Winter Park’s Olympian Ryan St. Onge

We are proud to claim an Olympian amongst our own Winter Park circle. The freestyle aerial ski jumper Ryan St. Onge, one of Winter Park’s own, finished at fourth place in British Columbia on Thursday, Feb 26th, just 2.5 points off from winning the bronze. Congratulations, Ryan!

Ryan and his family, including his brother Chad, another US Ski Teamster, moved to Winter Park in 1991 when he was eight years old. Ryan then trained with the Winter Park Competition Center for the next eight years. At the age of fourteen, he was selected to compete with the US ski team, performing two our of four jumps perfectly at the selection event.

Since then, Ryan St. Onge has gone on to win seven World Cup victories, three national titles, a silver medal in the 2009 World Cup Grand Prix and a gold at the 2009 World Championships held in Japan in March 2009. What an athlete! This is his second time at the Olympic games.

See the footage of Ryan’s go for gold at the Olympics in British Columbia on Feb 26th.

Winter Park Competition Center has 28 current or former athletes that have gone on to join the US Ski Team. Wow!  In 2009, Winter Park Alumni Liz McIntyre was inducted in the US Ski Hall of Fame, another Winter Park Alum, Michelle Roark, won the US National Moguls Competition and the Winter Park Head Aerials Coach, Chris Seemann, was selected as the USSA’s freestyle coach of the year.

Let’s hear it for the first-class athletes of Winter Park!

Top Five Ski Runs at Winter Park Mary Jane Resort

Best Ski Runs Winter Park, Colo

With all the snow we have been getting here in Winter Park I thought it would be a good time to do a best of or favorites list of runs here at Winter Park/Mary Jane.   There are lots of runs here in Winter Park so this was no easy  matter coming up with a short five.

Here is a resort trail map to follow along with if you care to.

Well then, here goes my top five ski runs at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort:

1. Runaway/Trestle – there are a couple of ways to ski this and it all depends on the snow which is better.  If snow is thin take Runaway to the lower part of Trestle avoiding the rock face on upper Trestle.  If the snow is plentiful do all of Trestle and enjoy the jump turns on the rock face.

2. Upper Arrowhead Loop/Rainbow Cut – You get to ski right past Sterling Way and Golden Spike where it seems all the other skiers are heading.  Upper Arrowhead has some very steep bumps and usually great snow.  The run then opens up after the “hero bumps” (that’s how you feel after you ski them) into Rainbow Cut.  Nice and wide with good snow usually up against the trees.

3. Eagle Wind – Not a true run but all the runs off this lift kind of mingle together and there is always good snow and good tree skiing.  The run out at the bottom can be hell on the legs but it’s usually worth the the skiing you were able to enjoy.

4. Belle Fourche ( Bella Foosh) – Thick thick powder, kinda hard to get to and the same crappy run out as Eagle Wind, equals some of the best skiing in Colorado.

5. The Trees – To be specific ‘Topher’s Trees or Buckaroo Trees.  Not on the map and on opposite sides of the resort but some great fun tree skiing.  Ask a local and you may get a guided tour.

I left out Panoramic Express terrain because that is where all guests seem to be heading these days.  There is great skiing over there but anymore there are lots of people to go with them.  And it is chilly on top of Parsenn Bowl.

Think I’m way off or right on?  Leave a comment on what are your favorite runs at Winter Park/Mary Jane.

Ziggy’s Donuts Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Donuts

Looking for some good coffee and donuts in Winter Park.  Well, Ziggy’s donuts has now been open for a month here in Winter Park, CO.  Ziggy is serving up custom made donuts and some superb coffee right in downtown Winter Park.  Located in the Kings Crossing Shopping Center, right off of US Highway 40, Ziggy’s is the place for your doughnut fix.

Ziggy’s offers custom made donuts that come right off the conveyor belt and are custom hand dipped in whatever topping you chose.  There are five or six tables to enjoy your treats or a couple of counter spaces to watch the donuts being made.  The twins above, enjoying the first donuts of their lives, were mesmerized by the doughnut machine and the dipping in the custom toppings.

