New Theater and Bowling Alley in Winter Park, CO

We are getting a new bowling alley and movie theater here in Winter Park. That big ole’ building popping up right between The Grand Park Community Rec Center and the Winter Park Lodging Company offices will be  the destination to catch a flick in the Winter Park area.  The Village at Grand Park will house eight lanes of bowling, two digital cinemas with stadium seating, video arcade games and a bistro specializing in brick oven pizza. The project is scheduled to open summer of 2012.  Rumor has it there will also be a bar serving at least beer and wine.

The above picture is an artist rendering of what the building will look like from the Winter Park Lodging Company parking lot.  Below is the view from US Highway 40.

We are getting all fancy here in WP with lots of new things.  Next thing you know we will be getting a Wallmart…. oh I hope not, but a Target would be really cool!  Or our little town can stay just the same with the tasteful stores that we already have.

But hey, we are getting a new movie theater and bowling alley so no more driving to Grand Lake for guys night out bowling.  Kids can catch a flick in a stadium seating theater and hopefully we will be able to have a brew while waiting.  Now we have a perfect setting to view the Warren Miller ski movie each year.

We can’t wait for the new Grand Park Bowl & Cinema.

Colorado Adventure Park Winter Park, Colorado

Have you been sledding at the Fraser Tubing Hill recently.  There is a new company over behind the Alco store and they are providing some fancy tubing.  The place is called Colorado Adventure Park it is a great experience for the whole family.  And I mean the whole family.  We spent a morning on ugh etudes with the four year old twins and the grandparents, that is from four to seventy nine years old.

Colorado Adventure Park is Grand County’s newest, fastest, largest and safest adventure park. With excitement in mind CAP proudly offesr a variety of activities to satisfy every guests quest for adventure.  In addition to tubing and sledding the Park offers snow scoots and a soon to open terrain park.

The snow scoots are for kids seeking speed and a little competitive fun. A Snow Scoot is a Polaris 120 snowmobile for kids ages six and up and under 130 pounds. The Snow Scoots are ridden along a groomed track in the meadow at the Colorado Adventure Park. Snow Scoots are in operation from 10am to 6pm.

The terrain park will open in February 2012 and is for the young one that are looking to improve their terrain park skill in a safe and fun setting.  If you are looking to do more tricks and the ski area is closed, come by Colorado Adventure Park and enjoy our terrain park under the lights and all day long.

Tubing, snow scoots and the terrain park require helmets so be sure to bring yours or you can rent one at the Adventure Park.  There is a concessions stand and beer and wine is served.  They even have a fire pit with smores kits available.

If you are looking to spend a day away from Winter Park and Mary Jane head out to the Colorado Adventure Park for a day of thrill for all.

Winter Park, CO Restaurants

We had a chance to get  out and hit an old Winter Park favorite for lunch today.  Carvers has been around for since 1983 and has gone through a couple of different owners and has been open for dinner some parts of the year and then closed for other parts of the year.  Currently Carvers is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.  Carver Brothers Bakery first opened on June 1, 1983, in Winter Park, Colorado. It was started by Jim, Bill, Sara and Eleanor Carver.

Today the old time bakery serves up some fine breakfasts and lunches including great Eggs Benedict variations.  Today we had a Frito Pie chili bowl and an egg white omelet with bacon.  Yummmm!

Carvers strives to use only the freshest, locally-grown products available including 100% cage free eggs with no added hormones or antibiotics.  The same can be said for the 100% naturally grown beef…It’s locally raised in Colorado without adding hormones or unnecessary antibiotics.  All bread products served are made in house daily including the bread accompanying our breakfast entrées, all sandwich buns and to-die-for cinnamon rolls.  The extra attention sets them apart from other places and will bring you back time after time.

Check out the full Carvers menu.

CARVERS is little hard to find because they are one of the only sucessful business not on Main Street.  They are located behind Cooper Creek Square in downtown Winter Park.  If driving, turn west on Vazquez Road from HWY 40 and pull into the free parking garage located 100 yard from your turn on the right.  You will find them at the west end of the mall.  There is also parking available by accessing us from Lions Gate Road.  Call if more info is needed, (970) 531-7120!

Check out Winter Park Lodging Company’s list of favorite Winter Park restaurants.

Deno’s Mountain Bistro – Winter Park, Colorado

Looking for that classic ski town bar and restaurant on your stay in Winter Park? Deno’s is your place.

