NASTAR Winter Park Resort 2012

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Chris

NASTAR Ski Championships Winter Park, CO

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships and Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships combined to create The Championships presented by Nature Valley at Winter Park Resort, March 23-April 1. The NASTAR Championships are now a full week here at Winter Park/Mary Jane.

The NASTAR race course is a dual race course where skiers and riders can race side-by-side against friends and family or against the clock. The course is set on Lower Cranmer, just above Snoasis, making the race course accessible to all skiers and riders at an intermediate level or better. Groups of any size and nearly any skill level can enjoy a fun and spirited competition catered to their needs. Ski clubs and councils, business retreats, family reunions, school ski trips, and other groups should give our NASTAR race course a try. Using a pacesetting system, participants can compare their results to other racers of all ages and abilities from across the country as well as with members of the U.S. Ski Team.

NASTAR Winter Park Schedule of Events

March 23-25 The Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships
March 26 Return of the Champions Family Challenge and U.S. Ski Team reunion
March 27 U.S. Ski Team Pro-Am Team Race
March 28-April 1 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships

NASTAR racers must qualify for the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships within their age category, division and discipline at any NASTAR resort. There are more than 120 resorts that offer NASTAR racing and a top five rankings as of Feb. 21st at any resort qualifies racers for the Nationals. The overall Champions, fastest male and female, will earn forerunner positions for the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships GS and a trip to a U.S. Ski Team training camp.

Winter Park Lodging Company is offering 5th night free on stays of 5 nights or more or 15% off 2 to 4 night stays. So, make sure to book your NASTAR Winter Park lodging with WInter Park Lodging Company.

Winter Park Resort Winter Carnival

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Chris

Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash

This weekend brings us the Winter Park Carnival celebrating Mary Jane’s birthday. The event celebrates one of Winter Park’s most famous gals – Mary Jane, the lady of the night. Winter Park Resort will host Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash with daily events including free bump tips, a snow sculpture contest, live music, and delicious Après Ski birthday cake (outside of the Club Car, on the Mary Jane base, at 2:15pm Saturday). Destination Downtown will carry the celebration into Saturday evening with a main street parade, fireworks and family fun activities. Ice Sculpture competition will return this year at Winter Park Resort and downtown Winter Park.

Here are the scheduled events on Saturday, January 21 to celebrate Mary Jane turning another year older:

7:30-9am Pancake Breakfast at Mary Jane

8am-11am Interactive Ice Display at Winter Park Resort

8am-4pm Snow Sculpture contest at Winter Park Resort and Mary Jane 9am-4pm Retail and Rental specials at the Mary Jane Shop

10am-1pm 5k Less Idle More Wild Snowshoe Series in Hideaway Park 10am-2pm Free Bump Tips at the Top of the Super Gauge Express 11am-1pm Kids fun activities with 1k race in Hideaway Park. 11:30am-5pm Jager Ice Bar & Giveaways Club Car Deck

12pm-5pm Live Music on the Club Car Deck

2pm-6pm Sprint Photo Booth- Old Time Photos

3pm-6pm Mary Jane dress-alike specials & après ski at the Club Car 1pm-4pm vitaminwater Street Team Sampling

3pm-6pm Coors Liberty Ski Giveaway at the Derailer Bar 3pm-6pm The Silver Bullet Base Bash Live Music Series presented by Coors with Kort McCumber at the Derailer Bar

4pm-6pm Free Campfire – S’mores Hot Chocolate and Sledding Party at Hideaway Park

4-8pm Free Music at Hideaway Park 5:15pm Wish Lanterns to be lit and set off in Hideaway Park

6pm Free Parade down Main Street Winter Park

Fireworks and Cupcakes to follow 9pm The Grand County Blues Society Presents Trampled Under Foot at Smokin’ Moe’s

11:30am-5pm Coors Light Ice Bar & Giveaways on the Derailer Deck

Sunday, January 22 Events:

7:30-9am Bloody Marys at Club Car at Mary Jane

10am-2pm Free Bump Tips at the Top of the Super Gauge Express 9am-4pm Retail and Rental specials at the Mary Jane Shop

11:30am-5pm Jager Ice Bar & Giveaways Club Car Deck 11:30-5pm Coors Light Ice Bar & Giveaways on the Derailer Deck 3-6pm Apres Ski Club Car at Mary Jane

9:45pm Live Music featuring Whitewater Ramble at Ullrs Tavern

Head on out and help Mary Jane celebrate her birthday.

