Labor Day at Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO Labor Day

Labor Day brings about a lot of transition here in Winter Park. It is also a great weekend to celebrate the end of summer or as has been the usual case the middle of fall.

Labor Day is September 5th this year and there has already been some clumps of aspen turning yellow as of the second week of August so expect the colors to be blazing around Labor Day in Winter Park. As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end,” and the phenomenal summer season we’ve been having up at Winter Park Resort is no exception. Labor Day marks the end of summer weekday operations at the resort. Trestle Bike Park and the other base attraction will be open on weekends through September 25th.

The weather here in Winter Park has not turned yet but there is definitely a fall feel in the air each morning. It is perfect weather in my opinion with the days in the 70′s a night time is cool enough for a fleece or light jacket. This is the best time of the year for mountain biking in Winter Par and the trail are in terrific shape.

There are also a lots to do other than the Winter Park Resort activities. Check out Devils Thumb Ranch Labor Day celebration:

$29 All-You-Can-Eat Chef Prepared BBQ
Kids (12 & under) Half-Price
$3 Drafts
$3 Trinity Oaks Wines
$3 House-made Infusion Martinis

Enjoy yard games, an animal petting zoo, live music by Rob Drabkin.

Choose from two-for-one activities such as guided hikes, a mountain bike ride, fly casting lessons, archery, or Cowpoke Camp for the kids.

Get your Winter Park Resort lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company and get the best deal and the best customer service in WP, CO.

SIA Snow Show at Winter Park Resort, CO

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO SIA On-Snow Demo and Festival

The SIA On-Snow Demo makes its return to Winter Park and the Fraser Valley for the third year. The alpine part of the show will be based at Winter Park Resort and the Cross Country will be out at Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

2012 On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest
Monday, January 30 | 9A – 4P
Tuesday, January 31 | 9A – 4P

The on snow demo follows the indoor show at the Denver Convention Center that runs from Thursday January 26th to Sunday January 29th.

In conjunction with Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and in partnership with Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), buyers can try out the latest gear for ski, snowboard, AT/tele, backcountry, cross country and snowshoe while all other attendees can get some time on the hill with the brands, reps and media. Attendees of the SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest get free lift tickets and entry to Winter Park and Devil’s Thumb.

The 2nd annual (2011) SIA On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch wrapped up with a record turn-out of 1,750 buyers and two days filled with gear testing, parties and a little competition among friends. The Demo provides the perfect transition onto the slopes after four days of meetings and product demos at the SIA Snow Show in Denver, Colorado. During the two-day Ski-Ride Fest, snow sports retailers and media tested out gear and accessories they just previewed at the Show including ski, snowboard, AT, telemark and backcountry products.

The last two years were packed and lodging was scarce that SIA weekend. Make sure to book your SIA on snow demo lodging now to get the accommodations you will need. This year looks to be bigger with more attendees and more new ski and board products. Plan ahead and plan on a good time at the Winter Park SIAOn-Snow Demo and Festival.

Winter Park Resort Opening Day Ski Season 2011/2012

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park, CO and Mary Jane Opening Day Ski Season 2011

Summer is still upon us here in Winter Park, but the bite of fall can and already has been felt. There are even some clumps of aspen trees that are already changing to yellow. And what does all this mean? It is time to get ready for the opening of Winter Park and Mary Jane.

This year opening day is Wednesday, November 16th 2011 at 9am. Let the countdown begin! Last year we had an incredible opening with 7 inches of snow the night before opening and that led the way with a great snow season all year long. Let us rejoice in La Nina. The La Nina weather is supposed to stay with us through early winter and into the new year and we can only hope that it brings us the snow of last year. It looks like we may have an ENSO Neutral, or weak La Nina in store for the fall/ winter period.

So as of today we have 97 days until the slopes of Winter Park are open for our skiing pleasure. In that time we will get to see the newest Warren Miller ski movie, hit up Sniagrab for the some new ski schwag and hit the gym for the preseason ski conditioning classes. Don’t forget to get you Winter Park/Mary Jane season ski pass before it is too late, 97 days we will be gone before you know it.

