Winter Park Rafting w/ Adventures in Whitewater!

Posted on July 16, 2010 by rachelb

One of our favorite summertime activities in Colorado is rafting. Whether you want a high paced adventure down Clear Creek, or a more scenic ride on the mighty Upper Colorado, Adventures in Whitewater offers both. Safety and fun are the top priorities of this local company, and the professional guides will reassure you of that. Rob was our guide down the Colorado this week. He gave us plenty of fun and colorful history facts of Colorado

River history during our 2 1/2 hour trip down river. Eight of us shared a big boat and had an oar that we maneuvered through a few level1 and 2 rapids during the ride. About half way down, we reached a large rock that you could jump off of into the river. Although the water is pretty chilly, you’ll warm up quickly in the dry air. Overall, the trip was great fun for the whole family and we were all excited to get the Winter Park Lodging Company 15% discount! Make sure to get on the river during your Summer vacation in Winter Park, and get a great deal on your lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company. For more info on rafting trips , call Adventures in Whitewater @ 1-877-321-RAFT.

Crankworx Bike Fest Winter Park, CO

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Chris

Colorado crankworx lodging Winter Park Bike Festival

The biggest Colorado bike festival of the year is almost here. Get ready for gravity defying mountain bike riding at the biggest and best bike park in the state.

Crankworx runs from July 29th to August 1st. Watch the world’s best freeride mountain bikers battle it out for over $35,000 in prizes in Winter Park’s Trestle Bike Park. Catch the high-flying action of Slopestyle, the intense speed and head-to-head competition of Dual Slalom, or watch the pros tackle most difficult trail in Trestle Bike Park in the UCI/Pro GRT Downhill competition. Plus, check out the latest in bike gear from a variety of manufacturers in the Vendor Village, free live music and parties in the evening and more! You won’t want to miss this event.

Crankworks 2010 events include:

July 29, 2010: Dual Slalom Slopestyle Qualifiers
July 30, 2010: Super Downhill Best Trick
July 31, 2010: Cross Country Slopestyle Finals
August 1, 2010: UCI/PRO GRT Downhill

Make sure to get your lodging at the Winter Park base close to where the competition will be going on. Last year the base are was full so make your reservation today to get the primo digs.

Winter Park Lodging Company is offering 3rd night free so come up and see the the festival and experience the whole Crankworx weekend.

When you’re not busy watching this incredible mountain biking event, you and your kids can also enjoy other activities in the Winter Park area:
•skateboarding at the skate park in Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park
•horseback riding
•alpine slide
•miniature golf
•lift rides
•hiking
•mountain biking
•golf (at nearby Pole Creek Golf Course, Headwaters Golf Course, Grand Lake Golf Course, or Grand Elk Golf Course)
•fishing in rivers, streams, and lakes

Grand Lake Lodge Re-opening in Grand Lake, CO

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Chris

The Lodge in Grand Lake Opening on a Limited Basis for Next 8 Weeks

Yes!, the Rumors are true the Grand Lake Lodge will be opening for six to eight weeks this summer on a limited basis.

They will be serving up lunch with a limited menu and through the evening. Does that mean they will be serving dinner? I’m not sure. Come “set a spell” on the front porch, book a wedding, take in the gift shop or play in the pool. Noon, July 22, is the big date.

Grand Lake Lodge has been for sale the last few years by the Ted L. James Family and has been closed for operations while the property was being marketed. With the downturn in the economy there have been no takers on the lodge and the surrounding 54 acres that sit at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here is the real estate listing info if you have some heavy duty walking around cash:

Grand Lake Lodge

Price: $6,990,000

Address

15500 US Highway 34

City Name:

Grand Lake

State:

COLORADO

Zip:

80446

Perched majestically above Colorado’s largest natural lake, the historic Grand Lake Lodge is bordered on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park and offers stunning views of Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, and the upper Colorado River valley. The historic Main Lodge, built in 1920, is the centerpiece of a remarkable 54-acre property originally located inside the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park until 1963, when a series of land transfers resulted in the official removal of the entire property from the park. In addition to the Main Lodge, the Grand Lake Lodge property features new underground utilities, full-service restaurant, gift shop, swimming pool, and guest cabins. This is an unprecedented opportunity to own a truly unique vacation destination famous for breathtaking views, majestic mountain peaks, and historical significance as a registered National Historic Landmark. Grand County is experiencing healthy appreciation with 5 golf courses, 4 ski resorts, 3 lakes, and the Colorado River. This incredible opportunity may be further enhanced with hotel, multi-family and single family development.

