Downhill Mtn. Biking at Trestle Bike Park!

 
 

Come get your fix of adrenaline filled fun at the fastest growing Downhill Bike Park in the U.S.! Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado has something for everyone. Whether it’s your first time on a downhill bike, you’re looking for some coaching on technique, or you’re a seasoned pro who wants to work on speed alone, there are plenty of options for all.

As mentioned in Chris’s earlier blog, the WPLC crew got together last week for an exciting day of downhilling. After getting suited up in our ‘armor’ (see right) and loading our bikes on the lift, the ladies (Amy, Sarah, and myself) took the Trestle 101 course, which is perfect for those who are beginning or wanting to improve technique. For anyone looking to take the class, we recommend our instructor Ian who was knowedgable and who’s calm demeanor helped 3 crazy girls get down the mountain in one piece! :) Meanwhile, Chris and Dace were on their own with the helmet cam strapped on and ready to rock. We’ve got part 1 of their roller coaster ride caught on tape for you to check out…

After a few practice rounds and mtn. biking fundamentals, Ian took us girls down a looooong green trail aptly named ‘Green World’.  It was a fun winding trail through dense trees, open single track and rolling hills with lots of swooping turns (we liked calling them woop-de- woos). Needless to say, our class and one run on Green World lasted nearly three hours, so we got a great workout and were quite tired at the end. All in all, it was a great day and experience. We had a few spills, but managed to get back on the bikes and keep truckin’.  Gotta say the body armor doesn’t just look cool, it definitely cushions the falls! Soon, we’ll have part 2 of the helmet cam video up and running, so keep an eye out…

If you’re thinking about taking a weekend getaway filled with fresh mountain air or getting out of the city heat , Winter Park is where it’s at. Get an unbeatable price on summer lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company, and save big on all kinds of outdoor activities, including Trestle Bike Park and cross country bike rentals (great for the whole family!). We have an exclusive deal for our guests that gets you and your friends geared up for less! When you book your rentals online , you save over 20% off walk in rates and that’s a steal.

Remember, the Crankworx freestyle bike competition starts today and goes through the weekend at Winter Park Resort. Bring the kids and dogs and be amazed at the  high flying stunts these guys do -  It’s totally free and a wild time. Our instructor Ian will be competing too, so we’re going down to cheer him on and take some video. See you there!

Winter Park Rafting w/ Adventures in Whitewater!

 
 

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.

New Winter Park Rental: Needles #8 in Fraser, Colorado

 
 
Needles condo overlooking Fraser Valley

Like you are in a helicopter!

Interested in having a view to remember on your next Rocky Mountain getaway?  This IS the place.  Winter Park Lodging Company is excited to announce a new property in their palate – Needles #8, located in Fraser on the cliffs overlooking the entire Fraser Valley and Winter Park ski resort.

This unique town home is situated on the corner of the Needles complex and feels high in the sky.  After parking your vehicle in the garage, you walk into this home and are awe-struck with the views.  It has three levels all which look out to the Valley below.  Enjoy 4  bedrooms, 2 living areas, and a great eating space for family and friends. The owners have even made a little bar where friends have added stickers from all over including a photo of the owner with Johnny Cash (he was his dentist before he died).

An indoor hot tub is behind the living area where you can soak from a day of play and then enjoy the view-filled living area for an evening of games or catching your football game on the new flat screen TV.

This is sure to be a favorite you request year after year.  To book, email us at info@winterparklodgingcompany.com or call us at 1-877-329-1383 any day of the year.

New Winter Park Rental: Zephyr Mountain Lodge 1215

 
 
ski in out Zephyr condo

Ski out your back deck!

Yet another ski in/out condo joins  the Winter Park Lodging Company family this week – welcome, Zephyr 1215!  Located on the 1st floor of the Slopeside building, Zephyr Mountain Lodge 1215 boasts something no other condo in Grand County can – it’s truly the only ski in/out condo at Winter Park Resort since they added a gate on their back porch allowing you to ski right out to the slopes.

Any other condo at the resort requires you to walk down the hall and out the main back door to the slopes (ok, that’s not too tough of a task) but for bragging rights, this spot allows you to beat the others to the slopes and click in your bindings right off your back deck.