Wednesday, November 16th 2011 is the opening day for Winter Park Resort.

Hallelujah.

Winter Park Resort Opens for Summer June 11

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park Resort Summer Activities

The skiing has just ended but it is time to look ahead for the opening of Winter Park Resort for all the summer base activities. Alpine Slide, put-put golf, rock wall climbing, trampoline, zip line and most importantly Trestle Bike Park will all be back and running in no time at all.

This year looks to be a great one at Winter Park with lots of summer activities and a whole bunch of events going on in at the Resort and in the town of Winter Park.

Trestle Bike Park will be getting more trails with the famous Rainmaker now running from top to bottom. In town there will be Winter Park Jazz Fest, Winter Park Music Fest and a resurrection of the American Music Festival.

Bring the kids up for the longest alpine slide in Colorado with a carnival like party in the Winter Park Village. The Cheeky Monk, Lime, Pizza Peddl’r and Backbowl Soup Company are serving up great food and drink and the base of Winter Park will be a great place to spend some times with the kids and family.

Look for deals from Winter Park Lodging Company to make your stay as economical as possible with the best guest service in Winter Park, Colorado. Spring is here and summer is around the corner so mark the calendar, Winter Park Resort opens June 11th.

Spring Skiing Winter Park Resort

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park Colorado April Spring Skiing

The snow has been just unbelievable this spring and the storms keep on coming in. Here is a video of some of the skiing that we have had here in Winter Park this April. It is a good thing that Winter Park/Mary Jane os open a week later than the past few years as the storms look to keep on dropping this fluffy white powder right through closing day and hopefully we will have POW day Winter Park Spring Splash.

The video was shot the first week of April after a nice dump of 11″ of snow that closed Berthoud Pass and left a play day for those that were here. Skiing are some of Winter Park’s finest residents: Nick Meyer, Chas McConnell, Kelly Glancy, Sarah Bradford and one of the not so finest, me. The snow was deep, fresh and untracked and was a great day all around. The whole of Winter Park and Mary Jane were exquisite but we were skiing the front side of Eagle Wind, Bella Fourche and my favorite The Weather Station Cliffs.

April is the unknown ski month here in Colorado. The weather is a little warmer and snow is usually a bit wetter. We can get some very big snow storms moving through and it is a great time to be on the ski hill. April is usually the third snowiest month in Colorado behind March and December. If you are looking to have a good time skiing when the big ski resort prices drop, April is the time to come.

Here is to spring skiing!

Trestle Bike Park Getting Bigger at Winter Park Resort

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Chris

Trestle Bike Park Expands for 2011

Colorado’s best and biggest downhill bike park is getting even bigger for the 2011 summer bike season. More lifts, updated trails and more features will welcome riders to the fastest growing bike park in the world for a great looking summer season.

Winter Park Resort’s Trestle Bike Park has announced expansion and new developments for the upcoming 2011 summer season. Plans include trail updates, added features and jumps for all abilities, three lifts planned to spin in 2011, signing the well-known and respected rider, Ross Schnell, to the Trestle Bike Park team and adding the New Trestle All-Mountain Enduro Race to the summer schedule.

Terrain Expansion and Lifts - Downhill riders will find additional features and a massive expansion that puts the Trestle Bike Park master plan one year ahead of schedule! These include banked cruisers, table-top jumps, elevated stunts, and drops to challenge seasoned Trestle riders. Trestle will change the lift structure in 2011, now offering three lifts instead of two: Zephyr Express, Eskimo, and the Gemini Lift (operating Friday through Sunday).

Trestle Bike Park season pass prices have been announced and are now on sale for the 2011 season. Prices are set at:

$249 adult
$129 child (6-12 yrs)

Visit the Trestle Bike Park Website for pass details.

