Winter Park Resort-Colorado’s Best Skiing Deal

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Resort in Top Ten Ski Deals

The word is getting out, for better or worse, that Winter Park/Mary Jane is the best skiing deal in Colorado. Lift-ticket prices are nearing $100 a day at most resorts but WInter Park keeps bringing the goods and offering some of the best skiing in Colorado if not all of North America for a steal.

That is what Budget Travel Magazine is saying about our beloved WInter Park/Mary Jane. Winter Park Resort ranked #2 on the best skiing deals this year list and was the only Colorado Resort on the top ten list.

Here is what Budget Travel had to say about Winter Park, Colorado:

Winter Park, Colorado
The closest major resort to Denver (only 67 miles away), this bump-skiing paradise has added upgrades worth $170 million, including an ice-skating pond. What hasn’t changed? The wallet-friendly lift-ticket prices, such as an $82 two-day child’s pass over spring break. The nearby town of Fraser has the best affordable restaurants and hotels, such as the Rocky Mountain Inn & Hostel, which runs free shuttles to the slopes.

The Rocky Mountain Inn does have some very affordable accommodations and is perfect for the college students coming up for a few days of powder and fun. However, if you are looking for something a little bigger and more family oriented, Winter Park Lodging Company can not be beat. With over 100 rental units from Winter Park ski in and out luxury to a Colorado Mountain Cabin WPLCo can help you out with your mountain vacation needs at a great price. WPLCo also offers the best Winter Park ski discounts & deals that can be Found in the Fraser Valley.

So come on up and get some turns in on Colorado’s best ski deal resort and let Winter Park Lodging Company stretch your dollars a little further.

Thanksgiving Dinner Winter Park, CO

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Chris

Thanksgiving Dinner at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Thanksgiving is coming upon us fast and it is time to decide what you are going to do for the turkey day celebration of thanks. Most of the restaurants will be offering Thanksgiving dinner up here in Winter Park but if you are wanting the best of the best head out to Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Two Devil’s Thumb Ranch restaurants will be serving up turkey, stuffing, mashed ‘tatters, cranberry sauce and more. Both Heck’s Tavern and the Ranch House Restaurant will be offering up some traditional and Rocky Mountain themed Thanksgiving dinners in the finest setting in this part of Colorado. If you have not visited Devil’s Thumb Ranch you are missing out on a treat. So if you are looking for food options in Winter Park, CO on Thanksgiving you can not go wrong at either Heck’s or the Ranch House. Both of these Thanksgiving meals are daytime meals so if you re looking for a Thanksgiving dinner head to Winter Park Resort’s Thanksgiving dinner at The Lodge at Sunspot.

Here are the Devil’s Thumb Ranch Restaurant Thanksgiving meal menus:

The Ranch House Restaurant will be serving a delicious Colorado Rocky Mountain interpretation of a Thanksgiving feast

Seatings at 2PM and 5PM.

$45 per person, wine pairings an additional $30. Reservations are required.

Candied Shallot Crusted Diver Sea Scallop with Sweet Potato Puree & Fennel Leek Cream, or Roasted Butternut Squash & Ancho Chili Soup with Crispy Pork Belly & Smoked Gouda Crouton

Giblet Stuffed Turkey leg with Peppery Greens & Cranberry Vinaigrette

“Schmaltz” Rubbed Free Ranch Turkey with Carmelized Onion & Potato Gratin, Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole, Balsalmic Glazed Cippolinni Onions, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Apple & Onion Gravy.

A Selection of Stuffings – Traditional Bread, Sausage Cornbread & Roastic Garlic Grit Spoonbread

Trio of Thanksgiving Desserts – Pumpkin Cheesecake, Port Wine Poached Pear drizzled with Chocolate, Pecan Pie with Bourbon Ice Cream

Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet at Heck’s

Choose the traditional buffet style dinner at Heck’s for $30 per person (kids 5-12 just $15, kids 4 and under are free.)

Offered from Noon – 6 pm.

Menu includes:

Roasted Free Range Turkey

Rosemary & Garlic Rubbed Prime Rib

Traditional Bread, Cornbread and Pear Stuffing

Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions

Creamed Corn

Root Roasted Vegetables – Parsnips, Turnips, Carrots

Sweet & Sour Collard Greens

Roasted Sweet Potato Casserole

Scallion Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Field Green Salad with Sweet Onion Vinaigrette

And desserts! Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Cream, Cornmeal Pound Cake, White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Get out of the house on Thanksgiving and head out to Devil’s Thumb and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal that you will remember for a lifetime.

