Your Unofficial Guide to all things Winter Park and the Fraser Valley
Winter Park, Colorado is a great location to add to your travel bucket list. Don’t let the fear of finances hold you back from experiencing this amazing destination. Here are tips to help you keep your vacation affordable and Visit Winter Park for Cheap!
Winter Park, Colorado Lodging:
Camp – There are tons of places in the area you can camp for free or relatively cheap. Camping is a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies while saving a ton of dough! Fun Fact: There are tons of BLM locations around offering free camping for up to 14 days! (After that you’ll have to move your campsite…even just a few feet).
Car camping – If the thought of sleeping on the ground protected by a fabric shield makes your back hurt or you boots shake, consider camping in your car. Small to mid-sized SUVs with back rows that fold down are great options. Even better, a futon mattress or blow up airbed might just fit perfectly in your rig, providing you with the perfect night’s sleep in the mountains.
Tip: crack a window to aid in airflow and prevent moisture from building up. (You’ll thank us in the morning!)
Air B&B – Air B&B is a great way to meet people and get the local experience for cheap. Find the perfect place to lay your head, and we’re sure you might also find a local expert willing to share the tips and tricks of Winter Park with you. You can also save by booking direct, Visit Winter Park Lodging is a locally owned lodging company so give them a call 970-363-7458 or book online WWW.VisitWinterParkLodging.Com
Winter Park, Colorado Hotel – If you decide to stay in a hotel ask for a deal and try to book your stay midweek. Believe us; it never hurts to ask!
Winter Park, Colorado Activities:
Hiking – Hiking is free fun. (When you’re traveling on a budget, free is boss!)
Biking – If you’ve got a bike with you, use it. Winter Park is home to an amazing system of mountain bike trails and all except the lift-served trails (and those on private property) are free to enjoy and explore!
Fishing – If you’ve got the equipment, you can grab a license and go! Once you have a license and know the regulations, you’ll be able to catch fish that you can either release or cook, (saving, even more, money on meals)!
Discount deal sites – Groupon, Living Social, etc. You never know what might pop up on the good old inter-web of discounts…
Rodeos – If you’re lucky enough to be here during rodeo season, visit the Fraser High Country Stampede Rodeo. While there is a $10 admission fee, it will provide you with cheap and authentic entertainment for the evening. If you’re looking for free-free, check out the free barrel-racing jackpot on select Wednesdays throughout the season. Free entertainment horses, and cowgirls! As George Strait said, “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls!”
Skiing – If you are here during the ski season, keep an eye out for discount ski passes for Winter Park Resort, or see if you can find someone with a season pass to use one of their buddy passes (will save you between $30 – $50 depending on the season).
Winter Park, Colorado Dining
Grocery stores – pack food in a cooler and snack and eat for cheap all vacation long. Plus if you have access to a grill or better a kitchen, you can cook meals, saving even more money! Tip: Many of the local parks and condominium complexes have public grills available to use. Grab a bag of charcoal and go. Safeway in located in Fraser, Colorado. For tips and easy recipes check this out.
Happy Hours – Winter Park is home to some of the most delicious restaurants on the planet! (Okay… I might be biased, but the food here is honestly amazing!) What makes it even better? The happy hours are FANTASTIC and straight up bargains! Deno’s, Tabernash Tavern, Winter Park Sushi Bar, Casa Mexico, and tons more all have fantastic happy hour dining deals! Check them out, your wallet and your belly will thank you!
Coupons – When in town check out newspapers, rack cards, and even grocery store receipts for discounts on dining. Yes, you might have to wade through the chimney sweeping and other miscellaneous “deals,” but once you find the “free beer with purchase of beer” you’ll be on top of the world!
Winter Park, Colorado Nightlife:
Ladies Night– If you’re a lady…hit up Ullrs on Wednesday nights. Free entry, plus two free drinks! Even if you’re not into the music or the night scene…go for the two free drinks!
Trivia – Crooked Creek in Fraser Tuesday at 7 pm – free trivia. So if you’re looking for a way to kill a night, hit that up! Tip: Start working on your team name today!
Winter Park, Colorado Other Tips:
Visit in Mud Season (our off seasons, spring or fall) especially if you aren’t really into season sensitive activities like skiing or lift-served mountain biking. Mud season offers great deals! Some restaurants even offer happy hour 24/7! SCORE.
Travel in a group – In addition to the potential group discounts, the more people you can squeeze in a room or split a pizza with, the more money you can save!
So what are you waiting for? No matter your budget you should start planning your Visit Winter Park adventure today!