Winter Park Resort 2011 - 2012 Ski Season
Opens: November 16, 2011
Closes: April 22, 2012
|
November 16, 2011 - Winter Park Opening Day
Believe it or not, opening day is literally just around the corner.
Winter Park marks its 73rd season, making it the longest continually
running resort in Colorado. For current information and snow
conditions, grooming and trail openings, call the SNOW Line:
Snow Line (970) 726-SNOW, or Denver direct (303) 572-SNOW
|
Winter Park Colorado Weather
Check the Winter Park snow report.
View live web cams of the Winter Park Resort, Colorado road conditions
and current weather reports.
View Winter Park town and resort conditions at Weather.com
Check on the current driving conditions
from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) with live webcams
and road conditions.
Check the Winter Park Base Cam for current snapshots of what's happening on the slopes.
|
Winter Park Ski ResortWinter 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 North. Winter Park Resort received 336 inches of snowfall during the
2006-2007 season and has the most consistent snow season after season. Averaging 30 feet of snow annually entitles the resort
to the coveted title of "most snow of any major Colorado resort," a
distinction that has been unchallenged for more than 64 years. With its
proximity to Denver, just 67 miles away, Winter Park is a magnet for
outdoor enthusiasts. A network of
trails and lifts interconnects the distinct sections of each
mountain. With five mountains to chose from (Winter Park, Mary Jane, Vasquez Ridge, Vasquez Cirque and Parsenn Bowl) and consistent annual snowfall, Winter Park offers a great experience for skiers and boarders of all abilities. Winter Park first opened in 1939 with a single rope tow and a $1.00 lift ticket. Since then Winter Park has developed into on of the top ten ski resorts in the United States. In 1975 Mary Jane Mountain opened. Revered for big bumps, deep chutes, tight glades and steep pitches,
"the Jane" has earned cult-like status for her
ego-humbling terrain. Mary Jane is consistently ranked #1 for moguls in North
America by Skiing Magazine. Over the years additional sections of the mountain opened including Mary Jane's
backside, Vasquez Ridge, Parsenn Bowl and, in 1997, Vasquez Cirque -
the resort's most extreme and dramatic terrain. Today, Winter Park
boasts 21 lifts serving 134 trails spread over more than 2,700 acres
across four mountains. Elevation
|
Winter
Park:
|
Base 9,000 feet
(2,743 meters); summit at Sunspot 10,700 feet (3,261 meters).
Vertical drop: 1,700 feet (518 meters).
|
|
Mary
Jane:
|
Base 9,450 feet
(2,880 meters); summit at North Cone 12,060 feet (3,676 meters).
Vertical drop: 2,610 feet (796 meters).
|
|
Vasquez
Ridge:
|
Base 9,486 feet
(2,486 meters); summit 10,700 feet (3,261 meters).
|
|
Vasquez
Cirque:
|
Base 10,400 feet
(3,170 meters); summit 11,900 feet (3,627 meters). Vertical
drop: 1,500 (457 meters).
|
|
Combined:
|
Vertical drop: 3,060
feet (933 meters); summit at North Cone to Winter Park base.
|
Terrain & Trails: 3,060 total skiable acreage (1,521 hectares),
includes 143 designated trails and 1,212 acres (490 hectares) of
off-piste terrain, including Vasquez Cirque and glade skiing.
Terrain
|
Total
|
Winter Park
|
Mary Jane & Parsenn Bowl
|
Vasquez Ridge
|
Vasquez Cirque
|
|
Beginner (green)
|
8%
|
28%
|
1%
|
10%
|
0%
|
|
Intermediate (blue)
|
17%
|
21%
|
19%
|
35%
|
0%
|
|
Advanced (blue-black)
|
19%
|
33%
|
22%
|
3%
|
2%
|
|
Most Difficult (black)
|
53%
|
18%
|
57%
|
51%
|
83%
|
|
Expert (double black )
|
3%
|
0%
|
1%
|
0%
|
14%
|
Trails
Total skiable acreage is 2,770 acres (1,121 hectares) which includes
143 designated trails and 1,212 acres (490 hectares) of off-piste terrain.
Longest Trail
|
Winter Park:
|
2 miles (3.2
kilometers)
|
|
Mary Jane:
|
4.5 miles
(7.2 kilometers)
|
|
Vasquez
Ridge: Vasquez Cirque:
|
1.4 miles
(2.3 kilometers)
|
|
Combined:
|
2.9 miles
(4.6 kilometers)
5.1 miles (8.2 kilometers); North Cone to Turnpike
|
Parks & Pipes & Freeride
The resort continues to add improvements. Winter
Park expanded its new advanced terrain park, Rail Yard, with new
progressive rails and improved jump design. Rail Yard was ranked in the top 10 in Transworld Magazine's 2005-2006 resort rankings for Best Park, Best Overall Resort,
and Best Pipe. The freeride scene at Winter Park Resort continues to push
the progressive envelope with five levels of terrain parks. Winter Park offers something for all levels of skiers and riders. Come out and experience Rail Yard, Dog Patch and Starter Park.
Chairlifts:
25 lifts including 1 High Speed Six Person Chairlift, 5 Triple
Chairlifts, 7 High-Speed Express Quads, 7 Double Chairlifts, 3 Surface
Lifts and 3 Magic Carpets provide an uphill capacity of 36,920 skiers per hour. For special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's,
Martin Luther King holiday, President's Day and Valentine's Day, the
Zephyr Express chairlift is modified to accommodate 20 gondola cabins
for dinner service to The Lodge at Sunspot atop Winter Park Mountain.
