A ski vacation in Colorado is a dream for many visitors, but for the daredevils in your life it may be just another trip as they ride the lifts up and ski down groomed slopes time and time again. A Winter Park backcountry ski vacation, however, promises to be exactly the adventure thrill seekers need in their lives! When you combine the excitement of your skiing activities with the comforts and luxuries found in our Visit Winter Park Lodging seasonal sanctuaries, your vacation dreams will come true in every way possible. This Winter Park backcountry skiing guide will help fill every minute of your Colorado vacation with fun, excitement, and adventures you will never forget!
Winter Park Backcountry Skiing: It’s Always a Good Idea
Many of us have been skiing since we were little tykes, learning the difference between a pizza slice and French fries, and although we won’t say that skiing on groomed slopes and trails is boring, after a while it can become a bit more mundane, even when you are on the double black diamond trails. The backcountry of Winter Park, however, brings the excitement back into the sport, offering excitement, wonder, and some really good exercise, if that’s something that interests you. Imagine spending your day skiing on slopes where the white snow is untouched, feeling tiny and insignificant amidst the natural landscape of the mountains that surround you. Berthoud Pass Ski Area is one of our favorite places to experience the thrill of backcountry skiing, having once been one of the premier backcountry ski and snowboarding areas until its closure in 2002. Today, its 65 trails and 1200 acres keep it desirable for thrill seekers. It is a simpler place to try out the sport; some of the trails can even be reached easily off the pass, but most will still require a hike to get to the top. The peak at Berthoud Pass reaches over 11000 feet and exciting skiing opportunities can be explored off both sides of the highway.
Cross Country Through the Back Country
Not all ski adventures have to involve steep slopes and daring escapades. Some of your favorite memories will be of the times you simply strapped on a pair of cross country skis and made your way across the landscape. The 2nd Creek Trail, located at mile marker 240 west of Berthoud Pass, offers an extremely popular backcountry cross country ski experience, and because of the Broome Hut, you can still enjoy a bit of warmth at the beginning and end of your cross country adventures! Explore the natural beauty of this area, skiing for as little or as long as you want, reveling in the quiet and seclusion of the countryside, and when you have had enough of the cold, spend a little time in the day room of the Broome Hut, letting your muscles warm up before heading back to the luxury of your Visit Winter Park Lodging mountainside escape. When looking for a back country experience that isn’t as strenuous as the 2nd Creek Trail or Berthoud Pass, the Jim Creek Trail offers a more moderate cross country ski activity. Easily reached from the Winter Park Ski Resort, it features a gradual ascent with views of the mountains guaranteed to impress and is a popular snowshoeing trail as well!
Extreme Adventures
The most extreme of backcountry ski activities can be experienced with the help of the Jones Pass Guides where your adventures will begin and end on the back of a snow cat with lots of backcountry skiing taking place in between! Offering all the equipment needed for an unforgettable day in the backcountry, a deli lunch, and two free beers to be enjoyed at the end of your adventures! The Jones Pass Guides adventures last the entire day and with reservations, professional photographs can be taken, forever commemorating the exciting experiences you will enjoy during your day in the backcountry of Colorado!
The Days You Will Never Forget
Whether your idea of an exciting adventure involves nothing more than a sled ride down a hill or a snowball fight in the park, or if your need for speed has you tearing down the backcountry slopes, feeling wild and free in the shadows of the mountains, choosing Visit Winter Park Lodging will be the exclamation point at the end of every day! Offering luxury, warmth, and comfort, our sanctuaries are designed to make you feel instantly at home from the first moment you step inside the door. Soak in hot tubs on the deck or jetted tubs in the bathrooms, enjoy meals prepared in our fully equipped kitchens, and discover how enjoyable the quiet moments in life can be as you watch the sun set over the mountains each evening of your stay. Reserve your favorite escape today!
The beauty of love is knowing how much stronger it can get, and as you begin to start planning for your Winter Park Valentine’s Day escape, spending it in one of Visit Winter Park Lodging’s cozy love nests is destined to make your romance burn strong! Offering quiet luxuries and romantic comforts, you and your Valentine will have a holiday you never forget. Spend your days exploring romantic activities in Winter Park, CO and your nights enjoying all the comforts of home. The following guide will help keep you happy and entertained during your enchanting Colorado adventures in Winter Park.
The Couple That Spas Together
A romantic massage is always the highlight of your day, but one person is always left out as the massager does all the work and other person reaps all the benefits! That is why a couple’s massage offered by Blue Sky Massage, located at 21 Kings Crossing Road Unit 201, is our first suggestion for a romantic activity. Offering both a standard massage and a deep tissue massage for couples, both parties will feel relaxed and refreshed as they renew the bonds of love at the hands of two of the most talented masseuses in town. Offering 60-minute, 75-minute, and 90-minute packages, Blue Sky Massage is very popular, so we suggest reserving your couples massage in advance!
