Trestle Bike Park at Winter Park Resort

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Chris

Colorado Downhill Mountain Biking

Trestle Bike Park, the fastest growing bike park in the US, is opening for the 2010 bike season on June 12th. This coming year promises to be Winter Park’s and Trestle Bike Park’s biggest and best mountain bike season year with more trail bigger jumps and better biking equipment available.

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 they will keep building additional trails to give all riders a complete bike park experience.

Never heard of or seen gravity fed downhill mountain biking? No problem. At Trestle this year there will be a top to bottom beginner trail (over 5 miles long) along with great deals on equipment and lessons to get you hooked. And hooked you will be! Or your young ones will be, especially if they are fun seeking kids and want a to have a great day.

As stated above there are eight new trails that will be available this year that were built last year and finished this spring. There are also new trails that will be completed this year.

Hours of Operation:*
9:30am-5pm daily, Mid-June – Early September
9:30am-7pm on Freeride Fridays, July & August
9:30am-5pm weekends in September

Trestle Bike Park Specials:

Downhill mountain biking is all the rage in the Pacific Northwest, especially around Vancouver, Canada. Whistler Bike Park is the worlds biggest and best bike park and according to legend where the grand sport of gravity fed downhill mountain biking was originated. Trestle Bike Park is being built to replicate Whistler Bike Park and things are looking good.

Trestle can be ridden with your everyday mountain bike but is is definitely preferable to be done with a specifically designed downhill mountain bike. The downhill bikes have bigger shocks for more clearance , better and lower center of gravity that the trails and jumps demand. Full face helmets and body armor will guarantee a fun and safe riding experience. There is not much riding uphill with these bikes as they weigh more than 50 lbs and have big shocks that make them a little squishy. The comparison can be made as to taking an old 10 speed road bike on a cross country mountain bike ride is like taking a CC mountain bike on a downhill mountain bike course. It can be done but why would you do it?

You may be asking, “is it a workout downhill mountain biking?” Yes it is. Definitely different that a cross country bike ride but it may be even more tiring on the body while working arms, legs and core muscles.

Winter Park Lodging Company will offer deals on Trestle Bike Park tickets and bike rentals. Come up for Trestle or make sure to reserve a day to spend on the Winter Park hills in the park.

So Trestle Bike Park opens for the 2010 year this June 12th. Get out and enjoy the high country and spend a very fun, exciting, physical day at the Trestle Bike Park.

SolVista Mountain Bike Park and Summer Operations to Open June 4th

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Chris

mountain bike solvista SolVista Mountain Bike Park

Solvista Bike Park and Base Summer season
Operating Friday – Sunday, June 4 – September 2010 (closing date TBD)
Select courses open for Triple DHip Downhill Stage Race Participants only May 29-31, 2010

Lift tickets
• Friday 12-7pm: $25 Adult, $15 Child*
• Sat/Sun 10-5pm: $25 Adult, $15 Child*

Season pass
• Adult Unlimited Bike Pass: $199 ($175 if purchased on or before May 26, 2010)
• Child* Unlimited Bike Pass: $149
*child is under the age of 13

The SolVista Bike Park provides an affordable, but high-quality Rocky Mountain trail experience. Offering daily ride tickets or season passes for bike riders.

Bike-specific Lift Chairs

Solvisat is excited to continue the use of bike-specific lift chairs for the 2010 season. Our lift capacity and speed is fast and your bikes are protected on these fantastic pieces of equipment. The SolVista Bike Park has professionally designed trails to challenge and excite mountain bikers of any skill level. Five existing trails embrace skill levels of beginner through expert with our number of trails doubling by the end of the 2008 season!

The trail rating system is similar to that used in the snow-skiing industry. Trails are rated beginner, intermediate or expert, based on steepness of trail, technical difficulty and number of obstacles and overall riding experience. Regardless of difficulty, all of the jumps and stunts have “go-around” options, so you’ll never be forced into a dangerous situation.

click for larger Solvista map

Solvista has a bunch o new trails ready for this season. Looking for some riding a week before Winter Park’s Trestle Bike Park opens check out Solvista Bike Park. Or if the Trestle becomes old hat head on down the road for a little Solvista mountain biking.

