Airfare Deal Alert for May

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Valarie

Check out May’s list of thirty-five flight deals to Denver. When comparing to last month’s report, I noticed that some flights have gone up, some have gone down and some have dissappeared, but there are some great new ones, too. Like round trip flights from Washington DC for only $178 and even from Honolulu for under $500!

Let us know where you’re flying from and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for deals for next month’s report. Just email valarie@wplbo.com. You can also check online at www.airfarewatchdog.com, and while you’re there, set up monthly, weekly or even daily alerts for flights to or from the airports of your choice.

$178 RT	Akron, OH (CAK)
$58 RT	Amarillo, TX (AMA)
$136 RT	Billings, MT (BIL)
$228 RT	Buffalo, NY (BUF)
$138 RT	Burbank, CA (BUR)
$220 RT	Charleston, NC (CHS)
$168 RT	Chicago, IL (ORD)
$198 RT	Columbus, OH (CMH)
$172 RT	Des Moines, IA (DSM)
$188 RT	Detroit, MI (DTW)
$454 RT	Fairbanks, AK (FAI)
$198 RT	Florence, SC (FLO)
$166 RT	Great Falls, MT (GTF)
$490 RT	Honolulu, HI (HNL)
$138 RT	Houston, TX (IAH)
$118 RT	Kansas City, MO (MCI)
$258 RT	Lafayatte, LA (LFT)
$158 RT	Laramie, WY (LAR)
$130 RT	Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
$118 RT	Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
$258 RT	Manchester, NH (MHT)
$178 RT	Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
$119 RT	Nashville, TN (BNA)
$198 RT	New Orleans, LA (MSY)
$162 RT	Newark, NJ (EWR)
$198 RT	Norfolk, VA (ORF)
$118 RT	Ontario, CA (ONT)
$258 RT	Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
$118 RT	Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
$138 RT	Portland, OR (PDX)
$118 RT	Reno, NV (RNO)
$98 RT	Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
$118 RT	San Francisco, CA (SFO)
$178 RT	Washington, DC (DCA)
$168 RT	Wichita, KS (ICT)

Remember to check with us for availability at a vacation rental in Winter Park for your dates first, then book your flights! Search Winter Park Lodging Company now to see what options await you.

Winter Park Resort Getting Ready for Summer

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Chris

Alpine slide in Winter Park CO

Winter Park Resort Summer Preparations

We are trying to get ready for the summer season here in Winter Park but mother nature is not buying into it. Check out the photo above of the two hardy souls digging out the famous Winter Park alpine slide. The Winter Park alpine slide is Colorado’s longest alpine slide.

The Winter Park staff above was trying to dig the alpine slide out from under a mountain of snow this past week in preparation for summer at Winter Park. The task has been complicated with the recent winter weather in the high country.

Since its closing on April 18th 2010, Winter Park Resort is officially working toward its summer season opening, scheduled for June 12. The task has been complicated over the last week or so by a regular bout of mountain snow.

Over the past few days mountain locations have received anywhere from six inches to a foot of snow. That’s great news for Colorado’s ski and snowboard holdouts, A-Basin and Loveland, but it certainly complicates the task of shoveling out for summer at Winter Park, Copper Mountain and other areas with summer programming. And, there’s more mountain snow in the forecast until at least early next week. It is looking like that snow we missed this past January and February is going to be dumped in April and May.

The snow will stop coming at some point and we are really getting excited about the new runs that are being constructed at Trestle Bike Park. Downhill bike parks are the rage in the Northwest US and Canada and the fever is hitting Colorado. Come out and try Trestle Bike Park on one of Winter Park Rentals new $6,000 bikes.

Trestle Bike Park is gearing up for its biggest season yet! More trails, bigger rental fleet, more features, expanded high-end demo fleet, more jumps, additional extended hours, and did we mention more trails? This season, Trestle will continue to buff out the 8 new trails constructed last summer, plus the park will keep building additional trails to give you and your crew a complete bike park experience.

We are getting ready for summer up here in WP so make your plans to visit today. Let Winter Park Lodging Company, the Trestle Bike Park Lodging specialists, set up your Winter Park summer vacation today.