Dash Thru the Snow with These Fun Activities in Winter Park, CO
More than just a line in a Christmas carol, Dashing Thru the Snow is a business that offers the next romantic activity on our list! Located in nearby Fraser and offering sleigh rides through the snow-covered landscape, your romantic getaway will be lacking if you don’t sign up for a ride on a horse driven sleigh. Cuddle together under warm blankets on your private sleigh ride, listening to the crunch of the snow and the jingling of the bells attached to harnesses of the horses, and discover a magic that will linger in your heart for years to come. The views will be incredible as you come to the part of the trip that involves hot cocoa and a roaring fire before heading back to home base. This is one of the most fun things to do in Winter Park CO!
A Bird’s Eye View
Not all Valentine’s couples are married; some are choosing this special day to pop the big question, and when it’s your time to get down on your knees, the most romantic way to do so is aboard the basket of a hot air balloon as it floats over the snowy landscape. Grand Adventures Balloon Tours, also located in Fraser, offers sunrise flights every day of the year, but reservations for Valentine’s Day should be made soon! Specializing in engagement flights, Grand Adventures is happy to announce they have 100% “yes” rate, so if you are unsure about the response, a hot air balloon engagement query is definitely one way of ensuring the odds are in your favor!
Wine and Love
A truly good wine elevates any date experience, and if you, like many others before you, equate wine with love, a visit to Winter Park Winery is destined to be your favorite romantic activity. Located at 325 Zerex Street in Fraser and offering a tasting room decorated with colorful artwork, it’s the perfect place to sit, sip, and savor the wonder of your romance. If you don’t want to mingle with the public, you can always buy a bottle or three and enjoy them in the comfort of your Visit Winter Park Lodging love nest!
Date Nights on Vacation
If you have been a couple for a while, chances are you have pushed date nights to the wayside as your busy life and work schedule leaves little room for entertainment, but a romantic night on the town is just what you need while vacationing in Winter Park. The Foundry Cinema & Bowl offers the perfect way to bring fun back into your love life as you bowl a few rounds, eat the foods you rarely let yourself eat anymore, and watch the latest releases in leather seats that offer cupholders and a foldaway tray!
Stay in for the Evening
When the mercury is dropping and the snow is blanketing the Winter Park landscape, you and your love will stay warm and cozy in our vacation love nests. Choose a home with a fireplace and sip the wine you purchased while snuggling in front of a roaring fire, perhaps sweetening the night even further with a treat purchased from the Sweet Life Candy Store found in downtown Winter Park. Reserve your favorite Visit Winter Park Lodging vacation escape and celebrate the love that only the two of you share!
When you’re on the hunt for a versatile ski destination in Colorado that captures the essence of the mountains while offering a family-friendly ski ambiance as well, there’s no place better to find yourself than Winter Park Ski Resort when the fresh powder falls. Situated in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this ski resort has long been a fan-favorite amongst ski enthusiasts from near and far looking for a place to admire the landscape and put their downhill skills to the test too. Winter Park Ski Resort offers up a scenic and exciting destination for visitors to enjoy who are just as excited to make the most of the slopes as they are to explore the surrounding terrain. Surrounded by the Fraser Valley, Winter Park is home to more than 600 miles of multi-use trails as well as lakes, reservoirs, and no less than two national forests as well. Within reach of the Grand Lake entry to Rocky Mountain National Park, this is a place with much to offer when you’re looking for the ultimate ski vacation experience. These days, getting here for a ski vacation is easier than ever thanks to the Winter Park Express. This mode of transportation runs between Winter Park and Denver’s iconic Union Station on the weekends, allowing skies to leave the car behind and simply focus on the downhill fun that awaits.
A Winter Park Ski Resort Rundown
There’s a lot to look forward to when you plan a ski getaway to Winter Park and a legacy of excellence to enjoy as well. This ski resort has a more than 80-year history to its name and enjoys the title as the state’s longest continually operated ski resort around! Year after year, the Winter Park Ski Resort tops lists of fan-favorite ski destinations in the country with good reason. The resort receives over 320 inches of snow annually and is recognized as a place where skiers can count on a consistent snow season without fail. This ski destination is home to two distinct mountains for visitors to enjoy. Areas to explore by ski include The Cirque, Eagle Wind, Parsenn Bowl and Vasquez Ridge. The resort sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet with a summit stretching into the sky at an impressive 12,060 feet. Those who head this way to make the most of the fun will find more than 3,000 skiable acres waiting to greet them made up of 166 designated trails and over 1,200 acres of off-piste terrain too. About 8 percent of the skiable land at Winter Park Ski Resort is appropriate for beginners while 18 percent is set aside for intermediate athletes and 52 percent is suitable for advanced skiers. 3 percent of the landscape is ideal for those who fall into the expert skier category. In total, this resort hosts 23 lifts and a gondola suitable for up to 10 people at a time. Guests can access 6 high-speed express quads and three surface lifts in addition to a rope tow and six double chair lifts on-site. That consistent ski experience stems from the fact that snow is made on 27 of the trails at this resort, ultimately covering over 300 acres of land. This approach to snowmaking allows the resort to open with confidence before Thanksgiving most years!
Book Lessons in Advance & Enjoy Skiing in Winter Park
If you’re new to skiing or could use a refresher before hitting the slopes at Winter Park, you’re in luck! A full lesson package for $149 can be booked in advance of your arrival when you’re hoping to feel confident on the slopes. This package includes a half-day of lessons as well as gear rentals and lift access for a comprehensive and convenient learning experience. The half-day lessons are hosted as a group experience and are taught for both kids and adults by experienced and friendly instructors.
