Vacations Inc. > Guide to Winter Park > Winter Park Ski Resort > Facts

2009-2010 SEASON

Address

Winter Park Resort

P.O. Box 36

Winter Park , Colorado 80482

(970) 726-5514, Denver direct (303) 892-0961

Snow Line (970) 726-SNOW, Denver direct (303) 572-SNOW

Online

Winter Park Resort’s web site is: www.winterparkresort.com

E-mail for general inquiries is: wpinfo@skiwinterpark.com

Location

Winter Park Resort is located 67 miles (108 kilometers) northwest of Denver and 85 miles (137 kilometers) from Denver International Airport (DIA). Set in the Vasquez Mountains of the Arapaho National Forest, Winter Park is the closest major ski resort to Denver (1 1/2 hours driving time) via I-70 west to exit 232 onto U.S. Hwy 40.

Owner

City and County of Denver.

Manager

Intrawest Corporation.

Season

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – Sunday, April 18, 2010

Hours of Operation

9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekends and holidays

The Mountain

Winter Park Resort consists of four adjacent mountains: Winter Park, Mary Jane, (including Parsenn Bowl), Vasquez Cirque, and Vasquez Ridge – making it the third largest ski resort in Colorado. A network of trails and lifts interconnects the four distinct sections of each mountain. Winter Park Resort is the oldest continually operated resort in Colorado and the 2009/2010 season marks Winter Park Resort’s 70th season.

Elevation

Terrain

Trails
Total skiable acreage is 3,078 acres which includes 145 designated trails and 1,332 acres of off-piste terrain.

Longest Trail

Terrain Parks and Pipes
Winter Park Resort is known as a leader in world class terrain park design. The last four years, Winter Park Resort's terrain parks and superpipe have received a top 10 ranking by the readers of Transworld Snowboarding.
Offering five terrain parks of varying degrees of difficulty, it is believed by Winter Park Resort that the best way to learn is through progression. The resort's easiest park, Starter Park, is located below Snoasis, and is designed for the beginner-jibber. Starter Park features small boxes located just off the ground, perfect for those first attempts at riding rails. Dog Patch, located on the east side of the Eskimo Express chairlift, offer skiers and riders and intermediate park ideal for those beginners with a little more confidence. It's neighbor terrain park, Dog Patch East, offers a variety of non-traditional, intermediate jib features. Rail Yard, Winter Park's advanced terrain park, features a combination of rails and jumps designed with flow in mind. Dark Territory, Rail Yard's controlled access area, pushed the skills of expert skiers and riders with features designed with photo shoots in mind.

Chairlifts
Twenty-six lifts including the new Village Cabriolet, two high-speed six-pack lifts (the newest is the Panoramic Express, North America's highest high-speed six-person lift), seven high-speed express quads, four triples, six double chairlifts, three surface lifts and two platters, and one rope tow for an uphill capacity of 40,000 riders per hour. Friday and Saturday evenings, the Zephyr Express chairlift converts into a gondola for evening dinners at The Lodge at Sunspot.

Snowfall
An average of 355 inches (29 feet) annually.

Snow Making
Winter Park has snowmaking on 26 trails covering 299 acres (121 hectares).

Area Facilities

Winter Park

West Portal Station: This base facility houses Portal Perk; Boxcar Deli; Base Camp 9000 retail shop, West Portal Outfitters, West Portal Rental & Repairs, West Portal Boots & Boards, Lost and Found, lockers, an indoor climbing wall, and the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD).

Moffat Market at West Portal Station: Dramatically remodeled last season, this food court, located at the base, has a railroad theme and offers fresh cuisine and specialties that reflect the different regions of the country. Storefronts and names identify the different food stations with options such as New York-style pizza at Grand Central Station, Tex-Mex at the Santa Fe Station, Asian cuisine at the Orient Express, and soups at the Shortline.

The Derailer Bar: This favorite apres ski bar is now larger, with a two-tiered drink and entertainment center. A full-service lunch menu offers pub-style food and a wide variety of apres ski specials.

Kids Adventure Junction: Located adjacent to West Portal Station, this facility includes a nursery, kids meeting rooms, and children's rentals. 7-Mile Medical Clinic and Ski Patrol/First Aid occupy the ground floor.

Balcony House: At the base of Winter Park Mountain, this facility houses the Guest Services Center, which offers one-stop shopping for ticket sales, ski and snowboard lessons, and on-mountain tours. This building also houses Coffee & Tea Market, an ATM, Ski Video Mountain Memories, Sharpshooters Photography, Competition Center offices, restrooms, Security, Season Pass Office, meeting rooms, and coin-operated lockers.

The Lodge at Sunspot: A mountaintop lodge with panoramic views of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. The Dining Room, a full-service restaurant, features European-style service with several "chef's selections" daily. The Provisioner is an upscale food court. The Sunspot Mercantile (an accessory and gift shop), the new Coffee Shop & Bakery featuring espresso-based coffee drinks and fresh scones, Sunspot Lounge, and the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame are also on site. Foot passenger tickets available from the base of Winter Park Resort to The Lodge at Sunspot via the Zephyr Express chairlift between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Zephyr Mountain Lodge: Located at the base of Winter Park mountain, the lodge has 230 condominium units and meeting rooms on the upper levels and a variety of shops and restaurants on the ground floor including a new Starbucks, opening in December, the newly expanded and remodeled Slopeside Mountain Adventure Center (rental and retail shop), Colorado's first Rossignol exclusive store with the full range of Rossignol products, Trail's End Mercantile, and Rocky Mountain Eyewear.