Early Season Colorado Skiing

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Chris

Opening Day Copper Mountain Resort

We had a chance to visit one of our favorite ski resorts besides Winter Park last Friday and hit Copper Mountain’s opening day. Snow conditions were ok with some great snow coverage but a bit on the bullet proof side. There was one run open and one lift that was accessible to the public and one lift open for ski race training. The snow was not perfect but the temperatures were May like and in the 40′s.

The conditions this year have been great for early season skiing. Loveland last week had a 20 inch mid mountian depth and three lifts running with five runs and two of those were bump runs. All this snow in the first week of November is hopefully an omen of great snow year.

Today Winter Park is getting hit with a good sized weather front and the snow is dumping. The Winter Park forecast calls for snow off and on all week long. Opening day is a week away, next Wednesday November 17th. The La Niña weather pattern seems to be holding and is strong this year so we should be in for a great snow year (knock on wood).

Early season is a great time to ski in Colorado and specifically WInter Park as there are great deals on almost everthing. From lift tickets to lodging and ski rentals to food and drinks deals can be had in November and early December. Check out the Winter Park Lodging Company deals page.

Get a jump on this ski season and get out early to enjoy some great snow conditions this year.

Winter Park, CO Festival of the Trees

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Chris

holiday trees winter park CO Christmas Trees Winter Park, Colorado

Looking to get a Christmas tree? How about get a tree and give to charity at the same time? Well, the Winter Park Festival of the trees is a great way to get a tree and donate to charity. Get out of the house with the kids and bid on a Christmas Tree.

Date: 12/14/10

Location: Beaver Village Lodge

Time: 4pm-8pm

This event benefits over 20+ Grand County Charitable Foundations and it’s FREE! It is a display and silent auction of Trees and Wreaths along with a specialty Dessert Auction. There will be food and refreshments, and Santa will be there for the kids along with a Christmas song sing-along.

Christmas is coming so you will need a tree. Why not get it at the silent auction and help out one of Grand Counties charitable foundations.

November Recipe of the Month from Winter Park, CO

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Valarie

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting*

Nicholas and Willem, the Winter Park Lodging Company mascots and twin sons of Chris and Sarah Bradford, the owners of Winter Park Lodging Company, celebrated their third birthday on October 25th with these yummy cupcakes. Happy Birthday, boys!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Cook’s Note: Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

*Recipe is courtesy of Paula Dean on the FoodNetwork.com.

Winter Park, CO Airfare Deal Alert – November

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Valarie

Winter Park just got slammed with a couple of feet of snow a couple of weeks ago, and the lifts start running on November 17th. That’s just a couple of weeks away! Don’t miss the start of a great ski season in Winter Park. Grab one of these flight deals and head on up to Winter Park soon. Can’t wait to see you in the powder!

Don’t see your departure city? Check www.airfarewatchdog.com to see if there’s a deal to Denver for you. Plus, don’t forget that Winter Park Lodging Company has discounts and deals all over town, from ski rental deals starting at $18 per day, to discounts on dog sled rides, snowmobile tours & rentals, sleigh rides and more. Click here to check out all discounts offered by Winter Park Lodging Company now.

$112 RT	Albuquerque, NM
$124 RT	Austin, TX
$158 RT	Billings, MT
$164 RT	Bismarck, ND
$198 RT	Charlotte, NC
$184 RT	Chicago, IL
$198 RT	Ft. Myers, FL
$138 RT	Houston, TX
$138 RT	Lincoln, NE
$118 RT	Los Angelos, CA
$168 RT	Milwaukee, WI
$168 RT	New Orleans, LA
$152 RT	Newport News, VA
$164 RT	Portland, OR
$110 RT	Rapid City, ND
$118 RT	San Diego, CA
$178 RT	Spokane, WA
$148 RT	Tulsa, OK
$138 RT	Wichita, KS
$150 RT	Yuma, AZ

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 Private Ski Lessons

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park, Colorado Private Ski Instruction

Looking to brush up your ski form or get the kids up on the hills with some instruction from someone other than yourself? Well, private ski instruction is the way to go if you are looking for hands on guidance that will result in good skiing technique.

Private ski lessons at Mary Jane and Winter Park are becoming a hot topic this year as the private ski school headquarters is moving to a new, very convenient location. The old Discovery Real Estate Center is now home to Winter Park Resort Private Lesson Headquarters. Service here includes complimentary lockers, boot dryers, customized boot fitting, a concierge service, Wii/TV for the kids and a private lift line at the Zephyr Express chairlift. Doesn’t that sound like luxurious ski school service.

