Winter Park, Colorado: Rank 18 West, 1997
Features
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Many loyal Denver skiers think Winter Park, up from No. 26 last year, is the best resort in Colorado. It gets high marks for its wide cruisers, whack-me moguls and generous elbow room. Winter Park is split into two areas, each with a distinct identity: Mary Jane is the land of steeps and bumps; Winter Park proper is Gentleville. This season, skilled skiers and boarders will have even more to chew on with the opening of Vasquez Cirque, 435 acres of off-piste splendor. “Winter Park is my favorite resort for value and friendliness,” says one reader. The nightlife is definitely not for the disco-till-you-drop crowd, but there are a number of good restaurants (The Last Waltz) and bars (The Slope) that are fun and relatively affordable.
What’s New The Vasquez Cirque; increased parking; a beginner halfpipe.
A Good Deal Three nights/two days, lift tickets, an on-mountain breakfast buffet, shaped-ski demo and a carve clinic, Nov. 8-Dec. 19, $214, Central Reservation properties;(800) 729-5813.
Medals Gold Snow Quality, Terrain, Challenge, Weather;Silver Grooming, Value, Service, Lodging.
High/Low Rank Snow Quality (9); Après-Ski (49).
Don’t Miss Mary Jane’s Upper Arrowhead Loop, one of the best ego-stroking bump runs anywhere.
Reader Remarks “Awesome bumps. Very friendly and helpful staff.” “Parking and base services need to be improved. Too far from civilization.”