If you are planning a ski trip look no further than Winter Park Resort in Colorado.  Sure there all lot famous resorts here in Colorado that are household names across the United States, but these well-known resorts are plagued with crowded ski slopes and lift lines.  Which is why Winter Park Resort is known as “Colorado’s Favorite”.  Coloradoans frequent this ski resort more than any other in the state, due to the fact that it is one of the biggest resorts, with the most snow and fewest tourists.  It also helps that it is only 67 miles from Denver.

Winter Park Resort is also the home of the legendary Mary Jane.  Mary Jane was named as one of the top 5 resorts in North America for bump skiing according to Snow Country Magazine.  It is not for the faint of heart, as there are no green runs anywhere on the “Jane”.

Parsons Bowl takes you above the clouds… and the tree line.  The bowl offers intermediate to advanced ski runs, and happens to be a favorite of the locals.  Once you get to the top you will be looking for your camera, and a warming hut.

Ski Magazine ranks the terrain parks & pipes of Winter Park Resort in the top 10 of the nation.  The Railyard is one of the longest terrain parks in Colorado, and covers 15 acres over a 3,650 foot stretch of rail-grinding madness.  For beginners there is the Jack Kendrick, which has extra wide rails and non-threatening jumps to help advance to the next level.

There are plenty of great restaurants and bars on the mountain, and like the lift lines, the crowds never seem to be a problem.  You can also head to the actual town of Winter Park after the lifts close.  It is a quaint little strip of restaurants, bars and shops.  There is actually a very good sushi bar in town that often surprises people with its great food and reasonable prices.

Round off the day with a trip to the lighted tubing hill in Fraser.  They provide a lift, warming hut and the tubes.  And if you would like a day away from the slopes, you can enjoy a snowmobile tour up to the top of the Continental Divide, or get down right old fashioned and jump on a dog sled.

Ski-in lodging can be found just a five minute walk from the base of Winter Park Resort.  Slope View Bed and Breakfast offers views of the Continental Divide, unique amenities and a knowledgeable staff.  970-531-2386

Catching fish couldn’t be any easier than here in the Fraser Valley.  You can wade 1,000 miles of streams, wander around 1,000 acres of high mountain lakes, or troll 11,000 acres of reservoirs.

Whether you’re fly-fishing or have a night crawler on the end of your line, you can find many different species of fish throughout Grand County.  Rainbow, cutthroat, brown & brook trout can be found in most of the rivers, while mackinaw and kokanee salmon cruise the depths of the larger bodies of water.

The Colorado River offers gold medal trout fishing with some of the biggest browns and rainbows found in the state.   The Fraser River runs through the town of Winter Park, as well as the resort, and is fed by many other great little secluded creeks with hidden pockets of trout.  St. Louis Creek and Willow Creek offer brookies, bows and browns with scattered creek-side campgrounds.

The four major lakes of the area are located in the Granby area, and offer plenty of ramps & marinas for boating enjoyment.  With 7,250 surface acres and 40 miles of shoreline, Lake Granby is known for its big mackinaws.  Grand Lake, the largest natural lake in Colorado, and adjoined Shadow Mountain Lake can also produce 20 pounds macks.  The lakes of the area are also well known for great ice fishing in the winter.

You just never know what the snowmelt will do in the high country, but one thing is for sure, it will produce an abundance of streams and lakes to choose from.  The seclusion and surrounding wilderness will make you feel like an early American explorer, discovering your own trout paradise.

Stay just a five minute walk from the base of Winter Park Resort.  Slope View Bed and Breakfast offers views of the Continental Divide, unique amenities and a knowledgeable staff.