Winter Park, CO Summer Fun

Summer in Winter Park, Colorado

Today is the first day of summer officially and that means it is hot, very hot down in the low lands and dreamy beautiful up here in the Rocky Mountains.   The time to head to Winter Park is now to enjoy the beauty of Colorado without the crowds.

Here is the weather for Denver June 21st to June 24th:

89°F Current: Cloudy Wind: W at 4 mph Humidity: 80% Mon 89°F | 60°F Tue 91°F | 61°F Wed 81°F | 60°F Thu 89°F | 64°F

63°F | °C Current: Cloudy Wind: W at 4 mph Humidity: 80% Mon 89°F | 60°F Tue 91°F | 61°F Wed 81°F | 60°F Thu 89°F | 64°F

And here is the weather for Winter Park, CO.

Mon

71°F | 42°F

Tue

73°F | 42°F

Wed

66°F | 43°F

Thu

73°F | 47°F

As I said time to get out of the heat!

Lots of events and activities in WP this time of year also. The Eighth Annual Winter Park Blues Fest starts this Thursday with the best lineup ever for this rockin’ show.

There is also the Winter Park Chocolate Festival this weekend on June 26th.  Taste some great chocolate with some wine and have a great time in the Rockies.

And for the kids there are all the events and activities in the  Winter Park Village and base area:

COCA-COLA® FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Fridays, June 25 – September 3 The Village at Winter Park presents Outdoor Movie Night! We will be showing a great selection of family and kid-friendly movies every Friday evening from June 25 – Labor Day Weekend. Movies will be held outdoors on the lawn next to the Discovery Center and are free to the public. A limited number of chairs are provided. All movies will begin just after sunset. Times may vary week to week.

CIRQUE du SATURDAYS
Saturdays, July 3 - September 4

It’s a circus in the mountains every Saturday in the Village at Winter Park!  Kids will enjoy the fun and festive atmosphere as they walk with troubadours, unicyclists, stiltwalkers, jugglers, and more in the Village from 10am – 2pm. Don’t forget to pause long enough for free face-painting and caricatures. All events are free and fun! Come one, come all! Don’t miss out on the chance to join the circus!

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Saturdays, July 3 – August 21

This fun, activity-filled evening is for 4-12 year olds. This program is loaded with indoor and outdoor activities and it includes dinner and s’mores by the firepit! Kids’ Night Out is a worry-free night out for Mom & Dad and a convenient alternative to at-home babysitting.  Kids’ Night Out is held at the Discovery Center in the Village at Winter Park on Saturday evenings from 5:30pm – 9:00pm starting July 3rd and running through August 21.  Kids’ Night Out is a FREE childcare service offered to parents on the condition that $30 per child is spent in any commercial outlet at the resort during the hours that your children are in the program. We do require original receipts to verify the expenditure. If less than $30 per child is spent, parents will be charged the difference. Kids Night Out includes: Dinner from Doc’s Roadhouse and Outdoor Activities / Indoor Activities - games, crafts, movies.

Reservations: Please reserve your child’s space by 3pm on Saturday. Call Winter Park Guest Services at 800.729.7907 to reserve your child’s space. Enrollment is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Now that is a deal free day/night care while the parents head out for a drinks and dinner.

Summer is here and the now is the time to make your plan to head up to the mountains.  Let Winter Park Lodging Company make your getaway fun, economical and relaxing.

Best Patio Deck to Have a Beer in Winter Park, Colorado

Enjoy a Beer on the Patio in Winter Park, CO

It is that time of year here in the Colorado mountains to put the Sorrels away and break out the flip-flops, Tevas and Chacos and head out for an afternoon of cold suds on the patio decks.

We have plenty of bars here in Winter Park and almost all of them have some king of patio seating.  Where to go though for the coldest beer, the perfect rays and patrons that will give up the makeup before the beer (the Miller add to the left is just a hoot). What happens when it comes down to beer or skiing, now there is a conundrum!

Anywho, here is my list of five best decks to have a beer in Winter Park, Colorado (in no particular order):

1. The Cheeky Monk – located in the Winter Park Village and featuring all European/Belgium beers on draft, this a great place to people watch after skiing.  Great staff, great beer and a great deck to have a beer.
2. Deno’s Mountain Bistro – in the the town of Winter Park right on US 40 and not the biggest deck but it does have history and is a great place to see the locals and swill a beer.  The building used to be the Old Swiss House from long ago.  Teddy, the owner, says this is not not only a beer swillin’ deck but a wine swillin’ one too.
3. The Sushi Bar – another deck right on US 40 but at the north end of town. A great deck! And where else in WP can you have a saki-bomber under the blue sky? Offering select $1.50 bottles of beer currently.
4. Doc’s Roadhouse – located at the base of WP Resort in the Zephyr building.  There is an upstairs and downstairs patio.  Operated by Intrawest with a great location and it’s a great place to end a day of skiing/mountain biking/ playing around. Great people watching and an after work hang-out for Winter Park Ski Patrolers.
5. The Club Car – located at the Mary Jane base and open only during ski season. Probably the best place to have a beer at the Winter Park Resort.  People watching is great and has a very party like atmosphere when the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the snow is fresh.

