These Are The Best Resorts in the West for a Weekend Getaway
These are the resorts to choose when you've got no time to lose, according to SKI's Reader Resort Survey. Check them out here.
9. Winter Park Resort, Colorado
This Front Range mountain has the distinction of being both a local’s hill and a destination resort, though recent upgrades—including the return of the Winter Park Express from Denver’s Union Station and a 10-person gondola replacing the Zephyr Mountain Express—nudge it slightly over to the destination column. Regardless of where they’re coming from, skiers love Winter Park for its high-alpine Parsenn Bowl terrain, the glades and hidden powder stashes in Vasquez Ridge, and, of course, Mary Jane’s legendary moguls, all less than 70 miles from Denver’s airport.
Variety is the name of the game for this gem tucked at the base of Berthoud Pass in the Colorado Rockies. Comprised of two main peaks, Winter Park and Mary Jane, the resort features “lots of family-and kid-friendly groomed terrain, while still having plenty of great challenging terrain for the more advanced skiers to sneak off to for a while.”
On the Winter Park side, fall line options, accessibility, and ski school make Winter Park very kid-friendly while providing more challenging options for advanced skiers. Hop another lift to get to Mary Jane and explore some of the best bumps in Colorado, plentiful tree runs, and the hike-accessed Cirque territory.
No. 9 in the West: Winter Park Resort, Colo.
Winter Park Mountain Stats
| Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
| 317.5″ | 3,081 | 25 | 143 |
Winter Park Resort Pass
Winter Park, Colo., is on the Ikon Pass. Pass holders get unlimited access to the resort.
Trip Planning
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Winter Park, Colo.
What’s New
Winter Park nearly doubles its expert terrain with addition of two new pods: Jelly Roll, named for its rolling pitch and tendency to collect light, fluffy snow; and several new steep trails in Mary Jane’s Chutes region. The resort is also adding night tubing and guided sunset skiing for the upcoming season.
Family Experience
Take a sunset snowcat tour to Vasquez Ridge for firepit S’mores and hot chocolate.
Best Value
Ikon and Winter Park Pass Holders can get a Five Buck Huck—a $5 breakfast burrito—at the Mary Jane base area.
Bragging Rights
Find your way to the Cirque Territory for steep headwalls and chutes that funnel into high-angle glades. Getting to the Cirque is a trek, but the mountain views and the adrenaline-inducing lines are worth the venture.
Après-Ski
Fraser Valley Distilling opened a few seasons ago with two stills; the gin, made with locally sourced juniper, is not to be missed.
On-Mountain Eats
Lunch Rock, at the top of Mary Jane, serves up delicious bites with stellar mountain views. Pair the Ratatouille Pizza with the Mary Jane Ale and enjoy the views out on the expansive patio.
Bragging Rights
Ditch the crowds and head over to the Eagle Wind lift, where you can test your legs skiing Thunderbird top to bottom without stopping. Bumps, bumps, and more bumps!
Family Activity
The Sunset S’mores Snowcat Tour takes your crew on a beautiful excursion to Vasquez Ridge where you’ll catch the sunset, then to Lunch Rock for S’mores and beverages.Winter Park’s Website
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Winter Park Resort, Colo.
Variety is the name of the game for this gem tucked at the base of Berthoud Pass in the Colorado Rockies.
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Concrete Jib-Yard
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Head Games
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Where Now: Winter Park, Colo.
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