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 Snowfall

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Chris

Snowfall at Winter Park Resort

The snow took some time to come this year but it has been falling steady the past week and conditions are fantastic with lots more snow forecast for this coming week. This week Panorama Express opened with great tree skiing and powder that was waist high.

As of today Winter Park Resort has 19 of 25 lifts open with 111 trails in great skiing condition and all 8 terrain parks ready for all your tricks. Total skiing acreage open is 1437, that is a lot of space to ski.

The weather outlook for the coming weeks is looking real good with a steady flow of storms dropping some good totals here in WP. For the year Winter Park Resort has had 101.5″ of snow for the year. A positive way of looking at the thin snow of December is that we will hit at least 300″ of snow for the year so there will be a whole lot of fluffy white powder being dumped between now and April 22.

Want to follow the Winter Park Resort Snow Forecast? Follow the Open Snow Powder Forecast.

Looking to come hit the snowy Winter Park slopes when there are no crowds and the flakes are flying? Book with WInter park Lodging Company by January 31st for stays before February 15th and get your third night free. Check out all of Winter Park Lodging Company’s Vacation Rentals to get your prime Winter Park, Colorado diggs.

The jet stream and storm flow have made a change. Look for Winter park and Mary Jane to get plenty of snow for some great skiing the next three and a-half months.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow.

Get the the Bird’s Eye View of the Village at Winter Park Resort

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Valarie

When we saw this fun and hip video with the bird’s eye view of the entire Village at Winter Park Resort, everyone at Winter Park Lodging Company was truly impressed (and wished we had come up with the idea ourselves).

From the long boarder guiding you through the gates into the Village, to the soaring views of the entire Village at the Winter Park ski resort, the video taken from above is captivating, with catchy tunes and amazing imagery.

See it all from the sky, including the Lofts, Village restaurants and shops, Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Fraser Crossing and Founder’s Pointe condos. We’re sure that you will be impressed, too. Check out this cool Aerial Video of the Village at Winter Park Resort now and let us know what you think.

Winter Park Resort #14 in Ski Magazine

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Chris

Top 15 Ski North American Ski Resorts: Winter Park

The Ski Magazine ski resort rankings are out and Winter Park Resort was one of the big winners. Ski magazine does their yearly resort rankings each October and this years rankings has Deer Valley, Utah as #1 and Vail as #2.

Winter Park Resort came in at #14 this year. Winter Park/Mary Jane jumped 8 spots in SKI Mag’s rankings to #14! The most moves out of all the North American ski resorts.

Down-to-earth feel. Nicely quiet at night. Serious skiing in the day! Winter Park Lodging Company couldn’t have said it better. With pluses of, Local favorite with a neighborly feel. And minuses of, Village and town lacking in dining and après ski.

On the minus notes we are getting new and better restaurants here in Winter Park. No, it is not Vail but who really wants that? As Ski Magazine said, Serious skiing in the day! Friendly locals and skiing that is what Winter Park, Colorado is about. Ski goes on about this a little bit: You still won’t find the dining or shopping that other Colorado resorts are known for, but there’s a sense of community here that you won’t find at those resorts either. Employees eagerly point you in the right direction or grab a wagon to haul your gear around the base— not because they have to, but because they want to.

Well sign me up, all skiing no pretension and friendly locals…. that sounds like a ski vacation. And yes this is Winter Park/Mary Jane, the #1 Colorado destination resort for snowfall. You can have the fur coats, the snooty lifties and all the shenanigans that Vail and Breckenridge throw at you. Give me my bumps, powder and tree skiing at Mary Jane and I will leave with a smile on my face.

So thank you Ski Magazine, finally someone is seeing the light, Winter Park Resort: a gem of a ski vacation destination.

Check out the complete top 20 North American Ski Resorts from Ski Magazine.

Winter Park Resort First Snow Contest Winner

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Chris

First Snow Winter Park, Colorado

We have a winner to our first snow contest here in Winter Park, CO. It has taken a little while to get around to announcing this but yes we have had a couple of snows since the first last week.

There were thirty five entries on our blog and about twenty five more on the Facebook post about the first snow contest and yes there was a lucky soul, ok maybe talented, who hit the first snow date. It was not a huge snow this year as last but it was over an inch and there is no disputing the picture to the left that it was a measurable snow last week.