Gear Rental Options
If you don’t have your own gear to bring with you to Winter Park Ski Resort, there’s no need to worry. Gear and equipment rental options are available right on the mountain. At Winter Ski & Snowboard Rentals, visitors can reserve their needed gear up to 72 hours in advance and enjoy the best rates on quality equipment around. Rentals can be picked up the night before your fun skiing in Winter Park starts as an added convenience and a helmet is included in every single rental booked.
Dine-in Style
When a day of skiing has left you with cravings to curb, there are plenty of savory stops to be found in this area. When you’re here, be sure to check out Deno’s Mountain Bistro for apres-ski delights. If you need to fuel up before your day of fun, head over to Carver’s to do exactly that!
Book Today
Your Winter Park ski adventure is waiting for you…so what are you waiting for? Reach out to Visit Winter Park Lodging today to book the accommodations that are close to the fun and keep you living your best life during your amazing vacation.
Well, this year certainly went by fast, don’t you think? It seems as if it were only yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the ball drop in Times Square, eager to put 2020 behind us, and with a blink of eye, we are once again awaiting that ball drop! The months have flown by and 2022 stands in the eaves, waiting to make its grand entrance. If you haven’t made plans for the most magical night of the year, now is time to do so, and if you are looking for some ideas, well, of course we at Visit Winter Park Lodging have some! Starting with a visit to the winter wonderland that is known as Winter Park and ending with some of the most comfortable nights you have ever experienced, this guide to New Year’s Eve in Winter Park will ensure your Colorado holiday escape will be the adventure you always dreamed it could be!
Dinner with Fontenot’s Seafood & Grill, 78336 US-40
Superstition says that whatever you are doing on New Year’s Eve, you will be doing for the entirety of the next year, so why not ensure that 2022 is the year you are well fed by enjoying a New Year’s Eve dinner at Fontenot’s? Offering a sophisticated menu of seafood, steaks, and your favorite cocktails, every bite is destined to be one that you dream about for years to come. We can’t choose a favorite meal, but we promise you won’t be unhappy if you choose their Seafood Bouillabaisse for your last dinner of 2021. Even though the restaurant closes a few hours before the new year begins, an early toast to your traveling partners will never be in bad taste; order a bottle and start the party early!
Shine on New Year’s Eve, December 31, Rendezvous Event Center
So many of the activities we loved to participate in were cancelled for the 2021 New Year’s Eve celebration, and this year we are all more than ready to play again! Shine on New Year’s Eve turns our winter landscape into a magical expanse, offering sledding and tubing long after dark (the event starts at 6 PM and ends at 9 PM) and a silent disco destined to bring the happiest memories! What is a silent disco, you ask? It’s a party where everyone dances to the music only heard through their headphones and earbuds! The music is broadcast through Wi-Fi, and when you catch sight of a dance floor filled with people getting their groove on without any apparent music being played, well, you may never want to party any other way again! Also offering an early evening fireworks show, your 2022 is destined to be a fantastic year when you Shine on New Year’s Eve in Winter Park.
The Grand County Blues Society Presents NYE with A.J. Fullerton
We can’t think of any better way to say farewell to the old year than with a belly full of barbecue, cold beverages in hand, and blues music being played live! If you agree with us, tickets are on sale now to this one-of-a-kind event, and they only cost $40 a person! For the 21 and over crowd, this promises to be the party of the decade, and for those whose radios are always turned to the blues channels, New Year’s Eve with AJ Fullerton will be the party of the century! A complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a kiss with your favorite traveling partner is the ONLY way to end the celebration.
Stay in and Play for New Year’s Eve in Winter Park
Not all New Year’s events have to involve dressing up and going out; sometimes the most memorable moments take place when staying home in your comfy pants! Our Visit Winter Park Lodging holiday hideaways are designed to make every night the most comfortable adventure of your life. Watch the ball drop in Times Square in front of a roaring fire, play all the songs you have listened to in 2021 on your Spotify account glitch free, and sip as much of the champagne as you want without having to worry about who is going to be the designated driver “next year!” Create a feast of gourmet appetizers in our fully equipped kitchens, watch rogue fireworks displays from the balcony, and instead of making resolutions to STOP something, fill your list with all the things you dream about starting! New Year’s Eve is a holiday that celebrates the possibilities, and it is quite possible you will start a new tradition of visiting Winter Park for every New Year’s Eve. Reserve your favorite Visit Winter Park Lodging property today and start 2022 out in all the best ways!
There are many excellent times to come and visit us here in Winter Park. After all, while we may be famous for our ski resort, the area hosts some of the best hiking around! While anytime could be considered a good one to come, there are certainly times where you might find that what you are seeking is more common. For instance, if you are looking to hit the slopes and work on your skill, or potentially get some exercise in while exploring the countryside cross-country skiing, winter is your time to shine. However, if one is looking to enjoy the outdoors and experience the beautiful of the meadows being painted by the bright pedals of wildflowers, or you are looking to see the many natural wonders that even the locals enjoy visiting and beholding, the rebirth of spring is the ideal time for you. Of course, there are many other reasons that one would do well to come during these two seasons, and if your curious to learn more, make sure you read our ultimate guide to Winter Park spring and winter season below!