So there you have my picks for the best place to have a barley pop on a deck in the Winter Park area.  Remember it is beer before makeup and skiing before beer!

Last Week of Skiing at Winter Park Resort

Winter Park Resort Closing Ski Day

We are down to the last day of ski season here in Winter Park, Colorado.  And this if the time to come up to make some turns.  The last day of the 2009/2010 ski season is April 18th this year and that is the day to be here up here in the Rockies.

This week there are lots of events in the Winter Park Village.  There will be live music in the village and a beer dinner at The Cheeky Monk this Thursday.  The weather this week is looking good with snow predicted for Tuesday the 13th.

The grand finale of this ski season will be the Winter Park Resort Spring Splash.  Check out the link and make plans to attend the oldest tradition of its kind and on its 42nd year. On Sunday, April 18, athletes begin at 12pm as spectators watch skiers and riders struggle through obstacles on the Larry Sale trail race course and attempt to skim across an icy pond to reach the finish line and post a time. Live music sets the tone for a closing day party that is fun for everyone!

The official party is held at the Winter Park base and the unofficial wilder side is over in the C-Lot at Mary Jane.  Come enjoy some music, BBQ, beer, and an all around good time at the Mary Jane Spring Splash celebration.

This is the last week of ski season here in Winter Park, CO so lets get out and wish ski season a grand goodbye ’till next November.

Powder Addiction Snow Cat Skiing Winter Park, CO

Powder Addiction Skiing on Jones Pass

We had day number two with Powder Addiction on Jones pass this week.  It was supposed to be day number four but a good bout of pink eye and an avalanche on US Highway 40 has postponed the other two trips.  The group that went up this time was full of Winter Park locals, a father-son WP second home team and a video and still camera professional.

What a senational day.  Temps were in the high 30′s and there were a few inches of fluffy white powder.  The above photos of Ed Reagner were shot later in the day as we were attempting a south facing wall that had baked all day and gotten a nice crusty layer on top that all us skiers had a little trouble with.

Mr. Scott Hefel was the professional photog along for the day and he took some spectacular pictures.  Check out Scott Hefel Photography to see the photos.  Click on Powder Addiction (bottom right) and use password: 3.15.10

We also had “T” from RSN Winter Park Channel 18 filming for an upcoming RSN sking special.  Maybe all us will be back-country skiing stars someday?  I am not holding my breath or quitting the day job though.

On the trip was a father and son team and for a 15 year old Chase could really rip it up.  I do wish I was skiing this terrain when I was 15 years old.  Anywho, it was a great day skiing.  I would like to thank, Jamie, Waldo and Scott for the expert guiding and safety provided.

If you have any desire to do some cat skiing Powder Addiction can not be beat.  It is reasonably priced, especially compared to other snow cat skiing operations, and the terrain and snow is fantastic.  Jones Pass is a short ride from Powder Addiction headquarters in the Winter Park Village with snow that drops from all storms coming through Central Colorado.  At the end of the day you get to enjoy a couple free Steamworks Brewery beers.

The snow is still coming and it’s not too late to get your cat skiing in this year.  Now is the time to sign up and take a snow cat skiing trip with Powder Addiction.

Winter Park Shopping | Silver Creek

Ah, shopping!

Silver Creek at the Winter Park Resort Base

I was hanging out at the base area during the Wells Fargo Cup this weekend and popped into the Silver Creek shop, located in the Zephyr Mountain Lodge.   Not sure why I never had gone in there before (maybe it has something to do with always having ski gear on not in the mood to try on clothes).  Well, what a nice surprise it was.  I thought I had to go to Denver to shop for cute stuff!

I quickly found a True Grit vest that is now my favorite piece in the closet.  And my friend and I both bought Xob baseball-style hats made out of recycled sweaters.  We think we’re adorable.  Marc, the owner, said no one ever tries the hats on and doesn’t buy one.

Silver Creek is open every day, 9 – 7 Friday and Saturday, and 9 – 6 Sunday thru Thursday.  The True Grit clothing line is really fun mountain-chic and the Home line of jewelry is all around for picking and choosing some great accessories for your cowboy style.

Phone number: 970.726.5424.

Winter Park Colorado Snow Cat Skiing

Powder Addiction Cat Skiing in Winter Park, Colorado

We finally got a chance to check out Powder Addiction, the new snow cat skiing tour operator that is headquartered in the Winter Park Village and running ski trips to Jones Pass.  Well, awesome is what I would have to say of Powder Addiction.  The snow was fantastic the guides were knowledgeable and the travel time to ski was very minimal.  This was the first of four trips that we have planned with the next coming in two weeks.

