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Winter Park, Colorado is a wonderful place for winter (and summer) fun! Let’s talk about why I love this town, my tips to ski Winter Park, the town of Winter Park, and surrounding attractions!
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Getting to Winter Park
The ski resort Winter Park is one of the closest to Denver. So it is a popular destination for both locals and those traveling.
Being so close to Denver, there are many options to get to Winter Park. It took me a while to sort through these. So I collected them for you!
The Winter Park site also details some of these options.
Note All prices below are from winter 2023-2024
Driving on I-70 from Denver
The first option is to drive to Winter Park. You’ll take I-70 to get there and then go through Berthoud Pass on U.S. 40.
Some considerations for driving
- Avoid the rush times: Friday afternoon & Saturday morning going there and Sunday driving back to Denver. The traffic can be intense. Check the traffic forecast for tips there.
- You’ve got to drive up Berthoud pass. It’s steep and in avalanche territory. The pass closes sometimes during bad weather. Check CO road status page to see if it’s open and what conditions are like.
- Read up on CO traction & chain laws and be prepared to comply with them. Rental cars from the Denver airport tend to be under-equipped for winter weather.
We’ve typically driven on our trips. Being prepared will make the trip smoother.
Take a shuttle from the Denver airport
Several companies offer Winter Park shuttles from the Denver airport. I haven’t personally used the services. A friend did and was reasonably pleased.
The price is around $90-$100 for direct service to popular spots in Winter Park, from what I saw. The shuttles look like shared vans.
Note that I saw several vans with exposed luggage racks to hold your ski/board bags for the drive. On a wet day, I’d be concerned about all the road salt on my gear. I’m also paranoid about things like that. You may want to ask about that if you care.
Ride the Bustang bus from Denver Union Station
The Bustang bus has a daily route from Denver’s Union Station to Winter Park and beyond. The cost is $11 or $5 if you qualify for discounts.
Note that the bus leaves from Union Station in downtown Denver. If you’re flying in, you’ll need to get there first.
Take the Denver Airport Rail to Union Station for $10 and then you’re set.
Union Station is a super cute train station with shops and cafes if you need to hang out there!
Take the Winter Park Express train
The Winter Park Express train runs on weekends and holidays during winter. The train leaves Denver Union Station in the morning and drops you off almost slopeside at Winter Park ski resort!
The train returns to Denver in the afternoon after lifts close.
When I looked at this option, it was pretty pricey. The convenience is hard to beat!
Take the California Zephyr train
The California Zephyr train makes a daily trip from Denver to Fraser, CO. From Fraser you can ride the Lift bus to get to your destinations in Winter Park.
A friend took this train to get back to Denver and said it was good. The train left after dark that day so he didn’t get to enjoy the scenery.
Getting around in Winter Park
While you’re in town the two big ways to get around in the winter are driving or riding the free Lift bus which covers the area from Winter Park, to Fraser, to Tabernash, to Granby.
They have multiple routes that drop off right at the ski resort Winter Park! Check out their app to track your bus live so you don’t have to wait in the cold for too long.
Even if we had a car, the bus let our group be flexible. If a few people wanted to stay out longer or head back sooner than the rest, they could just use the bus rather than our single car.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Winter Park
The Colorado Winter Park ski resort covers over 3000 skiable acres (1,246 hectares) with a max vertical of 2200 ft (667 m). They divide the terrain as 8% beginner; 18% intermediate; 19% advanced; 52% most difficult; and 3% expert only. More on that later.
Check out more mountain stats on the Winter Park site.
Something to know is that the ski area is divided into multiple named sections. I found this a little confusing, so I’ll discuss that later.
For now, what you need to know is that there are 2 main sections the Winter Park Side and the Mary Jane Side or just Mary Jane. You can ski between them easily.
First, let’s talk more about the terrain!
The terrain at Winter Park resort
As I mentioned above, the terrain is divided as
- 8% beginner
- 18% intermediate
- 19% advanced
- 52% most difficult
- 3% expert only
For reference, my favorite skiing is in bumps, trees, and open bowls. But I’ll try to cover things more generally.
For bumps and trees, I love skiing at Winter Park. There are fun and challenging bump runs all over the mountain. The Mary Jane area has tons of bumps and awesome tree runs! The runs and skiable terrain are biased towards the ungroomed and challenging end of things.
The Winter Park side has a broad range of difficulties. You’ll find learning areas, some greens to practice on, nice groomed blues for cruising, steeper blues with some moguls on the side, full-on bump runs, some trees, and a few quite steep ungroomed areas.
If terrain parks are your style, the Winter Park side is where you should be! They’ve got a huge variety from tiny to large and an 18-foot superpipe! I love watching people’s skills in the parks. Truly impressive!
The mountain report is useful for exploring conditions. Especially check out the trails section of the lift and trail section. That will show you what’s been groomed, what has bumps, and where the glades are. Whether you’re chasing the bumps or avoiding them, it’s good to know!
Winter Park vs. Mary Jane
The terrain is divided between two large areas: Winter Park and Mary Jane.