Enjoy the Fluffy Flurries of the Mountain Side
Of course, when one hears of the mountains of Colorado, many will immediately think of skiing and other forms of snow play. Winter Park is no different and hosts some of the best skiing around. For instance, you might enjoy headed up to Winter Park Resort which hosts over 3,000 acres of terrain, not to mention endless paths for cross-country skiing! If you aren’t quite the skier, fear not, for you can still enjoy the snow drifts of the resort at the Coca-Cola Tubing Hill, which is also perfect for anyone looking to share the joys of nostalgia with their own little ones who might not be ready to brave the slopes quite yet. This tubing hill not only features your choice of four different lanes, each consisting of plenty of surprises to keep you entertained and the excitement flowing, but one doesn’t even have to tackle the dreaded slog back up top thanks to their covered conveyor belt.
If you are looking for something especially unique, make sure to also check out the up-and-coming hobby that is fat-tire biking. These bikes utilize a specially made tire, thus giving it the name, to allow one to bike over the heavy snows; consider it almost a type of manual snowmobile. One could also take part in one of the resort’s more unique attractions, the Winter Park Alpine Slide, which features a whopping 3,000 feet of track for you to fly down as the cold bitter wind grasps at your cheeks as your soar. This alpine slide has the title of the longest alpine slide in all of Colorado. One even gets two winter activities in Winter Park for the price of one, as a ticket includes a ride on the Arrow Chairlift to the top of the mountain. This allows you to spend some time dangling in the air as you pass the beautiful valleys, mountains sides, forests, and more that make our natural area the beauty that it has become.
Take Advantage of the Beauties in Winter Park Spring
Of course, as the spring comes and the snow melts, a whole new host of activities present themselves, especially the opening of the many hiking trails that snake through the mountains. You might enjoy heading out on Rogers Pass, which features a 5-mile out-and-back hike with views of wildflowers. It also takes you above the tree line, giving you a perfect view of James Peak, Perry Peak, and the various other mountains that surround the area. One might also like to check out Mount Flora, which takes hikers 6.2 miles along the Continental Divide for a unique and awe-inspiring adventure.
If one is looking for more of a challenge and something to truly boast about upon your return home, make sure you check out James Peak Trail, which stretches an impressive 8 miles and has you climbing to a staggering 13,294 feet high with a total elevation gain of 2,920 feet. This trail will take you along the ridge stretching from the neighboring Mount Bancroft to the destination peak, and one can even have the chance to gaze upon the remains of a glacier that at some point carved its way across the state. If you decide to do this hike towards the tail end of winter and beginning of spring, make sure you go with a friend and keep a GPS/compass on you, as whiteouts can occur with little warning.
Finally, if one is looking for a good hike to see the transformation between the seasons then head over to the Lost Lake Trail. This 2.6-mile out-and-back hike is fairly moderate and starts just below the summit of Cottonwood Pass. This short hike is a good warm-up or for anyone just looking for a stroll focused on the views and tranquility. You’ll get fantastic panoramic views of the lake as well as Mt. Kreutzer and Jones Mountain. To top it off, this trail is more than open to your furry friend, ensuring the perfect bonding experience.
Have an Adventure
Of course, no matter if it’s winter or spring, you’ll find a great many ways to explore and have the adventure of a lifetime as you tackle the mountain and great outdoors. For instance, you might enjoy seeking out Winter Park Adventure Quest, where one can take part in a guided rock climbing tour lasting three hours; it is perfect for all skill levels, even those who have never touched a robe or harness before. One can also take part in their wilderness survival course, which is a must for any outdoor lover. You’ll spend three hours learning the basics of building a shelter, navigating with a compass and other means, fire starting, get a crash course in edible plants, and more. Afterwards, make sure you hit the Aerial Adventure Park; you’ll spend 90 minutes walking upon tightropes, traversing cargo nets swinging in the breath, using hanging ropes to swing between planks, all while dangling two stories in the air.
After this, if one is looking for more excitement and stories to tell, head on over to Grand Adventures, where one can enjoy a variety of wilderness tours. For instance, if you find yourself with us in the winter, check out their snowmobiling tours, which offer a range of tours to different locations and suitable for varying skill levels. One can even just rent a snowmobile and create your own tour as you explore the area. If you are looking for something unique, check out their off-road tour. Unlike other similar activities, you won’t be sitting in the back while your guide does all the work. Instead, you will have your own vehicle and follow your guide as you traverse the area seeing everything from the Continental Divide to the Fraser Valley.
One could also take advantage of the plethora of unique activities that dot the mountainside. For instance, one could take part in an intimate sleigh ride as they cozy up to their significant other as the sound of sleigh bells rings in your ears and the snow glitters around you. One can also enjoy a hike amongst the snow drifts utilizing snowshoes; this makes for a great exercise that also provides an interesting story regarding this unique activity. One could even get up in the early morning to take part in a hot air balloon ride as you glide upon the top of the drafts and gaze out over the tranquil and serene forests and mountains that we have all fallen in love with and call home.