Snowmaking
Snow is made on 26 trails covering 299 acres (121 hectares). The
snowmaking capabilites guarantee the opening of Winter Park before
Thanksgiving.
|
MARY JANE TRAIL MAP
You'll get exactly the bump experience you are looking
for on our 70 trails at Mary Jane. Mary Jane is made up of three
mountains each offering a unique skiing and riding experience; Mary
Jane, Parsenn Bowl, & Vasquez Cirque. We average the most annual
snowfall of any major resort in Colorado - over 30 feet of the white
stuff every year
|
 |
| Mary Jane Trail Map 2010-2011 |
|
|
Mary Jane Trail Map
You'll get exactly the bump experience you are looking
for on our 70 trails at Mary Jane. Mary Jane is made up of three
mountains each offering a unique skiing and riding experience; Mary
Jane, Parsenn Bowl, & Vasquez Cirque. We average the most annual
snowfall of any major resort in Colorado - over 30 feet of the white
stuff every year.
|
 |
| Mary Jane Trail Maps, including Vasquez Ridge & Vasquez Cirque |
|
|
Mary Jane, including Vasquez Ridge & Vasquez Cirque |
Mary Jane:
Mary Jane® No
Pain, No Jane.™ That's our motto. And after you feel the impact of The
Jane's relentless long mogul runs, it'll be yours, too. Cruising at an
altitude of 11,000 feet, here you may encounter a bit of turbulence.
People come to Mary Jane when they want to feel a bit guilty for
enjoying themselves too much. This beautiful, bumpy mountain was voted
#1 in North America for bump skiing. So if you're needing a push,
wanting a challenge, or maybe just feeling you've been naughty, try a
run down Mary Jane
|
Mary Jane Ski Trail Map 2007/08 (LARGE) |
 |
| Mary Jane Ski Trail Map - Small overview |
|
|
 |
| Parsenn Bowl Trail Map 2007/08 (small) |
|
|
Parsenn Bowl
You start pretty much at the top of the world, and it only gets better
from there. There isn't much that's not impressive at 12,060 feet.
Parsenn Bowl is the kind of skiing you dream of, filled with vast empty
spaces, beautiful gladed tree runs, unreal powder and the gorgeous
opportunity for fresh tracks.
|
Parsenn Bowl Trail Map 2007/08 |
Vasquez Cirque
When two's a crowd, Vasquez Cirque is the cure. Remote. Out-of-the-way.
Off the beaten path. This backcountry adventure area is for experts
only. Steep doesn't really describe it. When you're talking about 1,500
foot vertical drop, calling Vasquez Cirque steep is like calling the
sun lukewarm. In fact, even the pros probably get the jeebies just
before dropping in off a cornice at Vasquez Cirque. And that's just the
beginning. Over 687 acres of cornices, lips, and glades make the Cirque
one incredible, intense, and challenging experience for anybody. But for
just the right skier, it could be adrenaline heaven.
|
 |
| Vasquez Cirque Ski Trail Map 2007/08 |
|
|
Vazquez Cirque Trail Map 2007/08 |
Parks, Pipe & Freeride:
Winter
Park has expanded on its new terrain park, Rail Yard, with new
progressive rails and improved jump design. Pipe aficionados head
straight to the resort's new Superpipe on Allan Phipps trail. A
100-foot snow bridge whisks skiers and riders over Cranmer Cutoff for a
more seamless transition between the park and the new Superpipe.
Aspiring riders of all ages can test their skills in the expanded
terrain park on Jack Kendrick trail with new jumps and rails. his year,
the freeride scene at Winter Park Resort continues to push
the progressive envelope with five levels of terrain parks. Rail Yard,
Winter Park's advanced terrain, continues on its quest to impress
taking home three Top 10 rankings in Transworld Magazine's 2005-2006
resort rankings for Best Park (tie for 4th), Best Overall Resort (8),
and Best Pipe (10).
Last season's addition of Dark Territory, Rail Yard's limited access
area, also continues to evolve with more unique features. Dog Patch,
located on the east side of the Eskimo Express, offers skiers and
riders an intermediate park system ideal for perfecting skills. Dog
Patch East, Winter Park's latest addition to the freeride family, is
located just east of the original Dog Patch, and will offer a variety
of non-traditional jib features for skiers and riders. Starter Park,
located below Snoasis, is for the beginner-jibber and features small
rails perfect for those first attempts at rail sliding.
|
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. Cost for full-day childcare is $85 during
value season. A one-hour private ski or snowboard lesson add-on is
available for children (3 years and older) who are enrolled in full-day
childcare for $55.
New this
season, parents can take advantage of our Jump Start Program, which
includes a 2-hour lesson and rentals in the morning and an all-day
childcare and lunch for $101 (value season).
The Kids Daily Programs: The program for 3- and 4-year-olds (Snow
Tykes) is a non-chairlift riding ski orientation with all-day
supervision, playtime, and lunch. Children are introduced to skiing
through indoor and outdoor activities designed and paced for each group.
Participants must be potty-trained and willing to play outside. Classes
for all other kids are determined by ability level; beginner through
advanced, and age; 5- and 6-year-olds (Explorers), and 7 - 17 years of
age (Freeriders). Cost includes ski/snowboard rental, lift ticket,
complimentary helmet rental, lunch, snack, and instruction. Indoor
supervision is provided for kids 3 - 6 years old, before and after their
lessons. Snowboard lessons are offered for children as young as age 5.
These particular classes are kept small, with a maximum of three
students per instructor to provide the necessary student/teacher ratio
for optimal learning. Registration for lessons is from 8 to 9 a.m. on
lesson day at any Winter Park Resort Guest Service Center Desk. Kids
enrolled in the full-day ski or snowboard program may add on a one-hour
private, starting at 8:30 a.m. , for an additional $55.
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.
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 $34. 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 $44.
|
Access Winter Park Mountain Vacation Rentals
Offering only the best in Colorado Mountain Vacation Properties
For reservations and availability:
|
|