From Slopes to Sleigh Rides: Crafting the Perfect Winter Park Ski Vacation

Nestled amidst the magnificent Rocky Mountains, Winter Park, Colorado, is a pristine winter wonderland that beckons adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Planning the perfect Winter Park ski vacation is all about embracing the snowy landscapes and taking advantage of the myriad of activities this charming mountain town and its surroundings have to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned skier, a snow enthusiast, or simply looking for a cozy mountain getaway, Winter Park has it all and is one of the best Colorado ski towns for families. Here’s a local’s guide to help you plan the perfect Winter Park, Colorado ski vacation, with activities for skiers and non-skiers alike.

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We’ve included a mix of activities to experience the many sides of Winter Park and the surrounding area. Some will want to ski every day, fitting in these activities in the afternoons or evening. Others may prefer a few days of downhill skiing, spending full days exploring these other activities.

• Day 1: Arrive and Settle In
• Day 2: Hit the Slopes at Winter Park Resort
• Day 3: Winter Adventure in Nature
• Day 4: Thrills and Chills
• Day 5: Explore Grand County
• Day 6: Adventure in the Backcountry
• Day 7: Relaxation and Farewell

Not sure yet which Colorado ski town is best for your group? Take our bonus quiz today to determine the best Colorado ski destination for you.

Day 1: Arrive and Settle In

Arrive in Winter Park and settle into your cozy accommodation. The closest lodging to the gondola is the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Explore the resorts’ charming shops and restaurants. Some of our casual favorites at the mountain are Lime and Goody’s.

A few options right at the base of the resort for the first evening are the Coca Cola Tubing Hill and Ice Skating at the Pond. If you prefer to head into town, you’ll find regular free shuttle service between the resort and town.

Day 2: Hit the Slopes at Winter Park Resort

Start your ski vacation by hitting the slopes at Winter Park Resort. There are two main areas in the resort, Winter Park and Mary Jane. They are interconnected, and the same pass works for both sides. Winter Park has a perfect blend of beginner, intermediate, and expert slopes. While Mary Jane has a few beginner runs, most of the mountain is intermediate and expert, known for their bump (mogul) runs.

Winter Park offers private and group ski and snowboard lesson options to safely get you on the slopes. If you would like a break from skiing, Winter Park offers snowshoe tours from the base, and gondola rides to Sunspot. Enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding while taking in breathtaking mountain views.

One of the most scenic areas of the resort is the Panoramic Lift, with, as the name suggests, panoramic views over the resort and Fraser Valley.

Check out our Tips for Purchasing Winter Park Resort Lift Tickets and Passes (updated for 2024) below.

Day 3: Winter Adventure in Nature

Embrace the tranquility of Winter Park and Grand County with a day of snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. Explore the backcountry trails or groomed Nordic tracks, offering diverse routes for classic and skate skiers. For a quick outing close to Winter Park, the Fraser River Trail is a great option. It is frequently groomed in the winter and provides a low key ski outing. There are a number of places in town to rent cross country equipment, including Epic Mountain Sports.

Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic (YMCA of the Rockies) and Devil’s Thumb Ranch offer the most comprehensive cross country ski facilities near Winter Park, both renting skis and offering lessons.

We recommend Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic for a fun family day. With the purchase of a day pass (currently $10 for children, $25 adults), you can combine cross country skiing with ice skating, sledding, tubing, snow shoeing, and more. The craft center is always a favorite stop after an active day of skiing.

Be sure to take plenty of pictures of this beautiful area. Or, reserve a private photography tour to capture your Winter Park experience!

Day 4: Thrills and Chills

Get your adrenaline pumping with a morning or afternoon of tubing. You have 3 main tubing hill options in Winter Park/Fraser. Enjoy the thrill of speeding down groomed hills with convenient lift service. You can also easily go tubing in the evening after a day of skiing.

• Colorado Adventure Park
• Fraser Tubing Hill
• Coca Cola Tubing Hill

Unwind in the evening with a romantic sleigh ride through snowy forests with Dashing Thru the Snow Sleigh Rides.

Day 5: Explore Grand County

Take a day trip to explore the scenic wonders of Grand County.

Granby Ranch offers a low key and less crowded area for downhill skiing. Another great option at Granby Ranch is to rent snow shoes and take a snow shoe tour. Take the chairlift to the top, and enjoy a snowshoe with panoramic views over Fraser Canyon. You can hike down, or ride the chairlift back down.

After your snow shoe, enjoy lunch, dinner, or apres ski at the Bluebird Bistro.

Spend the day or an afternoon at Hot Sulphur Springs, where you can soak in natural mineral pools surrounded by snowy peaks.

Alternatively, visit Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park for ice skating on the lake or a snowy hike to Adams Falls. If your are interested in visiting RMNP in winter, check out our post on Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter.

Day 6: Adventure in the Backcountry

Join a guided snowmobiling excursion into the pristine backcountry. Experience the thrill of exploring hidden trails and untouched wilderness areas.

Alternatively, take a snowcat tour with experienced guides.

Wrap up your day with a fireside dinner at one of Winter Park’s charming restaurants.