Of course, there is also an almost endless amount of the fishing possible thanks to the 1,000 miles of streams and rivers, not to mention the 1,00 acres of lakes and the staggering 11,000 acres of reservoir, all of which are just waiting for you to cast a line and show off just what you are able to do. Plus, what’s better then feasting upon that which you caught yourself?
Finally, many don’t know this, but mountain biking is a popular pastime in the area, and for this reason you can find a number of biking trails and even full bike parks dedicated to the thrilling sport. Head on over to Trestle Bike Park and enjoy over 40 miles of trails and even the convenience of a lift service to the top of each downhill run. Offering a range of difficulties, you will find trails that are fun, easy, and more an enjoyable glide among the flowers than a grueling challenge, but on the other hand there are some runs that truly test your mastery of technique as you maneuver a variety of different obstacles to make your way down the dirt path.
Some Urban Enjoyment
It goes without saying that the area is well known for its outdoors and world-renowned skiing. However, if you spend a day or two in the town itself, you’ll find that there are many urban gems to be discovered amongst the streets. For instance, you might like to enjoy a classic and hang with the locals over at the Foundry Cinema and Bowl, where one can first catch a great show in the warm cozy interior and afterwards let the competition soar in one of eight bowling lanes. However, the family fun doesn’t have to end with that, as you’ll also find a sizable arcade fitted with not only billiards tables and other competitive games but also retro video games, shooters, driving games and more. One can even grab a comforting slice of pizza.
If one is wishing to continue getting to know the locals and seeing the real Winter Park, head over to the Grand Park Community Recreation Center, which is especially nice if it’s a cold winter day and you are looking for something to do that keeps one a bit toastier. Here you will find a variety of activities to enjoy, including a 30-foot climbing wall for you to tackle and show off what you can do. One can also enjoy the 20-foot loop slide that leads to the pool below. If one is looking for a relaxing activity, hit their lazy river and slowly meander through the center as you enjoy the warmth inside. Of course, any recreation center wouldn’t be complete without a gym to sculpt one’s form, or for those looking to get a bit of cardio on. Those who find themselves staying with us for a period of time might want to look into their fitness classes, ranging from the classic cardio group classes to a relaxing bout of yoga as you allow your worries and stresses to leave.
One can also explore the town and check out the various location to glide upon the ice as you show off your skating skills. After all, is there really any activity that is more picturesque and classic for winter than ice skating? If one is looking to truly get to know the lovely and welcoming community, head on over to the local Farmers’ Market, where you can enjoy all the wares and produce that local farms have worked all year long to nurture and grow for your enjoyment. If one happens to get lucky with their timing, one can spend an afternoon enjoying the Winter Park Uncorked Wine Festival and try out the very best that local vineyards have to offer.
Your Winter Park Journey Starts Here
As one can see, there are a great many things to do in our beautiful mountain town. When the snow falls in the chilly months of winter, or when the snow thaws and the wildflowers peek their heads above the frost to say hello to the awakening world, you will find the mountain comes to life, and one could spend a month with us and still be finding new ways to make for an interesting and memorable day. If you find yourself curious about what other activities might be hidden around the area, make sure you give Visit Winter Park Lodging a call at 970-363-7458 and book your stay with us today!
It’s no secret that the merriest of Christmases are always the white ones, but if you happen to live somewhere the snow doesn’t fall, it just makes sense that you spend it somewhere it does. Perhaps we could suggest that you spend it in Winter Park in one of our well-appointed holiday hideaways? Offering everything that makes Christmas the most popular holiday (including the snow) and a few surprises that Winter Park frequent visitors may not even know, spending the holiday with us practically guarantees that this Winter Park Christmas 2021 will be one you will never forget! This guide to Winter Park and everything wonderful will ensure your winter break will be the merriest.
Winter Park Tree Lighting, November 27
Although much of the world has started celebrating Christmas minutes after they put away their Halloween costumes, we like to keep with the traditions and start the celebration after Thanksgiving! The Christmas tree lighting ceremony held in Winter Park Village is the perfect example, offering the opportunity to sing along to your favorite Christmas carols, warm yourself by a roaring fire, and fall in love with the beauty of our village tree dressed in its holiday finest!
The Holiday Spirit of Winter Park Christmas 2021
One of our favorite parts of the holiday is decorating our homes, and if you spent Christmas at home, by now you would have already pulled out your Santa collection, assembled your tree, and hung the lights around the eaves of your home. Even though our Visit Winter Park Lodging seasonal sanctuaries offer warmth and style that welcome all who reside here, you may want to pick up a few items of décor to add to the holiday spirit. Moose Hollow Trading Company, located at 47 Cooper Creek Way, has everything you need to add a little more cheer to your vacation home away from home, and you can also pick up a few last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers while you are there. Offering the largest selection of Christmas décor in the area, their hand painted glassware is destined to be the gift your mother loves more than any other!