Snoasis Market: Located mid-mountain, Snoasis is a blast to the past with its music, colors, deck space, and specialty drinks.

Mary Jane

Mary Jane Center: Nestled at the base of Mary Jane Mountain, this facility houses the Club Car, a local favorite offering full-service bistro-style dining and bar, Pepperoni's Pizza & Sports Bar, and Mary Jane Food & Drink--a food court. Ticket sales, The Jane Shop (rentals and retail), Guest Services, Ski Patrol/First Aid room, lockers, and meeting rooms are also on site.

Lunch Rock: This mountaintop spot specializes in casual food, weekend burger barbecues, deck dining, and incredible views of Parry's Peak.

Vasquez Ridge

Sundance Cafe: Warming hut with vending convenience, picnic deck, and restrooms.

Ski and Ride School Programs
Winter Park Resort offers adult class lessons and private lessons, including unique learning experiences such as First Tracks, Last Tracks, Family Privates, and specialty clinics throughout the season that cater to women, mogul skiers, freeriders, and telemarkers. For more information and pricing, contact the Guest Contact Center at (800) 729-7907 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.

Kids Adventure Junction
Winter Park Resort is well known for its outstanding youth ski and snowboard programs and childcare facilities. Registration, rentals, and meeting rooms are all located in the Kids Adventure Junction at the base of Winter Park. Advance reservations are available. For information and reservations, call the Guest Contact Center at (800) 729-7907 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.

Wee Willie's Childcare: A non-ski program for children 2 months through 6 years with indoor activities and outdoor play. Lunch is available on site. A complimentary beeper/pager is included. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advence by calling 1-800-420-8093. Cost is $20.00 per hour with a 2 hour minimum. Cost for a half day is $75 and $95 for full-day childcare. A one-hour private ski or snowboard lesson add-on is available for children 3 years and older.

The Kids Daily Programs: The program for 3 year-olds (Just Because I'm Three) is a learning lesson for skiing and kids can enjoy outdoor snowplay, arts & crafts, & Adventure Sled rides. Participants must be potty-trained and willing to play outside. Prices start at $120.00 for full day. Ages 4 -6 year-olds start at $120 for a full day. Ages 7 - 14 years of age have lessons for beginners to black diamond skiers, cost start at $120 for a full day. Cost includes lift ticket, complimentary helmet rental, lunch, snack, and instruction. Snowboard lessons are offered for children ages 6 - 14 starting at $120 for a full day. Registration for lessons is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on lesson day at any Winter Park Resort Guest Service Center Desk.

National Sports Center for the Disabled
Information and reservation line: (970) 726-1540 or (303) 316-1540 or visit www.nscd.org.
The internationally acclaimed National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is the largest and most successful program of its kind in the world. The NSCD began in 1970 with 23 amputee children from Denver taking ski lessons at Winter Park. Launching its 37th season, the non-profit organization teaches more than 17,000 lessons annually in a variety of year-round sports for children and adults of all disabilities. The NSCD Competition Program provides race training and coaching for disabled skiers participating in regional, national, and international events.

Competition Center Programs
Information line: (970) 726-1590 or Denver (303) 316-1590.
Seasonal training programs are available in alpine and freestyle for all ages of intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Clinics are offered throughout the season. Other services available include tuning, binding mounts, boot fitting, and equipment repair.

NASTAR Races: Recreational race course is open every day from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Cranmer Trail, above Snoasis mid-mountain restaurant. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for qualifying times. This is open from mid-December to mid-April. Kids 5 and under are free; kids 6-17 are $7 and adult from 18-64 are $10.

Winter Park Tour Center
Information and reservation line: Guest Contact Center (800) 729-7907.

Snowshoe Tours: Two-hour guided tours depart daily at 10:30 a.m. with a second tour at 1:30 p.m. on holidays and Fridays-Sundays. The tour begins with a ride up the Gemini Express chairlift and continues with a gentle downhill trek through a forested trail on Winter Park mountain. Guides introduce the basics of snowshoeing and tell about the history and native plants and animals of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. Snowshoe tours cost $39. For independent touring, snowshoe rentals are available for full day and half day (8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.).

Scenic Snowcat Tours: The two-hour tours depart at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. daily from the Winter Park base area and follow various ski trails to the top of Winter Park mountain with opportunities to stop and take pictures along the way. Cost is $49.

Ice skating: Located outdoors in the center of the Village of Winter Park from 10am - 10pm. Skte rentals available adacent to the rink. Adult cost is $7-$9; children (12 and under) $5-$7. Family and group rates are available.

Evening Snow Bike Excursions: Starting December 18, every Friday and Saturday from 6pm - 9pm we're breaking out the snow-cycles and donning head lamps and have three hours of exhilarating excitement. Cost is $89 for the bike rental, instructions and guide.