Winter Park, CO Music Festivals

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Chris

Summer Music in Winter Park Colorado

Music is in the air this year in Winter Park, Colorado. The big festivals are back and there is a smattering of some new events to make this a great year up here in Rockies. There will be jazz, blues, rock and country festivals through the season at the Hideaway Park venue in downtown Winter Park, CO.

The Winter Park Jazz Festival - A Colorado tradition for over 20 years and it just keeps on getting stronger. This year featuring Chaka Khan and Norman Browns Summer Storm. The Jazz Festival is the premier summer jazz fest in the Rocky Mountain region.

Blues From The Top Music Festival – From the Grand County Blues Society this is one rockin’ show that blues lovers do not want to miss. Tis’ is a full weekend of music with a Friday night show at Smokin’ Moe’s to get the party started right.

The Fox Classic Rock Music Festival – Featuring that ‘80′s hit producing machine Night Ranger, tell me you don’t remember the high school classic Sister Christian. Come out for a day of Music, Food, Beer Pavilion, Vendors and Fun. 103.5 The Fox brings a GREAT line up of music and fun. Gates and Vendors open at 10 am for this FREE EVENT! Yes it is free, not something you hear very often when it comes to live music! Show is 8/7/2010 from noon to 6PM. Contact winter Park Lodging Company for your tickets.

KYGO High Country Music Festival – Another free festival featuring Chris Cagle, The Josh Abbott Band and Kory Brunson. No editorializing here as I’m not a Country Music aficionado. I bet though it would be a great time and a lot cheaper than the $300.00 U2 is getting for their Denver show this summer.

There is also the season long High Note Thursday free shows in Hideaway Park. Artists have not been released yet. Also there is the season ling Fraser Picnic In The Park Series with Denver and local artists.

We have a lot of music going on up here in winter Park, CO along with great weather and more outdoor activities than you could name.

Come have a great summer time in Winter Park, Colorado.

See Winter Park Lodging Company for tickets to all events and the best music lodging available.

Crankworx Coming back to Winter Park

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Amy

Winter Park is excited to host the Crankworx again this summer, July 29- August 1, 2010. For 4 fun filled days, you will see some of the biggest names in mountain biking like Semenuk, Basagoitia, McCaul, and Berrecloth. They are sure to be showing off some new tricks that you don’t want to miss. All of the events that take place at the base are completely free to everyone. (If you would like to watch the on-mountain part of the races, you will be required to purchase a lift ticket.)

Thursday, July 29- Dual Slalom and Slopestyle Qualifiers
Friday, July 30- Super Downhill and Best Trick
Saturday, July 31- Cross Country and Slopestyle Finals
Sunday, August 1- UCI/PRO GRT Downhill

Give us a call, 877 329 1383, to book your lodging. We have great condos right at the base so you don’t have to deal with driving and parking.

Crankworx to return to Winter Park for 2010

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Amy

Crankworx Bike Festival

WOOHOOOOOOOOOO…..

Once again, we will be treated to a great display of athleticism and a touch of the crazies, as we enjoy 4 days in the sun at Crankworx.

The downhill mountain bike event is scheduled for July 29- August 1, 2010, at Winter Park Resort. Super riders like Semenuk, Basagoitia, McCaul, and Berrecloth, will inspire beginners and pros alike to get out there and jump on a mountain bike. All base events are FREE! (A lift ticket will be required to watch any on-mountain sections of races.)

Crankworx Colorado is one of the largest gravity-fueled mountain bike festivals in the United States. Come up and check out the action! During four intense days, spectators are awed by some of the world’s best mountain bike athletes battling it out for over $35,000 in prizes. Some of the biggest names in mountain biking will be on site. Don’t miss the mountain biking event of the summer; make your plans now. You won’t regret it.

Thursday, July 29- Dual Slalom and Slopestyle Qualifiers
Friday, July 30- Super Downhill and Best Trick
Saturday, July 31- Cross Country and Slopestyle Finals
Sunday, August 1- UCI/PRO GRT Downhill

Give us a call to book a great Crankworx condo right at the base so you can avoid the hastle of driving and parking!

