Winter Park Hike Trail of the Week

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Chris

Hiking in Winter Park, CO

The Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce is doing a bike and hike trail of the week and I thought I would pass it along on our blog for any of you that have an interest in hiking and biking.

The first edition is Monarch Lake for the hike. I have done this hike with my wife pregnant with twins so it is about perfect for kids, families and pets. Monarch Lake is absolutely beautiful and there is lots of wildlife in the area so keep the camera close and be on the watch. There is good fishing in Monarch Lake so take a pole and try to snag a big one.

Winter Park Hike Trail of the Week

Monarch Lake

Length:4.07 miles round trip
Elevation: Trailhead: 8,345′ Highest Point: 8,459′
Rating: Easy- A trail requiring limited skill with little challenge to travel
Trailhead Location: From the Winter Park Visitor Center continue North on US Hwy 40 for about twenty minutes into the town of Granby. Once you drive through the town of Granby you will see an exit sign for US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park.From there take Hwy 34, and between mile marker 5 and 6 turn onto CR 6 (FDR 125). Follow this road for 10 miles to the Monarch Lake parking area.
Trail Information: This easy loop around the lake is a popular destination year round. The trail begins at an old cabin that is staffed in the summertime. Along the way you will pass an old steam donkey engine, log chute pilings and cabin remains from when this area was logged in 1902. Keep your eyes open for the moose!
Special Trail Regulations: dogs must be on a leash not to exceed six feet at all times. Day use at this trailhead requires the purchase of an Arapaho National Recreation Area entrance pass or display of your golden passport on the dash of your vehicle. If you are camping overnight in the wilderness, then only a wilderness permit is required. Please leave the parking stub from the wilderness permit on the dashboard of the vehicle in the parking lot.

Again, Monarch Lake Trail is a great scenic hike just a short drive from Winter Park and Fraser on your way to Grand Lake. Make a day of it and head over to Grand Lake and have a bite to eat and take in Grand Lake, Colorado’s biggest natural lake.

Summer is here so get out of the house, get a little exercise and see the beauty of Colorado.

New Winter Park Rental: Zephyr Mountain Lodge 1215

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Chris

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!

Hot Sulphur Springs, CO. Mineral Baths

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Chris

Mineral Baths Near Winter Park Colorado

Hot Sulphur Springs, CO is not the most original name out there but a telling name it is. Hot Sulpher has been relaxing travelers for many, many years from as long back as the Ute Indians were running things up here in this part of Grand County.

The first inhabitants of the springs were the Ute Indians who used the hot springs for many years. The Utes believed in the healing qualities of the waters and referred to them as “big medicine” and “magic waters”, and bathed themselves, their horses and dogs, children and women in the water, in that order! The Ute Indians often set their winter hunting camps beneath the natural shelter offered by the bluffs enclosing Byers Canyon, which adjoins our property. In 1840 William Byers, for whom the canyon is named, became the first white man to discover the hot water at our little town, which he named Hot Sulphur Springs. Byers recognized the economic potential of the baths and the surrounding area. With the aid of the U.S. Cavalry and the courts, he acquired the land, somewhat deviously, from the Ute Tribe.

The resort has been continually operational for 140 years and in the 1920’s to 1950’s was one of the most popular hot springs resorts in the Rocky Mountain States. In 1997, after our extensive renovation, the Ute tribal spiritual leader blessed the waters at our opening ceremony that almost 1,000 people attended. The Ute Indians are welcome to use the springs once again. We are blessed by enjoying renewed recognition and attendance and are considered one of the best natural hot mineral springs resorts and spas in the country.

The mineral baths at Hot Sulphur Springs are a great place to spend a day. It is nice kid friendly and a perfect place to relax after a day of skiing.

Here is a discount coupon for the mineral baths. If you need transportation out to Hot Sulphur Springs be sure to call Curt at Valley Taxi. They do run taxis out there and bring you back as well.

So, if you need a little relaxation in the Colorado Rockies look no further than the mineral baths in Hot Sulphur Springs.