So our first snow date for 2011 is, drumbeat please ………….. October 6th. Yes that was last Thursday and we have a winner. Stormy the snow predictor this year is Thomas Schneider. And Thomas pretty much hit the snow fall total also. Nice work Thomas! Here is the winning snowfall total post “The ‘dust’ is already at the top, so it won’t be long. That first 1/2 inch will come on Oct 6.”

The fourth Winter Park Resort first snow contest is now concluded and we hope that this relatively early snow and subsequent snow storms means that we are in for some La Nina powder this year. ALl the mountains surrounding Winter PArk and the Fraser Valley are now painted a nice white and it is looking as ski season is almost here. Today up at Berthoud Pass there were three a couple of impatient folk with there planks out looking to find some fresh lines down the hill. That is the spirit.

Well, here is to snow early and often all year long. Put the trail maps in the freezer and do the snow dance…..

LET IT SNOW, LET SNOW, LET IT SNOW

Exercise to Prepare for Ski Season if You Don’t Ski Winter Park Resort

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Chris

Ski Prep for those NOT coming to Winter Park Resort

We have a bit of a comical exercise program for all those that are planning to ski somewhere other than Winter Park Resort. While skiing can be a trying endeavor for all it is much more convenient and easier on the wallet here at Winter Park Resort.

SO if you plan on hitting the hills this year make sure you come to Winter Park, Colorado to avoid the exercise regimen below:

1. Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for a half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.

2. Soak your gloves and store them in the freezer after every use.

3. Fasten a small, wide rubber band around the top half of your head before you go to bed each night.

4. If you wear glasses, begin wearing them with glue smeared on the lenses.

5. Throw a hundred dollar bill away-now.

6. Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car and sporadically drop things.

7. Place a small but angular pebble in your shoes, line them with crushed ice, and then tighten a C-clamp around your toes.

8. Buy a new pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.

9. Secure one of your ankles to a bed post and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.

10. Go to McDonald’s and insist on paying $13.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.

11. Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make the ticket lacerate your face.

12. Drive slowly for five hours – anywhere – as long as it’s in a snowstorm and you’re following an 18 wheeler.

13. Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. Leave the ice on your face until it melts. Let it drip into your clothes.

14. Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.

15. Slam your thumb in a car door. Don’t go see a doctor.

16. Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until it’s time for the real thing.

The real thing would be November 16th, 2011 at Winter Park Resort this year. So book your lodging now with Winter Park Lodging Company and avoid the painful exercises above.

La Niña is Back, That little B****!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Chris

La Niña Ski Season 2011/12 Winter Park Resort

She’s Baaaaack! The National Weather Prediction Center has made an updated outlook on the La Niña weather pattern for fall and winter 2011/2012. Looking like we are in for another strong La Niña weather pattern bring some great snowfall. Come on La Niña, you little b****.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center officially upgraded the La Nina Watch to a La Niña Advisory, which in essence means La Nina conditions are forecast to return for the fall and winter.

During September-November 2011, there is evidence that La Niña favors an increased chance of above-average temperatures across the mid-section of the country, and an increased chance of above-average precipitation for the Central and Northern Rockies.

Forecasters said La Niña contributed to extreme weather around the globe during the first half of this year and then faded, but has now re-emerged and is expected to gradually strengthen and continue into winter.

NOAA says there is a standing 50 percent chance of a secondary La Niña to follow a strong event as we had last winter. Usually the second dip is weaker than the first.

That said, last fall and winter didn’t really follow a typical La Nina script – La Niña didn’t really rev up until February and March. Perhaps this winter could be different since we have a head start now.

So, it’s good news for skiers, snowboarders, and rain lovers. It’s not good news for the south because La Niña has the opposite effect of maintaining very dry weather there. La Niña‘s also typically enhance the hurricane season, as we’ve already seen this year. If the La Niña of last year could be followed by another early one this year we will be looking at some great skiing.

Winter Park Resort had a great snow year last ski season with snow early and late combined a steady flow of storms. We did not have that one huge storm that we have become accustom to but the good flow of storms more than made up for that.