61st Annual Christmas Market, December 4th
While we are on the topic of gift giving, don’t we all know someone who just has the knack of choosing gifts that are so perfect it makes the recipient cry? You know that gift giver never stood in the local drugstore five minutes before closing, trying to choose between the As Seen on TV copper bracelet and the last box of chocolate truffles discarded by someone else and found tucked away between the paper towels and the paper plates. The 61st Annual Christmas Market, held in nearby Georgetown, allows you to be the gift giver making recipients cry, and you really won’t even have to think that hard! Held outdoors, (so dress warmly) this European style market offers wandering carolers, roasted chestnuts, horse-drawn carriage rides, and of course, gifts created by the most talented of artisans, all guaranteed to bring on those tears!
Torchlight Parade, December 24th
One of our most magical traditions is our Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade, and as skiers slowly make their way down the slopes carrying torches to light their way, fireworks will be exploding in the sky overhead! Offering a bonfire in Winter Park Village, the opportunity to take some last-minute photos with Santa before he heads off on his annual journey around the globe and a feeling of peace, happiness, and goodwill, this heartwarming and visually stunning event will change the way you celebrate Christmas forever!
Start New Traditions with Visit Winter Park Lodging
Not every Christmas adventure has to be enjoyed away from your seasonal sanctuary, and some of your new favorite traditions will happen under the sturdy roofs of our properties! Gather around the fire to drink hot chocolate and sing along to Christmas carols you have known all your life as the snow falls gently outside your Visit Winter Park Lodging Christmas cottage. Our fully equipped kitchens help bring the joy back to holiday meal prep, and as you and your family sit at the large dining tables that are the focus of the dining rooms, you won’t be able to hold back a smile and perhaps even a tear or two. Your new traditions contain all the same ingredients as the old ones—family, love, and Grandma’s stuffing recipe—it’s just the location that is a little different this year! Sleep deep in cloud soft beds, dreaming about torchlit parades, village bonfires, and the smiles on your children’s faces as they sat on Santa’s lap during this vacation of a lifetime. Choose Visit Winter Park Lodging for your vacation accommodations and let your Winter Park Christmas 2021 be a white one! Contact us now.
When you visit Colorado in the winter, you expect that snowy activities are going to be a mainstay in your adventures, and you would be absolutely correct. The snow falls early in Winter Park, creating a landscape that never fails to amaze even us, as it blankets the ground and gives visitors the chance to play as they may never have before. Although skiing is one of our most popular winter sports, there are many other snowy winter activities in Winter Park that you can participate in as you explore the town. This guide will help you discover them all!
Coca Cola Tubing Hill in Winter Park
Sledding down a hill, feeling the wind in your face mixed with the flakes of freshly fallen snow is an activity we all remember from our childhood, and the Coca Cola Tubing Hill allows you to experience its joys with your own children! Open on November 27th, it offers four lanes of softly packed snow, conveyor belts that help you get back up the hill easily, and a lodge designed to warm you up as you sip hot cocoa and wait for another go round on the hill!
Snowshoeing
Have you ever looked at a perfectly good tennis racket and thought to yourself, if I had two and strapped them to my feet, it would make a walk in the snow that much more fun? No? Well, although the look of snowshoes has changed over the years, this activity is definitely experiencing a resurgence and is guaranteed to add to your fun in Winter Park! Snowshoes can be rented at any Nordic center, including the one right here in Winter Park Resort, and you can explore just about any open area covered in snow. There are trails in the region where snowshoeing is even more delightful, including the Fraser River Trails you may have hiked during the summer months. This is definitely one of the best winter activities in Winter Park!
Grand Adventures with Grand Adventures
When your inner daredevil demands to be let out, a visit to Grand Adventures will give you an adventure of your own when you take one of their snowmobiling tours, or if you are feeling especially daring, rent the equipment to set out on your own. There is a special thrill received from flying over the snow on board a machine designed for speed, and the snowmobile is definitely the vehicle that will make you fall in love with snow, speed, and the winter season! The tours offered by Grand Adventures last anywhere from an hour to three hours and promise to be the most fun you can have on white snow.
Come in Out of the Cold
Of course, after spending much of your time in Winter Park playing in the snow, you may be ready for some indoor adventures to warm your bones. A visit to the Cozens Ranch Museum, located at 77849 US-40 in nearby Fraser, is the perfect way to do so! Step into the past as you learn about the issues early settlers faced—the cold, of course, being one of the biggest issues—and fall in love with the history of our mountain region. If museums aren’t your thing, and that’s ok, not everyone is excited by history, you can spend your days shopping at local boutiques, including one of our personal faves, Be…Boutique. Located at 47 Cooper Creek Way #233 in Winter Park, this sweet shop offers a variety of clothes, accessories, home goods, and more that allow each shopper the opportunity to be whatever they want to be! Just need a break from your outdoor activities? Stop by the Ditch on 40, located at 78941 US-40 in Winter Park and enjoy a New Mexican stye meal complete with delicious margaritas.
Stay Home and Play
Our Visit Winter Park Lodging escapes are designed to be a vital part of your vacation experience, and on some days, staying home and playing may be the best idea you can have! Sipping hot cocoa in front of a roaring fire while watching Christmas shows, practicing your snow angels in the yards surrounding the property, or falling into a lazy nap on a cold and wintry day are just some of the adventures you will enjoy in our tranquil homes. Reserve your favorite today and discover the joys found in making all your winter vacation dreams come true! Contact us today.