The blues are BACK in Winter Park!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Chris

If you’re a fan of the fantastic live Blues shows that Grand County Blues Society hosts in Winter Park, it’s been a long couple of months for you waiting for the next show. We’re in luck though: this FRIDAY, November 11th at 9PM, Smokin’ Moes welcomes back Samantha Fish and Kate Moss for a night of rockin’ blues! Samantha Fish will be jamming on her guitar as if she’s been playing for a liftetime instead of less than a decade, and will be accompanied by special guest Kate Moss. We’ll likely hear a lot of music off Samantha’s first solo album released in April, called Runaway.

American Blues News reviewed one of her songs, 4 Non-Blondes, as being part Rolling Stones, part John Lee Hooker, and part Dukes of Hazzard car chase. In other words, Samantha knows how to play the blues, and we’re guaranteed another amazing show this Friday. Kate Moss will certainly only add to the party; she’s no stranger to the guitar herself. With these two on stage together, be ready to dance.

One added bonus: the Blues Society is kind enough to appreciate Verteran’s Day at the show, so any Verteran plus one guest will get into the show FREE! Guess what else? If you’re a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company, mention it at the door and your ticket will be on the house too! If you didn’t book with us this time, your ticket is $10, but it’s for a good cause: the Grand County Blues Society is a non-profit, so all the cash they collect at the door goes toward keeping Blues in the School and Blue Star Connection successful programs. Plus, our donations and ticket purchases help us to to keep bringing great live blues music back to Winter Park as often as we can. So, after you’re done waxing your skis for the early opening of Winter Park Resort this Saturday, come out to Smokin’ Moes for a great night with us. Want to make a weekend out of it? Give Winter Park Lodging Company a call to set up your lodging, lift tickets, ski rentals, and some free tickets to a great show!

Winter Park, Colorado Picture of the Day, 365 Days of WP

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park Colorado Photos

Winter Park, Colorado is such an amazing place that we think it is worth at-least one photo a day. SO, we here at Winter Park Lodging Company have started a little photo project. We will be publishing a new photo each for 365 days straight on the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook page. This little project started officially on July 17, 2011. We have captured some great shots already and are looking for more.

If any Y’all would like to show us your Wp shots please feel free to throw them up on the WPLCo Facebook page. To the left and below are some of the shots that we have recently that we have snapped in an around the Winter Park and Fraser Valley. It is the time of year for flowers, bike rides and afternoon thunderstorms, so the rules are keep your bike, camera and rain jacket at the ready.

Here is the 365 days of WInter Park photo album so far. Today we will be looking for some great shots up above WP on the mountain bike trails in the James Peak Wilderness Area.

We also have the Winter Park Jazz Festival officially starting tomorrow so look for some shots of the great jazz musicians that are playing here in Winter Park this weekend. There really are so many things going on right now that only one shot a day may be a little unrealistic. We will keep to under three a day though to be sure.

So, once again if you would like to share your photos of Winter Park, CO go ahead and slap them up on the WPLCo Facebook page.

Winter Park Beer Festival with The BoDeans

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Chris

Second Annual Beer Festival in Winter Park, Colorado

The Winter Park Beer Festival makes its return to WP in Hideaway Park in on August 13, 2011 from noon to 5pm. Last year was a great day with lots of beer great music and perfect weather. This year the WP Beer Festival will be bringing great brews from 25 craft brewers, live music featuring headliner: The BoDeans, tasty food and AMAZING VIEWS!

The music lineup this year brings back a Colorado favorite, The BoDeans. The BoDean’s played The American Music Festival at Winter Park Resort many times in the 1990′s. The BoDean sound will be a nice accompaniment to the majestic Rocky Mountains and brews.

