Winter Park, Colorado Cabins

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Colorado Cabin Lodging Vacation & Ski Cabins in Winter Park, CO

Looking to spend some time away from the go, go, go of the city? How about a cabin getaway in Winter Park? The Winter Park Lodging Company has some new cabins that are ideal for your family reunion, holiday getaway and that annual Colorado ski vacation. Here are a few of Winter Park Lodging Company’s cabins to satisfy all your vacation lodging needs.

Moose Crossing Cabin With frequent moose and other wildlife sightings, a unique hilltop location, and three stories of expansive living space, Moose Crossing Cabin is the perfect lodging option anytime of year. This home easily sleeps sixteen with four bedrooms plus a loft, and boasts a large living area with a beautiful stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Head out to the wraparound deck and take a dip in the steamy outdoor hot tub, or grill a fabulous dinner on the private grill.

Timber Ridge Lodge (pictured above) This luxury private home is located at one of the highest points in Winter Park, giving you a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains. Relax in one of the four bedrooms, your own private outdoor hot tub, or at the expansive bar in the gourmet kitchen. Vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and a huge living area round out the amenities that make Timber Ridge a truly amazing place.

Elk Run Cabin Situated in a quiet neighborhood and surrounded by pristine forest, this HUGE private home is mountain comfort at its best. It’s custom-built with all new furniture, a private outdoor hot tub, and a two-car garage. You’ll love all the outdoor space – there is a full yard for snowman building and even a kid’s jungle gym. The home is only three miles from the slopes, one mile from downtown, and ½ mile from the national forest trails for biking, hiking and snowshoeing.

Pine Cone Cabin Nestled in a quiet neighborhood and surrounded by pristine forest, this custom built cabin is rustic luxury at its finest. This home boasts all new decor, immaculate kitchen, 2 living areas and fireplaces, a large private outdoor hot tub and a garage. You’ll love the outdoor space and views from the private porch. The home is only three miles from the slopes, one mile from downtown, and ½ mile from the national forest trails for snowshoeing, hiking and biking.

Snowshoe House Secluded and charming, this unique home sits minutes from downtown Winter Park, yet maintains the feel of a private mountain getaway. Floor to ceiling windows across the entire back of the house bring the outdoors in- and the surrounding national wetlands provide both privacy and tranquility. High ceilings and an open floor plan make this home cozy and comfortable. There is a fireplace, private outdoor hot tub , and separate upstairs balcony.

Nothing beats a summer or winter getaway than having your own private cabin to escape to. Let the Winter Park Lodging Company plan the perfect vacation for you at one of these beautiful cabins.

October Recipe of the Month from Winter Park, CO

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Valarie

Teriyaki Chicken with Fried Rice

Teriyaki is a japanese style of cooking, something I just learned as I was searching for this recipe. I always just assumed it was chinese, so I here’s a little pre-recipe lesson for you, in case you are also clueless when it comes to Asian cooking.

The Japanese word teriyaki is a combination of two words: teri, meaning luster, and; yaki, which means grill or broil. According to About.com’s section about Japanese cooking, “To make a teriyaki dish, ingredients are broiled, roasted, or grilled after being marinated in or basted by teriyaki sauce. It’s the teriyaki sauce that brings the shiny look (teri) to the ingredients.”

I also learned that it’s so very easy to do. Just pick up some cooking sake, mirin (sweet sake for cooking) and soy sauce, and along with sugar and meat, viola, you’ve got all the ingredients for a teriyaki sauce. To go along with your teriyaki, you can also make fried rice, another easy dish that’s fun to play with. Here’s how to do it:

Teriyaki Chicken

•3/4 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
•2 Tbsp sake (rice wine)
•4 Tbsp soy sauce
•4 Tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
•2 Tbsp sugar
•*grated ginger (optional)

First, mix the sake, soy sauce, mirin and sugar in a bowl. Add the chicken to it and allow it to marinate for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat some vegetable oil in a skillet. Once the chicken has marinated, first brown one side of chicken on high heat, then turn it over and add the rest of the sauce. Cover and steam until the chicken is fully cooked, then remove the lid and allow the liquid to cook down and thicken. Once the sauce is thick, it’s done. Just cut up your chicken, pour the remaining sauce over it, and garnish with fresh grated ginger.

