SIA Snow Show Returns to Winter Park Resort

SIA Winter Park Resort

The SIA Snow Show returns to Denver and Winter Park Resort for the second year after a long run in the desert community in Las Vegas.

After 37 years in Las Vegas, the SIA Snow Show reported a six-year attendance high for the inaugural Snow Show held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from January 28-31, 2010. The sold-out Snow Show attracted 18,045 attendees and featured over 3,100 exhibitors representing 845 snow sports brands, including 125 new exhibitors.

For four days in 2011, the snow sports industry returns to Denver, Colorado to do business, socialize and network.  With over 18,000 all under one roof, the snow sports community comes together once a year to see the latest trends, styles and innovations from ski, snowboard, cross country, AT/tele, backcountry, snowshoe and fashion.

The SIA Snow Show is two parts.  One spent in Denver at the Convention Center and the other spent at Winter Park Resort with an on snow component.  The Snow Show schedule is as follows:

SIA SNOW SHOW
Thursday, January 27 — Sunday, January 30, 2011
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, Colorado USA

The SIA Snow Show, January 27-30, 2011 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, delivers the largest, most concentrated and authentic trade event in the snow sports industry. It is the first time globally that the styles, technologies, innovations, culture and energy of snow sports is presented. Close to 20,000 industry professionals will meet to engage in business, networking opportunities, parties, brand events and seminars to feel the true essence of snow sports.

On January 31 and February 1, 2011 the industry will head up to the mountains for the On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest at Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch. In conjunction with Western Winter Sports Reps Association’s (WWSRA) Rocky Mountain Demo and in partnership with Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA), buyers can try out the latest gear for ski, snowboard, AT/tele, backcountry, cross country and snowshoe while all other attendees can get some time on the hill with the brands, reps and media. Attendees of the SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest get free lift tickets and entry to Winter Park and Devil’s Thumb.

The SIA snow show is the place to check out the new trends in everything SKI. Up at Winter Park Resort all the latest will be tested on the hills.

Looking for lodging for the on snow demo session in Winter Park, CO? Look no further than Winter Park Lodging Company for SIA Snow Show lodging.

Downhill Mtn. Biking at Trestle Bike Park!

Come get your fix of adrenaline filled fun at the fastest growing Downhill Bike Park in the U.S.! Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado has something for everyone. Whether it’s your first time on a downhill bike, you’re looking for some coaching on technique, or you’re a seasoned pro who wants to work on speed alone, there are plenty of options for all.

As mentioned in Chris’s earlier blog, the WPLC crew got together last week for an exciting day of downhilling. After getting suited up in our ‘armor’ (see right) and loading our bikes on the lift, the ladies (Amy, Sarah, and myself) took the Trestle 101 course, which is perfect for those who are beginning or wanting to improve technique. For anyone looking to take the class, we recommend our instructor Ian who was knowedgable and who’s calm demeanor helped 3 crazy girls get down the mountain in one piece! Meanwhile, Chris and Dace were on their own with the helmet cam strapped on and ready to rock. We’ve got part 1 of their roller coaster ride caught on tape for you to check out…

After a few practice rounds and mtn. biking fundamentals, Ian took us girls down a looooong green trail aptly named ‘Green World’.  It was a fun winding trail through dense trees, open single track and rolling hills with lots of swooping turns (we liked calling them woop-de- woos). Needless to say, our class and one run on Green World lasted nearly three hours, so we got a great workout and were quite tired at the end. All in all, it was a great day and experience. We had a few spills, but managed to get back on the bikes and keep truckin’.  Gotta say the body armor doesn’t just look cool, it definitely cushions the falls! Soon, we’ll have part 2 of the helmet cam video up and running, so keep an eye out…

If you’re thinking about taking a weekend getaway filled with fresh mountain air or getting out of the city heat , Winter Park is where it’s at. Get an unbeatable price on summer lodging with Winter Park Lodging Company, and save big on all kinds of outdoor activities, including Trestle Bike Park and cross country bike rentals (great for the whole family!). We have an exclusive deal for our guests that gets you and your friends geared up for less! When you book your rentals online , you save over 20% off walk in rates and that’s a steal.

