Winter Park Resort offers something for every level of ability and interest. The skiing and riding at Winter Park Resort takes place over five separate but connected areas including Winter Park Mountain, Mary Jane Mountain, Vasquez Ridge, Vasquez Cirque and Parsenn Bowl - making it one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado. Winter Park Resort is the oldest continually operated resort in Colorado and the 2008/2009 season marks Winter Park Resort’s 70th season.
Winter Park, has a total of 3,060 total skiable acres (1,521 hectares), that includes 142 designated trails, 25 Lifts and 1,212 acres (490 hectares) of off-piste terrain, including Vasquez Cirque and glade skiing.
Winter Park Mountain:
From the village, all chairlifts initially access Winter Park Mountain. There are three main access points: Zephyr Express, Arrow and the Gemini chairlifts. The Zephyr Express is the fastest and easiest way to access the majority of the terrain in this area. Gemini and Arrow access mid-mountain terrain and the on-mountain beginner area, Discovery Park. This part of Winter Park Resort represents about one quarter of the total acreage and is a great mixture of green, blue, black and double black terrain, as well as groomer and bump runs. Around 80% of the front face of Winter Park Mountain is considered beginner and intermediate terrain.
There is such a variety of terrain on Winter Park Mountain that everyone from beginners to advanced will be entertained. For those seeking a bit more of an adventure and challenge, Eskimo Express chairlift accesses plenty of steep bump runs.
Mary Jane Mountain:
Affectionately known as Winter Park’s wilder side, Mary Jane Mountain has a cult-like following comprised of thrill seekers and bump lovers. Mary Jane Mountain can be accessed by one of two ways. Entry is available either from its own base area, with its own entrance and parking areas, or from the Olympia Express and High Lonesome chairlifts on the Winter Park Mountain side of the resort.
Mary Jane represents about 30% of Winter Park Resort’s total terrain and is primarily comprised of advanced and expert terrain. “The Jane”, as it is referred to by locals, has become famous for her miniature Volkswagen Beetle-sized moguls, phenomenal tree skiing, and steep lines. The resort recently installed a new six-person base chairlift called the Super Gauge Express, which offers faster access to Lunch Rock and a variety of intermediate to advanced terrain.
Vasquez Ridge:
If you are lucky enough to be at Winter Park Resort during a big powder day, make the effort to head to Vasquez Ridge. Not only is it the last place to be tracked out, but there is plenty of terrain variety to keep even the most discriminating skier/rider entertained for much of the day. 90% of the terrain in Vasquez Ridge is classified as intermediate to expert.
Vasquez Cirque:
Known by the locals as “the Cirque”, Vasquez Cirque is the place for extreme in-bounds, off-piste skiing and riding. Not for the faint of heart, this open bowl provides a very similar experience to that found in Colorado’s backcountry but offers the reassurance of constant monitoring by the Winter Park Resort ski patrol.
Two seasons ago, Winter Park Resort improved the locally loved tree skiing in the Cirque with the addition of the Eagle Wind Chairlift and seven new trails.
Parsenn Bowl:
Located at the top of Winter Park Resort, Parsenn Bowl offers amazing views of the surrounding mountain peaks and the Continental Divide. Parsenn Bowl is an intermediate/advanced area, so most skiers and riders feel comfortable spending time here. The majority of Parsenn Bowl’s trails are set below tree-line extending to guests the option to stay on provided trails or take to the trees and find your own little powder stash.
The Snow:
Winter Park receives the most consistent annual snowfall of any major Colorado resort with over 341 inches (8.7 m) a year. Natural snow, along with an extensive snowmaking systems, and its high elevation guarantees great skiing from early-November through mid-April.