The full Winter Park Beer Festival Music Lineup:

Opener: Universally Famous Rocket Surgeons

Middle: Motopony

Headliner: The BoDeans

Pre-purchase pricing – must be purchased by Thursday, August 11th at 5 pm:
VIP Mug – $65
Unlimited Tasting Cup – $25

Day of Pricing:
VIP – $75
Unlimited Tasting Cup

Tickets can be purchased at the Winter Park Beer Festival Website.

In the town of Winter Park there will also be a craft and art fair for the whole family. Shop early and then head to Hideaway Park for an afternoon of brew!

If you like beer, mountains and music, who doesn’t, then this is a day that should not be missed. There will be some of the biggest and best beer producers from Colorado and the whole US of A. Get your tasting cup purchased and ready and be prepared to enjoy some great barley pop in the beauty of Winter PArk, Colorado.

Check out last years WP Beer Festival blog.

Winter Park, CO Music Festivals

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Chris

Summer Music Festivals in Winter Park, Colorado

The summer music festival scene is about here in Winter Park. Winter Park Resort will open for the summer season on June 11th and the music festivals will follow soon after.

This year there are five music festivals and all have some great music. The music festival season is kicked off with the Blues from the Top Music Festival on June 25th and 26th with some of the best blues artists in the country. Next up is the resurrected American Music Festival on July 16th and 17th. The biggest show of the year, the Winter Park Jazz Festival is July 23rd and 24th. One of the biggest names in Winter Park this year will be Bret Michaels, of Poison fame, showing up for the Winter Park Music Festival with Warrant and Skid Row. The last music festival of the summer will be a beer and music celebration at the Winter Park Beer Festival on August 13th.

Lots of music for almost any taste with some great names. All shows will be in Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park, Colorado. Tickets for all the shows can be bought through the Winter Park/Fraser Chamber of Commerce or with lodging through the Winter Park Lodging Company.

Check out all the lineups and show times:

Blues from the Top Music Festival

American Music Festival -Winter Park

Winter Park Jazz Festival

Winter Park Music Festival – with Skid Row & Bret Michaels

Winter Park Beer Festival

Lots of music festivals going on up here in Winter Park. Make sure to get your lodging now for the best and most convenient digs. Most lodging packes from Winter Park Lodging Company come with complementary tickets to the above music festivals.

Winter Park TreadFest 2011

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO Bicycle Festival

The Winter Park Fat Tire Classic is being replaced by the TreadFest! The first annual TreadFest will take place in Winter Park, Colorado on July 9th, 2011.

Come experience beautiful Winter Park and the Fraser Valley on Saturday, July 9th at TreadFest 2011, a mountain bike fundraising event benefiting the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the American Red Cross. This event at Winter Park Resort will be in conjunction with the Epic Singletrack Race Series #3 Valley Point-to-Point and will feature supported trails that will be available to participants of all skill levels, from the family of recreational riders to those adventure-seekers looking for a challenge. All participants will have entry to the A Grateful Tread Festival with live music, beer from Avery Brewing, food and an Expo area. Grab your friends and form a team to compete for team fundraising, costume and member awards. Terrific prizes are being awarded to those individuals who reach distinguished fundraising levels, so join the fun and register today!

Visit the National Sports Center for the Disabled TreadFest Website for more information. Avery Brewery is now a main sponsor and I’m thinking that is the reason for the switch from the Fat Tire Classic as New Belgium and Fat Tire are no longer sponsoring the mountain bike festival.

TreadFest 2011 will be held July 9, 2011. The mid-July date will help us select the best trails that Winter Park has to offer without being restricted by late snowfall. TreadFest 2011 routes will be held on Winter Park’s Westside, including Corona Pass, Buck Creek, Pond Trail, Broken Thumb, Fraser River Trail and Idlewild!

This extensive network of supported trails will provide breathtaking views and a fun day for riders of all abilities.