Remember, the Crankworx freestyle bike competition starts today and goes through the weekend at Winter Park Resort. Bring the kids and dogs and be amazed at the  high flying stunts these guys do -  It’s totally free and a wild time. Our instructor Ian will be competing too, so we’re going down to cheer him on and take some video. See you there!

New Winter Park Rental: Needles #8 in Fraser, Colorado

Like you are in a helicopter!

Interested in having a view to remember on your next Rocky Mountain getaway?  This IS the place.  Winter Park Lodging Company is excited to announce a new property in their palate – Needles #8, located in Fraser on the cliffs overlooking the entire Fraser Valley and Winter Park ski resort.

This unique town home is situated on the corner of the Needles complex and feels high in the sky.  After parking your vehicle in the garage, you walk into this home and are awe-struck with the views.  It has three levels all which look out to the Valley below.  Enjoy 4  bedrooms, 2 living areas, and a great eating space for family and friends. The owners have even made a little bar where friends have added stickers from all over including a photo of the owner with Johnny Cash (he was his dentist before he died).

An indoor hot tub is behind the living area where you can soak from a day of play and then enjoy the view-filled living area for an evening of games or catching your football game on the new flat screen TV.

This is sure to be a favorite you request year after year.  To book, email us at info@winterparklodgingcompany.com or call us at 1-877-329-1383 any day of the year.

New Winter Park Rental: Zephyr Mountain Lodge 1215

Ski out your back deck!

Yet another ski in/out condo joins  the Winter Park Lodging Company family this week – welcome, Zephyr 1215!  Located on the 1st floor of the Slopeside building, Zephyr Mountain Lodge 1215 boasts something no other condo in Grand County can – it’s truly the only ski in/out condo at Winter Park Resort since they added a gate on their back porch allowing you to ski right out to the slopes.

Any other condo at the resort requires you to walk down the hall and out the main back door to the slopes (ok, that’s not too tough of a task) but for bragging rights, this spot allows you to beat the others to the slopes and click in your bindings right off your back deck.

It has one bedroom with a queen bed and the living room has another sofa queen sleeper. Enjoy a private kitchen as all Zephyrs have and the outdoor hot tubs just 50 feet from your deck as well.

The condo also is right next to the new village in Winter Park which includes some of our favorite spots – get good margaritas at Lime, tasty beers and fries at the Cheeky Monk, delicious soups and breakfast burritos at the Back Bowl Soup Company and grab a t-shirt there too.  If any of you aren’t skiing the resort, you can also sign up for snowmobiling in the village at Grand Adventures.

The condo was just listed on our website and wide-open for bookings so email us at info@winterparklodgingcompany.com or call 1-877-329-1383 soon to get your spot in this guaranteed to be booked-up condo this winter!

Is Winter Park the Next Vail?

Winter Park to become Vail?

A friend of ours was flying back home to Boston and found this interesting article about Winter Park Resort becoming the next Vail in the inflight magazine.  The article title is “A Mountain of Opportunity”.  I would like to think that Winter Park will be the next Vail and I wouldn’t mind if Winter Park got some of the attention Vail does but I don’t think this is going to happen tomorrow.

It is a pretty good read of an article, however, the author got a couple things wrong.  The Winter Park Village actually is at the base of Winter Park Resort but the Town of Winter Park, which Google is now calling Hideaway Park, is 2 miles down US Highway 40.

My favorite part of the article is the part about the new Winter Park lofts:

“MODERATE: The nicest offerings at Intrawest’s new base area are the slopeside Lofts of Winter Park Village, luxury condos above the retail storefronts and restaurants. Finished with hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, large balconies and fireplaces, the units are first rate but relatively affordable. A two-level, three-bedroom, 1,070-square-foot unit runs about $700,000.”

The lofts are fantastic.  Right above the Winter Park Village and just steps from the Zephyr lift.  Very very convenient location for ski lodging.  When Winter Park Resort starts doing summer music at the base again the lofts will be the best place to stay I’m thinking.

Anywho, Winter Park Lodging Company offers two Winter Park Village lofts and if you are looking for lodging at the Winter Park/Mary Jane Base, the lofts can not be beat.

So, here is to Winter Park moving towards the likes of Vail but we really don’t want to be Vail.

Intrawest sells Copper Mountain | What’s in store for Winter Park Resort?

Does this Right the Intrawest Ship or is the Ship Sinking?