Groups of seven on more skiers travelling to Winter Park in Colorado this winter can get a better deal for a private lesson than they would signing up for regular group classes. This deal is for British skiers and boarders but I think the code will work for anyone booking private ski school lessons at Winter Park and Mary Jane.

With Winter Park’s opening of the new Private Lesson Center this season guests can get a deal and use the special discount code to save $60 per person excess for groups of over three people.

The private lesson base price then works out cheaper for a group of seven than an adult group lesson and you get half an hour longer tuition than in a group lesson too.

To take advantage of the private lessons offer email Winter Park Resort Private Lessons quoting reference code UK1947.

Winter Park Lodging Company has been working with and recommending several private ski school instructors at Winter Park Resort for the last few years. Sandy Schmidt, Nigel Conners, Pam Conners and Bart Smith are all tremendous ski instructors and all around great people. These guys are available for all varieties of private lessons - Family (4 or more people), Regular (1 – 3 people), 1/2 day, full day and multiple days. They can also arrange discounted lessons/lift tickets if you book directly through them and can also assist with equipment needs and boot fitting.

Contact Sandy at sgrifschmidt@hotmail.com. She has been instructing since 1975 and teaches all ages and abilities, from first-timers to beginning moguls.

Contact Bart at bmatt_smith@hotmail.com. The kids will love his Australian accent.

Contact Nigel at nigeski@hotmail.com or on his cell at (970)531-3871. Nigel has taught skiing for 15 seasons in Australia, Canada and USA (this is his 10th at Winter Park). He is a fully certified instructor, race coach and accredited trainer (one of about six on staff at Winter Park).

Contact Pam at wpskigal@msn.com or on her cell at (303)886-0885. Pam has taught skiing at Winter Park since 1985. Pam, Nigel’s wife if you are wondering, is also fully certified. She teaches high energy lessons for all ages and abilities (and loves the bumps).

Get your skiing technique in shape and hire a private ski school instructor.

First Day of Skiing Ski Season 2010/2011

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Chris

Mary Jane winter park skiing Winter Park Ski Season 2010/2011

We were able to get out of the house and out of WInter Park and the Fraser Valley to get the first day of this ski season in at Loveland Basin.

Loveland received an inch of new snow Sunday night to go on top of the 40 or so they have gotten so far this year. The snow conditions were awesome for November 1st and the weather could not have been better. There was no wind, very un-Loveland like, and the temps were around 35 degrees. Check out the pix above, it was as close to a bluebird day as you can get in early November.

Loveland had about five runs open, two of them were bump runs, and two lifts operating. All in all a great first day of skiing since last April.

There is more skiing to be had in the next couple of weeks. Copper Mountain opens this Friday, November 5th, and we will be trying to head over the pass and through the tunnel to get some early Copper skiing on Friday. If you want to follow Winter Park Lodging Company’s skiing exploits this season follow us on the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page.

More importantly, drum roll please, Winter Park/Mary Jane will be opening in two weeks. That is November 17th so set your watches and calendars because the snow is looking to be great early season this year. La Niña is expected to give us lots of wet, wet snow often this 2010/2011 ski season. So if you haven’t already get your skis tuned, equipment washed up and your season pass ready for some skiing.

Ski Season is here and there is no better feeling than knowing the snow is on its way.

New Winter Park Village Restaurant: Pizza Pedel’r

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Chris

The Pizza Pedel’r in Winter Park, CO

We have a new eatery in the Winter Park Village – The Pizza Pedel’r. Open for about two weeks and serving pizza by the slice and the whole pie, the Pizza Pedel’r is off to a good start. The snow has been kind to Winter Park Resort and that means lots of skiers have flocked up to our beloved ski hills to get a piece of the action and pizza.

I took a ski break this week and had a little chicken Caesar salad that was tasty and served up by Mark & Mike with a smile. The Pedel’r also serves wings and has a beer and wine liquor license, as you can see above they are serving some good Colorado micro beers and the homegrown Coors products. The Pizza Pedel’r is tucked in right between Lime and Shirt Off Your Back T-shirt shop in the Village. Open from 11am to 10pm daily, the shop is comfortable, bright and warm (to take the chill away from a day on the slopes).

The Pizza Pedel’r is brought to us by Rick Marion. They are offering pizza pick up and dine in. Pizza can be ordered at 970.726.5944. Once the Pedel’r gets their feet under them they are planning on doing Pizza delivery in resort base area.

If you are looking for a filling tasty lunch or dinner give the Pizza Pedel’r a try. As I said the salad was tasty and the decor and atmosphere was very inviting and I could see spending some time having a few old ones at lunch or après ski.