This Classic Ski Mountain Has Night Skiing, a Superb Ski School, and Serious Local Charm—and a Direct Train From Denver

There’s something special about being the longest continually operating large-scale ski resort in Colorado, a state known for its world-class skiing. That distinction belongs to Winter Park Resort, which began by welcoming just a handful of skiers in 1940 and has since grown to encompass more than 3,000 acres of terrain in the Fraser Valley just 67 miles west of Denver.

“Growing up in Colorado, I had always heard of Winter Park but never visited until my adult life,” said DeAnna Reardon, the guest services manager at Winter Park Resort, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. “When I first visited Winter Park, it was quite quaint and very authentic. I felt as if I had stepped into a place thats true passion and culture was the mountain and the outdoors.”

But a long history and a welcoming feel aren’t the only things that make Winter Park unique. When the resort’s lifts began turning in 1940, so did the wheels of a ski train, which connected the ski area to Denver. After a hiatus, the Winter Park Express returned in 2017, giving Winter Park a one-of-a-kind claim among Colorado resorts: visitors can skip the rental car counter, highway traffic, and parking lots, and instead ride straight from Denver Union Station to the base of the mountain.

Between its easy rail access and proximity to Denver, Winter Park offers a seamless mountain escape. The resort also goes out of its way to create memorable experiences—from its “Learn-to-Ski Guarantee” and complimentary lift tickets for kids enrolled in lessons to night skiing by headlamp after the lifts close.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Winter Park Resort is a true family-friendly resort with a great ski school and learning area, but advanced skiers won’t be bored. Of the ski area’s 3,000-plus designated acres, 1,212 acres are considered off-piste terrain with powdery glades and steep headwalls. The ski area is also a high-elevation resort, which helps maintain consistent snowfall (averaging almost 345 inches per year). The ski area base is at 9,000 feet above sea level, and the mountain tops out at 12,060 feet, offering an impressive 3,060 feet of vertical rise.

“Our mountain has something for everyone, but we are probably best known for our untamed, ungroomed terrain…bumps, trees, and Parsenn Bowl at 12,000 feet!” shared Ethan Haney, Winter Park’s lift operations manager. Romina Canton, the resort’s senior reservations manager, noted that although the terrain attracts advanced skiers, the mountain is “known for its family-friendly vibe.”

There are 166 named trails at Winter Park, including 8 percent that are rated as beginner, 18 percent intermediate, 19 percent advanced, 52 percent most difficult, and 3 percent that are expert only.

Where to Stay 

A-Frame Club

Just north of Winter Park Resort’s base village is a cluster of A-frame cabins that may just be the area’s cutest place to stay. Each cabin has tall ceilings, open living areas, fully equipped kitchenettes, and custom fireplaces. Added perks include an on-site restaurant and hot tubs set in the trees, plus an adjacent sauna and cold plunge. The A-Frame Club is also within walking distance of the resort gondola.

Zephyr Mountain Lodge

Condos make up most of the lodging at the resort. Among them, Zephyr Mountain Lodge has one of the best locations for skiers. Zephyr is around 100 feet from the gondola in the heart of the Winter Park base village. One-, two-, and three-bedroom condos are available, each with a full kitchen and a gas fireplace. There’s also covered parking and a hot tub.

If Zephyr is full, nearby options include Fraser Crossing Founders Pointe for groups and The Vintage Hotel for a standard hotel room. 

Gravity Haus Winter Park

Winter Park Resort’s base area can be quiet, so if you’d rather eat out than cook in, you might want to book lodging in the town of Winter Park (buses run regularly between the town and the resort). Gravity Haus is a great in-town option, and overnight stays include access to the hot tub and gym. The hotel also has a taco shop and some of the town’s best coffee. 

Where to Eat

Deno’s Mountain Bistro

Deno’s is a beloved family-owned eatery that’s known for their Greek-inspired fare. Greek favorites like gyros and mezze platters are served alongside ski-town staples such as wood-fired pizza, steak, and pasta. Deno’s is also a great in-town après spot with a welcoming, cozy vibe and a great wine and cocktail menu.

Carver’s Breakfast & Burgers

If you like a hearty breakfast before you ski (or a midmorning brunch), head to Carver’s. The locally owned eatery has been serving the Fraser Valley since 1982. We suggest trying their amazing cinnamon rolls and fresh-squeezed orange juice. 

If the wait is long, head to Wake N’ Bacon across the street, which is one of Canton’s go-tos when she’s heading up to ski with her family.

Pizza Pedal’r

This pizza spot is as convenient as it gets. The Pizza Pedal’r is located at the base of the Winter Park ski area and serves up both ready-to-go slices and made-to-order pizzas all day long. It’s the perfect option for a midday snack or an after-ski meal.