Vegetable Fried Rice

•5-6 cups of cooked rice
•2 Tbsp peanut oil
•1 small onion
•1 tsp minced garlic
•1 red bell pepper
• 1/4 tsp red chili powder
• 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 can baby peas, drained
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup peanuts, roasted

Start by heating up the peanut oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and red chili powder and cook it for about 3 to 4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, adding the cooked rice and soy sauce, and fry for a minute or two. Add the peas and cook for another minute. Then remove from the heat and add sesame oil. Mix well and garnish with peanuts. Serve with your teriyaki for a comletely tasty japanese dinner.

Winter Park, CO, Airfare Deal Alert – October

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Chris

October is one of the busiest months for us at Winter Park Lodging Company. It seems everyone has figured out their winter travel plans and are starting to book. Is it because the flights are so low? ALL of these flights are $118 round trip or less!

There are nearly 100 more flight deals for Denver listed on www.airfarewatchdog.com, plenty of which are $130 to $200 round trip, from Seattle to Wilmington. Like Portland for $158 and El Paso for$140, for example.

We hope you can take advantage of some of these flights from your home city and visit us for a ski holiday in Winter Park this year. Already have plans to ski Winter Park this winter? Great! Search for your lodging today and get your fourth night free with Winter Park Lodging Company.

$98 RT	Austin, TX
$78 RT	Albuquerque, NM
$118 RT	Boise, ID
$118 RT	Chicago, IL
$118 RT	Des Moines, IA
$118 RT	Houston, TX
$118 RT	Kansas City, MO
$118 RT	Las Vegas, NV
$118 RT	Los Angelos, CA
$98 RT	Omaha, NE
$118 RT	Oklahoma City, OK
$98 RT	Phoenix, AZ
$118 RT	Sacramento, CA
$78 RT	Salt Lake City, UT
$118 RT	San Antonio, TX
$118 RT	San Diego, CA
$118 RT	Santa Ana, CA
$118 RT	St. Louis, MO
$78 RT	Tucson, AZ
$118 RT	Wichita, KS

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.

Great Fall Fun in Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Amy

Some may think that fall in Winter Park, being a shoulder season in the mountains, is a time where we all sit around and long for the snow to start flying. Those people are soooo wrong!! Winter Park has had the most glorious fall ever and I, for one, could live with another month of warm sunny days and cool clear nights, as long as it snows a bunch in November. I hope the weather gods agree.

Here are a few of the fun things I have done this September and hope to do in October:

Elk Viewing – We made a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park one evening last week to see the elk and listen to them bugle. We go every year, but it is always exciting to see and hear them. It amazes me how they are not bothered by the people a bit. We had a few walk within 10 yards of us. The ranger said that the elk usually hang out in the meadows for 5 weeks, so there is still plenty of time to get out there to see them.

Fall Foliage – The Aspen trees are in their prime right now with all shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red. In the sunshine, they look like a painting in the doctor’s office. Nothing will relax you more than a drive through the mountains to see the fall colors.

Golf – This is the best time of year to get out there and play 18, or even just 9 holes. There are no crowds, the courses are in fabulous condition, you can get great deals, and the weather doesn’ t get any better. Be sure to stock up on snacks and drinks before you head out as the cart girls have abandoned their carts to squeeze in a few rounds themselves before the snow flies. Pole Creek (package rate available for our guests), Headwaters at Sol Vista, or Grand Elk are some fantastic courses for late season golf.

Dog Cart Rides — The dogs like to run all year long and it is cool enough again for them to take you on an adventure. You’ll ride in a cart instead of a sled, but it will still be exhilirating. When your ride has finished be sure to stop in to Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park and see the puppies that just arrived last week! Our guests save 30% on cart rides, scooter rides and kennell tours this fall until November 24th. Click here for details.

Hot Air Balloon Rides — What a great way to get up and see the folliage. Temperatures rise up to 40 degrees when you get high in the air, so you’ll be nice & toasty. Call Sue and Jack at Grand Adventure Balloon Tours to schedule the ride of your life, and get $10 off per person as a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company. You have never experienced anything so peaceful as being up in a balloon!

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort — One of the best ways to enjoy the fall scenery, while getting a bit of well-deserved re Soak in the Healing Waters of Hot Sulphur Springs st & relaxation at the same time, is to take the scenic drive through Byers Canyon to the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort, located about 45 minutes from Winter Park in the town of Hot Sulphur Springs. Choose your favorite pool filled with natural hot spring water from out of the twenty or so pools of varying temperatures and sizes. The Native Americans frequented these springs for years and believed they had healing effects.

Mountain Biking with Bears - well, not exactly. But we have been seeing quite a bit of wildlife, including bears, while on our mountain bike rides. Not only is it wonderful to be amidst the beautiful fall foliage on the trails, it’s exciting to know that you could see a moose, fox or bear around any bend in the trail. See more about a bear sighting or read about a recent moose sighting.

