Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, CO

The Winter Park Resort generally opens in time for Thanksgiving in November and remains open until sometime in April. They average approximately 378 inches of snow fall during the winter, which makes it an ideal area to have a ski resort. There is a 1700 vertical drop on the mountain with maximum runs being about two miles in length. The terrain has more than 3,000 skiable acres with 143 designated trails. Twenty eight percent is devoted to beginner trails, 21% to intermediate, 33% to advanced, 18% is most difficult and no percent to expert.

The ski area has 25 chairlifts which include two high speed six person chairlifts, four triple chairlifts, seven high speed express quads, six double chairlifts, three surface lifts and three magic carpets. This enables the ski area to assist 36,920 skiers per hour. The Zephyr Express accommodates twenty gondola cabins for dinner to The Lodge at Sunspot. Winter Park Resort also has an area designed for snowboarders that wish to ride the rails or pipes.

Lifts open at 9:00 am on weekdays and at 8:30 am on weekends and holidays. Most of the lifts shut down at 4:00 pm with the exception of the Panoramic Express and Pioneer Express that closes at 3:00 pm. Current prices for lift tickets at Winter Park Resort are $92.00 for adults ages 13 and up, $49.00 for children 6-12, $75.00 for seniors 65-69 and $49.00 for skiers over the age of 70. If skiers purchase advance tickets for multiple days there is a savings. The prices of the lift tickets do not change for the different seasons such as winter, early spring, spring break or late skiing.

Ski equipment rental is broken down into categories. The sport ski package is $33.99 while the performance ski package is $42.99. Demo ski packages run $49.99 with the demo ski/pole rental at $45.99. Adult ski boots are $27.99; sport snowboard rental is $49.99 for the package and $42.99 for the performance snowboard package. Junior ski packages are $24.99 and the junior snowboard package is the same.

For visitors that come to Winter Park Resort when there is no snow on the ground they can rent mountain bike packages. Prices vary from year to year, but the most recent prices showed weekends started at $34.00, $24.00 on Fridays from 11:00 am to 5:00 with a special of $15.00 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The cost of a rental and lift package was $39.00. All of the above prices are with a Trestle Bike Park Pass. Prices without the pass begin at $79.99 for a half day and $109.99 for a full day. This includes the bike and body armor package. Juniors for the same package pay $69.99 and $99.99 respectively.

The resort has stores where visitors can buy clothing or ski gear. The Village Rental is open at 8:00 am to 9:00 pm; West Portal Outfitters is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter Park has many places to stay whether the visitor wishes to book a hotel or condo. There is food at the resort and many area restaurants in Winter Park to choose from.