Summary

Winter Park’s ski area is impressive. It was developed (and is still owned) by the nearby city of Denver for the recreation of its citizens, who pour in on weekends and powder days. When Intrawest (developer of resorts such as Whistler) got involved a few years ago, there was talk of a similarly impressive ‘destination’ resort at the lift base, too. The base village has certainly expanded and improved, but it’s still very small and quiet; there’s a bit more going on, though not much, in the small town of Winter Park, a bus ride from the hill.
Winter Park’s policy of grooming hardly any black runs, ever, means the step up from blue to black runs is a big one. We think the policy is a mistake.

Blogs, features and news

• Take a virtual-reality heli-ski ride with the Ikon Pass
• More US ski resorts join forces
• Great start to the editors’ Colorado tour in Winter Park