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Winter Park

Winter Park Resort

Colorado

<h2 style="padding-bottom: 12px;">Winter Park Ski Resort Overview</h2>
<p>Winter Park Resort is a <a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/colorado/ski-resorts">Colorado favorite</a>. Originally built by the <a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/denver/ski-resorts">city of Denver</a> as a "winter park" for its residents, Winter Park Resort has continually operated since 1939. While it is only 60 miles from Denver, it is separated by huge mountain ranges and therefore has a very remote feel to it.</p>
<p>The ski area is known for being <a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/news/great-ski-resorts-to-choose-for-kids-and-families/">a very family-friendly resort</a> and has terrain for all ability types. Winter Park contains over 3,000 skiable acres that span across two distinct mountains and is home to a majority of beginner and intermediate trails. Mary Jane Mountain is home to amazing tree skiing, world-class moguls and wide-open alpine bowls.</p>
<p>The resort contains modern amenities with an extensive well-developed trail system. The village base contains multiple lodging, dining and shopping options.</p>
<p>While the main way to reach Winter Park is by I-70 West and US-40 (about 1.5 hours from Denver), you can also reach the slopes by train. The double-decker Winter Park Express is a weekends-only 2-hour train ride from downtown Union Station to Winter Park. It does sell out so buy your tickets early!</p>

Accommodation for more than 10,000 people during the ski season including mountain inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and condominiums ranging from upscale to budget. Locations are slopeside, downtown Winter Park, and some rooms tucked away in the forest. With 194 units, Fraser Crossing and founders Pointe offers a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units.

<h2 style="padding-bottom: 12px;">Best restaurants and bars in Winter Park</h2>
<p>While there are a few options on-mountain, most of the best dining you'll find in Winter Park is in the actual city, which is less than 10 minutes north of the slopes.</p>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► For Breakfast</h3>
<ul>
<li>If you need more hearty meals before heading to the slopes, stop by <strong>Wake N&rsquo; Bacon</strong>. From chicken biscuits to pancakes to breakfast sandwiches, you&rsquo;re bound to find something hearty and delicious to eat.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Since 1982, <strong>Carver&rsquo;s Bakery Cafe</strong> has been providing Winter Park visitors and residents with fresh-baked goodies and drip coffee and espresso drinks.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► For Lunch and Dinner</h3>
<ul>
<li>The best dining at the resort (base of the mountain) is hands down&nbsp;<strong>Rippy's Mountain Tavern.&nbsp;</strong>Big burgers, steaks, wings and sandwiches with fresh sides, it's everything you'd want from a mountain pub.&nbsp;</li>
<li>We at On The Snow absolutely LOVE <strong>Pepe Osaka's Fishtaco</strong>. It's hard to really describe the unique goodness that you'll find here. It's technically Asian-Mexican Fusion, as they put an Asian spin on Mexican favorites like ceviche, carne asada and nachos. The cocktails are amazing as they have various infused tequilas they use for margarites and other premium mixed drinks. Oh, and the tacos are increidible as well!&nbsp;</li>
<li>Anyone who enjoys green chili MUST visit <strong>The Ditch on 40</strong>. Try out the unqiue spin on wontons with the New Mexican Juantans, with both red and green dipping chili.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Those wanting to go on a bit more upscale date would do well to visit&nbsp;<strong>Deno's Mountain Bistro.&nbsp;</strong>This 45-year establishment has a fantastic wine list and great steak and seafood options. The pizza is quite good as well!</li>
<li>Another great option by the slopes ist&nbsp;<strong>Vertical Bistro&nbsp;</strong>at the base of the resort. Check out the Avo-Rado sandwhich with chipotle ranch and melted gouda.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► Apr&egrave;s/Nightlife</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Idlewild Spirits Distillery&nbsp;</strong>has really upped the nightlife game in Winter Park. They have an intense love for whiskey and is a great place to visit for an after dinner drink (or for dinner as well, as they do have a tapas menu).&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Goodys Mountain Creperie</strong> is perfect at any time of day, but they&rsquo;re known for their apr&egrave;s snacks and happy hour menu.</li>
<li><strong>Heck&rsquo;s Tavern</strong> is located on Devil&rsquo;s Thumb Ranch, and it offers amazing views along with plenty of pre-dinner snacks and cocktails.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Alpine ski area</strong></p>
<p>The resort divides its terrain between two different mountains: Mary Jane and Winter Park. Each mountain is unique with its own distinct characteristics. Winter Park contains long wide groomed trails and is home to Winter Park&rsquo;s renowned ski and ride school. Vasquez Ridge is off the beaten path and contains some powder stashes hidden away within the intermediate to advanced trails.</p>
<p>Winter Park ski resort has 3,081 skiable acres that are broken up into seven territories. Check out the Winter Park site for more details on the distinct territories and where you should aim to spend the majority of your day based on your skills and terrain preferences.</p>
<p>Mary Jane is home to legendary tree skiing and mogul runs. At the top of Parsenn Bowl, skiers and riders are met with spectacular 360 degree views. Parsenn Bowl offers skiers and riders an intermediate friendly high-alpine experience. Off the Eagle Wind chairlift is home to excellent tree skiing and steep glades.</p>
<p><strong>Tubing Park and Snow Play</strong></p>
<p>The Coca-Cola Tube Park in Winter Park is the newest tube park in Colorado that features three separate lanes with banked curves and a covered conveyor lifts that take riders from the bottom to the top. When not tubing you can sit back and enjoy gourmet hot chocolate and snacks at the Hill House. The park is conveniently located adjacent to the Vintage Hotel with easy access to village restaurants via the Cabriolet.</p>
<p><strong>Cross Country and Snowshoeing</strong></p>
<p>Winter Park is fantastic for nordic skiing, with over 80 miles of trails throughout Winter Park and Fraser. There are four main trail hubs: Devil&rsquo;s Thumb, Snow Mountain Ranch, Ski Granby Ranch and Grand Lake Nordic Center. Trails range from quite easy (Grand Park Loop) to a much more difficult Deadhorse Loop Trail which spans 7 miles and a 1,300 ft. incline.</p>