Seems like the place has been here for 100 years with the eatery on its third generation of owners. Now Nick and Teddy Kutrumbos are running things and they have a great menu with a quick and personable staff.  Deno’s also has an extensive wine list with some rare finds in their upstairs wine cellar.

Nothing fancy at Deno’s – no valet parking or maitre d’ in a tuxedo – the world is stressful enough with adding to it with pretentious ski restaurant behavior. Deno’s is simple – to provide an oasis of relaxation in this busy world and to serve terrific food in portions so generous that you’ll probably have to take some home. If the upper dining and pub level is occasionally a little loud, Deno’s asks for forgiveness. Some people relax louder than others. The blend of sports, music, good food and relaxation is the ski resort standard and should have you kickin’ late into the night.

Deno’s features Micro Brews on from Colorado’s finest breweries. 10 beers on tap!There are 9 TVs and a HD projection screen, plus satellite coverage so you can watch you favorite sports event (NFL, MLB Packages).

Deno’s is on the Winter Park Lodging Company VIP discount card.  With the WPLCo VIP card you will get a free dessert with the purchase of a bottle wine. So make sure to book with WPLCo for your Winter Park Resort lodging.

Deno’s Contact info:

Address 78911 US HWY 40, Winter Park, CO 80482

Phone 970-726-5332

Website http://www.denoswp.com

Pizza Delivery Winter Park, CO

Elevation Pizza is the Winter Park areas newest pizza maker.  And boy are the pizzas here tasty and they deliver to the comforts of your own home or condo.

Elevation Pizza is the place to get a giant pie in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. From fresh made pizza dough to homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, we invite you to choose from familiar favorites or signature styles with unique flavors and blends, all topped with high-quality ingredients. Located in Fraser in the Fraser Valley Center (near ALCO). Dine in, carry out, and delivery available to Winter Park/Fraser-area. We also can take care of your group catering needs.

Elevation Pizza is also on the Winter Park Lodging Company Vip discount card.  As a guest with WPLCo you the second pizza of your liking at 50% off with the purchase of a regular menu priced pizza.  That is a screaming deal to feed the masses after a day on the slopes and remember they will deliver to your door.

Check out the Elevation Pizza Menu.

Our favorite here at the Winter Park Lodging Company office is the Adam Bomb.  This a spectacular pie with pepperoni, hatch green chills, a smear of cream cheese with San Marzano tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese…. Yum!

Elevation Pizza Contact info:

970.726.0066

Web: www.elevationpizzaco.com

Only those staying with Winter Park Lodging Company get the Elevation Pizza deal so remember to book your Winter Park vacation lodging with WPLCo.

Strip & Tail Winter Park, Colorado

Had a chance to get out and visit one of the new restaurants here in Winter Park. Strip & Tail opened about three weeks ago in the space once occupied by The Sushi Bar and before that was home to Lost Boys Hamburgers.

Strip & Tail remodeled the space and it turned out magnificent.  There are two large screen tv’s behind the bar and the bar has been completely redone.  The color scheme is now tasteful off white and homey wood.  In short the space is very classy with a mountain feel.

I started out with some happy hour calamari that was served with cocktail and bbq sauce. The entree was a double cut pork chop with steak fries and creamed spinach.  The entire meal was very tasty as was the bottle of Emeritus Pinot Noir.  Owner/Barkeep Steve provided great service and conversation about Timmy Tebow, the Broncos and the NFL in general.  I had a flan for dessert with a dram of tawny port… delicious.

Strip & Tail has a great happy hour with food and beverage specials. They serve a kobe/wagyu strip steak that looked fantastic that I will need to return for. The meal was one of the best I have had in Winter Park and I highly recommend Strip &Tail.

Strip & Tail is on the Winter Park Lodging Company VIP discount card.  Make sure to stop by after you hit the slopes or after your mountain bike ride.  Great steaks and chops in the town of WInter Park with a great brew and wine collection.

Strip & Tail Contact Info:

Address
78259 US Hwy 40
Winter Park, Colorado 80482

Phone
970.363.7047

Email
ssbromberg@comcast.net

American Blues News reviewed one of her songs, 4 Non-Blondes, as being part Rolling Stones, part John Lee Hooker, and part Dukes of Hazzard car chase. In other words, Samantha knows how to play the blues, and we’re guaranteed another amazing show this Friday. Kate Moss will certainly only add to the party; she’s no stranger to the guitar herself. With these two on stage together, be ready to dance.