Intrawest has plans to sell one of it’s Colorado ski resorts the company announced yesterday.  Intrawest has agreed to sell Copper Mountain to Powdr Corp. based in Park City, Utah and one of the larger North American ski resort operators.

Reasons for the sale were not announced by the private company but Intrawest and Fortress, it’s parent company, have taken a beating in the last year with the recession.  This puts Intrawest at nine resorts it now operates.  Intrawest spokesman Mr. Galbraith on Tuesday would not say whether more assets will be sold. He said the reason Intrawest sold Copper Mountain is because the new company strategy is to focus on nine winter resorts rather than 10.

So, what does this mean for Winter Park Resort?  Well, if you take Mr. Galbraith at his word then nine is a pretty special number of resorts to be managing.  Why could nine not become eight, or eight then seven and on and on?  Intrawest can not sell Winter Park, though, as it is the resort management company for the City of Denver with a 50 year lease.

The tightening of the Intrawest belt can be seen at Winter Park Resort.  There are no on mountain improvements this year even though there has been quite a few the last five years.  Intrawest also just announced plans to charge guests staying at the base in the three buildings they have lodging operations - Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Fraser Crossing & Founder’s Pointe – will now be charged $14.00 a night to park a car.  I guess they must be hurting with trying to charge the Winter Park guest, ie families, $14.00 a night in this economy for a garage that is never full.  Well $14.00 a night per car will help that bottom line.

Anywho, it will be interesting what more changes we will see coming from Intrawest and what effect they will have on Winter Park Resort.  We will keep you posted.

Winter Park Village Getting Ready for Ski Season

Winter Park Village

The new Village at Winter Park Resort is gearing up for it’s first full ski season.  Couple new stores are getting their stores finished up and the Gondola is ready to whisk skiers from the parking lots to the slopes.

I took the photo to the left the day before we got hit with about 13 inches of new snow this past Wednesday and Thursday at the resort.  Went back out Friday and a nice blanket of white powder had been left on top of the slopes and base and the snow makers were pumping at full blast.  I will share those photos later this week.

The Winter Park Village will now have The Cheeky Monk, The Back Bowl Soup Company, Goodys, Shirt off my Back and Grand Adventures/Powder Addiction for the start of the ski season.  Oh, I do always forget to mention Doc’s Roadhouse the Intrawest operated eatery right at the Winter Park base.  The Village should be a little busier this year and lot more fun now that the stores are filling in.

The Lofts at Winter Park will also be occupied making the Village a happening place to be this winter.  We will have at-least one loft for vacation lodging here at Winter Park Lodging Company.

Come see what the new Winter Park Village has to offer and ski Colorado’s favorite ski resort.

Winter Park Ski Lodging | 25% down to get the preferred digs

Winter Park Lodging

Get your Winter Park Lodging now and you can be enjoying this El Niño ski season with snow like the pictures above.  Now it is only 25% down to get the lodging digs of your choice.

The pickins’ are gettin’ slimmer by the day. Secure your winter lodging by Sept 30th, and you only have to put 25% down (vs. the regular 50%) at the time of booking. Use the code “25DOWN” when making your booking.

Act now to grab the vacation home or condo that is just right for you. Search for availability with our nifty Winter Park vacation rental finder! You can also call us at 1-877-329-1383 or email Winter Park Lodging Company so we can find the perfect spot for your stay. We answer the phone live seven days a week from 8am to 6pm MST.

Winter Park Lodging Company Gift Bags and Guest Guide

Yummy gift bag awaits guests

We provide all of our guests with “goodie bags” which await them in their lodging when they arrive. We think you should have some munchies and coupons on hand when you get to Winter Park.

In addition, we provide a locally-written Guest Guide which gives our recommendations on restaurants, sledding, and anything else we think is fun to do in Winter Park.

Stay with us for a local feel, local discounts, and luxury lodging.   We like to make you feel at home.

Play hard, Rest Easy.

Trailhead Lodges Pool – Concrete complete, opening August 22nd

Trailhead Lodges Pool - Almost done!

The outdoor heated pool at Trailhead Lodges in downtown Winter Park is almost done as is the clubhouse and hot tub.  Book your lodging at one of our Trailhead Lodges (1 bedroom #512, or 2 bedroom #633 or 2 bedroom #734).

It will be heated and usable all winter!