Moose Class in Winter Park, CO

Moose at Winter Park Resort

My sister Anne-Marie and her husband Larry  celebrated their 27^th wedding anniversary with a ‘Moose Class’ through Ecoadventures, using room 2419 at the Zephyr as their home base. Anne took the class for credit for her career as a teacher, Larry opted for non-credit (wouldn’t do him much good as a flight simulator tech).

Using Zephyr Mountain Lodge 2419 as a base of operation was far superior to tent camping in the rain, which is what many of the class participants were doing. While others were slogging around their tents, Anne and Larry were high and dry, enjoying a glass of wine from their balcony.

The moose class taught reams of minutiae about moose and the class was successful in spotting 5 moose. Also, thanks to the tip from the maintenance man with whom Anne and Larry shared an elevator, Anne and Larry kept their eyes open at the base of Berthoud Pass and spotted 2 more moose on the way home!

All in all, a very memorable 27^th wedding anniversary.

Anne and Larry say thanks to Chris and Sarah at Winter Park Lodging Company.

The only regret was not being able to stick around for the CrankWorx bike extravaganza at Winter Park Base that weekend.

Come on up to Winter Park Resort and check out the moose.  Late summer and fall are the best times to see the moose.  In Rendezvous sub-division moose sighting are very very common and one big bull moose over there has been affectionately named Freddy the moose.

Crankworx Colorado Bike Festival

Crankworx Winter Park, CO

Crankworx Colorado is again back at Winter Park Resort this year and this is the premier bicycle festival of the year in Colorado.

Crankworx Colorado is one of the largest gravity-fueled mountain bike festivals in the United States. Come up and check out the action for FREE*!! During four intense days, spectators are awed by some of the world’s best mountain bike athletes battling it out for over $35,000 in prizes. Some of the biggest names in mountain biking like Semenuk, Basagoitia, McCaul, and Berrecloth will be on site. Don’t miss the mountain biking event of the summer; make your plans now. You won’t regret it.

Crankworx Colorado is Intrawest’s US version of the Whistler BC’s Kokanee Crankworx. This is the premier downhill biking event in the world.

Last year the all the lodging booked up at the Winter Park Resort base, closest lodging to the Crankworx area, and this year is looking like the same will happen.  Book your lodging now to get the convenient digs for the bike fest.

Schedule of events is as follows:

2010 Crankworx Schedule

Thursday, July 29

Dual Slalom

Slopestyle Qualifiers

Friday, July 30

Super Downhill

Best Trick

Saturday, July 31

Cross Country

Slopestyle Finals

Sunday, August 1

UCI/PRO GRT Downhill

If you have never seen or heard of Crankworx you are missing out.  There are some amazing athletes and these guys do some crazy stuff on a bicycle.  If you have kids they will surely be able to tell you what this whole Crankworx thing is all about.

Again book your lodging now for a great time and a great festival in the mountains.  Let Winter Park Lodging Company take care of all your Winter Park CO lodging needs so you can Play Hard, Rest Easy.

No. 2 Hiking Trail of the Week in Winter Park, CO

Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Trails

The second edition of the hike of the week is back for Winter Park, Colorado.  This week the hike takes a little drive from WP up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  This week’s hike is a relatively easy and short hike that goes to a beautiful waterfall and continues to a stunning meadow with great mountain views and small ponds teaming with fish.  There is a charge to get into Rocky Mountain National Park but this hike is a hike in and there is no fee.  If you continue to drive into the Park there is a charge

On the way back stop in Grand Lake and check out Colorado’s biggest natural lake with some of the best views in Colorado.

Adams Falls, East Inlet Trail – Winter Park Hike of the Week

(Rocky Mountain National Park)

BEGINNING ELEVATION: 8400ft.

ENDING ELEVATION: 8480ft.

Miles one way: .5 miles to Adams Falls, 1 mile to the glaciated valley

Rating: Easy

Trailhead Location: From the Winter Park Visitor’s Center drive north on US HWY 40 19 miles through Granby to US HWY 34 and turn right. Continue for about 15.3 miles to the Grand Lake Visitor Center and turn right in to the village of grand Lake. At the Mountain Food Market, the road will veer to the rights into Grand Lake (a wooden sign days “Welcome to Grand Lake”) veer left and follow the road for 2 miles to the end of the road to a parking lot, the trailhead is well marked.

Trail Information: This is an easy hike up to a beautiful waterfall. It is suitable for all ages. Be careful at the top of the waterfall as the water is fast and strong. Keep small children well away from the water’s edge at the falls and stay on the trail only. If you decide to, you can continue on another .5 miles past the falls in to an alpine meadow with gorgeous views of “Mt. Baldy” and ponds full of fish.