Here are the highlights for Trestle Bike Park this season and some benefits you get with a TBP season pass:

3 lifts running Friday – Sunday (Zephyr, Gemini, and Eskimo). This means rarely a lift line even during our busiest days! Can you spell – H-O-T L-A-P-S?
Open 7 days a week June 11 through September 25! Enjoy more days of riding during the epic days of Fall.
Trail expansion continues! We are not done adding trails, in fact some of the best trails are still to come! Like, Rainmaker from the top…
Exclusively for Trestle Bike Park season pass holders – 3 FREE days at Angel Fire Bike Park in New Mexico!

Trestle Bike Park info:

Open: June 11 – September 25 – 7 days a week, NEW! Now 7 days per week in September 2011
Trestle Bike Park Base Elevation – 9,000 feet (2,743 meters)
Vertical Elevation – 1,810 feet (552 meters)
Trestle Bike Park Trails – 37 miles
Trestle Bike Park Features – over 200

Fraser Valley Trails – over 600 miles
Average Daytime Temperature – 75 degrees
Average Nighttime Temperature – 45 degrees
Average Days of Sunshine – 300 days

Looking for some fun on a Mountain Bike? You will not find a more exhilarating day than on the slopes of Trestle Bike Park. Stay and play at the base with deals from Winter Park Lodging Company.

Winter Park Resort – Top Family Ski Destination/Resort

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Chris

family ski resort winter park co Winter PArk Resort best for family

Top Family Ski Destination Winter Park Ski Resort

The word is getting out not only about what a great ski destination Winter Resort is but also what a great place for families.

OnTheSnow.com has bestowed Winter Park/ Mary Jane the honor of being named the people’s choice award for Best Family Resort. That is right el numero uno! Best family resort in ……. everywhere.

With locals who care about skiing, having fun and caring for guests, Winter Park is a great place for a kid friendly ski vacation. That’s right we here in Winter Park aren’t about the fur coats, look at me aren’t I sooo cool attitude. No we are here to have a great time enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains and ski and learn to ski.

Nice work OnTheSnow.com and all those that voted. Winter Park is getting the praise it so strongly deserves.

Here is how the OnThe Snow folk describe WInter Park and Mary Jane:

Perfectly positioned next to the Continental Divide, Winter Park has the distinct advantage of being able to catch winter storms from nearly every direction. Western and southern storms get “trapped” by the Divide. Northern and eastern “upslope” storms often spread over the west side of the Divide and add to the snowpack. On average, Winter Park receives 369 inches of snow annually – a factor that has led to its long-held claim of being Denver’s favorite place to ski. Winter Park is actually owned by the city of Denver, but operated by Intrawest. The area is 67 miles from Denver. Though it is completely interconnected by lifts, it has separate base areas: Mary Jane and Winter Park. Mary Jane is where you’ll find the famous bumps and super-steeps. Advanced skiers favor the Zephyr Express on the Winter Park side.

We here at Winter Park Lodging Company know about this family ski business as you can see Mom and the WPLCo twin mascots above learning to ski. The terrain is perfect for kids to learn and dad and the older one’s have Mary Jane to get tucker’d out on. And don’t forget about our snow! We have lots, in fact, the most of any destination resort in all of Colorado and it stays around longer, it’s colder here.

Looking for the best family friendly ski destination, it is Winter Park Resort!

SolShine Music Festival – Winter Park, CO

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park Resort – SolShine Music Fest

The American Music Festival is making a return to Winter Park, Colorado, now called the Winter Park Solshine Music Festival. This may be in name only but it sure does bring back great memories of the American Music Fest held on the slopes of Winter Park Resort from the mid 19190′s to the early 2000′s. The AMF brought to Colorado some of the biggest and best music acts of the day and still some of the best know artists around . Check out the AMF concert poster to the right and see Widespread Panic, Brian Setzer and Ani DiFranco…. Wow, I wish we could get these artists back to Winter Park now!

The new SolShine Music Festival will be held in the Town of Winter Park at the Hideaway Park amphitheater and at Cooper Creek Square. The dates are July 16th and 17th, the weekend before the Winter Park Jazz Festival, another great week here in Winter Park for some live music.