Schedule of TreadFest events:

July 8, 2011 – Friday
6pm – 8pm - TreadFest Registration, Location TBD

July 9, 2011 – Saturday
6am – 9am - Participant Registration and Check-in, Registration Tent
6am – 12pm - Volunteer Check-in, Registration Tent
7am - Starting Line Opens
9:45am - Starting Line Closes
10am - Epic Singletrack Race Series #3, Valley Point-to-Point
10am - Greatful Tread Festival – Presented by Avery Brewing, Resort Base
12pm Sports Authority and Adaptive Hand Cycling Clinics, Resort Base
11:30am – 3:30pm - BBQ Lunch, Hospitality Tent
1:30pm - Sports Authority and Adaptive Hand Cycling Clinics, Resort Base
2pm - TreadFest Awards Presentation, Resort Base
2:30pm - Epic Singletrack Race Series #3 Point-to-Point Awards Presentation, Resort Base
4pm – 5pm - VIP Reception, Location TBD

The TreadFeat is a great way to enjoy WInter Park and help out two great charities. Come on up and get on your bike and see Winter Park, Colorado.

Visit Winter Park Lodging Company for your TreadFest lodging needs.

Spring Spash 2011 at Winter Park Resort

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Valarie

When you see two guys skiing in jock straps, you know something crazy must be going on. Not to mention a bunch of people lining up to ski an obstacle course with a pond at the finish line. At least the guy in the bunny costume was thinking about staying warm and dry!

Happy Spring Splash Winter Park. Mud season has officially started with the end of the fabulous 2010/2010 ski season. What a celebration. Now, let the sun shine, the trails dry quickly and the mountain biking begin!

Bret Michaels Coming to Winter Park, CO – Summer 2011

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO Music Festival with Bret Michaels of Poison Fame

Who is ready to sing “every rose has it’s thorn” ? Bret Michaels, of Poison fame, is headlining the Winter Park Music Festival on August 6th and 7th, 2011. The Winter Park Music Festival is presented by Denver radio station 103.5 The Fox.

Saturday, August 6th Warrant, Skid Row and The Groove Hawgs will be on stage at Hideaway Park right off of US Highway 40 in the town of Winter Park, CO. Saturday’s show kicks off at noon and will go to 6pm. On Sunday, August 7th Bret Michaels and the Groove Hawgs will be rockin’ it out from noon until 3pm.

Hideaway Park is a great place to see live music. Surround by the peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains with great seating and sound and right in walking distance of all Winter Park has to offer. Prices for the show have not been announced but we will keep you informed when that information becomes available.

Check out Bret Michaels Facebook page and get psyched up for some great music this summer. Here is a YouTube video of Poison’s top ten songs. Bret should be playing all of these Poison classics high up here in Winter Park.

Warrant (Cherry Pie) and Skid Row (18 and Life) both had success in 80′s and 90′s and should make for a great afternoon of headbangin’ music.

Looking to see some fun music in a great setting? Look no further than the Winter Park Music Festival. Come up for the whole weekend and enjoy the fun here in the Colorado mountains.

Winter Park Lodging Company has the best lodging for the WP Music Festival. We have a couple of units that will be able to see Bret Michaels from the patio. So book your lodging today for the best and closest digs.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch Full Moon Cross Country Ski

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Chris

Moonlit Cross Country Skiing Winter Park, CO

Looking to get out of the house and see how beautiful the evenings can be here in Winter Park and Grand County? There is not a more fun event than the Full Moon Cross Country ski at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. There are two left this year, Feb 18 and March 19.

Head out to the Thumb and arrive a little before six and you are in for a fun, beautiful workout. Join them for skiing, bonfires, marshmallows and hot chocolate under the full moon! Get your cross country ski on and warm up with the bonfire and hot chocolate.

The event starts at 6PM and goes until 9PM. No need to rush though as you can start pretty much anytime you like but need to be finished around 9PM.

If you haven’t been out to Devil’s Thumb you are missing one of Grand Counties treats! With more than 100km of groomed trails nestled in the pristine and private Ranch Creek valley at the base of the Continental Divide, DTR is the premiere Nordic center for Colorado cross country skiing. Whether you enjoy skate, classic or snowshoeing; there’s something there for everyone.

Novices can start the day with a private or group lesson from one of their friendly instructors. More seasoned Nordic enthusiasts will find their advanced technique clinics helpful. And, of course, a wide variety of quality cross country ski equipment is available for purchase or rental - including infant sleds and skijoring rigs (cross country skiing with dog assistance). They are open seven days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Don’t let the snow season get by without a moonlit night of skiing, head out and enjoy Devil’s Thumb Ranch one of the next full moon evenings.