Winter Park Colorado Fourth of July

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Chris

4th of July in the Colorado Rockies

Looking for somewhere to spend the fourth of July weekend up in the Colorado mountains? Winter Park is the place to be for fourth of July. Come celebrate summer in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley this 4th of July Weekend.

There are a bunch activities happening, including the long-going Rendezvous Run for Independence, the Hi Country Stampede Rodeo and of course the spectacular fireworks display. There is also a great fireworks display over in Grand Lake, a short 25 minute drive from the friendly confines of Winter Park and Fraser.

Monday, July 4th
3:00pm – 10:00pm
Every year, locals and visitors alike bring their families, BBQs and blankets to the Fraser Ball-fields to play & relax out in the gorgeous mountain air for the 4th of July. Kids run & play on the huge grassy fields, live music sounds for listening and dancing, and everyone enjoys the day as we wait for the spectacular fireworks display at nightfall. At the Fraser Ball-fields, just north of the town of Fraser. For more information call the Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce 800-903-7275 or 970-726-4118.

Grand Lake Fireworks
Grand Lake boasts the largest fireworks display in Colorado on the 4th of July, with gorgeous colors exploding over and reflecting in the lakes.

Run for Independence
Saturday

8:00am – whenever the last racer crosses the finish line!
This is a five-mile race course from the base of Winter Park Resort to the Town of Fraser. With an elevation loss of over 600 feet, anyone can enjoy walking or running on the scenic and paved Fraser River Trail to help raise money for the Scott Hughes Endowment Fund. This foundation provides scholarships for children on kidney dialysis to attend Camp Chief Ouray at Snow Mountain Ranch-YMCA of the Rockies. Registration will be available online soon or you can register at the starting line from 8:00am – 9:00am at Winter Park Resort. For more information call the Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce 800-903-7275 or 970-726-4118.

These are only a few of the activities that can be had here in Winter Park for the 4th of July weekend. Check out Winter Park Lodging Companies full activity schedule for this years Fourth of July in Winter Park Colorado.

Recipe of the Month: May

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Valarie

Blackberry Sour Cream Pie

We started a new tradition at our end-of-season Winter Park Lodging Company party a couple of weeks ago. What started out as “witty banter” between Heather and Sarah in the office about who can make a better pie, turned into the “First Annual Winter Park Lodging Company Pie-Off” at the annual end-of-season bash.

The idea took off with more momentum than any of us expected, and we had about eight pies in the running, although we were dissappointed that Dace, local chef for Wild Horse Gourmet & Catering, ”forgot” about the contest and came to the party empty handed. Sarah made sure we didn’t let him forget, so I’m sure next year he’ll won’t make that mistake again.

So, here is the recipe for my personal favorite of the contest, perfected by Amy, the super-hero of the daunting “spreadsheet” and so much more at Winter Park Lodging Company. Thanks, Amy!

Ingredients:
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 ounces pkg. fresh or frozen blackberries (thawed)
1/4 cup fine bread crumbs
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

Directions:
Place berries in pie shell. Combine one cup sugar, sour cream, flour and salt. Spread sour cream mixture on top. Combine bread crumbs and remaining sugar and butter. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or until done.

Winter Park Colorado Mud Season

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park colorado off season Winter Park, Colorado off season, shoulder season or plain old mud season. We are smack dab in the middle of it up here in the Rockies. Snow, sun, mud, wind, snow and more mud seems to be how the weather is going this time of year. Not a lot going on but it is still beautiful up here now but remember to bring some clothing layers ’cause the weather will change at the drop of a hat.

What to do to in Winter Park in this mud season of ours? Well, I thoughtI would do a top five things to do in Winter Park, CO after the ski season ends. So here goes.

