on their facebook page and become a member to enjoy their offerings year around. Winter Park Lodging Company will offer our guests special discounted entry coupons so if you have any interest just ask.

Again nice work on the Grand Park Community Rec Center to all who had a hand in it’s creation!

Cosmic Dog Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Chris

Cosmic Dog Burritos Winter Park, CO

We had a chance to visit the new Cosmic Dog Burritos this weekend and we were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. We had a couple of burritos and some queso dip with cheese and it was terrific. I’m going to say the food quality is better than Chipotle and it seemed more “authentic”, whatever that means.

Sarah the twins and I shared a veggie burrito, shredded carnitas burrito and some queso dip and chips with the salsa on the side. The boys ate heartily and Sarah and I both thought the burritos and queso were awesome. Price was reasonable and the decor is very Winter Park quirky in a good way. There is no more need to trek down to Denver to get your Chipotle Burrito fix. We have just as good if not better right here in Winter Park.

Right now The Cosmic Dog is serving only soft drinks but Fernand, the owner, says that the liquor license application is in process and they should have beer and margaritas in the next month or so. My mouth is watering right now thinking of a Pacifico with some queso with chips….. YUM!

So all you WP locals let’s get out and support one of our own homegrown restaurants and all you visitors to our piece of heaven here in the Colorado Rockies don’t miss out on a Cosmic Dog burrito.

New Openings in Winter Park, CO

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Chris

There are lots and lots of new stores opening up here in Winter Park, Colorado. Our town just seems to be booming with all the restaurants opening and the Rec Center open for the first day and all this just in time for Christmas.

First we have the Fraser/Winter Park Rec Center open for the very first day to what looks like universal approval here in the Fraser Valley. We will be visiting this coming week and will let you know how the final product turned out. From what I have seen it looks spectacular (I can’t wait to steam my old bones in the steam sauna).

Last night Alberto’s had a soft opening to get some of the kinks out before tonight’s official Grand Opening. I heard that the food was terrific and the space looks just as good. For those not on the know, Alberto’s is brought to us by the folks that own the Tabernash Tavern. They have redone the space in Cooper Creek Square that most recently housed the Green Olive Italian steakhouse. We will try to make it out to Alberto’s in the next week and let your know about their operation.

The Cosmic Dog Mexican Grill is also opening tonight. I popped my head in today and the space looks pretty cool. I got a chance to talk to Fernand, the owner, and he says they should be serving up some burritos tonight. He also said he was exhausted from their push to get open in time for the Winter Park holiday season. I can’t wait to have a burrito this week. Nice work Fernand on the space, it looks great.

Lastly there is Ziggy’s Doughnuts. Our very own hot fresh doughnut factory located next to Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe in the Kings Crossing Retail Center. Talked Ziggy today and he says they should be open by the 3rd of January. Ziggy’s will have coffee, fresh donuts, and some video games set among a cool interior with counter service and tables and chairs. Would be great if Ziggy could figure out a way to offer some wine and beer, anywho, I’m am satisfied with hot donuts for now though.

So our little enclave of heaven up here in the Colorado Rockies just seems to be booming with all these openings. It looks like the economy is tuning around and vacationers ans skiers are starting to return to the hills. We got some unexpected snow the last few nights and everyone here in Winter Park is getting ready for Christmas. All seems well in the Winter Park part of the world.

It 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender Service Winter Park, CO

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Chris

Winter Park Parties and Weddings

There is a new service up here in Winter Park and Grand County. The folks who run Pick Me the wedding coordination, event planning, floral design service have another up their sleeve. The It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender service is now part of their complete wedding planning, event, party stable.

Now this service is right up my alley, as having been in the Denver restaurant biz for over 20 years, it would be great to have a party and not have to do the bar-tending myself. Not sure if that will ever happen though.

Pick Me does a great job with all wedding and event planning and I’m sure their bar-tending service will be just as top notch as their other services. Throwing a holiday party? Let It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere take the stress out of the holidays and let you and your guest sip your favorite adult beverage to the wee hours of the morning. Now that’s the way bring in the new year.