Winter Park, Colorado Top 25 Ski Resorts

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Chris

Top colorado ski resorts winter park Best Colorado Ski Resorts

The new SKI Magazine Ski Resort Rankings for 2010-2011 has hit the shelves. The ski areas are ranked by readers with results in several different categories. The rankings were based on a comprehensive survey of over 20,000 SKI Magazine readers. The SKI Magazine resort rankings are highly thought of in the ski industry and are great exposure to adoring ski enthusiasts.

Colorado as whole did very well with 9 rankings in the top 25. Vail came in at No.2 and Beaver Creek No.3. Steamboat fell out of the top 10 and landed at No. 13 this year. Our beloved Winter Park Resort came in at No. 22, one spot higher than last year.

Here is what SKI Magazine had to say about the Winter Park and Mary Jane ski area:

We’re surprised: After all Winter Park has gone through, with a cool new village and four new lifts—six years and $40 million later—it only moved up one spot this year. No matter. We know it’ll take time for readers to realize there’s now more to this place than 3,078 acres of sweet terrain. (Like restaurants, ski shops, an ice-skating rink, a sledding hill and a brewpub.)

The terrain, though, continues to stand on its own; it has always been enough to keep this Denver-local hill in the top 25. “Mary Jane has the best bumps in North America,” raves a reader. Indeed, The Jane enjoys scores of passionate devotees who hit Railbender, Derailer and Drunken Frenchman, then eat lunch and blast music in the parking lot.

But the resort is attracting new disciples for its sidecountry terrain: “The Vasquez Cirque and Parsenn Backside are my special happy places,” says a reader. If you can get to them—“tough to get from one mountain to another” is a common refrain. And despite the new village, readers complain that the base still lacks what the bigger, more luxurious resorts offer: “No superb restaurants or retail,” a reader says. However, others enjoy this nightly serenity. Next year, thanks to several new restaurants moving in, we predict Winter Park evenings will be a bit less serene—and a lot more fun.

Winter Park again did well in the on mountain side of the rankings and suffered in the apres or nightlife part of the rankings. Here is my take, if you want to ski be it beginner, intermediate and especially expert there is not a better place to visit. The snow is usually the best in all of Colorado and the ski school is one of the best in the country. If you wear a fur coat and as an adult need someone to carry your skis to the lifts then maybe you should head to Deer Valley, Utah or Vail. But if you like to ski and you like snow Winter Park, CO can not be beat. I have skied all the Colorado resorts in this years Ski Magazine top 25 and I will say not a one has anything on skiing at Winter Park and Mary Jane.

Check out the full SKI Magazine resort rankings here.

The above photo is courtesy of Winter Park Resort.

Winter Park Resort Village Lofts

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Chris

ski in out at winter park resort Ski In and Out Lodging Winter Park Resort

Winter Park Lodging Company has had a very busy summer and we have added quite a few new properties to our rental inventory. From an exclusive private home in the woods to a comfortable ski in out condo on the slopes of Winter Park Resort all can be found right with WPLCo.

A couple of the newest properties are located right on top of the shops of Winter Park Village. These are the Winter Park Village Lofts. The newest, most convenient lodging at Winter Park Base, the Lofts offer three and four bedrooms within feet of the village restaurants and resort lifts.

Winter Park Lodging Company offers WP Village Loft 101, Loft 106, Loft 108 and Loft 110.

When it comes to luxury and convenience, these brand new lofts have it all. Sit back and relax with high-end furnishings, flat screen TVs, a gas fireplace, and a private garage. Just a short walk from the slopes, you’ll be right in The Village at Winter Park, where you can walk downstairs to enjoy a meal at one of several delicious base village restaurants including The Cheeky Monk, Lime, Goody’s and Back Bowl Soup Company.

Have a big group that wants base lodging? Well, the four lofts together can sleep 35 people very comfortably. That would be a big fun get together. Convenient Winter Park Base lodging steps from bars, restaurants and lifts in some of the nicest diggs at any Colorado ski resort.

So if you are looking for convenient, luxurious ski lodging the Winter Park Village Lofts can not be beat.