Our group consisted of myself, Ed Reagnor, Scott Emory, Teddy and Nick Kutrombos, Craig, Mike Ayre, Phil the snowboarder, Ben the Aussie, Jean Wolter and Todd the Cornhusker.  It was a great day of skiing.  Supposedly the snow up here in Winter Park is a little below average this year but the snow on Jones Pass was about the best I have ever skied -  light fluffy and lots and lots of it.

Our skiing guides were Mr. Ski Boss Jamie Wolter and Steve Waldorf.   The guides were very thorough, safe, fun and tried to get us the best snow and skiing possible.  We were able to get seven runs in and my legs were about shot with those seven.  The skis provide by Powder Addiction were Salomon Czar powder skis.  My first time on a rocker ski and man they can just float on the powder.  They are a little squirly on the packed snow but nice and fat with a lot of float on the fluffy powder.

Here is Powder Addictions description of skiing up at Jones Pass:

Our operation lies less than 1 hour drive from Denver. The closest powder skiing operation to the Front Range. If joining us from the Grand County you will meet at our World Headquarters in the Village at Winter Park. Our Jones Pass location gets the benefits of storms that flow in from all directions. We typically get hit by all the Colorado storms. This means you get the best chance for sweet skiing conditions when you ski with us.

You will spend the day skiing virgin snow at an average elevation of 11,000 feet. The high altitude combined with good Northern exposure keeps our snow cold and light.

If you enjoy skiing powder or are back country skiing fan I would definitely recommend Powder Addiction.  This was probably the best day of skiing I have ever had.  Whoooohoooo I can not wait ’till our next outing.

You can follow all of the Powder Addiction happenings at the Powder Addiction Facebook page.

Come and satisfy your powder addiction in Winter Park, CO

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.

New Openings in Winter Park, CO

There are lots and lots of new stores opening up here in Winter Park, Colorado.  Our town just seems to be booming with all the restaurants opening and the Rec Center open for the first day and all this just in time for Christmas.

First we have the Fraser/Winter Park Rec Center open for the very first day to what looks like universal approval here in the Fraser Valley.  We will be visiting this coming week and will let you know how the final product turned out.  From what I have seen it looks spectacular (I can’t wait to steam my old bones in the steam sauna).

Last night Alberto’s had a soft opening to get some of the kinks out before tonight’s official Grand Opening.  I heard that the food was terrific and the space looks just as good.  For those not on the know, Alberto’s is brought to us by the folks that own the Tabernash Tavern.  They have redone the space in Cooper Creek Square that most recently housed the Green Olive Italian steakhouse.  We will try to make it out to Alberto’s in the next week and let your know about their operation.

The Cosmic Dog Mexican Grill is also opening tonight.  I popped my head in today and the space looks pretty cool.  I got a chance to talk to Fernand, the owner, and he says they should be serving up some burritos  tonight.  He also said he was exhausted from their push to get open in time for the Winter Park holiday season.  I can’t wait to have a burrito this week.  Nice work Fernand on the space, it looks great.

Lastly there is Ziggy’s Doughnuts.  Our very own hot fresh doughnut factory located next to Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe in the Kings Crossing Retail Center.  Talked Ziggy today and he says they should be open by the 3rd of January.  Ziggy’s will have coffee, fresh donuts, and some video games set among a cool interior with counter service and tables and chairs.  Would be great if Ziggy could figure out a way to offer some wine and beer, anywho,  I’m am satisfied with hot donuts for now though.

So our little enclave of heaven up here in the Colorado Rockies just seems to be booming with all these openings.  It looks like the economy is tuning around and vacationers ans skiers are starting to return to the hills.  We got some unexpected snow the last few nights and everyone here in Winter Park is getting ready for Christmas.  All seems well in the Winter Park part of the world.

Colorado Skiing and Lodging Deals

Affordable Colorado Ski Resorts

With all the discounts that the ski resorts are offering this year I was looking to find what were the most affordable places to ski in Colorado.  I didn’t have to go far as there was a story from Ski.com picked up by USA Today that lists their top ten affordable North American ski resorts.

Winter Park is on the list and this is what they had to say about our little slice of heaven here:

Winter Park, the closest major resort to Denver, described as catering to a “moderate demographic, no luxury properties,” with many lodging selections, some so close to the mountain that you can walk or take a shuttle.

I’m not so sure about not having luxury accommodations, see Base Camp on Jane Creek, Red Quill and the new Winter Park Village lofts, but they did get it right that you can get great lodging very close to the mountain steps away from the lifts.  Maybe they are getting the no luxury properties because the way Intrawest asks the owners of properties on their rental program not to update or improve the properties.

It is true Winter Park is an affordable ski resort.  It also is the oldest ski resort in Colorado celebrating it 70th year of operations.  Check out the cool 70th anniversary logo above.  The Winter Park ski train also will continue to run for it’s 70th year.  Winter Park Resort also receives the most snow of all Colorado destination resorts and is the #1 US ski resort for bumps and families.

So come on up and get a great deal at the best ski resort in Colorado!

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.