The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming, and Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. If that sentence brings fear into your heart, we think it is time for you to rediscover the thankfulness you have always felt at this time of year by trying something different! Instead of staying home and shopping, cooking, and cleaning, why not consider a vacation getaway to our favorite mountain town? Offering cool crisp air to breathe, cold fall nights to fall in love with, and a serene landscape that you will want to remember forever, the only thing better than a Winter Park Thanksgiving vacay is a Thanksgiving vacay spent enjoying the comforts of our Visit Winter Park Lodging escapes! This guide to the fun and relaxation you can enjoy during your Colorado holiday will help get you rediscover your holiday spirit faster than you can say Happy Thanksgiving!
The Excitement Is Building
Just as you are starting to feel the first frisson of excitement over the upcoming holidays, the entire town of Winter Park is feeling its own nervous anticipation, not just about the holidays but about the beginning of ski season! The resorts are scheduled to open in early December this year, coinciding with Christmas celebrations, but the month of November is one spent in anticipation. Watch the stores begin their holiday decorating as you start to do a little early seasonal shopping, enjoy the taste of fall expressed in homemade dishes served at local restaurants, and revel in the beauty of a town already covered in a blanket of soft snow. The first snowfall generally happens sometime in October, so if you are traveling with your little ones, you can spend your spare moments having snowball fights, constructing snow men, or sledding down small hills in preparation for the first big storm of the season.
A Taste of the Season
Every other year of your adult life has been spent shopping, cleaning, and cooking, but this year promises to be one where you can sit back and let others do all the work! Enjoy your favorite Winter Park Thanksgiving meals at Deno’s Mountain Bistro, savoring every bite of the three-course meal they serve, and find yourself smiling a little harder when someone else clears the empty plates from the table! Vertical Bistro is another popular Thanksgiving restaurant, also offering a family friendly meal that tastes like homemade.
Staying Home with Visit Winter Park Lodging
Not every Winter Park Thanksgiving adventure has to be held away from your vacation home away from home, especially as our Visit Winter Park Lodging properties are designed to be lived in, making a celebration easy! Prepare a feast in our fully equipped kitchens, preparing your favorite dishes with ingredients you purchased from the Fireside Market & Eatery and when it is ready, your entire family can gather round the large dining tables we offer, forks in hand and ready to dig in! Thanksgiving spent with only your immediate family has a softer feel, guaranteed to be less stressful and to give you back your thankfulness you may have thought you had forgotten! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will play on state-of-the-art televisions, keeping you company as you cook and after the meal has been completed and the hubs and kids have cleared away the mess, naps will be taken on sofas that are plush, soft, and inviting! Perhaps a walk around the neighborhood will help keep the sleepiness at bay, and as the sun sets and the night grows colder, you will be able to see your breath wisping away into the night. The crunch of footsteps against fresh fallen snow will echo through the night as you talk in hushed tones, not because you are bothering anyone, but because you are reluctant to break the peaceful spell you are all under.
These Moments Will Bring About the Best Memories
Reserve your favorite Visit Winter Park Lodging holiday hideaway today and get excited about celebrating with your family once again, as you remember all the things you have to be thankful for! Contact us today.
The beauty of the Colorado landscape is destined to be something with which your entire family will fall in love, and as you sit on the patios of our Visit Winter Park Lodging vacation escapes, you will find a peace and contentment you may never have experienced before. Taking evening walks through the community with your precious fur baby happily trotting on the leash ahead of you is always a special experience but throw in mountain vistas and cool and crisp air, and you will learn that you have found paradise. And yes, your most loyal of companions can accompany you and your family on this trip of a lifetime, because we offer pet friendly rentals in Colorado! This guide to our pet-friendly properties will give you a peek into your upcoming Colorado getaway, one that will be filled with fun, excitement, and all the love a pup can give!
Designed for Families
The joys of a family vacation are increased when your ENTIRE family gets to participate, and our pet friendly rentals in Colorado ensure that everyone is comfy and cozy during their stay. Walk into spaces that make you immediately feel at home, and as you read a good book in that overstuffed chair by the window, watch the big game on the television, or hang out on patios that overlook the mountains, you can easily relax knowing that Fluffy is snuffling happy at your feet or curled up in your lap. Some pups have sensitive tummies, meaning that mom or dad has to put as much thought into their meals as they do for the family meal, and our fully equipped kitchens make it easy and fun to create a variety of meals. Store the food for Fido’s raw diet in the freezer, keeping it fresh and yummy, and if you weren’t able to bring his food with you during your travels, chances are Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply located in nearby Fraser offers the pet food you need. The dining rooms of our properties are where more happy memories will be made as you play games, devour freshly made meals, and idly rub the back of Snicker’s neck with your toes as she gnaws on the big bone you bought her from Murdoch’s at the beginning of your trip.
Explore the communities in which your Visit Winter Park Lodging property is located with your puppy on a leash, being sure to pick up after her, and revel in the beauty of the fresh Colorado air. Clean and crisp, you can breathe deep and keep walking as fast as your pet’s feet can go! After, a sip of wine and a bowl of water served on the patio of your sanctuary will revive and refresh, giving the energy you need for whatever adventures are in store for you.
