Winter Park’s Olympian Ryan St. Onge

We are proud to claim an Olympian amongst our own Winter Park circle. The freestyle aerial ski jumper Ryan St. Onge, one of Winter Park’s own, finished at fourth place in British Columbia on Thursday, Feb 26th, just 2.5 points off from winning the bronze. Congratulations, Ryan!

Ryan and his family, including his brother Chad, another US Ski Teamster, moved to Winter Park in 1991 when he was eight years old. Ryan then trained with the Winter Park Competition Center for the next eight years. At the age of fourteen, he was selected to compete with the US ski team, performing two our of four jumps perfectly at the selection event.

Since then, Ryan St. Onge has gone on to win seven World Cup victories, three national titles, a silver medal in the 2009 World Cup Grand Prix and a gold at the 2009 World Championships held in Japan in March 2009. What an athlete! This is his second time at the Olympic games.

See the footage of Ryan’s go for gold at the Olympics in British Columbia on Feb 26th.

Winter Park Competition Center has 28 current or former athletes that have gone on to join the US Ski Team. Wow!  In 2009, Winter Park Alumni Liz McIntyre was inducted in the US Ski Hall of Fame, another Winter Park Alum, Michelle Roark, won the US National Moguls Competition and the Winter Park Head Aerials Coach, Chris Seemann, was selected as the USSA’s freestyle coach of the year.

Let’s hear it for the first-class athletes of Winter Park!

Top Five Ski Runs at Winter Park Mary Jane Resort

Best Ski Runs Winter Park, Colo

With all the snow we have been getting here in Winter Park I thought it would be a good time to do a best of or favorites list of runs here at Winter Park/Mary Jane.   There are lots of runs here in Winter Park so this was no easy  matter coming up with a short five.

Here is a resort trail map to follow along with if you care to.

Well then, here goes my top five ski runs at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort:

1. Runaway/Trestle – there are a couple of ways to ski this and it all depends on the snow which is better.  If snow is thin take Runaway to the lower part of Trestle avoiding the rock face on upper Trestle.  If the snow is plentiful do all of Trestle and enjoy the jump turns on the rock face.

2. Upper Arrowhead Loop/Rainbow Cut – You get to ski right past Sterling Way and Golden Spike where it seems all the other skiers are heading.  Upper Arrowhead has some very steep bumps and usually great snow.  The run then opens up after the “hero bumps” (that’s how you feel after you ski them) into Rainbow Cut.  Nice and wide with good snow usually up against the trees.

3. Eagle Wind – Not a true run but all the runs off this lift kind of mingle together and there is always good snow and good tree skiing.  The run out at the bottom can be hell on the legs but it’s usually worth the the skiing you were able to enjoy.

4. Belle Fourche ( Bella Foosh) – Thick thick powder, kinda hard to get to and the same crappy run out as Eagle Wind, equals some of the best skiing in Colorado.

5. The Trees – To be specific ‘Topher’s Trees or Buckaroo Trees.  Not on the map and on opposite sides of the resort but some great fun tree skiing.  Ask a local and you may get a guided tour.

I left out Panoramic Express terrain because that is where all guests seem to be heading these days.  There is great skiing over there but anymore there are lots of people to go with them.  And it is chilly on top of Parsenn Bowl.

Think I’m way off or right on?  Leave a comment on what are your favorite runs at Winter Park/Mary Jane.

J4 Junior Olympics at Winter Park Resort

Winter Park Junior Olympics

Winter Park Resort is hosting the J4 Junior Olympics  March 16th to 20th, 2010.  This event features the highest level of racing in the United States for the J4 age class (racers born in 1997 and 1998, ages 11-13) including the fastest racers from eighteen states covering the Central and Southern Rockies and the Midwest as selected through their qualification events.

The racing will take place  on the fast and furious Lower Hughes on the Winter Park side of the Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort.

After watching Bode Miller snag the gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics I think this qould be a great way to get out and see some of the USA’s future future Olympians.

This event will see the best 11- and 12-year-old racers in the region compete in super-G, giant slalom and slalom events.

Come on out and support our future Olympians at the J4 Junior Olympians at Winter Park Resort.

Beer and Food Tasting Winter Park, CO

Cheeky Monk Winter Park, Colorado

The Cheeky Monk in the Winter Park Village is having a beer and food pairing Thursday February 25th.  The tating will start at 6PM and go until close.

The Cheeky Monk is  featuring Trappiste Ales & “Southern Influenced” food .  As always, seating is limited & tickets go fast!  Please call 970-726-6871 to secure your reservation today!  What a great way to end a day of skiing – great Belgium beer and some Southern style food.

Email Michael Patrick, the manager at michaelp@thecheekymonk.com for more info and pricing.

Come on out and support our local Winter Park Restaurants and enjoy some great beer and food.