Grand Park Rec Center – I’m not sure what we have done in the past without the rec center but it couldn’t have been this fun. The kids love the place and it’d an escape from whatever crazy weather that is outside.
Ski Berthoud Pass – The snow keeps falling so lets just roll with the punches and continue skiing. There is some hiking involved but it is a great way to get in shape and some pretty good skiing. This can be dangerous so be careful.
Get ready for Winter Park Mountain Bike Season – weather can be an obstacle but there is riding that can be done especially on the roads. Get those legs working now and get the benefits come June.
Ski A-Basin - They have been getting good snow this spring and won’t close until June. Head on over through Silverthorn and spend a day skiing like we are in the middle of the winter.
Hit the Hot Sulphur Springs Mineral Baths – spend a day soaking the old bones in some healing waters and chase the cold away. Relaxing and invigorating all at the same time.

There is still a lot to do here in the mud season. Try one of the above activities and you can go hit one of Winter Park’s fine restaurants or bars that are serving food and drink right through this shoulder season. Check out Deno’s Mountain Bistro or The Sushi Bar.

Winter Park Corona Pass to Reopen?

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Chris

Rollins Pass to Re-Open?

Reopen Corona Pass? Officials are discussing the possibility of reopening the 32-mile road across Corona Pass (also called Rollins Pass) between Winter Park and Rollinsville. The road follows the old route used by trains before the Moffet Tunnel was built and could attract additional tourism to Winter Park. Grand, Gilpin, and Boulder counties, and two Forest Service districts are involved, plus the road is close to two wilderness areas. Costs could be excessive and liability would be high: the Needle’s Eye Tunnel, which has collapsed twice, would need to be repaired.

The 32-mile road that passes through three counties, two U.S. Forest Service districts and federally protected wilderness land can be accessed on either side of the Continental Divide, but users haven’t been able to continue the route to the other side since 1990. The Needles Eye Tunnel in Boulder County was closed off at that time from a rockfall, which caused a Denver man to lose his foot. Boulder County became liable for the injury at a cost of around $85,000.

Once dubbed the “Hill Route,” the pass served as a temporary railway line from 1904 to 1928. When the Moffat Tunnel was completed, the original Hill Route was abandoned until 1955 when it became an automobile route on the rail bed. The route served as a tourist attraction until a rockfall occurred in 1979 near the north portal of the Needle’s Eye Tunnel. Upon repairs, it reopened in 1987, but collapsed again in 1990.

The proponents on both sides of the pass who would like to see it open again cite the road’s scenic vistas, its capability of attracting tourism to Rollinsville and Winter Park, as well as its glimpse into Colorado’s railroad history.

Here are some photos pf Corona/Rollins Pass and the trek sounds and looks just amazing.

Winter Park Spring Splash Pond Skimming

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park End of Season Pond Skimming

Here is a video of contestant #15 at Spring Splash. From the time that we watched the pond skimming competition this guy by far had the best run. The Spring Spash this year was was very good and very spring like. Last year there was a ton of new snow on closing weekend but this year was just a bunch of spring-like slush.

The locals party over at Mary Jane C-Lot was very fun with local musicians and people BBQ-ing, having some drinks and an all around good time. The weather cooperated with no rain or snow and delightful sunny skies. We will post some of the pictures from splash in the next day or two.

Now that Winter Park Resort is closed we are getting some spring storms that are just making me wish the resort was still open. Maybe a trip up to Berthoud Pass for some back country skiing will end this ski season on a proper note. Oh well it was a good ski season with some big storms followed by some dry periods but we got some very good days in and overall the season was not bad. El Nino held for the entire year and we were a little short of our average snow fall.

Goodbye ski season and hello mountain bike season. Well, after all this snow melts that has dropped in the last few days.

Winter Park Mud Season Pasta

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Colorado Recipe of the Week

It is officially that inevitable time year after ski season ends and it is too darn muddy to hit the mountain biking trails: Mud Season. Well this got me thinking today about what to eat for dinner tonight and that clicked in my head that I should start doing a Winter Park Lodging Company recipe of the week. So here goes the first of hopefully many Winter Park, Colorado recipes of the week.

I am a huge fan of Bon Appetit Magazine and this recipe is on the cover of the current, May 2010, issue. I am also a big fan of pasta, what is better than after a day of skiing or biking than a big dish of yummy pasta?

Thinking of this Winter Park could use a good pasta restaurant, something like Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta on Martha’s Vineyard. Maybe that could be a future undertaking?? No… Sarah will have none of that! Anywho, here is the WP recipe pf the week: Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus and Pancetta.