Ziggy’s also has coffee,  from espresso to cappuccino you can any coffee that you like from Ziggy’s magical Italian coffee machine.  They also have various Polish confections on the shelves for you to enjoy on the slopes up at the resort.

Just stop off on your way to Winter Park Resort and enjoy some fresh coffee and donuts.

Winter Park Resort Spring Splash 2010

Winter Park, CO. Spring Splash

The 42nd annual Spring Splash is back at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort on Sunday April 18th, 2010.  This is the longest running end of the season ski party held in Colorado and maybe the United States.  The Spring Splash is now sponsored by Coca-Cola so it is officially known as the Coca-Cola Spring Splask.

Splash as it is known locally here in Winter Park is actually two parties. The official held at the base of Winter Park Resort is a family fun affair with music, racing and prizes.  The official description is: Winter Park Resort’s Coca-Cola® Spring Splash is the oldest tradition of its kind and on its 42nd year. Athletes begin at 12pm as spectators watch skiers and riders struggle through obstacles on the Larry Sale trail race course and attempt to skim across an icy pond to reach the finish line and post a time. Live music sets the tone for a closing day party that is fun for everyone!

The unofficial party, and not for the younger part of the whole family, is the end of season party held in the Challenger lot of Mary Jane Resort.  Music, BBQ, adult beverages, costumes and a very much party atmosphere pervade the “end of season splash”.  Party gets going early, as on the night before on April 17th, and lasts past sundown on April 18th.  The last few years have seen Winter Park/Fraser Valley Police with drug dogs and a big police presence.  This is a fun time though that Winter Park locals and visitors plan for weeks in advance.  So it is fun for all just make good choices with your drinking and driving and other behaviors.

If you have not been to the official or the unofficial Splash you are missing out.  This is one of the most fun, if not the most fun times in Winter Park, CO all year.

For Spring Splash race registration:  Sunday, April 18, 8-10:30am: Guest Services, Balcony House, base of Winter Park Resort. $20 entry fee; $39 lift and entry fee, $15 employee entry fee. Limited to the first 100 participants. 18 and over, must show proof of age. Day of registration only, no pre-registration is available. You must be present to register.

LIVE MUSIC in the Plaza from 2-6pm

For more race details, contact the Winter Park Resort guest information hotline at 970.726.1564.

Lodging prices are at the lowest of the ski season for Spring Splash, so be safe and stay a few nights and enjoy some great deals on Winter Park CO. Lodging.

A Taste Of Winter Park/Grand County

Winter Park Chef’s Cup Race

The 27th Annual Chef’s Cup Dinner Race, A Taste of Winter Park/Grand County is coming up on January 22nd, 2010.  The evnt will start at 7PM at the West Partal Station at Winter park Resort.

The Chef’s Cup Dinner Dance is a benefit to support the Winter Park Competition Center youth ski and snowboard programs. Come watch the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) 40th Anniversary ski down parade and join them with at the celebration lunch and cake.

Ten to fifteen of Winter Park and Grand County’s best restaurants will donate their time and talent to prepare the food for 400 plus party goers to taste.   Attendees will then vote for the overall favorite gourmet creation. Enjoy complimentary wine, margaritas, and beer, from Beringer Founders Estate, Margaritaville, and Mary Jane Ale.  Guests can also bid on a huge variety silent auction items donated by generous supporters.

Call 970.726.1590 or 303.316.1590 for more information or to make a donation for the silent auction.

What a great night, free food and drink and all to support a great cause.

Winter Park Rec Center: Video and Photos

Need to take a break from skiing? It costs a family of four about $200 to ski at Winter Park (with coupons from Winter Park Lodging Company) but for only $40, the same family can take a day off of skiing and enjoy the fun of the new Fraser Valley Grand Park Rec Center.   It’s a state of the art facility with a lazy river, toddler water park, three story water slide, four lane lap pool, diving board, hot tub, steam room, sauna, basketball courts, gymnasium with a tramp-aerial jump pit, and an entire 2nd floor of workout equipment each with their own flat screen TVs.  Don’t forget to try out the climbing wall or one of the many classes offered (yoga, spinning, aerobics, etc).  

Book with Winter Park Lodging Company and use the facility for $8/day with our special passes. Stop by our office on the way to the Rec Center to pick up as many as you need.

