Winter Park Resort is an alpine ski resort in the western United States, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado at Winter Park. Located in Grand County just off U.S. Highway 40, the resort is about a ninety-minute drive from Denver.
| Winter Park | |
|---|---|
 Winter Park Village | |
  Winter Park Location in the United States  Winter Park Location in Colorado | |
| Location | Grand County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Nearest major city | Winter Park, Denver |
| Coordinates | 39°53′13″N 105°45′45″W / 39.88694°N 105.76250°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Owner | City and County of Denver[1][2] |
| Vertical | 3,060 feet (933 m) |
| Top elevation | 12,060 feet (3,676 m) |
| Base elevation | 9,000 feet (2,743 m) |
| Skiable area | 3,081 acres (12.5 km2) |
| Trails | 167 total  8% beginner  18% intermediate  19% advanced  52% most difficult  3% expert |
| Lift system | 23 total - 1 Gondola lift - 9 High-speed chairs - 9 Fixed-grip chairs - 3 Surface lifts - 1 Rope tow |
| Snowfall | 370 in (30.8 ft; 9.4 m) |
| Website | winterparkresort |
History
editThe mountain opened for the 1939–40 season as Winter Park Ski Area[3] and was owned and operated by the city and county of Denver until 2002, when Denver entered into a partnership with Intrawest ULC, a Canadian corporation headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, which operated the resort until Intrawest was acquired by Alterra Mountain Company in 2018.[4][5] For nearly 70 years, a popular way for Denver residents to arrive was via the Ski Train, which arrived at the resort's base area through the Moffat Tunnel. Ski Train service ended in 2009 but returned as the Winter Park Express in 2017.[6] Winter Park Resort is home to one of the world's largest and oldest disabled skiing programs, the National Sports Center for the Disabled.
During Intrawest's stint operating the resort, they made several changes to the mountain's infrastructure, renovating the food services in the West Portal base lodge, opening new lifts in 2005 and 2006, and a new base village with hundreds of condominia, a parking structure, a "Village Pond," retail space, and an open-air gondola known as "The Village Cabriolet."[7] The historic 1955 Balcony House was listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places by Colorado Preservation, Inc.[8][9] This historic building was designed in the Googie style of architecture, which was a popular style in the 1940s to the 1960s.
The resort consists of three interconnected mountain peaks — Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Vasquez Ridge — which share a common lift ticket. Mary Jane, opened in 1975, has a separate base area and is known for its moguls, tree skiing, hidden huts, and generally more difficult terrain. It encompasses the above-tree line terrain of Parsenn Bowl. Vasquez Ridge, opened in 1986, offers intermediate terrain and mogul runs. In 1997, 435 acres (176 ha) of backcountry terrain in Vasquez Cirque were opened to skiing, although access required hiking from the top of Mary Jane;[10] the 2006 relocation of the former Outrigger triple chairlift to the backside of Parsenn Bowl (now called Eagle Wind) provides an easier escape back to Mary Jane after descending Vasquez Cirque.
Beginning with the 2013-14 season, the resort was divided into seven "territories".[11] The three peaks — Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Vasquez Ridge — are each considered their own territories. Parsenn Bowl is now considered its own territory separate from Mary Jane. The remaining three are Vasquez Cirque (the backcountry terrain behind Parsenn Bowl), Eagle Wind (the glade below Vasquez Cirque), and "Terrain Park" (the various terrain parks across the mountain).[12]
Winter Park is a year-round resort; the resort operates the lifts during the summer months for mountain biking, hiking and sightseeing. The Arrow chairlift also services an alpine slide in the summer, and the base area features miniature golf, a climbing wall, and other diversions. While the Winter Park area is also a popular destination for golf, there are no golf courses located at, or operated by, the resort itself. Winter Park boasts the most extensive lift access summer mountain biking trails in Colorado.
In 2018 Winter Park Resort was named "Best ski resort in North America" as voted by the readers of USA Today.[13] In 2019 Winter Park Resort was named "Number 1 Ski Resort in North America".[14]
Winter Park hosted the NCAA Skiing Championships in 1956, 1959, 1972, and 1977. The team title went to Denver in 1956 and Colorado took the latter three.