The Winter Park side or Winter Park alpine side has a wide variety of terrain. It ranges from beginner learning areas to groomers, steeps, bumps, trees, and parks.
The Mary Jane ski resort side is renowned for bumps and tree skiing. The Parsenn bowl is there and served by the Panoramic Express lift. You’ll also find the Cirque here and some other chutes.
Who the heck is Mary Jane?
You may have heard people refer to Mary Jane or Winter Park Mary Jane ski area and wondered who or what that is. I know I did while writing this!
For one, it’s my favorite part of the Winter Park Ski Resort terrain. Apparently, she also was a real person!
According to the Winter Park site, Mary Jane was a businesswoman and local madam. She owned some of the land that is the base of the Mary Jane ski area today!
Today, the Mary Jane Winter Park ski area provides awesome bump and tree skiing! The Parsenn Bowl is here.
You’ll also find the steep terrain and chutes of the Vasquez Cirque here via hike or snowcat ride on the Cirque Sled.
The famed tree runs of Eagle Wind are also in the Mary Jane ski area Colorado. Note In winter 2023-2024, the Eagle Wind lift was frequently closed due to mechanical issues. Hopefully, those are ironed out in future seasons.
Some terrain recommendations
Here are some of my favorite spots for skiing at Winter Park and Mary Jane! These are my personal thoughts. Share yours in the comments!
Beginner and learning areas
The learning area near the base of the gondola has magic carpets Comet, Meteor, and Spirit. When graduating to lifts, the Gemini Express lift can take you to the Discovery and Endeavor lifts for more greens to practice on.
On the Mary Jane ski side, you have Galloping Goose serving greens. In my opinion, the Winter Park side will better serve beginners because it has much more accessible terrain.
Blue groomers and cruisers
The Wild Spur Express lift was a group favorite for groomers like Buckaroo and Sundance. It also gives access to some bump runs like Aces and Eights if you’ve got mixed interests in your group.
Check out the runs off of Olympia Express for more blues with a chance to hit some blue/blacks.
Bumps on the Winter Park side
Aces and Eights and Gambler were some of my favorite bump runs on the Winter Park side. The snow was reliably good there!
For practicing bumps, I did laps on Explorer Express and the runs under the lift like Retta’s Run. The lap time was short to get in some good training.
For something a bit more mellow, check out the bumps under Wild Spur Express before the mid-station.
Bumps on the Mary Jane side
Awesome bumps are to be had everywhere on Mary Jane! The infamous Tressel will get you working. All of the runs in that area had great snow and bumps.
The runs under Super Gauge Express are also a ton of fun! Honestly, just try them all is my motto here!
I found that Columbine tended to get pretty icy because of its orientation facing the sun.
Trees
My favorite trees were under the Iron Horse lift! The trees at the bottom of the Parsenn Bowl off of Panoramic Express were also magical on powder days. They have a mellower slope and make you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland with the small clearings scattered throughout!
Parks
I’m not much of a park guy, so I’ll leave you to study the map here. I will say that I saw features ranging from small, even I can go off of these jumps, to quite large!
The Superpipe
The Superpipe is massive and seemed to be in great shape! I had fun having lunch at the top and watching everyone throwing tricks!
Some flat spots you may want to avoid
Flat spots can be a bummer, especially for snowboarders! Here are a few that frequently got us:
- Turnpike coming back to the Winter Park base is quite flat. Take Toll Road instead.
- Wagon Train from the base of Olympia Express to Wild Spur Express is very flat. Keep up your speed!
- Shortly after the top of Olympia Express is a flat spot on White Rabbit
Other Winter Activities in Winter Park
Winter Park Colorado skiing is definitely the star of the show. What about things to do in Winter Park Colorado that aren’t skiing/riding?
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Explore the trails of Grand County on cross-country skis for a great workout and slower-paced scenery. There are at least 4 popular places to include in your things to do near Winter Park CO.
Grand Lake Nordic Center is north of Winter Park in Grand Lake. It has beautiful Rocky Mountain views, allows dogs on some trails, and is close to Arapahoe National Forest and the western part of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch is just outside of Fraser. Dogs are also allowed on some trails. Classes are offered.
Granby Ranch also has a Nordic center.
YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch has many miles of trails and mountain terrain available for cross-country skiing. Access is included with an overnight stay or YMCA membership. Day passes and lessons are available too.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is another of the top things to do in Winter Park CO. Grand Adventures provides guided snowmobile tours and unguided snowmobile rentals. You can get out and explore groomed trails and cover more winter terrain!
Visit Hot Sulphur Springs to relax and warm up
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa has hot pools fed with natural hot springs for a hot soak after a day of skiing or other winter adventures!
The facility is a bit dated. It can be busy on weekends and holidays. However, we enjoyed our visit and found all of the pools to be very refreshing! The scenery is also quite beautiful.
There were a few loud groups during our visit. One particularly loud child made us leave one pool. But overall, the day was very relaxing!
Make sure to bring water to stay hydrated in the hot pools. They have water fountains to refill.
Tip They put rock salt on walkways to fight ice in the winter. Bring sandals to walk between the pools because the salt grains can hurt to walk on! Ask me how I know, haha.