Winter Park Ski Train Coming to an End?

Winter Park Ski Train

It is looking like the Winter Park Ski Train is not going to run for it’s 70th season.  The agreement between Amtrack, the taxpayer backed National rail line, and Iowa Pacific, owner of the proposed new ski train, has come to an impasse.

The problem as I see it is Amtrack didn’t want to have anything to do with a rail service that didn’t need a taxpayer handout.

The proposed new set up was for Iowa Pacific owned trains to run on Union Pacific track using Amtrack staff and engineers.  Amtrack raised their required insurance amount by 100 fold at the last minute to scuttle the 70th year of service of the Winter Park Ski Train.  Service is will not resume to at-least January 6th when a federal judge will hear Iowa Pacific’s injunction against Amtrack to force Amtrack to run the train for this season.

Iowa Pacific has sold more than 13,000 tickets already that it now will be forced to refund.  Iowa Pacific thought it had reached an agreement with Amtrak, which enjoys a government-protected monopoly to operate intercity passenger trains, to continue the ski train as an excursion line.

It really is a shame as the Ski Train was a unique amenity that Winter Park was able to offer to guests wanting travel to the Colorado Rockies from Denver on rail.  The Ski Train will be missed by all who have grown up with the service and those of us here in Winter Park.

Grand Park Community Rec Center

Winter Park/ Fraser Rec Center

The Grand Park Community Rec Center is open and running.  We had a chance to visit the rec center this weekend and facility did not disappoint.  Nice work Y’all at the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District.  Most private fitness clubs I’ve seen can not match the the Rec Center’s finishes.  The place is a masterpiece!  There is now an escape from the long cold winters up here in Grand County.  A soak in the pool, hot tub or some time in the steam sauna will warm up the bones and get us all back on the the ski slopes very quickly.

The Rec Center has something for everyone but is just about perfect for the kids.  Day care, a water playground and a lazy river will provide hours of healthy entertainment for the young ones.  There are climbing walls, basketball courts and trampolines with a foam ball landing pit that looks just spectacular.  I may be gushing but I still can’t believe we have an asset this nice right here in Winter Park.

Follow the Rec Center happenings on their facebook page and become a member to enjoy their offerings year around.  Winter Park Lodging Company will offer our guests special discounted entry coupons so if you have any interest just ask.

Again nice work on the Grand Park Community Rec Center to all who had a hand in it’s creation!

It 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender Service Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Parties and Weddings

There is a new service up here in Winter Park and Grand County.  The folks who run Pick Me the wedding coordination, event planning, floral design service have another up their sleeve.  The It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender service is now part of their complete wedding planning, event, party stable.

Now this service is right up my alley, as having been in the Denver restaurant biz for over 20 years, it would be great to have a party and not have to do the bar-tending myself.  Not sure if that will ever happen though.

Pick Me does a great job with all wedding and event planning and I’m sure their bar-tending service will be just as top notch as their other services.  Throwing a holiday party? Let It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere take the stress out of the holidays and let you and your guest sip your favorite adult beverage to the wee hours of the morning.  Now that’s the way bring in the new year.

Hot Sulphur Springs: Fun Activity Apres Ski or for the Non-skiers

Waterfall at Ute Pool

To help with the duldrums of October, we headed to Hot Sulphur Springs last Sunday night. We thought we’d be the only ones there but we were wrong!  I guess others were wanting to warm up in the natural hot springs of Grand County located in the county seat aptly named: Hot Sulphur Springs.

What fun! We ran out in the cold in our suits and jumped into the 104 degree pool with the waterfall. ah, warmth (and smelly sulphur!).  Amy pointed out a little part of the pool where the water comes from that doesn’t have a concrete bottom and dared us to get in there. It was a little freaky at night but I did it and so did the other Sarah B from Cape Cod (photo below).

There are tons of little pools to choose from, plus indoor pools too. A great spot to head to if you’re not skiing for the day or if you want to soak after a long day on the slopes. And, make sure you print of this coupon before you go for a discount.

To get there, go past Fraser, Tabernash, Granby and head straight to Hot Sulphur. Probably about a 30 minute drive from Winter Park but well worth it!