Day 7: Relaxation and Farewell

Fit in a last downhill or cross-country ski or take a leisurely winter hike in the morning before checking out from your Winter Park ski vacation.

Indoor Activities

Winter Park and surroundings offer an outdoor paradise, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. There are plenty of indoor options in case you run into a bad weather day (or afternoon) during your Winter Park ski vacation. Here is a quick list of fun activities for those occasions.

• Grand Park Community Recreation Center has a pool, water slide, and lazy river, drop in gymnastics hours for the kids, basketball courts, and a fitness area.
• The Foundry Cinema and Bowl offer first-run movies and bowling.
• Troublesome Tomahawks in Granby offers axe throwing.
• Pioneer Village Museum in Winter Park, just outside of Rendezvous, provides a small, but packed history of the Fraser River Valley.
• Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake is a professional theater company with a variety of offerings.
• Headwaters River Journey has a museum focused on experiencing water and wildlife.
• Paint and Sip Fraser has scheduled and custom painting sessions.
• Snow Mountain Ranch’s craft shop is a traditional craft shop. You can choose from woodwork, leatherwork, paining, and a variety of other crafts. If you choose to paint pottery, keep in mind that you may need to wait a few days to pick these up.
• Fraser Valley Ice Rink, while not indoors, offers covered ice skating.

Reflecting on Your Winter Park Ski Vacation

Planning the perfect ski vacation week in Winter Park, CO, is all about immersing yourself in the natural beauty and diverse activities this mountain town offers. Whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast or simply seeking a serene retreat, Winter Park has something for everyone. Embrace the snowy landscapes, enjoy thrilling adventures, and create cherished memories during your unforgettable winter getaway in Winter Park, Colorado.

If you are planning a summer (or any non-winter) getaway to Winter Park and Grand County, you may enjoy our posts on Plan Your Perfect Grand County Summer Getaway and How to Pick the 10 Best Day Hikes in Grand County.

Tips for Purchasing Winter Park Resort Lift Tickets and Passes (Updated for 2024)

There are a variety of options for purchasing lift tickets and passes, with rates fluctuating based on dates and length of stay. All can be purchased directly on Winter Park’s website. A few tips to find the best rates for your ski days;

• Significant discounts can be found by booking well in advance (during the summer months);
• Opt for multi-day passes vs single day passes;
• Check the Winter Park site for ski ticket rates before reserving your holiday. 2024 rates for adults 13+ range from $43 on November 1st to $223 on December 27th as of end of August. If you can avoid the week between Christmas and New Years, the rates will be lower and the crowds will be fewer.
• Consider purchasing the available insurance for your lift tickets;
• If you plan to ski for 4 days or more, check out the available annual passes. As of end of August, annual ski passes with no black-out dates are $749 for adults 23+ ($599 for ages 13-22, $299 for ages5-12). If you plan to ski over the Christmas/New Years holiday, you’d need to ski 4 days to make this worthwhile. Consider mid-week passes to consider if visiting outside the holidays.
• If one person in your group buys an annual ski pass, this comes with 8 friends and family 1-day lift tickets (25% off).
• Qualified nurses, military, and college students are eligible for discounted Winter Park Season Passes.

Where to Stay

Winter Park has a variety of lodging options, ranging from condominiums at the base of the gondola to boutique luxury lodges in town. A few of the unique places to stay in Winter Park are:

• The closest full service lodging to the gondola: Zephyr Mountain Lodge.
• Luxury slope side 3-bedroom and 5-bedroom villas.
• Top rated moderate boutique lodge in town (close to the free shuttle): Winter Park Chateau

Do You Need a Car for a Winter Park Ski Trip?

Deciding whether to rent a car for your ski trip to Winter Park, Colorado, largely depends on your travel plans and preferences.

Winter Park is relatively accessible by public transportation, including the ski train from Denver and various shuttle services from Denver International Airport. Once in Winter Park, the town offers free local shuttle services that connect the town with the ski resort, making it convenient to get around without a car.

However, having a car can offer more flexibility for exploring surrounding areas, such as nearby hot springs Grand Lake, Devils Thumb, and more. If you plan to stay primarily in Winter Park and stick to the slopes, you might find that you do not need a car, especially given the availability and convenience of public transport options.

Check out our helpful tips on Renting a Car in Colorado for Your Ski Trip!

How to Get to Winter Park, Colorado

• By plane: The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA). Located about 2 hours away by car.
• Airport shuttle: Home James and Grand Mountain Rides provide airport transportation to/from DIA from Grand County. This includes scheduled service and private rides.
• By train: Amtrak offers train service from Denver Union Station to Winter Park-Fraser and to Granby.
• By bus: Bustang bus service (by CDOT) runs from Denver Union Station to Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, and Granby en route to Craig, CO (see Outride route Westbound from Denver-Craig for details).
• By car: It is a 2-hour drive on average from Denver. Be sure to check Colorado Department of Transportation’s webpage or mobile app for updates on road closures, especially during winter, as Berthoud Pass can be tricky. I strongly recommend renting an AWD car in winter.

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