SpringsThe first inhabitants of the springs were the Ute Indians who used the hot springs for many years. They believed in the healing qualities of the waters and referred to them as “big medicine” and “magic waters”, and bathed themselves, their horses and dogs, children and women in the water, in that order! The Ute Indians often set their winter hunting camps beneath the natural shelter offered by the bluffs enclosing Byers Canyon, which adjoins our property. In 1840 William Byers, for whom the canyon is named, became the first white man to discover the hot water at our little town, which he named Hot Sulphur Springs. Byers recognized the economic potential of the baths and the surrounding area. With the aid of the U.S. Cavalry and the courts, he acquired the land, somewhat deviously, from the Ute Tribe.

Things to do in Winter Park, CO: Grand County Museums

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park museums Grand County Colorado Museums

Looking for something to do in Grand County and Winter Park? Well, a day at one of our three museums is a day well spent. Informative, interesting and fun and all on the cheap, take the kids and explore and see what brought us all here to the Fraser Valley.

The Grand County Historical Association has three museums in Grand County: The Pioneer Village Museum Complex in Hot Sulphur Springs, Cozens Ranch and Stage Stop Museum in Fraser, and Heritage Park in Kremmling.

Pioneer Village and Heritage Park Winter Hours are: Wednesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm and Summer Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm

Cozens Ranch is closed in Winter and Summer Hours are: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm

ADMISSION
Grand County Historical Association Members free
Adults – $4.00 | Seniors (60 and older) – $3.00
Students – $2.00 | Children below Six – Free
Call 725-3939 for more information

To become a member of the Grand County Historical Society they can be contacted at:

Grand County Historical Association
110 E. Byers Avenue, PO Box 165
Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80452
970-725-3939 – FAX: 970-725-0129

Website: http://www.grandcountymuseum.com/

Grand Adventures Snowmobiling in Winter Park

Posted on March 15, 2010 by rachelb

If you’re ready for an adrenaline filled adventure through the Colorado back country, you’ve got to sign up at Grand Adventures! Perfect for beginner, intermediate riders and families, there are several tour options that can be tailored to your groups needs. Today we lucked out with classic bluebird conditions, 45 degree temps and sunny skies for our two hour jaunt through the Arapahoe Forest. Guided by local Steve Willis, aka Snowmobile Steve (see picture on left), our group had a safety overview and then left the Winter Park Mountain Lodge around 10:30am to head up Corona Pass towards the Continental Divide. Although I was a first timer (and a wee bit intimidated on my own sled), it didn’t take long to get the feel and want to go faster and faster. After cruising up to nearly 11,000 ft, we passed the old railway tressle and stopped along the ridge for some photos and a brief history lesson. Turns out we were only a few miles away from the old logging town of Arrow, where the infamous Mary Jane lived and worked in the late 1800′s. The panoramic views of the ski area and Fraser Valley from here were amazing. A few minutes later we reached a wide open space where we could let loose on the sleds and take a few laps. If you like going fast, this part was especially fun! After some play time, we headed up to tree line to loop back around for the home stretch. On the way down, Steve led us through some really fun and twisting trails among the trees. We paused for a few minutes for those who wanted to dive into the 4ft deep snowbanks along the side of the trail- quite refreshing:) Heading back home, it couldn’t have been a better trip. Great weather, fun and informative guide, definitely want to go again. I highly recommend going on one of these trips to anyone interested in trying out a snowmobile, not just because it’s exciting, but because it will give you a different experience of Winter Park and an insider’s look into the surrounding backcountry. If you want to take a day off of skiing and are wondering what to do….look no further! For more info, check out their website http://www.grandadventures.com/ or call 1-800-726-9247. Also, don’t forget that you get a discount on your snowmobile adventure when you book your lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company. Ask us about it at the time of booking!

Winter Park, Colorado Movies

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Colorado Movie Theater

We had a chance to get out this past Saturday night and go see my first movie here in Winter Park, Co in a long while, maybe 10 years or so. The Silver Screen Cinema is in the same location and feels the same as long ago but the sound has improved and overall it is not a bad place to take in a flick.

We were able to get out of the house and see one of the wife’s favorite, Johnny Depp, in the new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. It was a fantastic movie with great special effects and all kinds of weird animals and Alice shrinking and growing and shrinking. I’m sure this is one movie that would have been better in 3D but the Silver Screen Cinema is not a 3D screen. Still the movie was great and it was nice to get out of the house on a Saturday night.