It has one bedroom with a queen bed and the living room has another sofa queen sleeper. Enjoy a private kitchen as all Zephyrs have and the outdoor hot tubs just 50 feet from your deck as well.

The condo also is right next to the new village in Winter Park which includes some of our favorite spots – get good margaritas at Lime, tasty beers and fries at the Cheeky Monk, delicious soups and breakfast burritos at the Back Bowl Soup Company and grab a t-shirt there too.  If any of you aren’t skiing the resort, you can also sign up for snowmobiling in the village at Grand Adventures.

The condo was just listed on our website and wide-open for bookings so email us at info@winterparklodgingcompany.com or call 1-877-329-1383 soon to get your spot in this guaranteed to be booked-up condo this winter!

Is Winter Park the Next Vail?

 
 

Winter Park to become Vail?

A friend of ours was flying back home to Boston and found this interesting article about Winter Park Resort becoming the next Vail in the inflight magazine.  The article title is “A Mountain of Opportunity”.  I would like to think that Winter Park will be the next Vail and I wouldn’t mind if Winter Park got some of the attention Vail does but I don’t think this is going to happen tomorrow.

It is a pretty good read of an article, however, the author got a couple things wrong.  The Winter Park Village actually is at the base of Winter Park Resort but the Town of Winter Park, which Google is now calling Hideaway Park, is 2 miles down US Highway 40.

My favorite part of the article is the part about the new Winter Park lofts:

“MODERATE: The nicest offerings at Intrawest’s new base area are the slopeside Lofts of Winter Park Village, luxury condos above the retail storefronts and restaurants. Finished with hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, large balconies and fireplaces, the units are first rate but relatively affordable. A two-level, three-bedroom, 1,070-square-foot unit runs about $700,000.”

The lofts are fantastic.  Right above the Winter Park Village and just steps from the Zephyr lift.  Very very convenient location for ski lodging.  When Winter Park Resort starts doing summer music at the base again the lofts will be the best place to stay I’m thinking.

Anywho, Winter Park Lodging Company offers two Winter Park Village lofts and if you are looking for lodging at the Winter Park/Mary Jane Base, the lofts can not be beat.

So, here is to Winter Park moving towards the likes of Vail but we really don’t want to be Vail.

Intrawest sells Copper Mountain | What’s in store for Winter Park Resort?

 
 

Copper Mountain Logo

Does this Right the Intrawest Ship or is the Ship Sinking?

Intrawest has plans to sell one of it’s Colorado ski resorts the company announced yesterday.  Intrawest has agreed to sell Copper Mountain to Powdr Corp. based in Park City, Utah and one of the larger North American ski resort operators.

Reasons for the sale were not announced by the private company but Intrawest and Fortress, it’s parent company, have taken a beating in the last year with the recession.  This puts Intrawest at nine resorts it now operates.  Intrawest spokesman Mr. Galbraith on Tuesday would not say whether more assets will be sold. He said the reason Intrawest sold Copper Mountain is because the new company strategy is to focus on nine winter resorts rather than 10.

So, what does this mean for Winter Park Resort?  Well, if you take Mr. Galbraith at his word then nine is a pretty special number of resorts to be managing.  Why could nine not become eight, or eight then seven and on and on?  Intrawest can not sell Winter Park, though, as it is the resort management company for the City of Denver with a 50 year lease.

The tightening of the Intrawest belt can be seen at Winter Park Resort.  There are no on mountain improvements this year even though there has been quite a few the last five years.  Intrawest also just announced plans to charge guests staying at the base in the three buildings they have lodging operations - Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Fraser Crossing & Founder’s Pointe – will now be charged $14.00 a night to park a car.  I guess they must be hurting with trying to charge the Winter Park guest, ie families, $14.00 a night in this economy for a garage that is never full.  Well $14.00 a night per car will help that bottom line.

Anywho, it will be interesting what more changes we will see coming from Intrawest and what effect they will have on Winter Park Resort.  We will keep you posted.

Winter Park Ski Resort

 
 

Winter Park ski resort

Winter Park Ski Area

Snow is on the slopes at Winter Park Resort.  Last week we got over 16 inches from an early El Nino fall storm and it is looking like we will see plenty more big early storms this year.  The photo above was taken November 5, 2009 from Pole Creek Meadows in Tabernash outside of our home.  If this doesn’t get the ski juices flowing then I guess you aren’t quite as addicted to the sport as your truly.