Snow is on the way so book your ski vacation lodging today.

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Labor Day Fun at Winter Park Resort

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park, CO Biking Fun

The summer is almost gone here in Winter Park and those trying to squeeze all the fun that could be had spent this labor day up at the Winter Park Resort. Pond skimming was the test of the day with 2 x 8 boards placed on floats for those brave enough to try biking across the pond. Speed and balance, speed and balance, dough….don’t let that tire get off the board. What a way to send off summer. Winter Park Village was crowded with thrill seekers and gawkers alike hoping to get the last little bit of summer fun.

The biking is not through up here in the high country with Trestle Bike Park open weekend the next three weeks. The cross country biking should be good into early October, depending when we get that first snow here in Winter Park.

But Labor day has come and is about gone taking Lady Summer with her. Fall is here with wonderful colors and the ushering in of glorious winter. This Labor Day could not have had better weather for pond skimming. Slight breezes with sunshine and blue skies and highs around 70 degrees, a great labor day indeed.

Winter Park Lodging Company wishes all a happy labor day and we hope the day was spent doing anything but labor. So lets wish Ms. summer goodbye till next tear and hope Father Winter brings lots of dreamy white snow soon.

Only 72 days until Winter Park Resort opens for ski season. Let the countdown begin.

Winter Park Resort Trail Maps

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Chris

Ski Winter Park, Colorado

I was looking for some old vintage trail maps for Winter Park Resort and I came across this old trail map from 1980. And boy does it show just how much bigger and better that Winter Park/Mary Jane has become.

The trail map for the coming 2010/2011 season should look very similar to the 2009/2010 version as there have been no on mountain improvements for the last couple of years. That can be understood with the economy being in the tank the last few years. Mr. Garry DeFrange, Winter Park Resort President, has been saying that more development is coming to the Winter Park Base Village in the form of town-homes and a hotel. When that will be remains to be seen. There still lots of vacant retail spaces in the Winter Park Village but Mr. De Frange is saying that there are tenants waiting to sign on. We are hoping that the large restaurant space is taken for this coming ski season but at this point it is not looking likely to be open for this ski season.

On mountain expansion is hopefully coming soon to the resort with lots of area to expand skiing on to adjacent mountains of the Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort. Again probably not going to happen in the next few years as the economy has put a wobble in the ski resorts walk.

Anywho, I liked the above ski trail map and thought I would share. Below is an even older trail map of the original Mary Jane side of the ski area from 1976 that is pretty cool.

Ski Mary Jane

Summer season is coming to an end so lets get ready for this coming ski season: tune the boards, buy the ski pass and book your lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company for the best deals in WP.

Winter Park, CO Summer Fun

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Chris

summer in winter park colorado

Summer in Winter Park, Colorado

Today is the first day of summer officially and that means it is hot, very hot down in the low lands and dreamy beautiful up here in the Rocky Mountains. The time to head to Winter Park is now to enjoy the beauty of Colorado without the crowds.

Here is the weather for Denver June 21st to June 24th:

89°F

Current: Cloudy
Wind: W at 4 mph
Humidity: 80%

Mon

89°F | 60°F

Tue

91°F | 61°F

Wed

81°F | 60°F

Thu

89°F | 64°F

63°F | °C

Current: Cloudy
Wind: W at 4 mph
Humidity: 80%

Mon

89°F | 60°F

Tue

91°F | 61°F

Wed

81°F | 60°F

Thu

89°F | 64°F

And here is the weather for Winter Park, CO.

65°F

Current: Sunny
Wind: SW at 3 mph
Humidity: 44%

Mon

71°F | 42°F

Tue

73°F | 42°F

Wed

66°F | 43°F

Thu

73°F | 47°F

As I said time to get out of the heat!

Lots of events and activities in WP this time of year also. The Eighth Annual Winter Park Blues Fest starts this Thursday with the best lineup ever for this rockin’ show.

There is also the Winter Park Chocolate Festival this weekend on June 26th. Taste some great chocolate with some wine and have a great time in the Rockies.

