Winter Park Resort #14 in Ski Magazine

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Chris

Top 15 Ski North American Ski Resorts: Winter Park

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.

Best Bars in Winter Park, CO

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Chris

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?

Winter Park Resort First Snow Contest Winner

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Chris

First Snow Winter Park, Colorado

We have a winner to our first snow contest here in Winter Park, CO. It has taken a little while to get around to announcing this but yes we have had a couple of snows since the first last week.

There were thirty five entries on our blog and about twenty five more on the Facebook post about the first snow contest and yes there was a lucky soul, ok maybe talented, who hit the first snow date. It was not a huge snow this year as last but it was over an inch and there is no disputing the picture to the left that it was a measurable snow last week.

So our first snow date for 2011 is, drumbeat please ………….. October 6th. Yes that was last Thursday and we have a winner. Stormy the snow predictor this year is Thomas Schneider. And Thomas pretty much hit the snow fall total also. Nice work Thomas! Here is the winning snowfall total post “The ‘dust’ is already at the top, so it won’t be long. That first 1/2 inch will come on Oct 6.”

The fourth Winter Park Resort first snow contest is now concluded and we hope that this relatively early snow and subsequent snow storms means that we are in for some La Nina powder this year. ALl the mountains surrounding Winter PArk and the Fraser Valley are now painted a nice white and it is looking as ski season is almost here. Today up at Berthoud Pass there were three a couple of impatient folk with there planks out looking to find some fresh lines down the hill. That is the spirit.

Well, here is to snow early and often all year long. Put the trail maps in the freezer and do the snow dance…..

LET IT SNOW, LET SNOW, LET IT SNOW

Exercise to Prepare for Ski Season if You Don’t Ski Winter Park Resort

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Chris

Ski Prep for those NOT coming to Winter Park Resort

We have a bit of a comical exercise program for all those that are planning to ski somewhere other than Winter Park Resort. While skiing can be a trying endeavor for all it is much more convenient and easier on the wallet here at Winter Park Resort.

SO if you plan on hitting the hills this year make sure you come to Winter Park, Colorado to avoid the exercise regimen below:

1. Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for a half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.

2. Soak your gloves and store them in the freezer after every use.

3. Fasten a small, wide rubber band around the top half of your head before you go to bed each night.

4. If you wear glasses, begin wearing them with glue smeared on the lenses.

5. Throw a hundred dollar bill away-now.

6. Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car and sporadically drop things.

7. Place a small but angular pebble in your shoes, line them with crushed ice, and then tighten a C-clamp around your toes.

8. Buy a new pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.

9. Secure one of your ankles to a bed post and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.

10. Go to McDonald’s and insist on paying $13.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.

11. Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make the ticket lacerate your face.

12. Drive slowly for five hours – anywhere – as long as it’s in a snowstorm and you’re following an 18 wheeler.

13. Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. Leave the ice on your face until it melts. Let it drip into your clothes.

14. Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.

15. Slam your thumb in a car door. Don’t go see a doctor.

16. Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until it’s time for the real thing.

The real thing would be November 16th, 2011 at Winter Park Resort this year. So book your lodging now with Winter Park Lodging Company and avoid the painful exercises above.

La Niña is Back, That little B****!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Chris

La Niña Ski Season 2011/12 Winter Park Resort

She’s Baaaaack! The National Weather Prediction Center has made an updated outlook on the La Niña weather pattern for fall and winter 2011/2012. Looking like we are in for another strong La Niña weather pattern bring some great snowfall. Come on La Niña, you little b****.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center officially upgraded the La Nina Watch to a La Niña Advisory, which in essence means La Nina conditions are forecast to return for the fall and winter.

During September-November 2011, there is evidence that La Niña favors an increased chance of above-average temperatures across the mid-section of the country, and an increased chance of above-average precipitation for the Central and Northern Rockies.

Forecasters said La Niña contributed to extreme weather around the globe during the first half of this year and then faded, but has now re-emerged and is expected to gradually strengthen and continue into winter.

NOAA says there is a standing 50 percent chance of a secondary La Niña to follow a strong event as we had last winter. Usually the second dip is weaker than the first.

That said, last fall and winter didn’t really follow a typical La Nina script – La Niña didn’t really rev up until February and March. Perhaps this winter could be different since we have a head start now.

So, it’s good news for skiers, snowboarders, and rain lovers. It’s not good news for the south because La Niña has the opposite effect of maintaining very dry weather there. La Niña‘s also typically enhance the hurricane season, as we’ve already seen this year. If the La Niña of last year could be followed by another early one this year we will be looking at some great skiing.