Grand Lake Lodge is an awesome place and if you haven’t had a chance to visit you should. My wife and I were married at the Lodge in 2002 and the place has a magical quality to it. Grand Lake was called Spirit Lake by the Ute Indians because they thought great spirits lived in its depths. Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado.

Only a thirty five minute drive from Winter Park the town of Grand Lake and the Lodge make for an incredible day trip especially in the summer.

Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Chris

Facebook for Winter Park Lodging Company

Winter Park Lodging Company’s Facebook Page has been up and running for about four months now and we are sitting at 275 fans or “Likes” as Facebook likes to call it. Not so bad but boy we sure wish we could be sitting at 1000.

WPLCo Facebook Page

So here is our unabashed plea to help us get to that 1000. I would say we are a proud bunch here but sometimes you need to grovel. The song says “Ain’t to Proud to beg sweet Darlin’ and Winter Park Lodging Company isn’t either. If you have any inclination to suggest the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page to your friends we would really really appreciate it. For those that don’t know how to suggest to friends, you click on the third link below the Winter Park Lodging Company photo on the WPLCo Facebook Page that says “suggest to friends” while you are logged into your account. Then click on all your friends and send them an invite to follow or “like” WPLCo.

Yes, as I said it is begging and it ain’t proud but this is social media marketing and sometimes you can’t be proud. What all your friends will get for following WPLCo on Facebook is our witty humor, Winter Park CO lodging deals and an insider scoop of what Winter Park is all about. You may even see some of the WPLCo staff up on the hill skiing or out and about on one of our various outings.

For any of you that take the time to suggest us we really appreciate it and for just following us we are indebted, so Thank YOU!

August Recipe of the Month from Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Chris

July recipe of the month winterpark co Winter Park, CO August Recipe of the Month

We are in full summer swing up here in Winter Park and it is the time of year for spending time outside with meat on the grill. This month we have an old American standby: the Burger. Only we are dressing it up a bit and using buffalo (bison) to celebrate the University of Colorado’s mascot. Go Buff’s!! (Maybe CU can win a few more football games now that they are in the PAC10)

Our full recipe is Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheddar. Try these awesome burgers with sweet potato fries and a good Colorado micro beer such as Odell’s Levity Amber Ale you will have a perfect July sittin’ on the deck meal. Bison meat is not only delicious, but exceptionally lean. It is best served rare or medium-rare.

Bison Burgers with Cabernet Onions and Wisconsin Cheddar

Serves 4

Photograph by Kana Okada

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 cups sliced onions (about 2)
3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine
1 pound ground bison (buffalo)
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
4 organic hamburger buns
6 ounces sliced Wisconsin white cheddar cheese
Dijon mustard
1 small head of escarole, leaves separated

Preparation

Start fire in grill or preheat gas grill

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until tender and golden brown, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and continue to sauté until very tender and well browned, about 15 minutes longer. Add wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.
Gently mix meat and next 3 ingredients in large bowl. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle burgers with salt and pepper; put on hot grill. Cook until well browned, about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Open buns and arrange, cut side up, on grill. Place cheese slices on bun tops. Grill until cheese melts and bottom halves are lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Spread bottom halves with mustard. Top each with a few escarole leaves, then burger. Spoon onions atop burgers, dividing equally. Cover with bun tops; press lightly.

It is time to get up into the hills. Most Winter Park Lodging Company rental units have a deck and are equipped with a grill or have a grill on the property.

Come up to Winter Park, Co and see why the saying goes “You visit the Rocky Mountains for the winter but stay for the summer”.

Winter Park Beer Festival

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Beer Festival Pricing

The Winter Park Beer Festival being held at the Winter Park Base Saturday August 14, 2010 has set the beer tasting prices. See list below.

The WP Beer Fest will be held in Hideaway Park and there will be over 25 breweries sampling there products with live music onstage and vendors vending all that you will need to celebrate a beer festival high in the Rocky Mountains. The WP Beer Fest benefits the National Sports Center for the Disabled, one of the most worthwhile causes that I know of.

Winter Park Beer Festival tickets:

Unlimited Tasting!
From 12-5pm
Only $25 (Save $5)
Live Music and Fun Included
Pre-Sale Price
Expires 8/12/10 at 5pm
$30 At The Door

VIP Tasting!
Unlimited Tasting From 12-5pm
Only $45 (Save $5)
Includes:
Commemorative Glass Mug,
Private VIP Patio, Private VIP
Seating Near The Stage, Lunch
Buffet and More!
Pre-Sale Price Expires 8/12/2010
$50 At The Door

Click Here to Purchase Winter Park Beer Festival Tickets

Here is hoping that the above three young ladies will be attending and serving some cold suds at the WP Beer Festival.

