Skiing

Winter Park is one of those rare resorts that seem to have something for everyone. Experts rave about the chutes and steep mogul runs on Mary Jane Mountain and the extreme skiing in the Vasquez Cirque, but intermediates and beginners are well served on other slopes. Moreover, Winter Park is noted for wide-ranging programs for children and those with disabilities.

The resort includes three interconnected mountain areas totaling 141 designated trails on 2,770 acres of skiable terrain. There are 25 lifts, including one high-speed six passenger, seven high-speed express quads, five triples, seven double chairs, three surface lifts, two "Magic Carpet" rolling conveyors, and a rope tow. The resort rates its trails as 9% beginner, 21% intermediate, 13% advanced, 54% most difficult, and 3% expert only.

Winter Park Resort comprises several distinct areas. Winter Park Mountain has mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. Discovery Park encompasses more than 25 acres of prime beginner terrain. Mary Jane Mountain mainly offers intermediate, most difficult, and expert terrain, best known for its numerous mogul runs. Vasquez Ridge, the resort's third mountain area, has primarily intermediate and most difficult terrain. Fans of tree-line skiing will like Parsenn Bowl, more than 200 acres of open-bowl and gladed-tree skiing that fan out from the summit at North Cone and merge with Mary Jane's Backside. Vasquez Cirque is no place for beginners. It contains steep chutes and gladed pockets for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders. The five terrain parks at Winter Park are cutting-edge, and there is one for every skill level. Rail Yard, consisting of advanced terrain, is considered one of the nation's best.

Annual snowfall at Winter Park averages over 359 inches (almost 30 ft.). The vertical drop is 3,060 feet, from the 12,060-foot summit off North Cone of Parsenn Bowl. There are about a dozen restaurants and several bars, including a mountaintop restaurant.

Winter Park's impressive Kid's Adventure Junction includes a play area, rental shop, restrooms, and a children's instruction hill. The National Sports Center for the Disabled, founded in 1970, is one of the largest programs of its kind in the world.

Daily lift tickets cost $51 to $77 for adults ages 14 to 64, $31 to $41 for children 6 to 13, $37 to $61 for seniors 65 to 69, and $31 for seniors 70 and older. Kids under 6 ski free. Full rental packages are available, as are alpine, telemark, and snowboard lessons, as well as snowshoe tours.

Winter Park is usually open for skiing from mid-November to mid-April. It's open for summer operations daily from early June until early September. For more information, contact Winter Park Resort, P.O. Box 36, Winter Park, CO 80482 (tel. 970/726-5514, or 303/316-1564; www.winterparkresort.com). For daily ski reports, call tel. 970/726-7669 or 303/572-7669.

Other Skiing Nearby -- Just 78 miles from Denver, SolVista Basin, 1000 Village Rd. (P.O. Box 1110), Granby, CO 80446 (tel. 888/283-7458 or 970/887-3384; www.solvista.com), has long been a favorite with parents and kids for its easy access, affordable prices, and family-friendly atmosphere.

The ski area comprises two separate but interconnected mountains. The resort contains 287 acres of skiable terrain, with 38 trails rated 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 20% advanced. The longest run is 1 1/2 miles and the vertical drop is 1,000 feet from the top elevation of 9,202 feet. It's served by one high-speed quad, one fixed-grip quad, one triple, one double, and a surface lift. Average annual snowfall is 220 inches, and 60% of the terrain has snow making, with top-to-bottom coverage on both mountains. Full-day lift tickets are $44 to $46 for adults, $21 to $24 for children 6 to 12, $29 to $31 for seniors 61 to 69, and are free for those under 6 and over 69.

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

The outstanding cross-country skiing in the Winter Park area is highlighted by what the Denver Post calls "the best touring center in Colorado." The Devil's Thumb Nordic Country Center at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort (tel. 970/726-8231; www.devilsthumbranch.com) has more than 62 miles of groomed trails. Full rentals and instruction are available. Full-day passes are about $15, or free for those staying at the ranch.

There's also cross-country skiing at SolVista Basin, with 25 miles of groomed trails. Use of the trails is free, with access at the base of the ski mountain. Those who want to avoid the work of skiing uphill can also access the cross-country trails from the top via a ski lift ($5 per trip).

Snow Mountain Ranch-YMCA Nordic Center, on U.S. 40 between Winter Park and Grand Lake (tel. 970/887-2152; www.ymcarockies.org/smrnordic), features 62 miles of groomed trails for all abilities, including a short section of lighted track for night skiing. Trail passes cost $12 for adults and $5 for kids 6 to 12 and seniors 61 to 69. Children under 6 and seniors over 69 ski free, and adults with YMCA membership receive $2 discounts. A 5-day adult trail pass costs $40.

All of the above provide snowshoeing opportunities, with rental equipment and guided tours. You can also rent snowshoes and get tips on where to go at Winter Park Sports Shop in Kings Crossing Shopping Center, at the intersection of Winter Park Drive and Kings Crossing Road (tel. 800/222-7547 or 970/726-5554; www.winterparkski.com).