<h2 style="padding-bottom: 12px;">Things to Do in Winter Park</h2>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► Winter Park Essentials</h3>
<p>Experience the feel of backcountry, out-of-bounds skiing at Eagle Wind territory. This expert only area winds through glades and a challenging forest and is a must-visit for any expert skier.</p>
<p>Take the gondola up to Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge and experience an incredible sunset while taking in some of the best food and drink the mountain has to offer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Chow down on a hot Nashville chicken sandwich at Rippy's Mountain Tavern, located conveniently near the slopes.</p>
<p>Experience great Colorado craft beer at Hideaway Park Brewery, featuring a wide variety of beers, sometimes including Chili beer and Chai Milk Stouts.</p>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► Non-skiing Activities</h3>
<p>Like many larger ski resorts, Winter Park has a scenic gondola ride that skiers and non-skiers will appreciate. The gondola takes you up to over 10,000 feet, giving you great views of the Continental Divid and the Fraser Valley. You can dine at the top as Sunspot mountaintop lodge offers&nbsp;<span>lunch, apr&egrave;s, and dinner.</span></p>
<p><span>Kids' Night Out at Camp Idlewild is a fun event for kids 6-12 years in age. Your kids will get to play and explore the woods around Hill House before enjoying the rest of the night inside with crafts, movies and pizza. Its a great opportunity for parents to have a night on the town while the kids get a unique night on the mountain.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>If you've ever wanted to see a Tour Cat in operation, you can jump in a 90-minute Snow Cat tour through the Arapaho National Forest. You can also choose an evening tour that includes S'Mores.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: 4px; color: #0a3d72;">► Main Events in Winter Park</h3>
<p>While there are many small events constantly going on in the summer, the largest is Village Uncorked, a day focused on wine and food in the mountains. This event takes place the weekend of the fourth of July every&nbsp; year alongside the Run for Independence, so get a good 5-mile run in before enjoying tasting fantastic wines the rest of the day.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport to Winter Park, situated approximately a 1.5-hour drive away. Travelers arriving at DEN can access shuttle services or rental cars for a convenient journey to Winter Park.</p>

Winter Park Trail Map

COLORADO / WINTER PARK

Winter Park Trail Map

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