Winter Park

A memorable mountain resort


Overview

Winter Park Ski Resort

Whether you ski or not, attending the Arctic Workshop at the beautiful Winter Park Resort will be a memorable experience. The resort lies just west of the Continental Divide at an elevation of 9,000-12,000 feet (about 2740 - 3660 m).

Skiers and snowboarders should know that Winter Park has some of the best terrain in the country, from great beginner hills to the infamously challenging Mary Jane ski area and the Railyard, Winter Park’s nationally renowned Freeride Park. The resort consists of three interconnected mountain peaks — Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Vasquez Ridge — which share a common lift ticket. Winter Park is also home to a well respected ski school and the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

March is a great time to ski. It has the highest snowfall of any month. And the base depth is often near its maximum.

The towns of Winter Park and Fraser

The town of Winter Park is located several miles north of the Ski Resort. Winter Park contains an eclectic mix of restaurants, shopping centers, mountain bike outfitters, and a town park. About 2 miles further north is the town of Fraser. Check out its western wear shops, and stop at the Fraser Valley Center for everything from groceries to gourmet cookware.

Maps

See our Maps & Directions page

If you want to get a sense of the slopes, use Google Maps' street view for Winter Park, Colorado. A number of the trails have been imaged in street view style panoramic form.

High Altitude

Winter Park lies at 9,100 feet in elevation while the top of the Winter Park/Mary Jane ski area is a bit over 12,000 feet. This elevation range is equivalent to about 2770 - 3660 m.

If you're flying from a low elevation, you may experience typical symptoms like headaches, fatigue or nausea. These symptoms can often be alleviated by spending a few nights at altitude before skiing, drinking extra water, eating complex carbohydrates, resting, and reducing caffeine, salt, and alcohol intake. Keep in mind that your skin can easily burn when you are skiing at a high altitude, so good sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. The weather can change quickly too. Dress for variable conditions.

More altitude advice is offered by the Winter Park Lodging Company.

Links for Visitors

Winter Park Resort
Winter Park Resort (Wikipedia)
Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce

Cross-Country Skiing

Devil's Thumb Ranch

With more than 100km of groomed trails nestled in the pristine and private Ranch Creek valley at the base of the Continental Divide, we're the premiere Nordic center for Colorado cross country skiing, whether for skate or classic Nordic. And we have snowshoeing too. Located about 7 miles northeast of Winter Park.

Snow Mountain Ranch

Winter is filled with Cross country skiing, Nordic races, tubing hill, snowshoeing, indoor climbing wall and swimming pool, custom activities for groups and families and so much more! Located about 12 miles north of Winter Park.

Other Outdoor Activities

And when you’re finished riding the slopes you can choose from horse drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing hills, dogsled rides, ice-skating or snowmobiling to the top the Continental Divide.

Saturday SKI DAY

Please join us for our post-Workshop Saturday SKI DAY. You'll have finished your presentation. And your body will have had a few days to acclimate to the high altitude. The highest ski runs start from ~12,000 feet (~3660 m) and the base is a bit higher than ~9,000 feet (~2740 m). BTW, March has the highest snowfall of any month and the snowpack depth is often at its maximum.

One-day lift tickets are usually $92 for adults, but because our group is staying in the Winter Park Hotel we can get you that ticket for only $66. We can also save you money on lift tickets for children and seniors. The Hotel will extend your discount hotel rate too.

You can buy your lift tickets through our Workshop registration system, either when you first register or you can return to it later, up until February 29th. For instructions, look under the orange registration button on the Registration Page.

Discount lift ticket prices for the Saturday SKI DAY:

  Your Price Regular Price
Adult (18-64 yrs) $66 $92
Student (13-17 yrs) $58 $92
Senior (65-69 yrs) $58 $92
Over 70 yrs $38 $53
Child (6-12 yrs) $38 $53
5 and under FREE ?

Note: you can return to the registration system to add discount lift tickets anytime up until February 29th. And you can charge them to the same or different credit card.

Rentals & Lessons

There are a number of nearby options for ski and board rentals, including at the base of the hill and at Ski4Less, a ski shop located in the Lobby of the Hotel.

Ski4Less offers one free child ski rental with renting parent (ages 12 and under). You can pick up your rental from Ski4Less anytime the day prior and only pay for the days of use. There is a 20% discount with advanced reservations. Call 888-234-6259 or visit www.winterparkskirental.com

For a wealth of lesson options from the Ski and Ride School, visit the Winter Park Resort's Lessons page,

Video

 

Winter Park Resort Insiders Guide - Powder Skiing & Snowboarding - Channel 17-Mountain TV

Welcome from the President of Winter Park Resort

 

 

Questions? Check our FAQ
or email us at
ArcticWS@colorado.edu

Supported by
The US National Science Foundation
OPP- Arctic Natural Sciences Program

Site built and
hosted by
INSTAAR