Winter Park Resort

Winter Park Resort averages more than 320 inches of annual snowfall and 300 days of sunshine. Snow making capabilities cover 27 trails in the resort, which comprise 313 acres, while 3,081 acres in total provide for enough space to work on your skills. Besides, the uphill capacity of more than 40,000 passengers per hour is not only impressive, but also a major advantage, as there is so much terrain to explore that you might not want to lose much time just standing in line.

Winter Sports Fun For Everyone

The Winter Park Territory is kind of everybody’s darling and is best known for its long and well-groomed slopes as well as its renowned Ski + Ride School. Winter Park is perfect for families with kids and thus different ability levels, as it offers beginner (27%), intermediate (21%) and advanced (32%) trails. Get on the Olympia Express for some blues and greens, or take the Zephyr or Eskimo Express if you are more into blacks, such as Outrigger Trail or Retta's Run.

Vasquez Ridge featuring some neat powder stashes and being quite in the back of beyond is a little more difficult. Served by Pioneer Express, Vasquez Ridge definitely is considered perfect territory for intermediate (36%), advanced (3%) and expert skiers (51%). Shredding down Sundance is a must do here. Take the Panoramic Express up to Parsenn Bowl to enjoy the best views possible from the top and an intermediate-friendly terrain featuring true high-alpine experience

Mary Jane is popular for her bumps and tree skiing opportunities. From chill to challenging and vice versa, Mary Jane features blues (30%), more advanced (49%) and semi-expert trails (20%). What makes it most unique, however, is the lack of crowds. It is definitely a locals’ favorite. You are best off starting from the Mary Jane Base Area. Challenger and Iron Horse are probably the best to get to all the double diamond and black diamond runs. Super Gauge Express takes you straight to the peak from where you can access great tree skiing. The Sunnyside chairlift is the better choice for intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Beginners at Mary Jane Mountain should take the High Lonesome Express in order to find plenty of greens.

Experts' and Freestylers' Paradise

Eagle Wind featuring a whopping 96% of most difficult trails is your go-to for some exhilarating tree skiing and fantastic powder. For expert skiers looking for a fresh challenge The Cirque is a dream come true characterized by most extreme, double diamonds and incredible patrolled backcountry skiing and riding. Left Hand, Little Raven, and Thunderbird are definitely worth a visit.

Winter Park features seven territories including a terrain park area, which offers about 80 more or less challenging features for both intermediates and experts, such as an 18-foot superpipe, jumps, jibs, and rails that will test your limits and give you the opportunity to show off your skills. 

Starter and Bouncer are awesome for those who are new to the world of freestyle skiing or snowboarding. Ash Cat is also a great place to learn. It helps to find your skills and you will get used to riding pretty quickly. Gangway is more of a medium park. Located right under the Prospector lift, it is easy to find and includes super fun features. As soon as you feel safe enough at Ash Cat you can progress to Re-Railer to step up your tricks. Rail Yard is best known among freestyle skiers and is by far the most advanced terrain park in Winter Park. Here you can actually bring your jumps to another level. Dark Territory is another large park and part of lower Rail Yard.

Refreshment needed? There are several restaurants across the mountain where delicious food and drinks are served to make your day a perfect one. Doc’s Roadhouse is one of the go-to for locals and tourists. Expect a family-friendly menu in the restaurant at the base of the mountain. The Coffee and Tea Market at the base of Winter Park Mountain is a great option for a quick pick-me-up. Get your caffeine fix and enjoy home-baked goods nobody could ever resist.

You are craving Mexican food? Well then, Lime is the place you should head to in order to skip the traffic and indulge yourself in fresh Mexican food and one or two margaritas. Pepperoni’s is your source for the best pizza outside Italy and a beer straight from the tap. Something that cannot be missing, especially not for high-quality coffee lovers: Starbucks. Located on the Zephyr Mountain lodge promenade, it is a great option if you feel like exhaustion creeps up on you and you need a caffeine boost. 

The Waffle Cabin is for all the waffle lovers out there. Drizzled with Belgian chocolate, the sweet and crunchy grab and go snack tastes even better still. Moffat Market and the Club Car Restaurant are also spots worth checking out. Both Club Car’s welcoming atmosphere and mouth-watering food will make you come back time and again.

For all those with an ability level of intermediate to expert, the Mary Jane side is perfect, or go up to the Parsenn Bowl where you will find some great tree paths plus it is not well-groomed, making for small bumps and other challenges along the way.

Even people who do not consider themselves fans of winter sports will be entertained by Winter Park’s activities as it gives you all the choices to have a blast with family and friends. The Coca Cola Tube Park will make you feel captivated by the thrill of speed and excitement of competition with its four individual lanes. Take the covered conveyor lift up the mountain so you are not exhausted when you reach the peak and you can fully enjoy the fun ride. The Hill House warming hut provides hungry speeders with hot chocolate and fresh cookies. 

In case you can barely walk due to sore muscles, you might want to make use of the Alpenglow Massages’ therapy treatments or do some free Sunday morning yoga. Shopping is also a huge topic in Winter Park. West Portal Outfitters, Burton Store, or The Jane Shop will be happy to provide you with the best ski apparel possible.

All those who are more into some singing and chatting by the fire should participate in the Campfire sing-a-long. Besides the classic ski resorts’ activities, such as sleigh rides, ice skating, free guided mountain tours, snowmobile tours, ski bike tours, and tours with snowcats or snowshoes, Winter Park excels in dog sled rides, and fat biking, for which 40 km of groomed trails are reserved.

Just because Winter Park is better known for its awesome skiing conditions doesn't mean it is not home to legendary party nights. Pay a visit to the Derailer Bar, which is a two-level bar featuring pub-style food and a variety of daily drink specials. Live music is often part of the deal and guarantees best atmosphere. 

Deno’s Mountain Bistro is quite popular for its happy hour. The brews and food are outstanding which is why it is as popular as it is among locals. The Foundry Cinema & Bowl boasts après ski of another kind with the newest movies, a bowling area, and wood-fired pizza.

Ullrs Tavern hosts the world’s best DJs and always surprises with outstanding live music. While Mary Jane Ale House is another top address in Winter Park for craft beer and a variety of specialty drinks, Five Mountain Tavern is a great place to watch your favorite sporting event with some friends.

Go classic with American restaurants in abundance or try new fare as served in Randi's Grill & Pub that speaks to your taste buds by serving Irish specialties or try Casa Mexico which really catches the Mexican spirit in their dishes and drinks. The margaritas are to die for and their homemade tortillas are impressive as well. New Hong Kong is more of a bistro but will still please all critical foodies with its Mandarin, Vietnamese and Japanese specialties. 

Strip & Tail is a great choice for those looking for American food. Its steaks, burgers, seafood, and tasty appetizers alone are worth a visit. The Lodge at Sunspot offers a real Colorado experience on that score: Located atop Winter Park Mountain, it is a stunning mountain lodge providing panoramic views of the Continental Divide and extraordinary fine dining at 10,700ft.

Vertical Bistro & Tap is the village’s top après ski spot with professional bartenders who will be delighted to prepare the drink of your choice after a long day on the slopes. Apart from its large selection of craft beers, signature cocktails, and whiskey, it also offers excellent wines and is one of the most amazing fine dining restaurants around.

Denver International Airport is located 90 miles east of Winter Park and is destination for both domestic and international flights. Rent a car or use the shuttles from Denver International Airport to get safely to the ski resort. Colorado vacationers enjoy the scenic drive to Winter Park via Interstate-70 starting in Denver and US Hwy 40. Parking is available. Get around Winter Park with The Lift, a free community shuttle.