The Silver Screen Cinema, from what I’ve heard from WP locals, kinda of has gotten a bad rap. I wholeheartedly disagree. The complaints I have heard are the sound isn’t good and the seats are uncomfortable. I can say the sound was more than satisfactory and the seats, while having some years on them, did not bother me one bit.

What I did like about the cinema was the small town local feel I got. From the people to the whole setup it screams small town, laid back , Colorado ski town movie house. No, there are not 24 different screens to see 24 crappy movies and there aren’t whole floors of video arcades to separate you from your money. It is just a small town movie screen with small town folks taking in a show on a Saturday night.

If you need stadium seating with latest techno this and techno that head to Denver for your movie. But if you want a nice low key evening, the Silver Screen Cinema can’t be beat to take in a showing of Alice in Wonderland.

Winter Park Shopping | Silver Creek

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Amy

Ah, shopping!

Silver Creek at the Winter Park Resort Base

I was hanging out at the base area during the Wells Fargo Cup this weekend and popped into the Silver Creek shop, located in the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Not sure why I never had gone in there before (maybe it has something to do with always having ski gear on not in the mood to try on clothes). Well, what a nice surprise it was. I thought I had to go to Denver to shop for cute stuff!

I quickly found a True Grit vest that is now my favorite piece in the closet. And my friend and I both bought Xob baseball-style hats made out of recycled sweaters. We think we’re adorable. Marc, the owner, said no one ever tries the hats on and doesn’t buy one.

Silver Creek is open every day, 9 – 7 Friday and Saturday, and 9 – 6 Sunday thru Thursday. The True Grit clothing line is really fun mountain-chic and the Home line of jewelry is all around for picking and choosing some great accessories for your cowboy style.

Phone number: 970.726.5424.

Winter Park’s Newest Tubing Hill – Colorado Adventure Park

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Valarie

The newest option for tubing in the Winter Park area, the Colorado Adventure Park tubing hill is located right next to the ol’ Fraser Tubing Hill in the town of Fraser. Not only do they have four separate tubing lanes progressing from mild to bumpy, they also have a lane designated for air boarding, which is an oblong inflatable device with handles for more steering control. Finally, for kids aged six to thirteen, they have snowscoots, which are like mini snowmobiles.

It’s a bargain compared to the more expensive Fraser Tubing Hill. For tubing, it’s $14/hour and for airboarding, it’s $17/hour, which includes the rental of a helmet. If you have your own ski helmet, bring it with you for a $2 discount. To rent a snowscoot, the cost is $10 for each ten minutes.

There is a magic carpet conveyer lift to carry both you and your tube to the top of the giant hill, as well as a smaller man-made hill for the little tykes. They have a warming hut at the base of the hill, which is also where you can buy your tickets.

To find the Colorado Adventure Park, head west on Hwy 40 from Winter Park and take a left at the stoplight in Fraser where the Safeway grocery store is. After you pass under the bridge about 200 yards down, take a right at the fork in the road. Follow the signs and turn left into their entrance about 300 yards down. Contact them at 970-726-5779 or at info@coloradoadventurepark.com.

A Taste Of Winter Park/Grand County

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Chef’s Cup Race

The 27th Annual Chef’s Cup Dinner Race, A Taste of Winter Park/Grand County is coming up on January 22nd, 2010. The evnt will start at 7PM at the West Partal Station at Winter park Resort.

The Chef’s Cup Dinner Dance is a benefit to support the Winter Park Competition Center youth ski and snowboard programs. Come watch the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) 40th Anniversary ski down parade and join them with at the celebration lunch and cake.

Ten to fifteen of Winter Park and Grand County’s best restaurants will donate their time and talent to prepare the food for 400 plus party goers to taste. Attendees will then vote for the overall favorite gourmet creation. Enjoy complimentary wine, margaritas, and beer, from Beringer Founders Estate, Margaritaville, and Mary Jane Ale. Guests can also bid on a huge variety silent auction items donated by generous supporters.

Call 970.726.1590 or 303.316.1590 for more information or to make a donation for the silent auction.

What a great night, free food and drink and all to support a great cause.