Maybe we’ll see you up here in our beautiful backyard this fall. We’ve got a list of lots of other fall activities in Winter Park & Grand County and would be happy to share some ideas with you. Give us a call at 970-722-0707 or 877-329-1383 or email us at info@winterparklodgingcompany.com anytime.

Favorite Winter Park Summer Patios

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Valarie

Backbowl's Patio

One of our favorite summertime activities in Winter Park is just hangin’ out at one of our favorite patios, kickin’ back to some live music and enjoying some cold beverages in the mountain sunshine. It’s definitely a favorite pasttime of mine!

When it comes to great summer patios in Winter Park, there are a few restaurants and bars that surpass the rest. If you have another favorite that I leave out, just let us know by leaving a comment below.

My Top Picks:

- The Winter Park Pub. The patio at “the pub” is #1 in my heart. There is usually live music at least three times a week, plus tons of space and seating for plenty of sunshine opportunities. They also have a tent for shade or rain coverage. It’s also a #1 locals favorite, so it’s a good place to mingle.

- The Cheeky Monk - This is a newer restaurant at the Village at Winter Park Resort. The vibe inside is awesome, and they have like, a million types of beers. The patio is killer, too, and they oftentimes have live music and drink specials during the summer.

A packed patio at "The Pub"

- Backbowl Soup Company – another new restaurant at the Village at Winter Park Resort, Backbowl has an attractive, spacious patio with umbrellas & nice views. They also have live music and drink specials on Tues & Thursdays and the “Adventure Train Playground” that the kids love.

- The Sushi Bar – Another local tradition is to hit up happy hour at The Sushi Bar at least a few times in the summer to enjoy their large deck. During happy hour you also get two-for-one specials on selected drinks & sushi rolls. They don’t have live music, but their parties and/or specials make up for that.

- Deno’s Mountain Bistro. A prime, south-west facing patio, this is a lovely spot for afternoon sunshine. Deno’s wine list is impressive, plus they have all the regular ol’ standbys and great wings. The only catch is that they don’t have live music.

- Fontenot’s – This deck is often overlooked, but for what reason, I don’t know. They have a really nice deck, tables with umbrellas and great food. They tend to be on the pricey side, which may be why it’s not frequented too often by locals, but they have delicious appetizers like fried green tomatoes and coconut shrimp. Not a spot for live music, either.

Other honorable mentions include the Gasthaus Eichler patio for lunch next to Vasquez Creek, Rudi’s Deli patio, and the Mountain Grind Cafe at Cooper Creek Square.

Winter Park, CO Airfare Deal Alert – August

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Valarie

Here is a selection of August’s airfare deals of the month, provided by www.airfarewatchdog.com. Check back daily on Airfare Watchdog for updates and new flight deals to all major cities in the US and all over the world.

$58 RT	Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)
$98 RT	Austin, TX (AUS)
$138 RT	Billings, MT (BIL)
$118 RT	Boise, ID (BOI)
$138 RT	Bozeman, MT (BZN)
$118 RT	Chicago, IL (MDW)
$178 RT	Dayton, OH (DAY)
$178 RT	Detroit, MI (DTW)
$198 RT	Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL)
$178 RT	Grand Rapids, MI (GRR)
$198 RT	Greenville, NC (PGV)
$491 RT	Honolulu, HI (HNL)
$118 RT	Houston, TX (IAH)
$158 RT	Indianapolis, IN (IND)
$118 RT	Kansas City, MO (MCI)
$118 RT	Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
$138 RT	Long Beach, CA (LGB)
$118 RT	Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
$178 RT	Madison, WI (MSN)
$158 RT	Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
$178 RT	Nashville, TN (BNA)
$178 RT	New Orleans, LA (MSY)
$198 RT	Norfolk, VA (ORF)
$118 RT	Oklahoma City, OK (OKC)
$98 RT	Omaha, NE (OMA)
$198 RT	Orlando, FL (MCO)
$198 RT	Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
$98 RT	Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
$158 RT	Portland, OR (PDX)
$138 RT	Rapid City, SD (RAP)
$78 RT	Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
$118 RT	San Antonio, TX (SAT)
$118 RT	St. Louis, MO (STL)
$78 RT	Tucson, AZ (TUS)
$178 RT	Washington, D.C. (IAD)

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.

Downhill Mtn. Biking at Trestle Bike Park!