Line-up for Winter Park Solshine Music Festival:

Saturday, July 16, 2011 – at Hideaway Park

The Subdudes – click here to listen
Punch Brothers – click here to listen
Trampled By Turtles – click here to listen
Elizabeth Cook – click here to listen
Blind Pilot – click here to listen

Sunday, July 17, 2011 (Cooper Creek Square)
Gregory Alan Isakov – click here to listen
Johan Wagner – click here to listen
Megan Burtt – click here to listen
Reed Foehl – click here to listen
Ramaya Soskin – click here to listen

Admission is free for general admission and $25 for VIP section in the restricted area at the front of the stage.

If you are looking to come up to the mountains this summer this is a wonderful time. Mountain biking is aplenty and the temperatures are perfect. There are no 100° Denver and Front Range summer days up her in Winter Park. Make your plans now to see some fun music and get up to the Rocky Mountains this summer. Let Winter Park Lodging Company make your trip fun and hassle free.

Winter Park Jazz Festival Lineup 2011

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Chris

jazz festival lineup winter park colorado Winter Park, Colorado Jazz Festival Artist Lineup

The artist lineup has been announced for the 2011 Winter Park Jazz Festival. This is the twenty sixth edition of the WP Jazz Festival and the lineup looks very, very good.

This year the festival is being held July 23rd and 24th and is the highlight of the Winter Park summer concert series. (Check out the poster for the tenth jazz festival to the left)

The 2011 Winter Park Jazz Festival Lineup

Saturday, July 23

OJay’s
Najee
Alex Bugnon with Special Guest Nelson Rangell
Dotsero

Sunday, July 24
Dave Koz
Will Downing
Arturo Sandoval
Hot 8 Brass Band

Tickets go on sale on April 1st at 9am. Call: 888-409-5974 for more information from the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

Ticket and Package Pricing

Gold Circle Seating Package $100*

The Closest chair seating to stage available
A private entrance for Gold Circle Members
Lunch in the Private “Stage Left” tent including two beverages of your choice at the “Stage Left” bar
All day access to Stage Left Tent including a private cash bar
*$110 Day of Pricing

Plaza Party Seating Package $100*

Top level chair seating with shade coverage
A private entrance for Plaza Party Members
Lunch in the Private “Stage Left” tent including two beverages of your choice at the “Stage Left” bar or the Plaza Complex Private Bar
Access to Plaza Complex Cash Private Bar
All day access to Stage Left Tent including a private cash bar & access to an additional Private Cash Bar in Plaza Complex
*$110 Day of Pricing

VIP Seating Ticket $45*

Priority Chair seating close to stage
*$50 Day of Pricing

General Admission Ticket $35*

Lawn Seating
*$40 Day of Event

Get your Winter Park Jazz Festival lodging now for the preferred and closest digs. Don’t miss this years hottest summer concert in Winter Park , Colorado.

Winter Park Resort Closing Day 2011 Ski Season

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Chris

Closing Day Winter Park and Mary Jane

Winter Park’s closing day for this 2010/2011 ski season is a bit later than usual. WP will stay open through most of April, for hopefully some huge spring snow storms, and close on April 24th – Easter Sunday. That is right Winter Park will be open through almost all of April this year.

Best time to ski Winter Park/Mary Jane? That would be late March and April. Really April this year because so many schools spring breaks go into the first week of April. That means there are three weeks of blue sky, fresh powder, slopes to yourself skiing for those coming up to stay in April.

The last few years some of the best snow and best skiing has been on the very last weekend that Winter Park and Mary Jane was open. This year we have a whole extra week to let mother nature dump some fluffy white and give some blue skies for our skiing pleasure. And what a great way to celebrate Easter this year, skiing Mary Jane and heading to C lot for the end of ski season celebration, Winter Park Spring Splash.

The lodging is cheap, the snow is plentiful, and the skies are blue come up and stay with Winter Park Lodging Company and celebrate spring with some great spring skiing. In April of 2008/09 ski season we received 70 inches of snow when WInter Park Resort was open. That is 70 inches in 17 days that year! Lets do a snow dance and hope this year can repeat that snowfall.