Special Trail regulations: This hike is in the Rocky Mountain National Park so no dogs or bikes are allowed.

Stay tuned next week for the third installation of the Winter Park Hike of the week.

Winter Park Hike of the Week No. 1

Winter Park, CO Music Festivals

Summer Music in Winter Park Colorado

Music is in the air this year in Winter Park, Colorado.  The big festivals are back and there is a smattering of some new events to make this a great year up here in Rockies.  There will be jazz, blues, rock and country festivals through the season at the Hideaway Park venue in downtown Winter Park, CO.

The Winter Park Jazz Festival - A Colorado tradition for over 20 years and it just keeps on getting stronger.  This year featuring Chaka Khan and Norman Browns Summer Storm. The Jazz Festival is the premier summer jazz fest in the Rocky Mountain region.

Blues From The Top Music Festival – From the Grand County Blues Society this is one rockin’ show that blues lovers do not want to miss.  Tis’ is a full weekend of music with a Friday night show at Smokin’ Moe’s to get the party started right.

The Fox Classic Rock Music Festival – Featuring that ‘80′s hit producing machine Night Ranger, tell me you don’t remember the high school classic Sister Christian.  Come out for a day of Music, Food, Beer Pavilion, Vendors and Fun.  103.5 The Fox brings a GREAT line up of music and fun.  Gates and Vendors open at 10 am for this FREE EVENT!  Yes it is free, not something you hear very often when it comes to live music!  Show is 8/7/2010 from noon to 6PM. Contact winter Park Lodging Company for your tickets.

KYGO High Country Music Festival – Another free festival featuring Chris Cagle, The Josh Abbott Band and Kory Brunson. No editorializing here as I’m not a Country Music aficionado. I bet though it would be a great time and a lot cheaper than the $300.00 U2 is getting for their Denver show this summer.

There is also the season long High Note Thursday free shows in Hideaway Park. Artists have not been released yet.  Also there is the season ling Fraser Picnic In The Park Series with Denver and local artists.

We have a lot of music going on up here in winter Park, CO along with great weather and more outdoor activities than you could name.

Come have a great summer time in Winter Park, Colorado.

See Winter Park Lodging Company for tickets to all events and the best music lodging available.

Winter Park Colorado Fourth of July

4th of July in the Colorado Rockies

Looking for somewhere to spend the fourth of July weekend up in the Colorado mountains? Winter Park is the place to be for fourth of July. Come celebrate summer in Winter Park and the Fraser Valley this 4th of July Weekend.

There are a bunch activities happening, including the long-going Rendezvous Run for Independence, the Hi Country Stampede Rodeo and of course the spectacular fireworks display.  There is also a great fireworks display over in Grand Lake, a short 25 minute drive from the friendly confines of Winter Park and Fraser.

Sunday, July 4th
3:00pm – 10:00pm
Every year, locals and visitors alike bring their families, BBQs and blankets to the Fraser Ball-fields to play & relax out in the gorgeous mountain air for the 4th of July. Kids run & play on the huge grassy fields, live music sounds for listening and dancing, and everyone enjoys the day as we wait for the spectacular fireworks display at nightfall. At the Fraser Ball-fields, just north of the town of Fraser. For more information call the Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce 800-903-7275 or 970-726-4118.

Grand Lake Fireworks
Grand Lake boasts the largest fireworks display in Colorado on the 4th of July, with gorgeous colors exploding over and reflecting in the lakes.

Run for Independence
Saturday, July 3rd
8:00am – whenever the last racer crosses the finish line!
This is a five-mile race course from the base of Winter Park Resort to the Town of Fraser. With an elevation loss of over 600 feet, anyone can enjoy walking or running on the scenic and paved Fraser River Trail to help raise money for the Scott Hughes Endowment Fund. This foundation provides scholarships for children on kidney dialysis to attend Camp Chief Ouray at Snow Mountain Ranch-YMCA of the Rockies. Registration will be available online soon or you can register at the starting line from 8:00am – 9:00am at Winter Park Resort. For more information call the Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce 800-903-7275 or 970-726-4118.

These are only a few of the activities that can be had here in Winter Park for the 4th of July weekend.  Check out Winter Park Lodging Companies full activity schedule for this years Fourth of July in Winter Park Colorado.

Hot Sulphur Springs, CO. Mineral Baths

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.

Winter Park, Colorado Movies

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.

