Summertime at Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park Resort
150 Alpenglow Way
P.O. Box 36
Winter Park, Colorado 80482
Local & International Ph: (970) 726-5514
Denver direct: (303) 892-0961
Email: wpinfo@skiwinterpark.com
Web: www.winterparkresort.com

LOCATION  
Winter Park Resort is located 67 miles (108 kilometers) northwest of Denver, 85 miles (137 kilometers) from Denver International Airport and 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Rocky Mountain National Park. Driving time from Denver is approximately 90 minutes.
     
DESCRIPTION  
Winter Park Resort summer activities and attractions include lift-accessible mountain biking, Colorado's longest Alpine Side, Amaze'n Human Maze, Leaps & Bounds Bungee, Rock 'n Roll Gyro, Zephyr Express chairlift rides, Outdoor Climbing Wall, Mountainside Mini Golf, an 18-hole mountaintop disc golf course, eateries and shops.

The surrounding Fraser Valley is best known for mountain biking with approximately 600 miles of varied level trails and is appropriately tagged as Mountain Bike Capital, USA™. Other popular activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, rodeo, golf, rafting, boating/sailing, windsurfing and several music and art festivals throughout the summer. 
     
SUMMER SEASON  
Winter Park Resort is open daily June 12 through Labor Day, Sept. 6, 2004 (weather permitting), excluding the Zephyr Express chairlift, which begins operation June 19.
     
PARK HOURS
10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. for all activities excluding the Zephyr Express chairlift, which closes at 5 p.m. 
      
ON-MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES
 
Alpine Slide:
Colorado's longest Alpine Slide is located beneath the Arrow chairlift on the slopes of Winter Park Resort. Two side-by-side tracks are each 3,030 feet long with 26 linked turns.

Zephyr Express Chairlift:
Offers transportation for bikers, hikers, disc golfers, picnickers, diners and sightseers to the 10,700-foot summit of Winter Park Mountain and The Lodge at Sunspot.

Mountainside Mini Golf:
Mountainside Mini Golf at the base of Winter Park has 18 holes, each depicting historic aspects of the Fraser Valley.

Amaze'n Human Maze:
Located at the base of the resort, this maze twists and turns in every direction. Racing against the clock to find four check points adds an extra dimension of challenge to the frequently re-configured labyrinth.

Leaps & Bounds Bungee:
Catch big air on this unique trampoline at the Winter Park Resort base. After putting on a special harness attached to two bungees, jumpers can get enough altitude to perform front and back flips.

Rock 'n Roll Gyro:
This three-dimensional ride gives "spinners" a sense of being in orbit. It is located at the base of the resort. 

Climbing Wall:
The Outdoor Climbing Wall is 24-feet tall with three routes of varying degrees of difficulty and an automatic belay system.

Disc Golf:
Located at the top of the Zephyr Express chairlift, the course winds around the 10,700-foot summit of Winter Park Mountain. Players toss their discs toward designated pins. The bike rental shop has discs available for sale or a rental fee. All golfers must purchase a Zephyr Express lift ticket.

*Alpine Slide, Zephyr Express Chairlift, Mountainside Mini Golf, Amaze'n Human Maze, Leaps & Bounds Bungee, Rock 'n Roll Gyro, Climbing Wall are free for children 5 and under. Some height and weight restrictions may apply. Seniors 70 and over are free Monday-Thursday and pay child prices Friday-Sunday.

Mountain Biking:
With 50 miles of single-track trails accessible by the Zephyr Express chairlift, riders enjoy intermediate to expert levels of riding. Special programs include two-hour beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bike clinics or two-hour mountain bike tours.

Bike Rentals:
Front-suspension and full-suspension bikes are available for rent by the hour, half day or full day at the base of the resort. Front-suspension junior bikes are also available. 

