Let's Ski Winter Park Colorado: What You Need To Know And Where To Go!

Winter Park, Colorado!! I think the name itself tells you what you need to know about this place even though it doesn't do the summer any justice at all (that is for another article though).

Winter Park receives the most snowfall of all Colorado destination resorts. It is only 1.5 hours drive time from the city of Denver, in fact it was considered a Denver "city park" for years. Managed by Intrawest Resorts who have made numerous on hill improvements in the last few years and developed an impressive new mountain village at the base. With new restaurants and retail stores Winter Park is the place to take your Colorado ski vacation.

I will let you decide how you want to arrive. Easy trip with a plane, train or an automobile. All will get you here.

Your first step in planning your trip to Winter Park is the decision on what kind of lodging you desire. Ski in/out digs at the resort or something down in Fraser or a nice ski cabin in town. Whatever the call is Winter Park Lodging by Owner (WPLBO) can help you get you settled on the ski accommodations that you need.

Lift tickets also should be of concern. Winter Park resort prices for an all day ticket for the 2008/2009 ski season were $92.00. Fear not, WPLBO can also offer you discounted lift tickets. For the 2008/2009 ski season top price for discounted lift tickets was $55.00 besides the Christmas blackout dates. It may even behoove you to buy a transfer lift pass by the end of August. Price was $180.00 for four days of skiing this year which is a pretty darn good deal.

Next on your list should be skis and snowboards. For that I say go to The Ski Broker. They will offer 22% off your rentals if you book online. They have four shops in the area with the main shop being right across from Safeway in Fraser.

Now you are here in Winter Park with the proper lodging, skis, lift tickets: make sure you get first tracks. Lifts open at 9:00AM on weekdays and 8:30AM on weekends.

Food on the hill always seems to be a crap shoot. Snow Oasis has some terrible stuff being served there but is great for a beer and watching the shredders ripping up the "dark territory" terrain park. Sunspot I think has he most consistent food and the best views to be had on the mountain. My favorite is a chicken quesadilla in the Provisioner Bar that is big enough for two. The Clubcar over at Mary Jane serves a mean Stoli and Redbull and the food is pretty darn good.

Apres ski until the last few years has been pretty null and void. That has changed with the addition of the Winter Park Village. Two great restaurants here at the base. Lime which serves contemporary margaritas and Mexican cuisine and The Cheeky Monk serving Belgium style beers and food. Both have happy hour specials and Lime has a $2.00 taco Tuesday that is killer! Cheeky Monks fries are some of the best I've ever had and their mussels are top notch.

After you get your boots and clothing off and take the requisite hot tub lets cook up some or head out for dinner.

If dinning in your choice of supermarkets are either Safeway in Fraser or City Market right outside Gran by. I'm a fan of City Market as they have a better produce selection and are little bit cheaper. City Market also has reasonably priced gasoline

If heading out for dinner my favorites in the area include Tabbernash Tavern (Upscale International), Devil's Thumb Ranch (fine dinning) , Brickhouse 40 (pizza and funky American), The Sushi Bar , Hernando's Pizza Pub, Lime and the Cheeky Monk.

Other activities that I recommend in the are other than skiing are sledding the Fraser sled hill, snowmobiling in Grand Lake, cross country skiing out at Devil's Thumb Ranch and soaking in the natural hot springs out at Hot Sulpher Springs about a 20 min. drive away.

Winter Park is a skiers and boarders paradise. Come let Winter Park Lodging by Owner make your Colorado ski vacation perfect.

Winter Park Lodging
Reserve Winter Park lodging accommodations. Winter Park Lodging By Owner provides new, clean condominiums, cabins & town homes in Winter Park, CO plus lift ticket and ski rental deals.