Winter Park Resort, CO

How about this? A first class mountain that Intrawest Resorts has had a hold of for the last six years.

Polishing: Read development and making this resort one of the best in CO if not the country has been a full scale initiative.

Even though some may argue this type of large scale overhaul can destroy an area and its character the town itself still has a feel of local and low key fun. Good food and company for families, groups of friends, or the single journeyman like me.

looking into the back country from the North Cone (summit)

That is correct. The place is awesome and I am about to let you know why…
A couple of weeks ago I had never heard of Winter Park Resort. Never mind having skied there or even looking at the trail map on their website.
Research ensued…
I started asking around one thing became very apparent…
People LOVE Winter Park!
All sorts of factoids and stories of legend were thrown at me (some still open for debate).
• It gets the most snow on average of any CO resort.
• Mary Jane is as solid a mountain you will find for steep moguls, period.
• The town is still holding onto its CO charm and character.
• Great tree skiing accessed by a newly installed chairlift this season.
• Wonderful views of the intercontinental divide.
The weather: I visited the slopes on Saturday. Unfortunately, I was dealing with flat light and overcast clouds that were actually an inversion. I did not quite get the photos I had hoped for out of my visit (some sun came out in the afternoon and as I gained altitude). Photo issues aside, it was cold when I nailed my front row parking spot at 7:45 am. Temps were in the single digits, never mind the wind. It did not really matter though because I was running on pure ski enthusiasm.
Eager to make turns?
First Tracks: The first tracks program, actually the “Fresh Tracks Breakfast” at Winter Park is unlike any other I have ever experienced. Sure the Groomies were awesome. Always are when you have the entire trail to yourself. But I would like to believe that “Fresh Tracks” was tailored for me, or at least now I know there are other people like myself who would rather take a few warm up runs and then stop for a fantastic breakfast. For a short $30 get an hour or so on the mountain (all to yourself and a select few) and then enjoy exceptional service and a gourmet breakfast meal. (I mean top notch – have paid far more and gotten a lot less at fancy hotel brunches in Boston).
the Sunspot mid-mountain lodge

The terrain offered up when you participate in the activity is limited and the ticket is only good for the first hour of the morning (not a full day for $30). But trails are serviced by the two lifts that run during Fresh Tracks provide perfect warm up runs. Especially if you are coming from Harbor Level in Boston (the main base area sits at 9,000 feet). So get out there early, make some turns and then head into the Sunspot to eat and relax. Winter Park scored big with this option!
Trees, trees, and trees: Winter Park has a ton of tree skiing! I found tight, steep, wide open cruisers, and powder stashes in the evergreens. You name it, and if you want it, chances are you can find it right beyond the next Lodge Pole (tree) at Winter Park. There was plenty of great terrain, but the tree skiing struck a cord with the S.G. which probably had something to do with the inversion and flat light shrouding most of the mountains at the resort. Trees give you depth and definition in these conditions when sight can be a concern.
fresh snow everywhere in the woods

The mountain itself was extraordinarily manageable for one of its vast size. Like most in CO they are on the never ending lift expansion mission. I say lift because the terrain was always there if willing to use your boots. In Winter Park’s case it used to be a 3 chair ride to get to the gladed trails in the Vasquez drainage basin. Not Any More! This season the new Eagle Wind Lift (triple chair) solves the problem, and most people had not figured this out when I was there. From the fixed grip triple a bounty of tree skiing can be achieved on 1,180 vertical feet (ride time is 9 minutes – fixed grip so downhill traffic is kept in check). Days after the last big snow there were still tons of freshness to be found. It is a sanctuary for tree skiers with a few bump bashers mixed in.
Moguls and Secrets: I ski them all the time. The bumps used to be my favorite, but these days I am more cognizant of saving those few extra turns for when I really need them (future powder days). The S.G. smash factor has gone way down. Think speed and aching knees/hips. Not fun as you get old…
That written, I did not really think about skiing VW sized bumps that reminded me of back home (on the best days) when I went to Winter Park. Little did I know that the area called Mary Jane has some of the best un-kept (un-groomed) bump terrain I have experienced. The front face of that mountain has some really steep and fun angles. The goods are also there, everywhere if you are willing explore. Hidden shoots and steep lines in the trees litter this local icon of skiing. The entire acreage of Mary Jane (larger than most NE resorts) was bumped to perfection. They were formed and mature, but not yet hard or icy, and the troughs, although deep, were still of manageable size. This allowed for consistency and made it easy to look many turns ahead as the line presented itself.
popping out of a line for a breath of mountain air on Mary Jane

Point’em and Go!
Wrapping this up: The impression I got was that Winter Park Resort is one of those spots that the people who know—Ski—and love it. When you ask locals they may look at you as if they would rather keep the resort to themselves. But then they realize you are the only other person on the slopes or chair to speak with.
The town is unique, completely functional and filled with Colorado charm. The mountains base areas are in the process of becoming a fully operation Intrawest development, in its own right. There was still a mix of the old school trying to adapt to the newer and not budging on the already established ground. Making this season the perfect time in Winter Park Resort (and town) history to visit the place and experience the best of both worlds.
Winter Park is a great place! Go get real (or lost) in CO.
photos ~ S.G.
PS ~ for more pictures of Winter Park Resort hit this LINK!