Who Has the Best Burger in Winter Park and Fraser?

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Chris

Who has best hamburger in Winter Park Colorado

Top Hamburger in Winter Park, Colorado

We here at Winter Park Lodging Company thought we should start a little best of project for the Winter Park and Fraser area. We would like some reader/fan participation and even participation of our fellow business her in the WP area. How we thought this would work is that WPLCo comes up with a category…. say best place for a beer, or best hamburger… whatever category and our reader/fans can suggest the favorites. WPLCo research crew, me and whoever is lucky enough to be in tow, will try the top three suggested and rate them accordingly. Sound like fun? Well, it will pass some of the time away before the start of this ski season.

So our first category on the best of Winter Park/Fraser project is, as you can tell from the tittle, what restaurant has the best burger in the Winter Park area? Lots of restaurants here with some great burgers but what one are the top three and of those who has the big whopper of the burger here in Winter Park?

You are welcome to make your suggestions on either the comments section below or on the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook page.

With a just a quick glance at the burger landscape in WP I would have to say that those that would need to be tried would be Deno’s, Devils Thumb Ranch House, Bistro 28 at Pole Creek Golf Club, The Library and Randi’s. We do have a McDonald’s here in WP and there is something to be said for a Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

So let it fly, who has the best burger in the Winter Park, Colorado area?

Winter Park Resort First Snow Contest 2011

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Chris

When will Winter Park, CO Receive the First Measurable Snow for Winter 2011?

It is that time of year again when we are on the snow lookout. We are on our fourth year of the Winter Park,CO First Measurable Snow Contest. This year looks to be a good year of snow as the La Nina weather pattern is supposed to be hanging on until early in 2012. And that little La Nina was oh so kind to us last year we are looking for some great snow early this year, knock on wood.

Anyone fortunate enough to live or travel out here to CO during the 2010-11 winter knows that it was the mother of all winters with most Colorado resorts boasting record snow totals. Could this winter be a repeat of the La Nina conditions that brought about last year’s nearly endless winter (we had good a good snowfall in mid-June)?

The NOAA’s current climate models give us a coin flip’s chance at either a repeat La Nina event or the normal ENSO neutral. They aren’t the best odds in the world, but I’ll take them. Anywho, lets hope that the snow is flying early and often to make this another good winter of skiing.

The first measurable snow in Winter Park, Colorado contest goes like this:

Guess the day of the first measurable snow at Winter Park Resort in the comments section below this blog or on the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page
Only one guess per person
Measurable snow is more than half an inch
Prize is dinner for two at Deno’s Mountain Bistro, $100.00 limit
Guess must be in two days before actual snow

Last year, 2010, first snow was rather late with an October 12th blizzard. 2009 brought us first snow on September 21st and 2008 was early with a September 10th date. Last year I predicted September 15th and was off by almost a month.

So everyone put your Winter Park Resort Trail-maps in the freezer for good luck (and to make the snow gods happy) and get your snow dance on. I will start things off with the fist snow prediction for ski season 2011/2012.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Labor Day at Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO Labor Day

Labor Day brings about a lot of transition here in Winter Park. It is also a great weekend to celebrate the end of summer or as has been the usual case the middle of fall.

Labor Day is September 5th this year and there has already been some clumps of aspen turning yellow as of the second week of August so expect the colors to be blazing around Labor Day in Winter Park. As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end,” and the phenomenal summer season we’ve been having up at Winter Park Resort is no exception. Labor Day marks the end of summer weekday operations at the resort. Trestle Bike Park and the other base attraction will be open on weekends through September 25th.

The weather here in Winter Park has not turned yet but there is definitely a fall feel in the air each morning. It is perfect weather in my opinion with the days in the 70′s a night time is cool enough for a fleece or light jacket. This is the best time of the year for mountain biking in Winter Par and the trail are in terrific shape.

There are also a lots to do other than the Winter Park Resort activities. Check out Devils Thumb Ranch Labor Day celebration:

$29 All-You-Can-Eat Chef Prepared BBQ
Kids (12 & under) Half-Price
$3 Drafts
$3 Trinity Oaks Wines
$3 House-made Infusion Martinis

Enjoy yard games, an animal petting zoo, live music by Rob Drabkin.

Choose from two-for-one activities such as guided hikes, a mountain bike ride, fly casting lessons, archery, or Cowpoke Camp for the kids.

Get your Winter Park Resort lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company and get the best deal and the best customer service in WP, CO.

SIA Snow Show at Winter Park Resort, CO

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO SIA On-Snow Demo and Festival

The SIA On-Snow Demo makes its return to Winter Park and the Fraser Valley for the third year. The alpine part of the show will be based at Winter Park Resort and the Cross Country will be out at Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

2012 On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest
Monday, January 30 | 9A – 4P
Tuesday, January 31 | 9A – 4P

The on snow demo follows the indoor show at the Denver Convention Center that runs from Thursday January 26th to Sunday January 29th.

In conjunction with Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and in partnership with Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), buyers can try out the latest gear for ski, snowboard, AT/tele, backcountry, cross country and snowshoe while all other attendees can get some time on the hill with the brands, reps and media. Attendees of the SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest get free lift tickets and entry to Winter Park and Devil’s Thumb.

The 2nd annual (2011) SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch wrapped up with a record turn-out of 1,750 buyers and two days filled with gear testing, parties and a little competition among friends. The Demo provides the perfect transition onto the slopes after four days of meetings and product demos at the SIA Snow Show in Denver, Colorado. During the two-day Ski-Ride Fest, snow sports retailers and media tested out gear and accessories they just previewed at the Show including ski, snowboard, AT, telemark and backcountry products.

The last two years were packed and lodging was scarce that SIA weekend. Make sure to book your SIA on snow demo lodging now to get the accommodations you will need. This year looks to be bigger with more attendees and more new ski and board products. Plan ahead and plan on a good time at the Winter Park SIAOn-Snow Demo and Festival.

Winter Park Resort Opening Day Ski Season 2011/2012

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO and Mary Jane Opening Day Ski Season 2011

Summer is still upon us here in Winter Park, but the bite of fall can and already has been felt. There are even some clumps of aspen trees that are already changing to yellow. And what does all this mean? It is time to get ready for the opening of Winter Park and Mary Jane.

This year opening day is Wednesday, November 16th 2011 at 9am. Let the countdown begin! Last year we had an incredible opening with 7 inches of snow the night before opening and that led the way with a great snow season all year long. Let us rejoice in La Nina. The La Nina weather is supposed to stay with us through early winter and into the new year and we can only hope that it brings us the snow of last year. It looks like we may have an ENSO Neutral, or weak La Nina in store for the fall/ winter period.

So as of today we have 97 days until the slopes of Winter Park are open for our skiing pleasure. In that time we will get to see the newest Warren Miller ski movie, hit up Sniagrab for the some new ski schwag and hit the gym for the preseason ski conditioning classes. Don’t forget to get you Winter Park/Mary Jane season ski pass before it is too late, 97 days we will be gone before you know it.

Wednesday, November 16th 2011 is the opening day for Winter Park Resort.

Hallelujah.