Statistics
editElevation
edit- Base: 9,000 ft (2,743 m)
- Summit: 12,060 ft (3,676 m)
- Vertical rise: 3,060 ft (933 m)
Trails
edit- Skiable area: 3,081 acres (4.8 sq mi; 12.5 km2)
- Trails: 166 total (8% beginner, 18% intermediate, 19% advanced, 52% difficult, 3% expert)
- Average annual snowfall: 317.5 inches (26.5 ft; 8.1 m)
- "Territories"
- Winter Park
- Vasquez Ridge
- Parsenn Bowl
- Terrain Park
- Mary Jane
- Eagle Wind
- The Cirque
Slope Aspects
edit- North: 50%[15]
- East: 10%
- South: 2%
- West: 38%
Lifts
edit- Winter Park currently has 23 operating lifts.[16]
| Lift Name | Type | Manufacturer | Year Built | Territory | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Gondola | Gondola 10 | Leitner-Poma | 2018 | Winter Park | |
| Village Cabriolet | Gondola 8 | Leitner-Poma | 2008 | n/a | Does not serve any terrain, used as transportation between Vintage parking lot to Winter Park Village. |
| Panoramic Express | High speed six pack | Leitner-Poma | 2007 | Parsenn Bowl | When opened, it was marketed as being the highest high-speed six pack in North America, a title it retained until the Kensho SuperChair at Breckenridge Ski Resort was built in 2013. |
| Super Gauge Express | High speed six pack | Leitner-Poma | 2005 | Mary Jane | |
| Sunnyside Express | High speed six pack | Leitner-Poma | 2019 | Mary Jane | |
| Explorer Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1999 | Winter Park | Formerly called the Eskimo Express from 1999 to 2020 |
| Gemini Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1993 | Winter Park | |
| High Lonesome Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1991 | Mary Jane | |
| Olympia Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1996 | Winter Park | |
| Wild Spur Express | High speed six pack | Leitner-Poma | 2023 | Vasquez Ridge | Contains a midway load station for skiers lapping the ridge, eliminating a lengthy traverse back to the base of the lift |
| Prospector Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1994 | Winter Park | |
| Arrow | Triple | Yan | 1979 | Winter Park | |
| Eagle Wind | Triple | Yan | 2006 | Eagle Wind | Former Outrigger chair from 1978-2003 |
| Endeavour | Triple | Poma | 1993 | Winter Park | |
| Challenger | Double | Heron-Poma | 1974 | Mary Jane | |
| Discovery | Double | Heron-Poma | 1984 | Winter Park | |
| Galloping Goose | Double | Heron-Poma | 1974 | Mary Jane | |
| Iron Horse | Double | Heron-Poma | 1974 | Mary Jane | |
| Looking Glass | Double | Riblet | 1966 | Winter Park | |
| Pony Express | Double | Heron-Poma | 1974 | Mary Jane | |
| Lariat | Rope Tow | Poma | 2002 | Winter Park | |
| Spirit | Platter surface lift | Poma | 2004 | Winter Park | |
| Comet | Conveyor | Magic Carpet | 2019 | Winter Park | |
| Meteor | Conveyor | Magic Carpet | 2019 | Winter Park |
Former lifts
editWinter Park Colorado[16]
| Lift Name | Type | Manufacturer | Years of Operation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside | Triple | CTEC | 1989-2019 | Replaced by a high-speed six pack | |
| Apollo | Platter | Leitner-Poma | 2004-2009 | ||
| Apollo | Double | Riblet | 1969-1998 | Replaced by Eskimo Express | |
| Comet | T-Bar | 1957-1977 | Replaced by Arrow triple | ||
| Eskimo | Double | Riblet | 1963-1990 | Destroyed in 1990 as part of a series of tests that included an uncontrolled rollback, trees falling on the line, and a fire in the motor room. Replaced by the Eskimo triple. | |
| Eskimo | Triple | Yan | 1990-1999 | Replaced with Eskimo Express; Relocated from Zephyr. Later sold to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. | |
| Gemini | Double | Miner-Denver | 1969-1993 | Replaced by Gemini Express | |
| High Lonesome | Quad | Poma | 1985-1991 | Converted to high speed quad | |
| Hughes | Double | Riblet | 1962-1993 | Replaced by Gemini Express | |
| Meteor | T-Bar | Swiss | 1957-1977 | Replaced with Outrigger triple | |
| Olympia | Double | Heron-Poma | 1971-1996 | Replaced by Olympia Express; featured a midway unload station | |
| Outrigger | T-Bar | Swiss | 1948-1978 | ||
| Outrigger | Triple | Yan | 1978-2005 | SBNO from 2003 to 2005; relocated to Vasquez Ridge and operates as Eagle Wind | |
| Pioneer Express | High Speed Quad | Poma | 1986-2023 | Replaced by Wild Spur Express | |
| Prospector | Double | Riblet | 1963-1994 | Replaced by Prospector Express | |