Posted on July 30, 2010 by rachelb

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 Mountain Biking – Vasquez to Blue Sky Trail

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Chris

Amy and I (Sarah) got a morning free to bike last weekend without kids so we took off from the Winter Park Lodging Company office and headed thru downtown to Vasquez. I hadn’t been mountain biking in a year (and would not call myself even an intermediate biker. Amy hadn’t been in 4 years but she used to do it a lot so I made her the tour guide. We had a great ride! Took 1 hour, got the blood pumping, tested the mountain biking skills and had some beautiful scenery. So, thought we’d share our course:

- Bike up Vasquez Road and continue straight. Turns into water board road (about 5 cars and trucks came down as we biked up, but it was a Sunday)

- Continue up and up and eventually, you’ll see the turn off to the LEFT for Blue Sky Trail. At this point, you may be cursing me for giving you this idea. It is all uphill at this point but when you get on the trail, it’s pretty much all back down, so you can give your heart a rest and test your skills on the single track.

- After about 5 minutes from turning left, you’ll see the single track entrance to Blue Sky (again to left). Get clipped in (or in my case, shoved in to open toe holds) and enjoy the ride. Be careful of riders coming up hill. I came 6 inches from a collision. You’ll encounter some roots, some rocky areas, and little bridges. You pass over the rambling river a few times and it makes for great shots.

- The trail ends and spits you out on Arapahoe Road which meets up with Vasquez and back into town – enjoy flying down perfect pavement and roll into Deno’s for a brew on the patio.

I did it, so you can too. And I want to do it again – soon – which says a lot for this ride. Gives you a little bit of everything and builds confidence. See you on the trails!

Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Chris

Facebook for Winter Park Lodging Company

Winter Park Lodging Company’s Facebook Page has been up and running for about four months now and we are sitting at 275 fans or “Likes” as Facebook likes to call it. Not so bad but boy we sure wish we could be sitting at 1000.

WPLCo Facebook Page

So here is our unabashed plea to help us get to that 1000. I would say we are a proud bunch here but sometimes you need to grovel. The song says “Ain’t to Proud to beg sweet Darlin’ and Winter Park Lodging Company isn’t either. If you have any inclination to suggest the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page to your friends we would really really appreciate it. For those that don’t know how to suggest to friends, you click on the third link below the Winter Park Lodging Company photo on the WPLCo Facebook Page that says “suggest to friends” while you are logged into your account. Then click on all your friends and send them an invite to follow or “like” WPLCo.

Yes, as I said it is begging and it ain’t proud but this is social media marketing and sometimes you can’t be proud. What all your friends will get for following WPLCo on Facebook is our witty humor, Winter Park CO lodging deals and an insider scoop of what Winter Park is all about. You may even see some of the WPLCo staff up on the hill skiing or out and about on one of our various outings.

For any of you that take the time to suggest us we really appreciate it and for just following us we are indebted, so Thank YOU!

Sweet VIP Pass Offer for Free Concerts in Winter Park, CO

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Valarie

VIP Treatment at Winter Park's Free Music Festivals Join us in Winter Park for two FREE outdoor music festivals at Winter Park’s downtown concert venue at Hideaway Park, and when you book with Winter Park Lodging Company, you’ll get VIP passes to the show for all of the people in your group.

The VIP passes allow you to access seating close to the stage, two free drinks (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic), a free commemorative festival t-shirt and a chance to win a backstage pass to Meet & Greet the performers.

It’s that easy. Just book lodging in Winter Park for the festival weekend of your choice (or both), let us know how many people are in your group, and we’ll throw in the VIP passes for the festival. Check out the details for the free Winter Park festivals below!

KYGO HIGH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 10th, 2010.

We’ve got Chris Cagle, who, since his debut on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks in 2000, has produced numerous top-ten hits including “I Breathe in I Breathe Out”, “Chicks Dig It” and “What Kinda Gone”.

Also on the line-up is Texas’s The Josh Abbott Band, the “fastest rising young stars in Texas country,” and Denver’s own up-and-coming star, the Kory Brunson Band.

103.5 THE FOX CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 7th, 2010

If you love classic 80′s & 90′s rock, then you’ll have a great time in Winter Park this weekend.

The headliner of the event is Night Ranger, whose biggest hits include Sister Christian and Don’t Tell Me You Love Me. Their twin lead guitar and melodious metal has become a genre all their own.

We’ll also have Pat Travers, Lewis & Floorwax and Denver’s own The Groove Hawgs to bring their entertaining rock to the stage. You won’t want to miss this festival of rock n roll!