And for the kids there are all the events and activities in the Winter Park Village and base area:

COCA-COLA® FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Fridays, June 25 – September 3 The Village at Winter Park presents Outdoor Movie Night! We will be showing a great selection of family and kid-friendly movies every Friday evening from June 25 – Labor Day Weekend. Movies will be held outdoors on the lawn next to the Discovery Center and are free to the public. A limited number of chairs are provided. All movies will begin just after sunset. Times may vary week to week.

CIRQUE du SATURDAYS
Saturdays, July 3 - September 4

It’s a circus in the mountains every Saturday in the Village at Winter Park! Kids will enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere as they walk with troubadours, unicyclists, stiltwalkers, jugglers, and more in the Village from 10am – 2pm. Don’t forget to pause long enough for free face-painting and caricatures. All events are free and fun! Come one, come all! Don’t miss out on the chance to join the circus!

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Saturdays, July 3 – August 21

This fun, activity-filled evening is for 4-12 year olds. This program is loaded with indoor and outdoor activities and it includes dinner and s’mores by the firepit! Kids’ Night Out is a worry-free night out for Mom & Dad and a convenient alternative to at-home babysitting. Kids’ Night Out is held at the Discovery Center in the Village at Winter Park on Saturday evenings from 5:30pm – 9:00pm starting July 3rd and running through August 21. Kids’ Night Out is a FREE childcare service offered to parents on the condition that $30 per child is spent in any commercial outlet at the resort during the hours that your children are in the program. We do require original receipts to verify the expenditure. If less than $30 per child is spent, parents will be charged the difference. Kids Night Out includes: Dinner from Doc’s Roadhouse and Outdoor Activities / Indoor Activities - games, crafts, movies.

Reservations: Please reserve your child’s space by 3pm on Saturday. Call Winter Park Guest Services at 800.729.7907 to reserve your child’s space. Enrollment is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Now that is a deal free day/night care while the parents head out for a drinks and dinner.

Summer is here and the now is the time to make your plan to head up to the mountains. Let Winter Park Lodging Company make your getaway fun, economical and relaxing.

Best Patio Deck to Have a Beer in Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Chris

Springtime under the colorado rockies on the patio Enjoy a Beer on the Patio in Winter Park, CO

It is that time of year here in the Colorado mountains to put the Sorrels away and break out the flip-flops, Tevas and Chacos and head out for an afternoon of cold suds on the patio decks.

We have plenty of bars here in Winter Park and almost all of them have some king of patio seating. Where to go though for the coldest beer, the perfect rays and patrons that will give up the makeup before the beer (the Miller add to the left is just a hoot). What happens when it comes down to beer or skiing, now there is a conundrum!

Anywho, here is my list of five best decks to have a beer in Winter Park, Colorado (in no particular order):

The Cheeky Monk – located in the Winter Park Village and featuring all European/Belgium beers on draft, this a great place to people watch after skiing. Great staff, great beer and a great deck to have a beer.
Deno’s Mountain Bistro – in the the town of Winter Park right on US 40 and not the biggest deck but it does have history and is a great place to see the locals and swill a beer. The building used to be the Old Swiss House from long ago. Teddy, the owner, says this is not not only a beer swillin’ deck but a wine swillin’ one too.
The Sushi Bar – another deck right on US 40 but at the north end of town. A great deck! And where else in WP can you have a saki-bomber under the blue sky? Offering select $1.50 bottles of beer currently.
Doc’s Roadhouse – located at the base of WP Resort in the Zephyr building. There is an upstairs and downstairs patio. Operated by Intrawest with a great location and it’s a great place to end a day of skiing/mountain biking/ playing around. Great people watching and an after work hang-out for Winter Park Ski Patrolers.
The Club Car – located at the Mary Jane base and open only during ski season. Probably the best place to have a beer at the Winter Park Resort. People watching is great and has a very party like atmosphere when the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the snow is fresh.

So there you have my picks for the best place to have a barley pop on a deck in the Winter Park area. Remember it is beer before makeup and skiing before beer!