To get your Beer Festival lodging visit Winter Park Lodging Company.

Art, Wine & Cheese in Winter Park, CO

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Chris

winter park wine & cheese festival Wine & Cheese in the Winter Park Village

Saturday July 10, 2010 the Grand Arts, Wine and Cheese Festival will kick off. Starting at 10AM and running through the afternoon until 5PM Wine, art and cheese will be on display Rocky Mountain style.

Stroll through the Village at Winter Park and visit with local Grand County artists as they show off their talents in this one-of-a-kind arts festival. Watch, do, listen and learn in our hands-on interactive “Learning Tents.” Enjoy live music while you explore one-of-a-kind photography, jewelry, paintings, and more. A variety of these artisans will be offering artist demonstrations and hands-on classes during the day.

The wine and cheese festival is in addition to all the other great activities that are available at the Winter Park base. Check out the alpine slide, putt put golf, Trestle Bike Park, climbing wall and may other activities.

The weather has been great up here the last few weeks and there is just so much to do this time of year.

Get on up to Winter Park and play hard and rest easy with Winter Park Lodging Company. And finish it all of with some wine, cheese and art in the Winter Park Village.

Sweet VIP Pass Offer for Free Concerts in Winter Park, CO

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Valarie

VIP Treatment at Winter Park's Free Music Festivals Join us in Winter Park for two FREE outdoor music festivals at Winter Park’s downtown concert venue at Hideaway Park, and when you book with Winter Park Lodging Company, you’ll get VIP passes to the show for all of the people in your group.

The VIP passes allow you to access seating close to the stage, two free drinks (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic), a free commemorative festival t-shirt and a chance to win a backstage pass to Meet & Greet the performers.

It’s that easy. Just book lodging in Winter Park for the festival weekend of your choice (or both), let us know how many people are in your group, and we’ll throw in the VIP passes for the festival. Check out the details for the free Winter Park festivals below!

KYGO HIGH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 10th, 2010.

We’ve got Chris Cagle, who, since his debut on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks in 2000, has produced numerous top-ten hits including “I Breathe in I Breathe Out”, “Chicks Dig It” and “What Kinda Gone”.

Also on the line-up is Texas’s The Josh Abbott Band, the “fastest rising young stars in Texas country,” and Denver’s own up-and-coming star, the Kory Brunson Band.

103.5 THE FOX CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 7th, 2010

If you love classic 80′s & 90′s rock, then you’ll have a great time in Winter Park this weekend.

The headliner of the event is Night Ranger, whose biggest hits include Sister Christian and Don’t Tell Me You Love Me. Their twin lead guitar and melodious metal has become a genre all their own.

We’ll also have Pat Travers, Lewis & Floorwax and Denver’s own The Groove Hawgs to bring their entertaining rock to the stage. You won’t want to miss this festival of rock n roll!

Winter Park, CO Airfare Deal Alert for July

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Valarie

We have regular summer guests that come to Winter Park from Arizona to escape the intense 120 degree heat. If you live in Arizona, check out the airfare deals from Phoenix and Yuma, where there are cheap flights into Denver International for under $150 round trip, or from Prescott for just over $200.

You don’t have to live in the heat of Arizona to enjoy the spectacular summers of Winter Park. Temperatures in Winter Park rarely get past 80 degrees and there is no humidity, which makes for perfect weather for hiking, mountain biking, golf and so many more summer activities in Winter Park and Grand County.

price	city
$188 RT	Boston, MA (BOS)
$158 RT	Chicago, IL (MDW)
$204 RT	Cody, WY (COD)
$218 RT	Columbus, OH (CMH)
$213 RT	Hartford, CT (BDL)
$531 RT	Honolulu, HI (HNL)
$158 RT	Houston, TX (HOU)
$158 RT	Indianapolis, IN (IND)
$118 RT	Kansas City, MO (MCI)
$130 RT	Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
$136 RT	Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
$224 RT	Madison, WI (MSN)
$178 RT	Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
$178 RT	New Orleans, LA (MSY)
$234 RT	Newport News, VA (PHF)
$148 RT	Oakland, CA (OAK)
$118 RT	Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
$214 RT	Prescott, AZ (PRC)
$174 RT	Rapid City, SD (RAP)
$454 RT	Regina, SK, Canada (YQR)
$78 RT	Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
$158 RT	San Antonio, TX (SAT)
$148 RT	San Diego, CA (SAN)
$158 RT	San Francisco, CA (SFO)
$138 RT	Santa Ana, CA (SNA)
$158 RT	St. Louis, MO (STL)
$138 RT	Yuma, AZ (YUM)

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.