For over 65 years people have come to Winter Park. The ski area is just 2 miles from the town centre and has undergone a big change thanks to the $100 million investment by Intrawest. New lifts - including the highest 6 person chairlift in North America, new base area and increased snow grooming facilities have transformed this quiet resort into the best-kept secret in Colorado. With more skiing than most of it’s better known neighbours Winter Park remains one of the largest ski complexes in the western United States. Skiers will find themselves in the safe hands of one of the best ski schools in the USA, they have taught more Coloradoans how to ski than any other ski area. Its down-to-earth personality, easy-going atmosphere, and friendly attitude will ensure Winter Park will rise to the top of the ski charts in the next few years.
The Skiing
Over 3,000 acres of skiing covering 3 mountains and a huge snowbowl, criss-crossed by 134 trails offering one of the most complete ski areas in the world. Long, wide trails, challenging mogul fields, efficient lifts, perfectly manicured slopes; few mid-week queues and reliable snow conditions are what you can expect. The area is divided into two main sections: Winter Park/Vasquez Ridge, which has mostly intermediate trails, and Mary Jane, which features hard-bump skiing as well as tree-level runs and long blues from the Parsenn Bowl. Skiers will find themselves in the safe hands of one of the best ski schools in the USA, they have taught more Coloradans how to ski than any other ski area. Beginners have a full five acres to find their feet in Sorenson Park area before moving up the hill to the 30-acre Discovery Park. Even cautious beginners won't be able to resist the gentle terrain offered under the High Lonesome & Olympia express chairs. Progressing skiers will love exploring the long blue runs of the Parsenn Bowl before heading to the more testing runs, such as the 'Railbender' and 'Derailer', back down to the Mary Jane base station. The more daring skiers can head over to the Vasquez Cirque where all the runs are graded single and double black diamond! Alternatively they can try out their mogul skills on the Mary Jane Mountain where the bumps are legendary for size, challenge and sheer numbers. In fact, Skiing magazine has named Mary Jane Mountain #1 for moguls for three years running. Snowboarders are well catered for with 3 terrain parks featuring rails, half-pipes and a 450-foot superpipe with 18 feet walls! The wide groomed pistes are ideal for learning to board and the Parsenn Bowl offers plenty of off piste riding.
Resort Activities
Tubing (subject to snow conditions), Cinema, Disco, Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh-rides, dog-sledging (all subject to snow conditions), Ice-skating, Shopping in downtown Winter Park, Designer outlet shopping at Colorado Mills, Denver or Silverthorne
Accommodation
Winter Park Mountain Lodge
Located directly across from the ski area and a short shuttle ride from the base lodge, this very comfortable hotel has an indoor pool and two very large hot tubs overlooking the ski area as well as a fitness area and games room. The large bedrooms sleep four students in two queen beds and have coffee making, hairdryers and cable TV with in-house movies. Buffet meals are taken in separate designated dining rooms with the opportunity to eat out in Winter Park for one evening meal at 'Smokin Moes' - a local favourite for ribs and smoked specialties, but the regular live blues entertainment is what keeps the crowd jumping.