This year at Winter Park Resort is shaping up to be a fantastic year.  The Winter Park Village will have it’s first full year of operation with new stores, restaurants and full year to get it’s act together.   We now have a Snow Cat skiing operation based here in Winter Park, Colorado: Powder Addiction.  After five years of on Mountain improvements it is time to enjoy all that has been improved.  Yes, I’m regurgitating Intrawest’s line of why there are no on mountain improvements this year but they kinda do have a point (even though it’s all about money).

Deals are aplenty up here in Winter Park but make sure you know what you are getting.  Is free skiing really free? Are you getting a smokin’ deal for your Winter Park Lodging because you are in a place that no one else wants.  Photos!!! Ask for photos of the unit you will be paying for.

There are deals to be had on most things here in Winter Park.  Check out Winter Park Lodging Company’s discounts.  Save on restaurants, activities, ski rentals, lift tickets, yoga, sleigh rides, snow mobiles and the list goes on and on.

2009/10 ski season is shaping up to be a great year here in Winter Park.  Don’t overpay and don’t miss the fun!

Winter Park Village Getting Ready for Ski Season

 
 

Winter Park Village GondolaWinter Park Village

The new Village at Winter Park Resort is gearing up for it’s first full ski season.  Couple new stores are getting their stores finished up and the Gondola is ready to whisk skiers from the parking lots to the slopes.

I took the photo to the left the day before we got hit with about 13 inches of new snow this past Wednesday and Thursday at the resort.  Went back out Friday and a nice blanket of white powder had been left on top of the slopes and base and the snow makers were pumping at full blast.  I will share those photos later this week.

The Winter Park Village will now have The Cheeky Monk, The Back Bowl Soup Company, Goodys, Shirt off my Back and Grand Adventures/Powder Addiction for the start of the ski season.  Oh, I do always forget to mention Doc’s Roadhouse the Intrawest operated eatery right at the Winter Park base.  The Village should be a little busier this year and lot more fun now that the stores are filling in.

The Lofts at Winter Park will also be occupied making the Village a happening place to be this winter.  We will have at-least one loft for vacation lodging here at Winter Park Lodging Company.

Come see what the new Winter Park Village has to offer and ski Colorado’s favorite ski resort.

The SIA is finally Headed to Denver and Winter Park

 
 

snow showAfter being hosted in Las Vegas for the last 35 years, the SIA Snow Show (ski industy association) is finally coming to Denver and the new convention center. It is held from January 28 – 31 and then all the attendees are coming to Winter Park for 2 days of On Snow Demos and a Free Ride Fest. January 1 and 2, from 9-4pm, retailers will be able to test any equipment imaginable.  Alpine and snowboard equipment will be available at Winter Park Resort and cross country and snowshoe equipment will be available at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash.  For more info on the demo fest, check out the SIA web site. Winter Park Lodging will match the rates for like properties currently offered by the resort, plus you will receive for free our fantastic customer service.

The Winter Park Lodging Company Difference

 
 

Winter Park Lodging Company staffWhy book with the Winter Park Lodging Company?

Jump for joy with Winter Park Lodging Company, the fastest growing lodging company in Grand County. Unlike other lodging companies, our guests choose exactly where they want to stay in Winter Park. With actual photos and specific amenities listed on our website, plus a friendly and knowledgeble crew of locals to answer your questions, we’ll help you find the best lodging match for you to max out your fun.  Fun for the whole family awaits you on the hills of Winter Park Resort, the slopes of the Fraser tube hill and the side of a mountain on your mountain bike.

Check out the other differences that set us apart from the other Winter Park rental management companies.

  • Ski and board for $55/day most everyday of the ski season
  • Free wireless or high-speed Internet in every property
  • Free goodie bag with snacks, coupons and freebies waiting for you upon arrival
  • Free printing for boarding passes, etc.
  • Free air mattresses, pack-n-plays and other rentals

Call us at 1-877-329-1383 or contact Winter Park Lodging Company so we can help you plan a vacation to remember thru the years.