Mountain Towns: Winter Park, Colorado - "Must Do's" this Ski Season

 

If you love being surrounded with snow covered mountain peaks, endless blue skies, and exciting ski crowds, Winter Park is the perfect playground for you. Winter Park is the quintessential ski town experience where you will find the perfect ski or boarding conditions, an overwhelming list of activities, and an assortment of local brews and food. Whether you're a content creator or visitor from out of town reading this, you will for sure want to add these things to your itinerary.

 

Get There & Parking

 

 

 

The drive is a content creator's dream and offers many pull offs to capture drone footage or snap a shot of the massive mountain peaks around you at an elevation of 11, 307 feet. Winter Park is a one hour and thirty minute drive from Denver, making it a convenient and quick trip to make your escape. It's important to check Colorado road closures to be sure the pass is open as it sometimes is closed for avalanche control and heavy snowfall. You can also check out the Winter Park Express Amtrak that takes you through the famous Moffat Tunnel, has fares as low as $29, and drops you off at the base of the ski mountain.

The biggest piece of advice I would give you is get there early! The parking lots around the resort fill up quickly with snow bunnies and visitors so it's important to plan accordingly. There is a $20-$30 fee for the parking lots but, if you're like us and trying to save money, park your car in the town of Winter Park and hop on the free Lift shuttle which is only a five minute drive to the resort. This makes it super convenient and takes away any stress about parking so you can focus on a full day of adventure and content creation.

 

Exploring Winter Park Resort & the Mountain

 

 

Winter Park Village is a bustling, modern, family-oriented area that offers a variety of shops, food, brews, and accommodations to satisfy your adventure-seeking self. The Zephyr Mountain Lodge is a great place to stay that is only 110 feet from the gondola and offers cozy, mountain-views to rest from your day of adventuring. If you're looking to take home a Winter Park memoir, check out Trail's End Mercantile or, if you're wanting to visit some retail stores, step into The North Face or Burton.

 

 

Of course, the majority of people coming to Winter Park are interested in filling their craving for some fresh powder. The ski mountain offers over 3,000 skiable acres, over 1,200 acres of off-piste terrain, and trails range from beginner to expert. Mountain Adventure Center offers rentals and is conveniently located at the base of the ski mountain. If you're looking to share with your digital community things to do on the mountain or if you're visiting, the resort offers many sunset guided tours that are sure to leave you breathless and your camera full of captured memories.

 

 

The most picturesque spot to feel immersed in the rush of Winter Park is at West Portal Station. It is the perfect area to grab a bite to eat in the food court, grab a beverage at the iconic Mary Jane Ale House, and have a front row seat of the ski mountain. This spot offers many great opportunities to capture content to share with your digital community of what they could experience and expect when coming to Winter Park.

 

Brews & Grub

 

If you are looking for a yummy spot to grab some pizza and drink a beer, keep an eye out for the Pizza Pedal'r. You won't miss it if you keep your head up and eyes peeled for a dangling bicycle above the entrance. As you walk in, all five of your senses will be satisfied: the smell of fresh mozzarella , the sound of upbeat tunes, the sight of pizza dough being tossed in the air, the touch of a cold beer can, and the taste of perfection. The classic decor and vibe make it an easy place to capture a video or photo of your experience to share with your community.

 

 

Perfect Sunset Experience

 

Be sure to make room for a free (yes I said free) gondola ride to capture the sunset after you hit the slopes or explore the village. On Fridays and Saturdays from 4-7 pm, you can take a ride on the gondola up to the Sunspot Mountain Lodge for some food, cocktails, live music, and amazing scenic views. Be sure to dress warm to be able to catch the sunset from 10,700 feet elevation and watch the sky display breathtaking colors. As a content creator, one of the most difficult things to deal with are freezing cold hands as you're trying to snap shots and videos, so we recommend these Smartwool gloves to keep your hands toasty.

 

 

Town of Winter Park: Hot Dinner Spot

 

If you're a lover of authentic, upscale, and rustic dinner spots, head to the town of Winter Park and give a visit to one of the town's top restaurants and distilleries. Idlewild Spirits Distillery pride themselves in creating premium and intriguing new-age spirits that are locally sourced, creating an atmosphere of intentionality and purpose. The restaurant is decorated with wood beams, a stone fireplace, leather seats, and a clear window showcases the still room, creating the rustic, upscale vibe.

 

 

Awaken your taste buds with a Moscow Mule, which includes ginger beer made in house, or the Wildfire Bramble, a bourbon cocktail that includes woodcutter's bourbon, blackberry bourbon, rhubarb bitters, lemon, honey simple, and a smoked glass. Satisfy your cravings with the mouthwatering tapas, including Thai BBQ chicken wings, a mile-high pile of delicious truffle fries, a charcuterie board of the finest meats and cheeses, or the most perfect, crispy, flavorful brussel sprouts. Be sure to make a reservation, especially if you're visiting on the weekend, and ask for Ashley who will treat you like royalty and recommend only the best on the menu.

 

If you're in town on a Friday, be sure to book a tour for only $20 and have the opportunity to try any and all of the premium spirits. The best kind of hydration before a weekend of adventure and exploring!