Winter Park Lodging Company – 877.329.1383

Don’t miss the mountain bike festival of the summer right here in Winter Park, Colorado.

Winter Park, Colorado #1 for Pet Friendly Vacations

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Chris

Pet friendly lodging winter park CO Pet Friendly Rocky Mountain Lodging

Summer is the time of year to get out of the house with the whole family and anymore that means bring Fido, or Moses, or Barky along on the family vacation. Well, there is no better destination that this part of the Colorado Rocky Mountains here in Winter Park, CO. Lots of water for the furry ones to play in and miles and miles of bicycle and hiking trails. Enough activities to keep old rover busy and probably more than enough for his owner.

I saw this story today about the top destinations about pet friendly vacations and saw that the Winter Park – Rocky Mountain National Park area was listed as the #1 pet friendly location I just had to put it in the blog even if is mostly about Snow Mountain Ranch with their own lodging just around the corner from our house. Here is what they had to say about our confines up here in the Rockies:

Winter Park/Rocky Mountain National Park –

Nationally recognized as one of the country premier vacation destinations, the YMCA of the Rockies has two pet-friendly vacation locations in the Colorado Rockies. The Estes Park Center offers beautiful trails for canine-friendly hiking and every Friday during July, a Yappy Hour is hosted for canine guests. Yappetizers and doggy drinks will be served and special guests will give presentations on subjects such as canine nutrition, obedience and agility, and veterinarian advice. At the second location, near Winter Park, dog owners seem to love the serenity of Snow Mountain Ranch and the wide variety of trails available for them and their pets.

Both locations offer a wide variety of activities exclusively for humans, including mini golf, disc golf, swimming, fly fishing, rafting, horseback riding, guided hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, arts and crafts centers, day camp programs, and family nature programs. For more information, visit www.ymcarockies.org

Bravo for Snow Mountain Ranch and YMCA of the Rockies! Check out all the top pet friendly vacation destinations at ZooToo.

Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park Opening Day May 28, 2010

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Amy

Summer is on the way and nothing announces it’s arrival better than the opening day at Rocky Mountain National Park. May 28th, 2010 will start the summer season for the Alpine Visitor Center located on the Continental Divide on Trail Ridge Road. Crews are hard at work clearing the pass to have it open in time. Be sure to make the drive over the divide this summer, the views are incredible. You might even see some wildlife too.

Rocky Mountain National Park Opening

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Amy

Rocky Mountain National Park Opening May 28th

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to make the drive over the Continental Divide on Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Summer officially begins for the park on May 28th, 2010, when the Alpine Center opens. This drive is a “must do” for tourists and locals alike. The views are unmatchable and we have seen a wide variety of wildlife every time. Be sure to put it on your list this summer!

This living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, with elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, provides visitors with opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.

Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut – mating season.

Trail Ridge Road and Rocky Mountain National Park are are national treasures that are not to be missed if you are up this way in Colorado. Make a coupe days of it and you can see beautiful Grand Lake, Colorado and spend some time with us Winter Park.

Winter Park Snow Pack still growing, Great News for Rafters!

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Amy

We get an average of 365 inches of snow in a season up here in Winter Park. Since we didn’t get all of that during the ski season, it’s coming down now. That’s great news for summer rafters. The better the snow pack, the better and longer the raft season. Adventures in Whitewater, a local WP business, offers guided trips on both the Colorado and Clear Creek Rivers. Check out their website, http://adventuresinwhitewater.com/, or give them a call to schedule your adventure, 1-877-321-RAFT or at (970)726-3279. Be sure to mention that you are a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company for a great 15% discount!

Late Season Winter Park Snow is Good News for Rafters!

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Amy

We are still getting lots of snow up here in the Mountains, another 8 inches in Tabernash last night. This means the snow pack will keep growing, keeping the rivers full this summer for rafters. We have a great local company right here in WP who guides trips on either the Colorado or Clear Creek Rivers. Adventures in Whitewater will show you a great time on either trip. Call them today to schedule your adventure, 1-877-321-RAFT or at (970)726-3279. Check out exactly what they offer on their website, http://adventuresinwhitewater.com/. Be sure to mention that you are a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company for 15% off!