Ziggy’s Donuts Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Donuts

Looking for some good coffee and donuts in Winter Park.  Well, Ziggy’s donuts has now been open for a month here in Winter Park, CO.  Ziggy is serving up custom made donuts and some superb coffee right in downtown Winter Park.  Located in the Kings Crossing Shopping Center, right off of US Highway 40, Ziggy’s is the place for your doughnut fix.

Ziggy’s offers custom made donuts that come right off the conveyor belt and are custom hand dipped in whatever topping you chose.  There are five or six tables to enjoy your treats or a couple of counter spaces to watch the donuts being made.  The twins above, enjoying the first donuts of their lives, were mesmerized by the doughnut machine and the dipping in the custom toppings.

Ziggy’s also has coffee,  from espresso to cappuccino you can any coffee that you like from Ziggy’s magical Italian coffee machine.  They also have various Polish confections on the shelves for you to enjoy on the slopes up at the resort.

Just stop off on your way to Winter Park Resort and enjoy some fresh coffee and donuts.

Blues From The Top Festival Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Blues Festival

The Blues from the Top blues show is back in WInter Park for the summer of 2010.  June 25th,26th and 27th will see some of the finest blues players around descend on the hills of Winter Park for a long weekend of music, mountains and fun.

The performers so far are:

Walter Trout and the Radicals

Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps

Trampled Under Foot

Mike Zito

Smokin’ Joe Kubek featuring Bnois King

Ana Popovic

Dick50 (Delbert McClinton’s band)

Samantha Fish

Nick Moss and The Flip Tops

JP Soars and The Red Hots

Delores Scott

Suprise Guest

Visit the Grand Blues Society website for tickets.

Come on up to Winter Park, Colorado for one a great music festival in the Rocky Mountains.

A Taste Of Winter Park/Grand County

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.

Winter Park, CO Winter Carnival

Winter Park Winter Carnival

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Winter Park Resort are putting on a carnival celebration for the 70th anniversary of skiing at Winter Park Resort.  On the January 22nd through January 24th there will be a Winter Carnival celebration at Winter Park Resort in the Town of Winter Park and at Grand Park in Fraser.

The Celebration will include:

Winter Park Resort

• Mary Jane’s Birthday Bash
• Winter Park’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
• 26th Annual Chef’s Cup
• Pancakes, snow sculptures, snow golf, live music

Downtown Winter Park

• Snowshoe Hikes
• PlayZone
• Human Bowling
• Lighted Parade including you and your pet!

Grand Park Saturday January 23, 2010:

Sled Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)

10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)

12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)

Dog Agilities: 10am, 11:30am

Grand County Pet Pals Stomp & Romp: 1:30pm-4pm

Skijoring Clinic: 2-3pm

The Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District is hosting the Grand Park Community Recreation Center Grand Opening: 10am-3pm Offering public tours, mini-exhibits, free coffee, cocoa and cookies

Other activities during the day:

Kids dog sled rides

Silent Auction for Pet Pals

Bon Fire/S’Mores/Hot Chocolate

Retail Vendors

Food Vendors

Grand Park Sunday January 24, 2010:

Dog races (Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club Inc.):

9am (8-Dog Sled Race)

10:30am (6-Dog Sled Race and 2-Dog Skijor)

12pm (4-Dog Sled Race and 1-Dog Skijor)

Awards to follow

It 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender Service Winter Park, CO

Winter Park Parties and Weddings

There is a new service up here in Winter Park and Grand County.  The folks who run Pick Me the wedding coordination, event planning, floral design service have another up their sleeve.  The It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bartender service is now part of their complete wedding planning, event, party stable.

Now this service is right up my alley, as having been in the Denver restaurant biz for over 20 years, it would be great to have a party and not have to do the bar-tending myself.  Not sure if that will ever happen though.

Pick Me does a great job with all wedding and event planning and I’m sure their bar-tending service will be just as top notch as their other services.  Throwing a holiday party? Let It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere take the stress out of the holidays and let you and your guest sip your favorite adult beverage to the wee hours of the morning.  Now that’s the way bring in the new year.

Winter Park Spa, Bella Vita Open House!

What better way to relax those sore muscles after a day on the slopes? Whether your in the mood for a massage, pedicure or a haircut, Bella Vita Salon is your one stop shop for relaxation. Come check out our favorite local spa this Thursday, November 5th for Open House. The Bella Vita Wellness Spa and Salon is located in the Alco shopping center in Fraser (right across from Safeway). From 4-7 pm there will be refreshments, a raffle, and special deals on spa services for attendees. Another bonus for coming out Thursday night is a free 35 minute thermal massage. 

Remember, when you book your ski vacation lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company, you’ll get an additional discount on some great services at Bella Vita. Make sure to ask us at the time of booking!