Colorado Skiing and Lodging Deals

 
 

70 years at Winter Park ResortAffordable Colorado Ski Resorts

With all the discounts that the ski resorts are offering this year I was looking to find what were the most affordable places to ski in Colorado.  I didn’t have to go far as there was a story from Ski.com picked up by USA Today that lists their top ten affordable North American ski resorts.

Winter Park is on the list and this is what they had to say about our little slice of heaven here:

Winter Park, the closest major resort to Denver, described as catering to a “moderate demographic, no luxury properties,” with many lodging selections, some so close to the mountain that you can walk or take a shuttle.

I’m not so sure about not having luxury accommodations, see Base Camp on Jane Creek, Red Quill and the new Winter Park Village lofts, but they did get it right that you can get great lodging very close to the mountain steps away from the lifts.  Maybe they are getting the no luxury properties because the way Intrawest asks the owners of properties on their rental program not to update or improve the properties.

It is true Winter Park is an affordable ski resort.  It also is the oldest ski resort in Colorado celebrating it 70th year of operations.  Check out the cool 70th anniversary logo above.  The Winter Park ski train also will continue to run for it’s 70th year.  Winter Park Resort also receives the most snow of all Colorado destination resorts and is the #1 US ski resort for bumps and families.

So come on up and get a great deal at the best ski resort in Colorado!

Winter Park Colorado Skiing

 
 

ski winter park colorado posterSkiing Winter Park Colorado

Now that Winter Park Resort is open for it’s 70th year I thought it would be good to post the ski area statistics and such.  We are getting more snow this week and are supposed to have more of the resort open by next week. Here are the stats for Winter Park Resort in Grand County, Colorado.

Elevation

  • Base: 9,000 ft (2,700 m)
  • Summit: 12,060 ft (3,680 m)
  • Vertical rise: 3,060 ft (930 m)

Winter Park Resort Base Village Map

Winter Park Resort Shuttle Map

Trails

  • Skiable area: 3,060 acres (12.4 km2)
  • Trails: 143 total (9% beginner, 34% intermediate, 57% advanced/expert)
  • Average annual snowfall: 365 in (9.3 m)

Lifts 

25 total ( year installed)

  • 1 high speed eight person cabriolet gondola
    • Village Cabriolet ( 2008)
  • 2 high-speed detachable six-passenger chairlift:
    • Super Gauge Express (@Mary Jane) ( 2005)
    • Panoramic Express (@Mary Jane) ( 2007)
  • 7 high-speed detachable quad chairlifts:
    • Eskimo Express ( 1999)
    • Gemini Express ( 1993)
    • High Lonesome Express ( 1991)
    • Olympia Express ( 1996)
    • Pioneer Express (@Vasquez Ridge) ( 1986)
    • Prospector Express ( 1994)
    • Zephyr Express ( 1990)
  • 4 triple chairlifts:
    • Arrow ( 1977)
    • Eagle Wind ( installed 2006; former Outrigger chair)
    • Endeavour ( 1993)
    • Sunnyside (@Mary Jane) ( 1989)
  • 7 double chairlifts
    • Challenger (@Mary Jane) ( 1975) Photo
    • Discovery ( 1984)
    • Galloping Goose (@Mary Jane) ( 1975)
    • Iron Horse (@Mary Jane) ( 1975)
    • Looking Glass ( 1965)
    • Pony Express (@Mary Jane) ( 1975)
  • 3 surface lifts:
    • Apollo
    • Lariat handle tow ( 2002)
    • Spirit platter pull ( 2004)
  • 3 conveyor lifts:
    • Children’s Center magic carpet
    • Comet magic carpet
    • Meteor magic carpet

Elevation

  • Base: 9,000 ft (2,700 m)
  • Summit: 12,060 ft (3,680 m)
  • Vertical rise: 3,060 ft (930 m)

[edit] Trails

  • Skiable area: 3,060 acres (12.4 km2)
  • Trails: 143 total (9% beginner, 34% intermediate, 57% advanced/expert)
  • Average annual snowfall: 365 in (9.3 m)

View looking north from the top of Parsenn Bowl, Winter Park Resort.

View looking east from near the top of the Mary Jane section of Winter Park Resort.

[Lifts [5]

25 total (manufacturer, year installed)

Blues Show at Smokin’ Moes in downtown Winter Park this Saturday!

 
 

bluesGrand County Blues Society is at it again! If you’ve never heard of the Grand County Blues Society, you’re missing out on some of the most passionate Blues supporters out there. Once or twice a month these guys bring the Blues to Winter Park by hosting a great band at our very own Smokin’ Moes Ribhouse and Saloon, located in Cooper Creek Square. Check out their website where you can read more about what they do and check out upcoming shows. The shows are always a blast; be ready to dance to some fabulous live music and enjoy Smokin’ Moes’ famous ribs.

If you take a break from tearing up the dance floor during the show, track down one of the Blues Society members with your questions about blues music , you won’t be disappointed! This Saturday, they’re hosting John Richardson and the Jelly Roll Bakers (Johnny O and Andy Irvine) at 9pm. You can check out a quick bio about these guys on the Blues Society website.

Hope to see you there!