Winter Park - A Mountain Playground

Summers at 9,000 feet above sea level are the ideal time to visit Winter Park Resort for refreshing temperatures, spectacular scenery, and abundant recreation for the entire family. The green-covered slopes are home to a variety of activities that are an irresistible magnet for the young and the young at heart.

Located just 67 miles from Denver, “The Park” is easily accessible to anyone craving an escape to the mountains. The drive from Denver International Airport to Winter Park is less than two hours. Once in Winter Park, it’s non-stop action from early June through Labor Day. One of the resort’s most popular activities is top-to-bottom mountain biking for intermediate to advanced riders. Cyclists and their trusty set of wheels are whisked to the summit of Winter Park Mountain via the Zephyr Express chairlift. From there, riders can access the resort’s 50-mile network of interconnected trails.

For those who prefer hiking boots to bike pedals, Winter Park has designated two trails exclusively for hikers. A chairlift ride on the Zephyr Express delivers hikers to the trailheads of the Nystrom and Ute Trails. The Nystrom Trail follows a mountain ridge to Mary Jane’s 12,060-foot summit for a decidedly invigorating workout. The Ute Trail is a relatively gentle, downhill hike that crosses the wide-open trails of Winter Park Mountain and dips into sections of dense evergreen forest and on to the base.

Thrill seekers of all ages are drawn to Colorado’s longest Alpine Slide. Riders climb into a sturdy plastic sled equipped with runners and hand-held brakes before launching their way down 3,030 feet of dips and swooping turns. The parallel tracks (one for slower riders) are accessed from the Arrow chairlift.

A popular brain-teaser for the directionally challenged is the Amaze’n Human Maze “Maze mice” must find four different checkpoints in the ever-changing labyrinth full of twists, turns and dead-ends before exiting and posting their time. Players compete against the clock (for prizes) and each other (for bragging rights) while attempting to find the fastest way out.

Catch one of the latest mountain crazes and play a round of disc golf. Perched at the top of Winter Park Mountain, the course’s 18 holes wind around the summit for 360 degrees of jaw-dropping scenery. The course is free with the purchase of a Zephyr Express lift ticket, and disc rental is available at the base of the resort. Or, putter around the base of the slopes on the 18-hole Mountainside Mini Golf course. This original course depicts some of the features and folklore of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley’s history.

Guests get a high-flying rush on the Leaps & Bounds Bungee. Safely harnessed, all ages can flip and get huge altitude jumping on this trampoline tethered by bungee cords. For a truly unique experience, the Rock ‘n Roll Gyro is a human-sized sphere that allows riders to move themselves upside down and all around to create a sensation similar to weightlessness.

To rise above the crowd, slip on a harness and check out the Outdoor Climbing Wall. This 24-foot wall offers three different routes with varying degrees of difficulty and has an automatic belay system.

All base activities may be purchased individually, however the premier Park Pass offers the best value. The pass includes unlimited use of Alpine Slide, Mini Golf, Zephyr Scenic lift ride and bike transport, Human Maze, Outdoor Climbing Wall, Gyro and Leaps n’ Bounds Bungee.

For a relaxing change of pace, outside dining is a natural at Winter Park. At the base of the mountain, the resort's “beach” offers many choices to suit appetites of all ages. Stop by Penguin Pete’s, located inside West Portal Station, for coffee drinks, tea and ice cream. Derailer serves summertime favorites such as salads, items hot off the grill, drinks and daily happy-hour specials. Visit the Boxcar for traditional deli sandwiches. For those in a hurry, thirst and hunger can be satisfied at a hydration station that serves POWERADE, Dasani and Evian bottled water, and hot dog and ice cream carts, conveniently located throughout the base of the slopes. The Lodge at Sunspot, a stunning log restaurant surrounded by large, sunny decks, serves barbecue at Winter Park’s 10,700-foot summit, accompanied with breathtaking views.

Visit www.winterparkresort.com for additional information on summer activities. For lodging reservations, airfare, ground transfers, rental cars and other activity reservations, call Winter Park Central Reservations at (800) 729-5813.