Visit Grand Lake
Grand Lake is a cute town north of Winter Park, CO at the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re taking a day off from the slopes, consider a visit!
You’ll find shops, cafes, and restaurants in town. The drive there provides beautiful views over Shadow Mountain Lake and Grand Lake.
I enjoyed hiking (you can also snowshoe or cross-country ski) on the East Shore Trail.
The views at Point Park are stunning!
And more
View some of the other best things to do in Winter Park CO on the resort site.
Also, check out events in the towns of Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, and Granby.
At the resort, you’ll find holiday celebrations, ski & snowboard competitions, and other events. Look for other events nearby like the Fraser Fire and Ice Festival and more!
Dining and Après-Ski
There are several great dining and après-ski options in the town of Winter Park and the neighboring Fraser.
Pepe Osaka’s fish taco and tequila bar was a fun fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine that we surprisingly loved! I was suspicious of the combination, but the food won all of us over.
The Ditch was good for a bar vibe and pub-style food in downtown Winter Park, CO.
Rocky Mountain Roastery Cafe had a nice vibe for coffee off-mountain. On the mountain, we stopped at Coffee And Tea Market several times and liked the place.
Also, check out the Après at Mary Jane and Mountaintop Après right on the resort.
There are many more options to explore! Tell us what you like in the comments below!
Winter Park Colorado hotels and Winter Park lodging
Winter Park lodging is varied and plentiful. Here are a few options to consider. Note that I can only give you a slice of what’s available because of the variety.
Ski-in/ski-out lodging
There are several options for ski-in/ski-out near Winter Park. The Zephyr Mountain Lodge offers apartment-like units.
Some individual condos are also available like this one that sleeps 4 and this one that sleeps 7.
The Winter Park Resort site lists several other hotels Winter Park CO offers.
Or check out many more options on Expedia and Hotels.com.
Vacation rentals and cabins
There are many condos and private rentals in the Winter Park area that are great for groups or for comfortable stays with kitchens and laundry.
You can find many options on Vrbo and Airbnb. Winter Park Colorado Vrbo options range from simple cozy studios to huge homes with several bedrooms, massive kitchens, private hot tubs, and garages! So you can take your pick!
We’ve stayed in some of the townhouses for the past couple of years. They’re great for being able to cook, spread out, and feel more at home. The Lift bus stop is a short walk away.
This unit in Zephyr Mountain Lodge is a very highly rated Vrbo Winter Park Colorado. It offers ski-in/ski-out access with a hot tub and fireplace!
Consider staying at a vacation rental further north to save some money. This past year, I spent a few weeks in a unit in Granby (not that specific one, but in that building) and saved a good deal
Remember that these are often privately owned/hosted, so read reviews of each host and property!
Check out the full array on Vrbo and browse through Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, and Granby to find something fitting your budget and needs.
Lodges and Inns
Winter Park Chateau is the highest-rated hotel in Winter Park. It is a boutique hotel with a hot tub, shared spaces, a private bar, a ski shuttle, and guest laundry. I’ve never stayed there, but it looks very inviting!
Gravity Haus is a highly rated hotel 10 minutes north of the ski area.
Best Western Alpenglo Lodge is also well-rated and offers typical hotel rooms and suites.
For a more affordable option, consider Winter Park Mountain Lodge that is just across the street from the slopes. Shuttles get to you skiing quickly.
Other tips for visiting Winter Park
Weather preparation
Be ready for winter weather both in your clothing and transportation!
Altitude adjustment
The city of Winter Park sits at over 9,000 ft (2743 m). The Panoramic Express lift goes up to 12,060 ft (3675 m). So take that into consideration.
Note I’m not a medical professional. Here’s what the CDC says about altitude. Here’s what ski.com says.
Stay hydrated! It’s easy to lose moisture at altitude. That can make you feel even worse! Be prepared to need to take it easy for a day or two while you acclimate to the altitude.
Wear sun protection as the sun is much more intense at altitude.
Plan ahead for parking
On the weekends and holidays, parking fills up quickly. Check out the Winter Park site and their tips for success.
Also, the Winter Park app shows the parking lot live status on weekends which can be helpful.
Otherwise, take the Lift bus to avoid the hassle of finding parking!
Avoid rush times if you can
Winter holidays that coincide with school and business breaks tend to be very busy. The drive up from Denver is quite busy on Fridays and Saturdays, especially with fresh snow. Similarly, the drive back to Denver can be very busy on Sundays.
Facts and FAQs
Where is Winter Park Colorado?
Winter Park Colorado is 66 miles (106 km) from Denver to the northwest. It is accessed by car west on I-70 and then north on U.S. 40 through Berthoud pass.
What is the Winter Park CO elevation?
The elevation of Winter Park Colorado is approximately 9,000 ft (2743 m), depending on where it is measured.
Wrapping up
So that’s it on Winter Park. I love skiing at Winter Park and think you will too! Are you ready to visit? Have you already visited and have more tips? Tell me in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you make purchases via links on this site. Thanks for supporting me in creating content like this! See the privacy policy.
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