Trestle Bike Park Lessons, Trestle 101

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Chris

Trestle Bike Park 101

Team Winter Park Lodging Company had a chance to visit Trestle Bike Park this weekend and we were able to take a downhill biking 101 class. What a treat to have personal teacher to teach us the ins and outs of the downhill sport.

Winter Park Resort was nice enough to set us up with the 101 lesson and bike rentals for the day. Our instructor David Deveny was great! Kowledgeable, fun and talented; David knows Trestle Bike Park and downhill biking very well. He was safe, enlightening and a lot of fun.

The day started out as the Trestle Bike shop was opening its doors at 9am. We were quickly helped in line after filling our info out ob the resort computer kiosks. We were then sent over to the equipment fitting station and were on our way with gear in 10 min. Over to the bike area we went and we were fitted with some sweet Kona Stinky Bikes that would be our vehicle of fun for the day.

After little talk from David we were on our way up the Zephyr lift. Right outside Sunspot David gave all the instruction that we would use on this day in about half an hour (see David above instructing new WPLCo employee Bill). From there Sunspot we were onto the green run Greenworld. We then hit Long Trail (lue Run) and parts of Rainmaker (black run).

They day ended at around Noon and that was enough riding and instruction for the day. What a blast of a day and I can not stress how useful a Trestle 101 class is to learn the downhill sport safely.

Trestle Bike Park is open daily through September 25th. Get youy biking in while the weather is here.

Winter Park Lodging Company has special discounts for our guests for the Trestle 101 class:

This 2 1/2 hour lesson is one heck of a good deal, offering instruction on how to ride a downhill bike, a lift pass, a downhill bike rental and protective gear. Discount price is only $63.20 plus tax for Winter Park Lodging Company guests (regularly $79).

We also have discounts for downhill bike rentals through the Trest Bike Store.

Downhill Mountain Bike Rentals:
Select Trestle Bike Park Shop on the booking page to rent downhill bikes. Below are just a few package possibilities, click the online booking link to see all packages. The packages listed below include a full day lift pass, a full face helmet and protective body gear.

World Cup Downhill Mountain Bike
Full day rental: $143.99 weekdays / $159.99 weekends (normally $179/$199)
Half day rental:$111.99 weekdays/ $119.99 weekends (normally $139/$149)
Demo Downhill Mountain Bike
Full day rental: $111.99 weekdays / $119.99 weekends (normally $139/$149)
Half day rental: $79.99 weekdays / $87.99 weekends (normally $99/$109)
Standard Downhill Mountain Bike
Full day rental: $95.99 weekdays / $103.99 weekends (normally $119/$129)
Half day rental: $63.99 weekdays / $71.99 weekends (normally $79/$89)
JR Downhill Mountain Bike
Full day rental: $79.99 weekdays / $95.99 (normally $99/$119)
Half day rental: $55.99 weekdays / $63.99 (normally $69/$79)

Winter Park Resort Improvements for 2011/2012 Ski Season

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park/Mary Jane Upgrades 2011/12 Ski Season

Winter Park and Mary Jane are making some improvements for this coming ski season. Even with the economy in the doldrums the last few years ski visits in the US and particularly Colorado have been on the upswing.

According to National Ski Areas Association, the United States had more skier visits in 2010-11 than any previous ski season in history, surpassing the 60 million mark. Colorado resorts accounted for more of these visits than any other state in the nation with more than one in five skiers choosing to ski at a Colorado resort.

Winter Park Resort had a good year last year as well and the Resort is plowing the money earned back into the resort to improve the on hill experience. Beginner skiers will see the biggest improvment this year with the Sorenson Trail Bypass. Beginners will now have an easier trail to the Village at Winter Park with the opening of the new Sorensen Trail Bypass.

Winter Park/Mary Jane is also adding a new snowcat for the groomed runs. Other capital at the resort has been re-invested into improving existing infrastructure and services.

This year looks to be a great year in WP. The weather pattern is looking to be neutral or another La Nina year with the same weather pattern as last years epic snow fall.

So lets get ready for November 16th when Winter Park Resort opens for ski season. The summer has been nice but we are ready for some snow.

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!