Last Week of Skiing at Winter Park Resort

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Chris

spring skiing in colorado winter Winter Park Resort Closing Ski Day

We are down to the last day of ski season here in Winter Park, Colorado. And this if the time to come up to make some turns. The last day of the 2009/2010 ski season is April 18th this year and that is the day to be here up here in the Rockies.

This week there are lots of events in the Winter Park Village. There will be live music in the village and a beer dinner at The Cheeky Monk this Thursday. The weather this week is looking good with snow predicted for Tuesday the 13th.

The grand finale of this ski season will be the Winter Park Resort Spring Splash. Check out the link and make plans to attend the oldest tradition of its kind and on its 42nd year. On Sunday, April 18, athletes begin at 12pm as spectators watch skiers and riders struggle through obstacles on the Larry Sale trail race course and attempt to skim across an icy pond to reach the finish line and post a time. Live music sets the tone for a closing day party that is fun for everyone!

The official party is held at the Winter Park base and the unofficial wilder side is over in the C-Lot at Mary Jane. Come enjoy some music, BBQ, beer, and an all around good time at the Mary Jane Spring Splash celebration.

This is the last week of ski season here in Winter Park, CO so lets get out and wish ski season a grand goodbye ’till next November.

Powder Addiction Snow Cat Skiing Winter Park, CO

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Chris

Cat skiing Colorado Winter Park Colo back country skiing Winter Park Colorado back country skiing

Powder Addiction Skiing on Jones Pass

We had day number two with Powder Addiction on Jones pass this week. It was supposed to be day number four but a good bout of pink eye and an avalanche on US Highway 40 has postponed the other two trips. The group that went up this time was full of Winter Park locals, a father-son WP second home team and a video and still camera professional.

What a senational day. Temps were in the high 30′s and there were a few inches of fluffy white powder. The above photos of Ed Reagner were shot later in the day as we were attempting a south facing wall that had baked all day and gotten a nice crusty layer on top that all us skiers had a little trouble with.

Mr. Scott Hefel was the professional photog along for the day and he took some spectacular pictures. Check out Scott Hefel Photography to see the photos. Click on Powder Addiction (bottom right) and use password: 3.15.10

We also had “T” from RSN Winter Park Channel 18 filming for an upcoming RSN sking special. Maybe all us will be back-country skiing stars someday? I am not holding my breath or quitting the day job though.

On the trip was a father and son team and for a 15 year old Chase could really rip it up. I do wish I was skiing this terrain when I was 15 years old. Anywho, it was a great day skiing. I would like to thank, Jamie, Waldo and Scott for the expert guiding and safety provided.

If you have any desire to do some cat skiing Powder Addiction can not be beat. It is reasonably priced, especially compared to other snow cat skiing operations, and the terrain and snow is fantastic. Jones Pass is a short ride from Powder Addiction headquarters in the Winter Park Village with snow that drops from all storms coming through Central Colorado. At the end of the day you get to enjoy a couple free Steamworks Brewery beers.

The snow is still coming and it’s not too late to get your cat skiing in this year. Now is the time to sign up and take a snow cat skiing trip with Powder Addiction.

St Patrick’s Day in Winter Park, Colorado

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Resort St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is coming upon us quickly. What are your plans to celebrate that little bit of Irish that we all have in us? Well, there is always a good reason to ski a few runs and have a few green beers in Winter Park. This year St Patrick’s Day is Wednesday March 17, 2010 and there is plenty to do celebrate the all that is Irish.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Wednesday, March 17

Join Winter Park Resort for some toe-tappin’, hand-clappin’, good drinkin’, “gotta get up and dance” renditions of traditional and original Irish tunes!

Discovery Center Plaza: 2:30-5:30pm
Cheeky Monk: 8:00-10:00pm

Get Your Irish On!

In the town of Winter Park there is no shortage of things to do. Head to the Winter Park Pub and have a green beer. Or head over to Randi’s Irish Saloon for some traditional Irish Grub and nip of Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Come on up to the Colorado Rockies and celebrate this St Patrick’s Day Winter Park, CO style.

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.