Winter Park Resort had a great snow year last ski season with snow early and late combined a steady flow of storms. We did not have that one huge storm that we have become accustom to but the good flow of storms more than made up for that.

Winter Park Resort Improvements for 2011/2012 Ski Season

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park/Mary Jane Upgrades 2011/12 Ski Season

Winter Park and Mary Jane are making some improvements for this coming ski season. Even with the economy in the doldrums the last few years ski visits in the US and particularly Colorado have been on the upswing.

According to National Ski Areas Association, the United States had more skier visits in 2010-11 than any previous ski season in history, surpassing the 60 million mark. Colorado resorts accounted for more of these visits than any other state in the nation with more than one in five skiers choosing to ski at a Colorado resort.

Winter Park Resort had a good year last year as well and the Resort is plowing the money earned back into the resort to improve the on hill experience. Beginner skiers will see the biggest improvment this year with the Sorenson Trail Bypass. Beginners will now have an easier trail to the Village at Winter Park with the opening of the new Sorensen Trail Bypass.

Winter Park/Mary Jane is also adding a new snowcat for the groomed runs. Other capital at the resort has been re-invested into improving existing infrastructure and services.

This year looks to be a great year in WP. The weather pattern is looking to be neutral or another La Nina year with the same weather pattern as last years epic snow fall.

So lets get ready for November 16th when Winter Park Resort opens for ski season. The summer has been nice but we are ready for some snow.

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!

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!

Children Skiing Winter Park Resort, Colorado

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Chris

Learning to Ski Winter Park, CO

Here is out latest ski video here at Winter Park Resort, Colorado’s Favorite. We are highlighting children and the youngsters learning to swoosh down the hill this segment. The above video is staring WPLCo’s very own and my very own twins, Nicholas & Willem. This is Nicholas & Willem’s second year skiing and they are now able to ski from the very top of Winter Park Resort to the very bottom with only a little help from mom and dad.

The Winter Park Ski School and ski teacher Rosie have done great work with these two little tykes this year. The boys took a a series of four ski lessons with Rosie this January that totally turned around the skiing learning curve. They wen’t from heading straight downhill with no interest in slowing, stopping or turning to being able ski freely downhill stopping on command and turning pretty much anywhere they would like to go.

If you have kids or have someone that is learning to ski, Winter Park Ski School is a great investment of your time and money. A couple of days with group or private lessons will turn your skiing/boarding skills around and get you enjoying being on the slopes. As we learned with our twins trying to teach your kids yourself usually is not a good idea time-wise or for family unity. Going skiing with kids let a professional teach them and parents can have a peace of mind that they are being taken care of and being taught the proper way to ski and board.

Check out Nicholas and Willem skiing Winter Park at 2 years of age and look how far the little boogers have progressed.

Presidents Day Skiing at Winter Park and Mark Jane

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Chris

Winter Park Resort Ski Video

The busiest weekend of the year has come and gone but we have some video to commemorate Presidents Day weekend here in Winter Park and Mary Jane. The weather was absolutely fantastic for this years Pres. Day weekend with a bunch of new snow on Wed and Thurs before and blue sky sunny days all weekend long.

We had lots of guests here to enjoy the Winter Park Lodging Company’s digs and we even had some family visiting. Relatives from Minnesota way here to enjoy the three day weekend and they were very happy with the snow/weather conditions. Crowds were not that bad if you know how to travel Winter Park and Mary Jane and steep slopes with threes and boulders seems to keep the crowds down.

The above ski video is shot on Cheshire Cat, Pine Cliffs, and Buckaroo Trees. As you can see most of the skiing is on untracked lines with almost perfect weather. Skiing is done by Michael Allen and Mark Allen of Rochester, Minnesota. Camera work and skiing is by yours truly as is movie production and editing. So if you think the skiing and/or movie isn’t up to snuff leave your thoughts below.

This is our first movie created in Apple’s Final Cut so I’m just getting a handle on the complexity of this technology, almost like putting a machine gun in a toddlers hands. It may be a tad more power than is needed for our purpose but you can really create some cool videos. Music is an old, old favorite – Guadalcanal Diary from Athens, GA.

We have been doing quite a bit of skiing this past week with a Powder Addiction cat ski trip and have taken the Winter Park Lodging Company mascot twins to WP Resort a few time this past week. I will be working on a Powder Addiction video as well as a learning to ski at Winter Park video. I know Y’all are holding your breath. Anywho, stay tuned for some WPLCo skiing action.

And as Warren Miller says get out on the slopes because if you don’t do it this year you will only be another year older when you do.