WINTER PARK
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Winter Park, CO , USA is the closest major resort to Denver, only 85 miles away.
Winter Park Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The skiing and snowboarding at Winter Park is spread across 5 connected mountain areas; the Winter Park area, the Vasquez Ridge area, and the Mary Jane area which is made up of 3 mountains; Mary Jane, Parsenn Bowl and Vasque Cirque. Each area provides its own unique terrain with fast groomed trails, powder filled bowls, tree runs and steep and deep moguls.
The Winter Park area has a specific ‘Learn to Ski and Snowboard Park’ at the base of the mountain with gentle slopes leading upwards from there.
Intermediates can cover the entire area on groomed interlinked trails while advanced skiers and boarders will enjoy the steeper and moguled terrain around the Zephyer Express Chairlift.
Long flat trails link some of the upper areas of the Winter Park, so snowboarders keep your speed up to avoid unwanted long walks.
Vasquez Ridge Terrain
Vasquez Ridge is mainly an intermediate area serviced by the Pioneer Express Chairlift with long groomed, winding, fast trails cutting through thick trees. This gives skiers and snowboarders the option to either stay on piste or make some powdert turns in the trees, after a snowfall the Aces And Eights trail is a highlight.
Mary Jane Terrain
The advanced terrain of Mary Jane was voted #1 in North America for bump skiing. It has 70 challenging trails and the motto “No Pain, No Jane”. The motto is certainly correct with steep, long mogul runs bordered by spectacular treed terrain.
The skiing and snowboarding in the trees is fantastic, try the trees under the Super Gauge Express Chairlift.
Mary Jane's intermediate trails are found around the Sunnyside Chairlift. To get back to the base of Mary Jane just cruise along the Corona Way Trail.
Parsenn Bowl Terrain
The Parsenn Bowl is a vast open bowl area serviced by the new Panoramic Express Chairlift. The six seater detachable chairlift introduced in the 2007/2008 winter season extends 12,060 feet above sea level making it the highest six pack chairlift in North America.
The bowl has long groomed tree lined intermediate trails as well as open deep powder terrain and heavily treed steep challenging terrain for the experts.
Vasquez Cirque Terrain
The 680+ acres of expert only back country style terrain at Vasquez Cirque has testing drops, cornices, cliffs and chutes ending in thick trees.
A triple chair, Eagle Wind, opened in the 2006/2007 winter seaon opening up the area even more and giving access to glade skiing on the backside of the Parsenn Bowl. 76 acres have been gladed resulting in 7 new trails ranging from advanced to expert only.
Winter Park Terrain Park and Halfpipe
The Railyard terrain park is home to a superpipe plus all the kickers, rails, tabletops and features you would expect from a meticulously maintained park.
Sunspot Lodge at Winter Park
The popular Sunspot Lodge, at the top of the Zephyer Chairlift, has a full service restaurant, self serve cafeteria, bar and a large sundeck. It's really busy at peak times so try to aim for an early or late lunch to avoid the crowds.
Shopping at the Winter Park Village
Thel pedestrian Village has only a handful of restaurants and sports equipment shops. Ski and snowboard hire is available downstairs at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge Riverside building and overnight ski and board storage is found in Balcony House.
Adventure Junction Children's Center is in the Village offering exciting, safe and fun day programs for children up to 5 years old enabling parents some well deserved time on the slopes.
Restaurants at the Winter Park Village
The Derailer Bar is well known for its tasty burgers and southern fried pickles while Doc's Roadhouse boasts home style cooking and has happy hour from 3pm onwards. There is also a large food court and coffee kiosk.
Shopping at the Town of Winter Park
There are clothing stores, ski and snowboard equipment and hire shops, souvenir stores, art galleries, beauty therapists and large grocery and liquor markets at the Town of Winter Park.
Beavers Sports Shop has rental gear catering for first timers, families and professionals while Christy Sports specialises in boot fittings. Powder Tools caters specifically for snowboarders in both rental and retail equipment.
Restaurants at the Town of Winter Park
The action happens in the evenings downtown, when the restaurants and bars come alive with visitors from around the globe. There are more than 30 restaurants with cuisine ranging from American, French, Chinese, Mexican to fast food and takeaway.
Fontenot's Fresh Seafood & Grill serves delicious fare and has a wide selection of wines and micro brews. The Crooked Creek Saloon is a local landmark and a fun spot for family dining. Carlos & Maria's has traditional mexican food and premium margaritas!
Winter Park Nightlife
After dinner head to Buckets for live music and pool, on Sunday nights the NFL game is broadcast live. The Crooked Creek Saloon and the Winter Park Pub attract big crowds and have bands performing throughout the season.
New for 2008/2009 at Winter Park
The 2008/2009 winter season will see the unveiling of the new Village at Winter Park. The pedestrian only village located at the base of the resort has new luxurious lodging, restaurants and shops and an ice skating pond and extended car parking.
New village Cabriolet open air gondola transporting snow riders from the main Vintage parking lot to and from the base area. The free gondola will help ease morning congestion on shuttle buses.
More About Winter Park
Winter Park resort review VIDEO
Your Winter Park Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
G Wills, Australia. Feb 2006 Didn't really know what to expect at Winter Park, had a few days there after a dump of the good stuff and OK weather. It's divided up into sections with long flat trails linking them together, boarders be prepared to walk a couple of times. I found the Mary Jane area offered massive steep bump trails surrounded by trees you could disappear into. I got the Summit Express chair first thing each morning then shot down Sleeper a couple of times before I moved onto the Chutes and Rail Bender. I found the Winter Park section was mainly good for cruiser trails and intermediates. The Rail Yard park and super pipe looked awesome too. I wouldn't stay downtown again I thought catching the bus was a bit of a pain each day I'd try to get a condo at the base area - although I'd still probably go out at night downtown.
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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359
inches |
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Lifts |
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25 |
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Trails - view map |
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Terrain
% |
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Halfpipe |
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1
super pipe |
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Terrain
Park |
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4 |
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Resort
Website |
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