Winter Park – Colorado’s Favorite Playground
January 26, 2021
On the western slopes of the Continental Divide in the Central Rockies lies a quaint mountain town with a big reputation! Winter Park has been named the “#1 Ski Resort in North America” and “Colorado’s Top Adventure Town” for two years in a row and continues to be dubbed “Colorado’s Favorite Playground”.
Winter Park is known for its world-class slopes, spectacular fall foliage, summer wildflowers, and an abundance of outdoor recreation. Conveniently located only 67 miles from Denver, a scenic drive over the switchbacks of Berthoud Pass brings you to this laid-back Rocky Mountain vacation destination that draws adventure seekers year-round.
Whatever the season, Winter Park offers fun, family-friendly things to do for visitors young and old in a safe, natural environment. If you’re looking for an easy drive-to Colorado destination for your next road trip, Winter Park is a premier Rocky Mountain resort town worth a visit.
Experience World-Class Skiing & Snowboarding
November through April is the busiest time of year when powder hounds flock to Winter Park to experience world-class skiing and snowboarding on 3,000 acres of award-winning terrain. Winter Park Resort features 3,000 feet of vertical rise, 166 named trails, 25 ski lifts and a 15 acre terrain park.
There are seven distinct areas catering for all ages and levels: Winter Park Territory is great for families, Vacquez Ridge for off the beaten path powder, Parsenn Bowl for intermediate powdery bowls with spectacular views, Terrain Park with jumps, jibs and over 80 features, Mary Jane for world-class bumps and tree skiing, Eagle Wind for exhilarating glade skiing and The Cirque for extreme double-black diamond steeps and deeps.
There’s no need to travel with bulky ski equipment and if you’re a first-timer, buying ski gear is costly. Rent your Winter Park ski & snowboard equipment and ski clothes online and save time, money and space in your suitcase!
Check for accommodations that include recreational perks for guests. Vacation rental properties like Winter Park Escapes include ski or snowboard rentals for one, every day of your stay along with complimentary passes to other awesome local attractions.
Off the Slope Winter Activities
Not everyone is in a hurry to clip into bindings and hit the slopes! There are plenty of adrenaline infused winter activities to enjoy off the downhills of Winter Park. Bundle up warm and take a sleigh-ride (or hay-ride in the summer months), enjoy panoramic views by day and stargazing by night on a Snowcat Tour or tick a dog-sledding experience off your winter bucket list. There are groomed Nordic trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Snow Mountain ranch, Devil’s Thumb Ranch and the Grand Lake Nordic Center and stunning backcountry trails in the Arapaho National Forest. Some of the best snowmobiling trails in Colorado are in easy reach of Winter Park so rent a snowmobile and a snow-scoot for the kiddies and explore the wilderness for a day.
For family fun you can ice-skate at Cooper Creek Square for free, go sledding at Snow Mountain Ranch or pick up some speed snow-tubing at the historic Fraser tubing hill.
Ride the Chairlift
Summer in the Rocky Mountains is stunning! Embark on a scenic gondola ride from the Village at Winter Park to an elevation of 10,700 ft with panoramic views of the Fraser Valley and Continental Divide. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Sunspot, soak up the alpine views and explore the summer trails, naturally isolating in fields of wildflowers.
Hit the Trails
Winter Park has over 600 miles of superb marked trails for hiking and biking during the warmer months. Designated ski lifts take riders to a network of on-mountain trails from the summit and the nearby Arapaho National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park boast endless trails with alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls and spectacular scenery.
Winter Park is “Mountain Bike Capital USA” and hosts the Colorado Freeride Festival on its world-class single track and cross country trails. Mountain biking is a year round sport in Winter Park with fat bikes and ski bikes taking to the trails in the winter months. Whether you’re looking for mountain bikes, fat bikes, kids bikes, trailers or a cruiser for the Fraser River Trail, you’ll get the best rates locally with trail access right out the door.
Rock Climbing in the Rocky Mountains
The outdoor climbing wall at Hideaway Park in the Rendezvous Event Center at Winter Park is a great starting point to get the ‘hang’ of bouldering and rock-climbing and perfect for the kids. If you’re ready to take it up a notch, consider a rock climbing tour in the Rocky Mountains, suitable for the whole family!
Fishing
Winter Park offers four-season fishing in over 1000 miles gold-medal waters. Enjoy rod-bending excitement in pristine high mountain lakes, stocked ponds and reservoirs, creeks and streams and the renowned Fraser and Colorado rivers.
White Water Rafting
Enjoy a fun and challenging white-water rafting adventure on the class III rapids of Clear Creek. Ride the rapids as you weave your way through the historic mining valley. This family-friendly day on the water is perfect for kids 6 years and up.
Zipline Through Nature
Experience a natural and exhilarating zipline adventure in the Rocky Mountains. Speed through the forested treetops, zig zag down natural cliffs, free fall from 50ft or ride a suspended skateboard through the trees.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon flight over the Rocky Mountains is a magical experience the whole family can enjoy. Take to the skies for unbeatable views of the Rocky Mountain National Park and Continental Divide and the scenic Fraser Valley. A once in a lifetime experience!
Take a Trail Ride in the Backcountry
Take a trail ride with an experienced wrangler through the back country and mountain landscapes, an opportunity to social distance, view wildlife and experience the Rocky Mountains on horseback. There’s the perfect size pony for the kids to enjoy a short pony ride too.
Pack a Picnic and Take a Scenic Drive
Wherever you wander in Winter Park you’ll be spoiled with scenic views from every angle. Travel north to Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake or Hot Sulphur Springs, or head south to historic Georgetown. The nearby historic ranch town of Fraser a little further up US 40 is always worth a visit.
Step Back in Time
Winter Park has a rich and storied history with museums and historic sites dating back to the 1800s. Step back in time at Cozens Ranch Museum, the first homestead in the Fraser Valley that brings to life a bygone era of stage coaches and ranching.
Wining & Dining in Winter Park
Calling all foodies! There are over 60 dining options in Winter Park. Whether it’s coffee and croissants, fine dining on a special occasion, pizza with the kids, a craft beer at a microbrewery, or handcrafted wines for aprés ski, wining and dining in Winter Park is truly a treat.
Indulge Yourself!
You’re on vacation so it’s important to indulge yourself a little! Enjoy a pampering spa treatment, join a free fitness class in the park, or visit the Grand Park Community Recreation Center in nearby Fraser. The facility features a lap and leisure pool, lazy river and water slide, fitness center, steam room, and sauna, and a children’s playground and climbing wall.
Getting to Winter Park
Getting to Winter Park is easy! Located 67 miles northwest of Denver, if you’re not driving it’s best to fly into Denver Airport. You can rent a car (an SUV will be required for the winter months) and drive west on I-70 to US Hwy 40 or take a door to door shuttle service to your Winter Park vacation rental. Once in town a car is not required. The Lift is a free local shuttle which operates year-round and loops between Winter Park and Fraser giving easy access to the resort, the slopes and the shops and eateries of downtown.
Please note: COVID-19 restrictions are in place in Grand County, CO and due to social distancing limitations and some activities being temporarily closed, advanced reservations are suggested (and required) for most activities.
Dont forget to check out Xplorie.com for a great selection of Winter Park accommodations that include some complimentary activities every day of your stay and access to some great exclusive offers.