Lunch Rock

Canton’s favorite on-mountain eatery is Lunch Rock, which is located at the top of Mary Jane. It’s a classic on-the-hill cafeteria-style restaurant with a stellar location and views.  “A stop at Lunch Rock is a must. The views are unmatched, and it’s the perfect place to refuel with great food before diving back into the mountain,” said Canton.

Where to Après-ski

Fraser Valley Distilling

Just 10 minutes from the heart of Winter Park’s base village is the small town of Fraser, which is home to the beloved Fraser Valley Distilling. In addition to trying their locally distilled spirits and tonics, we suggest ordering a basket of their thick-cut French fries. 

Winter Park’s ‘Mountaintop Après’

Every weekend starting in December, Winter Park Resort hosts “Mountaintop Après” at the top of the gondola. You can simply ski there, but it’s also open to non-skiers who can take the gondola up. (The gondola is free after 4 p.m.) The après event has live music and food and drink specials. Just make sure to arrive early, as tables can get claimed quickly.

Derailer Bar

Derailer is located at the base of Winter Park Resort inside the mountain’s West Portal Station. There are good après eats and a long list of drinks, but the real draw is the view. Derailer has a large deck overlooking the slopes, which is a great place to soak up the sun and rehash the ski day.

Off-mountain Activities 

Try Nordic skiing or snowshoeing.

Downhill skiing isn’t the only ski tradition in Winter Park. Outside the neighboring town of Fraser, at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, you’ll find almost 75 miles of winter trails for classic cross-country skiing, skate skiing, or snowshoeing. There are also miles of pet-friendly trails within the Arapaho National Forest that surrounds Winter Park and Fraser.

Go dog sledding.

You don’t have to travel to the Yukon to experience the thrill of traveling across snow behind a team of huskies. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays throughout the winter, Redemption Dog Sled Tours operates two- and four-mile rides. Or, you can enroll in their five-hour “Learn to Mush” course, where you’ll have the opportunity to drive your own sled and lead a team of dogs. 

Go bowling—at a movie theater.

One of the most unique off-mountain offerings in Winter Park takes place at The Foundry Cinema & Bowl, a bowling-alley-slash-movie-theater that also has a restaurant and bar. The Foundry has eight bowling lanes and two dine-in movie theaters where you can enjoy your dinner and drinks (pizza and a full bar) while watching family-friendly films.

How to Ride 

Tickets

Winter Park is on the Ikon Pass, and the mountain goes out of its way to make skiing affordable. By planning ahead and booking single- or multi-day lift tickets on their website, you can save up to 40 percent, with lift ticket prices starting at $70 per day. If you opt for the “Early Ups Add-on” (an additional $29 to $39), you can get on the slopes 30 minutes early—a great choice if you prefer fresh corduroy. Plus, kids 14 and under always ski free with a ski school lesson.

Rentals 

The easiest place to secure gear rentals is through Winter Park Resort, which facilitates reservations for the rental shops at the base of the mountain. All gear rentals include helmets and complimentary overnight storage, and you can swap your equipment as needed throughout the rental period. Another good option is to rent from Ski Butlers, which delivers gear to your lodging and provides fit assistance. (And don’t forget that kids 12 and under get free rentals with an adult three-day rental package.)

Programming

Winter Park’s Ski & Ride School is well-regarded, offering both group and private lessons for adults and children. Plus, they have some added perks that are unique to Winter Park: The mountain offers 60-minute “Pro Tip Sessions” that include early lift access and one-on-one tailored instruction; there’s ongoing skills clinics for riders who want to master things like moguls, tree skiing, or telemarking; and Winter Park’s “Learn-to-Ski Guarantee” provides a free fourth lesson if first-time skiers can’t master 10 designated green trails after three lessons.

Winter Park also has some of the most creative ski and ride experiences we’ve ever seen. You can ski under the stars by headlamp after the mountain closes or ride with a local guide who will show you the mountain’s hidden stashes. 

Non-skiers can hit the tubing hill, book a scenic snowcat tour, or venture onto the mountain with snowshoes or a ski bike.

When to Go

The best time to ski at Winter Park Resort is January or February, when snowfall is high and coverage is good. That said, if you’re a fair-weather skier or love a bargain, April is a great time to visit. In April, days are longer, the weather is typically warmer, and there are deals on lodging, lift tickets, rentals, and lessons. In general, it is best to avoid holiday weekends—and, if you can, weekends too—because Winter Park is the closest major mountain destination to Denver and can get busy.