At night, when the moon bathes the landscape in an ethereal glow, your littlest one will sleep contentedly curled up at your feet, and because most of our pet friendly homes accept up to two dogs, you won’t have to worry about choosing one of your dogs to bring—they are BOTH welcome! Your favorite companions are the most loyal creatures, and they deserve to be a part of all the excitement you and the rest of your family are enjoying in beautiful Colorado.
Speaking of Fun
We are a dog lover’s town here in Winter Park, and as such you can expect there will be lots to do with your little rascals! Hang out at the Bark Park at Granby Trails in Granby, or in the warmer months, dine on outdoor patios at a variety of different restaurants. Deno’s Mountain Bistro is where pizzas are massive, and sliders are made Greek style with lamb and Greek seasonings. Doc’s Roadhouse is where the beers are always cold, and the ambience is super friendly. Goody’s Creperie is located on the mountain and offering views that will never get old! When you need to pick up food, supplies, or something special for your pet, Murdoch’s in Fraser has everything you could ever need.
Family & Pet Friendly Rentals in Colorado
No matter how you spend your days with your family, coming home to the comfort and luxury of our family friendly properties promises to be the highlight of every day! Sleep hard, play harder, and luxe it up with the kids and the dogs; life just does not get any better than your family vacation in Winter Park, Colorado! Reserve your favorite Visit Winter Park Lodging escape today. Contact us now.
Just like that, another year enters its twilight months. The nights grow longer and colder, the smell of pumpkin spice wafts through the air, and the first of the major holidays take place. Yes, dear travelers, Halloween is just around the corner, and as it falls on a weekend, it can be the perfect time to make your getaway to Winter Park. We think you will soon discover that has overtaken Christmas as your favorite holiday. Spend your days and evenings celebrating in ways old and new and spend your nights exploring the comfort and luxuries that will become qualities you expect from every vacation rental you choose from hereon out. This guide to tips and tricks for having the best Halloween in Winter Park will ensure that every minute of your visit to Winter Park will be memorable ones!
Granby’s Trick or Treat on Main, October 29 516 E Granby Avenue in Granby
One of the worries your children may have about leaving home over Halloween is that they will miss out on trick or treating. Costumes and candy is very important to the littles and their world would not be the same without the traditional begging and receiving, but Granby’s Trick or Treat on Main, will keep them happy. Offering a safe way to trick or treat and the opportunity to get a little shopping done as mom dips in and out of the shops and stores that dot the streets of bucolic Granby, a small town located just minutes away from Winter Park.
Rollin’ Street Bakery, 78737 US-40 #2500
Candy is dandy, but baked goods will make your Halloween in Winter Park extra special, especially when you take some time to stop in the Rollin’ Street Bakery, located right here in Winter Park. Offering pastries, cookies, and other sweet treats all created with a holiday twist, they are the perfect addition to your Halloween celebration. Grab a ghostly cookie, a cupcake with a spooky secret, or any of their other seasonal sweets and leave the candy to your kiddos!
Where the Spirits Are
Haunted houses are a fun part of the Halloween experience but they pale in comparison to the spooky thrills found in true haunted homes or buildings. The Hamill House Museum, located in nearby Georgetown, offers exhibits and artifacts from the early settlers of Colorado, but it also offers the opportunity to encounter spirits from a different place and time. Rumored to be haunted by a woman dressed in Victorian era clothing, many paranormal investigations have been held here, and contact was made in a variety of ways. If you are one of the lucky ones and make contact yourself as you explore the rooms, it would add a spooktacular charm to your Halloween escape in Winter Park.
Haunted Halloween Park, October 30th, 5-9 PM in Dumont
Weekend drives through the country are especially fun to do in the fall when the trees are still dressed in their finest autumn “apparel” and if your road trip adventures find you in Dumont, (located about 30 miles away from your Visit Winter Park Lodging Halloween hideaway!) be sure to stop by Lawson’s Adventure Park for a night of sweet treats and spine-tingling fun! Offering a haunted trail and scavenger hunt, a dress up your pet costume contest, food, drink, and seasonal spirits, this exclusively Halloween event promises to be the highlight of your Colorado journey!
Halloween Bash, October 30 from 4-6 PM, Cooper Creek Square
This last event takes place right here in Winter Park, ensuring that you and your little goblins don’t have to stray far to have a great time during the spookiest holiday of the year! The Halloween Bash at Cooper Creek Square offers trick or treating, spooky music, and a chance to get some early holiday shopping in, for those who like to plan ahead! Dress up with the kids and as you go from store to store, they can do the begging while you give your credit cards a workout and when you all coming home with bags bulging and filled with treats, the look of happiness on your children’s face will be matched by the satisfaction you feel at being able to find a vacation experience that appeals to you both!
Stay in and Play
Maybe it’s the last night of your visit or maybe your kids are grown and you just don’t feel the need to get out there and celebrate the holiday, but either way, choosing to stay in can be more fun than any of the events and activities listed. Go retro and whip together a batch of popcorn balls, create your own ghostly grog (a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail is made all that much more chilling with a touch of dry ice!) and settle in for a night of binge watching horror movies on state of the art televisions! Contact us today and reserve your Visit Winter Park Lodging not-so-haunted home today!