4 SERVINGS

PREP: 40 minutes
TOTAL: 40 minutes

Recipe by the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen

Photograph by Craig Cutler

May 2010

Ingredients

12 ounces fettuccine or penne
3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
1 1/4 pounds asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces
2 cups shelled fresh green peas, blanched 1 minute in boiling water, drained, or frozen peas (do not thaw)
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced, white and pale green parts separated from dark green parts
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided

Preparation

Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
Meanwhile, cook pancetta in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon drippings from skillet. Add asparagus to drippings in skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add peas, white and pale green parts of green onions, and garlic; sauté until vegetables are just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, dark green parts of green onions, 1/2 cup Parmesan, cream, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, half of parsley, and half of basil to pasta. Toss, adding more cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if needed. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle pancetta, remaining parsley, and basil over. Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese.

Go ahead and give it a try and if you like or don’t give a comment below. I will try to do a new recipe here once a week.

Eat Up!!

Winter Park Jazz Festival Tickets

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Chris

Colorado Mountain jazz fetivals Winter Park, CO Jazz Festival 2010 Tickets

Winter Park Jazz Festival tickets go on sale today April 19th, 2010. The 2010 Winter Park Jazz Festival is sponsored by Winter Park Resort and Jazz @ Jacks.

This year’s lineup couldn’t be any better! Saturday’s concert includes Brian Culbertson, Craig Chaquico, Dotsero ant Boa & The Constrictors, with the headliner being Chaka Khan! On Sunday we will have Norman Brown’s Summer Storm (starring Brenda Russell, Phil Perry and Jessy “J”, Boney James, Ryan Shaw, Hazel Miller and Jazz Del Barrio. On Saturday night be sure not to miss the Official After Party at Winter Park Resort.

According to saxman Boney James’ Facebook page, his Colorado performance was rained out last year, so he should return with the vengeance of a summer storm to Hideaway Park this July.

Tickets can be purchase through Ticketmaster or the Winter Park/Fraser Chamber of Commerce:

Ticketmaster

Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce: by calling the Visitor Center at 800.903.7275 or in person.

Get your tickets now and don’t miss out on the premier Winter Park Jazz Festival Lodging for your trip up to WP.

Hideaway Park is right off of US Highway 40 in downtown Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park Lodging Company offer many condos and town-homes that are with in walking distance to this music venue and the local restaurants and bars.

Winter Park Trestle Bike Park

Posted on April 17, 2010 by Chris

Downhill mountain biking colorado Downhill Mountain Biking in Colorado

Have any Y’all been downhill mountain biking with all the body armor and a 50 lb bike with shocks that are two feet long? Well, I have not but I am being promised a a lesson and a free tour of Winter Park Resort’s Trestle Bike Park when it opens in mid-June.

I have seen the riders walking their bike through the base at Winter Park and I always thought man they are some serious dudes with all that gear. I am now getting kinda psyched to take a “gravity fed” ride through the park. My first thought is can this be much of a workout when you are taking a lift up the hill? I am being assured that this is very physical and a great workout even with almost zero uphill riding.

Winter Park Base Rentals at the base of Winter Park Resort provides equipment rental, demos and demonstration on how to navigate the downhill gravity fed trail system. They also provide storage of all bikes so you won’t be lugging the massive 50 lb bikes into a condo or risk them being stolen from the top of a car.

Intrawest made a decision a few years ago to install the Trestle Bike Park onto Winter Park Resort based on the trail systems that are up at Whistler Bike Park in British Columbia, Canada. Whistler Bike Park is the premier downhill bike park in the world and from my understanding that is where the sport was originated.

The trial systems at these bike parks are kinda like ski runs. There are greens, blues and blacks for beginner, intermediate and expert riders. Trestle Bike Park has been adding more trails each year and there will be more new trails for this year.

I never thought I would be one to like the downhill decent only mountain biking but I am excited to ride Trestle Bike Park, all duded up in some bike body armor, come this June. Stay tuned and I will let you know how the test ride goes.