Fly Cheap to Denver

Fare alert, fare alert, check out some cheap flights to Denver! I’ve compiled a list of flights to Denver from $98 to $200 from a variety of cities using Airfare Watchdog, and there are even more deals on their website. I am a huge fan of Airfare Watchdog, the airfare experts that find flight deals to or from any airport in the world, post them on their site for you to search and/or send you deal alerts on flights of your choice.

The deals below are current deals as of today, Feb 27th, 2010.  Most of these aren’t advertised and can dissappear at any time, so act fast! Just click on the price to open up the fare details and see how to book.  If you don’t see your departure city below, go to Airfare Watchdog to see if there’s a deal from your city to Denver.

DEALS ON FLIGHTS TO DENVER

Once you book your flight to Denver, contact us to check for availability at a condo or home for your dates. Or better yet, if you’re flexible on your dates, check with us for availability first, then book your flights! Search Winter Park Lodging Company now to see what options await you.

Winter Park Colorado Mountain Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Looking for something to do in to celebrate Mardi Gras?  Well look no further, there is much to do up here in Winter Park, Colorado and this is the perfect time to head to the hills and get away from the February blues.  The snow is falling and we should have around ten inches of new snow by this coming Monday, Feb 8th, if the forecasts are to be believed.  So come check out the Winter Park Mountain Mardi Gras.

Saturday February13

12:00-5:00pm at the Winter Park Village

High Altitude Style! Come join the party in the Village to celebrate this New Orleans tradition Winter Park-style! This event features bands, street performers, festive decorations, food and plenty of beads to go around!

Music (in Starbucks Plaza)

12:00pm-1:00pm:  Louisiana Clan Dogs
1:20pm-2:20pm:  Aden Harrell & Friends Jazz Quartet
2:40pm-3:40pm:  Otones Brass Band
4:00pm-5:00pm:  Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe
Performers (throughout the Village)

12:00pm-5:00pm:  Salida Circus Performers (includes flame throwers, jugglers, trapeze artists, jesters & unicyclists)
12:00pm-5:00pm:  Face-Painting and Caricature Drawings
12:00pm-5:00pm:  Children’s Crafts – masks and crowns
1:00pm-3:00pm:  Giant Puppetry
2:00pm-4:00pm:  Ear2Ear Photobooth

Food (in Starbucks Plaza)

Jambalaya, crawfish, etouffee, gumbo, crepes, bread pudding and beignets provided by Village restaurants

FAT Tuesday February 16th

• 6:30-8:30pm – Mardi Gras Parade at Cooper Creek
Square: Come in costume and participate in Fat Tuesday
(Winter Park style) in the shortest, craziest, coldest
Mardi Gras Parade on Earth!
• 9pm – The Grand County Blues Society presents
Trampled Under Foot w/Samantha Fish at Smokin Moes

All of this to be had while trying to get in all the runs at Winter Park and Mary Jane Resorts.

“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”

Buying New Skis? Some Sage Advice From Winter Park, CO

Winter Park, Colorado Ski Shops

When it comes to buying skis and snowboards the one piece of advice we have is this: BUY LOCAL or buy from the Lange girl!

Skis are expensive and the general life of a ski is 80-120 days of actual skiing. That’s 6 years if you ski 20 days a year so make sure to get it right.

When purchasing skis there are three very important things to keep in mind:

DEMOS:   What people like in a ski can be very personal and is difficult to tell with just a conversation. When you buy skis at a local ski shop you have the opportunity to demo the skis on the slopes, this way you can know if these are the skis for you. The price of any demo days is usually applied to any ski you purchase.

KNOWLEDGE:   The staff at our local shops love to ski and are passionate about the sport and the equipment.  They sleep, eat,  and breathe this stuff.  Most supplier reps come to the stores that sell their brands and do seminars about their equipment and a lot of times they take the whole staff on mountain to actually try all the new gear out. Last time I was in a big box store with some time to kill the “salesman” actually was reading from the pamphlet dangling from a ski.

PRICE:   As you compare prices think about the price of actually mounting a binding to the ski. If you walk into a shop and ask them to mount a binding to a ski you will pay a ton for it. As I surf the web or kill time waiting for my wife at the mall I look at ski prices and they’re not any cheaper than what we have up here. Generally what they will have is a cheap “fleet ski” (see KNOWLEDGE above).

We here at Winter Park Lodging Company recommend several stores for new ski purchases:

1. Grand Sports
2. Ski Depot
3. Ski Broker

Mr. Ed Raegnor contributed to this Winter Park/Mary Jane blog.