Winter Park

Closed
Jack Lee
SnowPak Local Insider
Jack Lee
Pros
  • Easily accessible from Denver including the weekend train between Denver Union Station and the resort
  • Excellent range of terrain for different abilities including mogul runs
  • Family-friendly resort with great ski school programs and tubing activities
Cons
  • Smaller base area compared to larger Colorado resorts

Winter Park Ski Packages

Lodging Discount Price
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fraser
16% off $323
Winter Park Mountain Lodge
20% off $391
The Vintage Hotel
24% off $502

View all ski packages for Winter Park

Overall

4.8

Colorado’s longest continually operating ski resort, Winter Park Resort opened for business way back in 1940 and has been putting smiles on the faces of skiers ever since! Famed for its monster moguls, if you’re a fan of knee-shocking bumps the size of small cars then you’ll love it here, but that’s not all. The terrain on offer is vast, with a rare combination of very different types of trails. High alpine chutes and powder bowls, glade skiing and backcountry runs, secluded powder stashes and spacious groomers, all this and more makes Winter Park Resort a truly diverse mountain. Skiers and snowboarders who want to get a taste of off-piste and backcountry style riding while still keeping within ski area boundaries should look no further than Winter Park Resort!

Best month to go

January to February

Locals here enjoy a wonderfully long ski season, the high elevation soon turns the peaks white once fall turns to winter. Generally, the slopes and lifts on the lower parts of the mountain are open for a full five months, sometimes even a little longer, from mid-November to late-April. As with all of Colorado, the best months for snow are January and February. It takes a big dump of powder before the expert-only terrain at the top of the mountain is ready to be shred, so if this is a big draw for you then time your visit during February. While weekdays can be surprisingly quiet, weekends can see droves of skiers and snowboarders from Denver descend on Winter Park Resort, particularly during the peak season of December to February.

FLY TO

Denver International Airport

DRIVE / SHUTTLE TO

Winter Park (2 hours)

Base of Winter Park Resort (Walk)

  • Several lodging options
  • Quiet area, limited nightlife
  • High-end accommodation

Find accommodations around here

Winter Park (4-5 mi)

  • Cheaper accommodation than at the base
  • Range of dining, shopping and nightlife options
  • Shuttle service to the ski resort

Find accommodations around here

Old Town (1-2 mi)

  • Sits between base and town of Winter Park
  • Variety of accommodation from condos to rental homes
  • Shuttle service to the ski resort

Find accommodations around here

Fraser (5-6 mi)

  • Cheaper lodging than at Winter Park
  • Wide range of accommodation from hotels to AirBnbs
  • Has grocery stores and other outlets

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

The Winter Park Territory is best suited for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. There's plenty of terrain to work on your technique and control, however, the area does gets quite congested during busy season.

More beginners tips

For intermediates

Parsenn Bowl Territory is where the intermediates will want to go! Enjoy the 360 degree vistas atop the 12,000 ft peak before testing your limits on the blue runs here.

More intermediates tips

For experts

For experts, head to the Mary Jane territory where the majority of the runs are black diamond. Only one run in this area is groomed so head off into the trees and enjoy the powder and pumps as you navigate down the slope. Our favorite here would be the High Lonesome Trail before veering right into the seemingly endless and well-spaced trees!

More experts tips

Find freshies

For powder stashes head to Eagle Wind territory, it's difficult to access, which means its often last to be tracked out! Or check out Parsenn Bowl and The Cirque as well as Vasquez Ridge territory after a big dump. 

Ditch the crowds

Most of the family-friendly terrain is close to the amenities, so escape the crowds and head up the mountain to Parsenn Bowl, The Cirque and Eagle Wind territories.  

Non skiers

Non-skiers can try the old-fashioned thrill of tubing at the Historic Fraser Tubing Hill or the Colorado Adventure Park. The resort also offers dog sled, snowmobile and snowcat tours during the winter seasons.

Families

Winter Park Resort makes for a great skiing destination if you're after a quiet family getaway. Most of the family-friendly terrain is close to the the amenties in the Winter Park territory but if you're a family of intermediate skiers and snowboarders, you'll have tons to explore!

Save up to 39% when you book a Winter Park package!

View Winter Park packages

Winter Park Reviews

Fabulous 4.4 / 5
based on 107 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 30, 2017
ECEduardo C.
intermediate snowboarder
For my first time parking was somewhat difficult to get to, staff was very friendly plenty of snow and a bunch of the lifts were open as well which was very nice, because it is mostly residence and or people at the hotel that go there it wasn't very crowded so access to the lifts was very quick. There was an abundance of Backcountry terrain for the... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 29, 2017
MCMichael C.
advanced skier
Winter Park is one of my favorite resorts in Colorado. They have great terrain for any type of skier or snowboarder. My favorite part of the mountain would have to be the Mary Jane side. It's for more advanced and expert skiers or boarders but they also have some blue runs for the intermediate. Winter Park is definitely a place to check out!... More
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 29, 2017
JJohn
expert skier
Winter Park is my favorite mountain with in an hour of Denver. The resort is split into two sides. Winter Park which is great for beginners and families. With great runs named after Alice and Wonderland characters. Mary Jane is the other side, with free lift side parking, the best moguls in the world, and epic tree skiing. ... More
Good!3.6 / 5Nov 24, 2017
DJDaniel J.
expert snowboarder
If you know of Winter Park you probably know of Mary Jane, and if you haven't been that's where you should go. The place is large and if you explore you'll be able to get away from the crowds. Trees are good but tight in some spots. The village area is pretty chill with a lot of great food options. The town has a lot of great options and if you... More
Average!3.5 / 5Nov 23, 2017
SZSam Z.
expert skier
Such a variety of terrain and great lift system. Perfect for a long stay. Our accommodation was really nice and easy to walk or catch the free shuttle around town. ... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 22, 2017
DEDerek E.
advanced skier
I am a huge fan of the Mary Jane side of the mountain. If you get there early enough for the closet lot, you can easily swing by the car between runs, grab snacks, let the dog out to run, enjoy tailgait beverages, anf enjoy some fabulous vibes!... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 22, 2017
RRyan
expert snowboarder
I have snowboarded my whole life and I keep getting drawn back to winter park. There is a very nice old mountain feel with Mary Jane having some amazing lines. Love it there. ... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 21, 2017
RFRob F.
expert skier
I grew up skiing here, this place is incredible! The Parsenn bowl almost always has a little powder to plow through. There are seven distinct different parts of the resort, so everyone can find what they're looking for. ... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Nov 21, 2017
DCDustin C.
intermediate skier
Winter Park is a great place for your next ski vacation. Between all 5 territories there is definitely something for everyone, wether it's your first time or a seasoned veteran. There are a wide variety of lodging options that will fit just about any skiers budget. Make winter park your next ski destination! ... More
Good!3.8 / 5Nov 21, 2017
CJCollin J.
advanced snowboarder
Winter park is a fun place to ride. They keep runs well groomed, and there are plenty of sidecountry options. Great tree runs and a progressive terrain park make this one of my "go to" mountains. ... More