| Summit Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1985-2005 | Replaced by Super Gauge Express. Lift relocated to Mission Ridge Ski Area where it operated until 2020. | |
| Timberline | Double | Heron-Poma/Thiokol | 1992-2007 | Relocated from Ski Granby Ranch (formerly Sol Vista); replaced by Panoramic Express | |
| Zephyr | Triple | Yan | 1983-1990 | Replaced by Zephyr Express; was later reinstalled as Eskimo before being sold to Jackson Hole in 1999 | |
| Zephyr Express | High speed quad | Poma | 1990-2018 | Replaced with ten-person gondola | |
| Bob Woods | T-bar | 1940-1969 | Replaced with Apollo double |
Historic Trails
editDuring Winter Park's 75-year history, many individuals have made significant contributions to the development and image of the ski area. Several ski trails have been identified on the resort's website as "historical trails," and even more exist on the mountain. A commemorative sign, with a brief narrative about the individual's contribution to the ski area, has been installed along each historical trail. Listed are both the run and in parentheses the lift that reaches them:
- Hughes (The Gondola or Explorer Express)
- Cranmer (The Gondola or Explorer Express)
- Allan Phipps (The Gondola, Explorer Express or Prospector Express)
- Bradley's Bash (The Gondola or Explorer Express)
- Mulligan's Mile (The Gondola or Explorer Express)
- Jack Kendrick (Prospector Express or Looking Glass)
- Mt. Maury (learning slope with carpet)
- Retta's Run (Explorer Express lift line)
- Engeldive (Prospector Express and Looking Glass)
- Balch (The Gondola or Explorer Express)
- Wilson's Way (Discovery learning double)
- Mary Jane Trail (reached from Super Gauge Express, Olympia Express or High Lonesome Express)
- Over N' Underwood (Prospector Express or Looking Glass) (not listed on website)
- Butch's Breezeway (Prospector Express or Looking Glass) (not listed on website)
Notable people
edit- Elizabeth McIntyre (born 1965), freestyle skier, Olympic silver medalist; lives in Winter Park
- Ryan Max Riley (born 1979), freestyle skier, US Champion, and humorist; lived in Winter Park
- Ryan St. Onge (born 1983), freestyle skier, World Champion and two-time Olympian; lived in Winter Park
- Michelle Roark (born 1974), freestyle skier, World Champion silver medalist and two-time Olympian; lived in Winter Park
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Account: R037481". Assessor's Office of Grand County, Colorado. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "IRS Form 990 - Winter Park Recreational Association" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ "Winter Park". Winter Park Resort - Official Ski Resort Website - Winter Park, Colorado. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^ "Who We Are". Intrawest. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
- ^ Jason Blevins (January 11, 2018). "The new name in ski resorts you need to know: Alterra Mountain". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Danika Worthington (January 7, 2017). "Winter Park Express brings back train service between Denver and Winter Park". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Winter Park". Winter Park Resort - Real Estate – Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park Resort. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
- ^ "Winter Park's Balcony House, Red Cliff Bridge Join the List of Colorado's Most Endangered Places".
- ^ "'Remarkable' Winter Park Balcony House Placed on This Year's Colorado Endangered Places List". 12 February 2021.
- ^ TCSP. "History of the Winter Park Resort". Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ ICNDadmin (2013-11-04). "The Seven Territories of Winter Park". Winter Park Lodging Company. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ "Explore All Seven Territories at Winter Park Resort". www.winterparkresort.com. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ "Best ski resort in North America? Readers vote Winter Park Resort". USA Today. 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Voted #1 Ski Resort In North America Two Years In A Row". Winter Park Resort. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Best Ski Resorts: Winter Park Resort Terrain, Snow Quality and Mountain Ranks". ZRankings. ZRankings, LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ a b Landsman, Peter (28 August 2016). "Winter Park, CO". LIFTBLOG. Retrieved January 7, 2019.