Snow and ski in Winter Park Resort, CO, Colorado

    

The large Winter Park Resort is the closest major destination resort and the closest ski area to Denver, about 67 miles northwest of the city.

Located in the scenic Fraser Valley high in the Rocky Moutains, Winter Park is a favorite of locals offering a great number of outdoor activities thus attracting many outdoor enthusiasts.

Besides great activities it also offers great snow as its location, spread over three major mountains: Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Vasquez Ridge and next to the Continental Divide, is perfect for catching winter storms from nearly every direction so there’s rarely a shortage of snow in the area. You can expect consistently good snow of around 369 inches per year. All these factors have led to the resort being regarded as number one, Colorado’s favorite ski area by in-state skiers who can really call themselves lucky to have the best skiing on earth on their doorstep.

The permanent population of Winter Park village who enjoy all of these is of about 700, but they are more than willing to share their treasure with the visitors that besides great powder can find all the necessary amenities: groceries, lodging, restaurants, and clubs.

Getting here is a delight as the drive offers spectacular views that will make you forget about time and make your ride seem shorter. You can choose to come here by train. The Ski Train makes daily trips from downtown Denver to Winter Park and leaves you at the park entrance, and returns to Denver each evening. So you can make your stay at winter park a one day trip.

The variety of award-winning terrain of over 3,000 acres, exceptional children's and beginner facilities, great lodge facilities, 20 gondola cabins and constant lifts upgrading are other just as good reasons to attract mountain lovers. But despite all the great things that characterize Winter Park tourists do not flock in such great numbers. Not that this would diminish the resort’s reputation. On the contrary, it makes it even more attractive knowing that it is not overcrowded. Still the resorts hosts nearly a million skiers and snowboarders annually who come to ski at the resort here. The prices are reasonable making the resort accessible for the majority.

Winter Park is not only among the best ski resorts around but it is also the one with the biggest supply of green, blue, and black trails. They intermingle in the area of the three mountains but it is easy to find your way as they are clearly marked. The newcomers might have some problems getting around but as long as they follow the map they’ll be fine. Beginners have a special area designed only for them so they cold feel at ease.

The terrain includes groomers, miles of downhill runs, terrain parks, and rails for snowboarders, bumps, steeps, trees, and deeps. There’s also a new triple chairlift, seven new trails, a remodeled Snoasis, an Advanced Sales Fulfillment Center.

Colorado's longest continually operated ski resort is completely interconnected by lifts and you can easily choose between three peaks it’s like having three mini resorts in one, an appealing factor for those who like moving around and discovering new territories.

Advanced skiers favor Zephyr Express on the Winter Park side and the huge stash of ultra-steep black bump runs along with Parsenn Bowl via the Timberline Lift and there’s Vasquez Cirque, 435 acres of expert-only terrain. Tree skiers have terrain parks on the Winter Park peak while free riders have a special-access portion of the Railyard Park with the most adventurous free riding terrain in the state. All trails open to snowboarders but there’s Halfpipe and two terrain parks designed especially for them. Cross Country skiers have access to over 200 kilometers of groomed classic at Devil's Thumb Cross Country Center.

Lodging at Winter Park is relatively inexpensive and is set to welcome 10,000 people during the ski season and the variety goes from classy hotels to bed and breakfasts.

Winter Park makes for the perfect winter vacation destination because it is easily accessible, there’s a wide variety of activities and all at a reasonable price.

Skiing Destinations in the U.S.A. - overview

1. Dec 10, 2007 Go to ski in Steamboat Springs (Steamboat Springs)  ( 5)
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4. Dec 11, 2007 Great skiing in Beaver Mountain (Beaver)
5. Dec 11, 2007 Skiers dream about Brighton Resort, UT (Cottonwood)
6. Dec 11, 2007 Snowboard and ski in Vail, CO (Vail)  ( 3)
7. Dec 11, 2007 Winter sports at Aspen Snowmass, CO (Aspen)  ( 2)
8. Dec 13, 2007 A hundred things to do in Breckenridge, CO (Breckenridge)  ( 2)
9. Dec 13, 2007 Huge ski resort in Copper Mountain, CO (Copper Mountain)  ( 2)
10. Dec 13, 2007 Relaxation and nature in Crested Butte, CO (Crested Butte)
11. Dec 15, 2007 White snow and stunning views in Ski Cooper, CO (Vail)
12. Dec 16, 2007 Ski and have fun in Jackson Hole, WY (Jackson Hole)  ( 1)
13. Dec 16, 2007 Vacations all year in Keystone, CO (Keystone)
14. Dec 16, 2007 Steamboat, town in the Colorado Rockies (Steamboat Springs)
15. Dec 17, 2007 Snow and ski in Winter Park Resort, CO (Winter Park)  ( 3)

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