One added bonus: the Blues Society is kind enough to appreciate Verteran’s Day at the show, so any Verteran plus one guest will get into the show FREE! Guess what else? If you’re a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company, mention it at the door and your ticket will be on the house too! If you didn’t book with us this time, your ticket is $10, but it’s for a good cause: the Grand County Blues Society is a non-profit, so all the cash they collect at the door goes toward keeping Blues in the School and Blue Star Connection successful programs. Plus, our donations and ticket purchases help us to to keep bringing great live blues music back to Winter Park as often as we can. So, after you’re done waxing your skis for the early opening of Winter Park Resort this Saturday, come out to Smokin’ Moes for a great night with us. Want to make a weekend out of it? Give Winter Park Lodging Company a call to set up your lodging, lift tickets, ski rentals, and some free tickets to a great show!

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 Area Best Bars

Beers and skiing go hand in hand like ski condos and hot tubs.  We have finished, finally, the best burgers review for Winter Park, CO and since ski season is just about here we thought we would do what are the best bars here in Winter Park and the surrounding Fraser Valley.

There as many kinds of bars as there are beers and there is a place for each and every one of them.  Local pub, restaurant bar, shot bar at the ski slope, sports bar, bar at the pizza place, the night club bar …. lotsa bars and we have them all here in WP.

What is your favorite and why is the question?  Is it the selection of beers on tap, great location and view, the hotty slinging the swill, the bartender hooks you up with with free suds, great people watching (both sexes), what gets you to head out and plop your dollars on that bar?

I did a best place to get a beer in Winter Park a couple of years ago and all those places are still around but they are places to get a beer not necessarily bars (splitting hairs maybe?).  So we are doing this top five bars for the start of this ski season.  Remember we have some new places here in WP so lets not leave them out of the competition.  Emilie’s wine bar, The Library Sports and Grill are two of the newbies that should be in consideration.  We also have an older list of best patio to get a beer in Winter Park, CO. Lets not leave these, mostly, Winter Park Resort watering holes out of the equation either.

So here is how this works, I will post this blog on the Winter Park Facebook page and you all can recommend away either on the FB page or in the comments below this blog.  I will take the top five and give those top five the old college try.

So here goes: What are the best bars in Winter Park, CO?

It has taken awhile but we have completed the best burger competition in Winter Park, CO.  I have eaten enough burgers to be fairly sure that I will not be ordering a burger in a restaurant for the next couple months.  The positive is I have learned we have some killer burgers here in Winter Park.

The original competition was going to be a contest of the top three recommended by our Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Fans but there were more than three recommendations.  I tried all five different burgers in addition to the ever present McDonald’s franchise here in Winter Park, CO.

I have seen some burger reviews break down a burger almost scientifically in how they rate the burger.  I was not very scientific at all.  If the meat was flavorful and the bun had a good texture and consistency I pretty much thought the burger good, from there it was deciding what burger had the best flavor combination overall. 

The restaurants that we visited were Deno’s, The Library Grill, Heck’s at Devils Thumb Ranch, Randi’s and Sharky’s.  There was not a bad burger at any one of them.  I am a blue cheese lover and most if the time I ordered some kind blue cheese burger sometimes with bacon.  At Hecks they had a burger with a nice slice of pork belly that can be seen in the pic on the far right. YUM!!!!!

So the top burger in Winter Park, Colorado goes to……… drumbeat please……..

Deno’s.  As I said the competition was close but if I had to rate the five burgers I would go in this order:

1. Deno’s – great meat but it is the bun that really makes this burger.
2. Heck’s at Devil’s Thumb Ranch – you can not go wrong with putting a slab of pork belly on a burger. They might even be 1a
3. Randi’s – may have had the best meat but the bun was “stiff”. Still a really good burger and had some awesome onion rings to go with.
4. The Library –  ordered the Paul Bunyon which is a two patty behemoth that will satisfy any large appetite.  The sweet potato fries sound great but are pretty much mediocre.
5. Sharky’s –  don’t know why they are last as the burger was really good but a tad small.  They have a homemade bun that is fantastic.  

So, there are the best burgers in Winter Park, Colorado from my humble opinion.  You can and will not go wrong with any one of these.  If you are in a rush, or hungover, you can still hit McDonald’s for that Big Mac or Q/Pounder with cheese but you would be much better off hitting one of these local stops here in Winter Park and Fraser.

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