Beaver Lodge Winter Park Lodging

The Ski Train was first introduced in the 1940’s and primarily used by the Eskimo Ski Club.  In the late 1980’s the Ansco Investment Company purchased the train and updated the railcars.  In fact, the vintage railcars were sold to the Napa Valley Wine Train in California.  The Ski Train takes about 2 hours and begins in Denver, travels through the Moffat Tunnel, and ends at the base of Winter Park Ski Resort.  The Ski Train railcars consist of coach seating and luxury club dome/sleeper, business, or parlor seating.  The dome railcar consists of a glass top that allows 180° views of the Rocky Mountain’s.  Club seating also includes continental breakfast and après ski snacks on the return trip.    During the winter season the train runs every Saturday and Sunday, and during the high season the train also may run on Thursday and Friday.  During the summer the train runs on Saturdays.  The Ski Train continues to be one of the most exceptional and fun transportation methods for winter and summer lovers alike, providing unique views of the Rocky Mountain’s and the Winter Park area all year round. ALL ABOARD!!

On March 29th the Sol Vista Ski Area will be closing for the season. Sol Vista is located in Granby, Colorado and offers tubing, and downhill skiing. The night skiing at SolVista is a great and affordable way to enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding. Make it there before they close!

One of the best activities to do in the winter is a beginner snowshoe hike with a Visitor Center employee.  This free beginner snowshoe hike is very family friendly and a great activity for those non-skiers.  Snowshoes are provided.  RSVP at the Visitor Center in Winter Park at 970.726.4118.  There are only a few spots available so call now.

The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific railroad first supported the building of the Moffat Tunnel through David Moffat in 1902.  The tunnel was proposed because of the difficulty of snow conditions due to steep grades and switch backs over Rollins Pass.  Rollins pass connects James Peak and the continental divide, and snow removing from the original line made the train non-profitable to operate.  Although there was overwhelming support, construction did not get underway until 1922 with the availability of funds from Denver and the Colorado government.  Construction proved to be hard due to solid rock, subterranean pressures that would cave the tunnel, and water that would burst in and flood the tunnel area.  Construction was completed for a cost of $18 million dollars in 1927, and begins at the east side of the Continental divide near Rollinsville and connects 6.2 miles later to the base of  the ski area of Winter Park, Colorado.  Over time control of the tunnel changed hands many times, and in 1996 the Union Pacific Railroad gained control of the tunnel.   Today the Union Pacific Railroad uses the tunnel as a rail route to transport coal, freight, and water to and from Colorado’s Front Range.  The rail is also used for the year round SKI TRAIN that transports skiers to and from Denver to the ski resort of Winter Park, and the west portal at the base of the ski area has become a popular icon to the town of  Winter Park and the Moffat Tunnel.

The History of Berthoud Pass

Berthoud Pass traverses the Continental Divide at the Front Range between Clear Creek County and Grand County, Colorado.  The pass was named for Edward L. Berthoud, whom was the chief surveyor for the Colorado Central Railroad during the 1870’s.  Edward L. Berthoud discovered the pass while surveying a possible route for the railroad.  The pass was built as a “wagon road” for travelers due to the steep grades and many tight turns.  The summit of the pass is located on the Continental Divide and measures to 11,307 feet.  Berthoud pass once contained the Berthoud Pass Ski area but now is a destination for local backcountry skiers.  The summit contains a warming hut that allows motorists to stop and access the two scenic viewing areas.  Berthoud Pass is known to be difficult to travel due to the 11 switchbacks that are required to drive from on either side of the pass.   The pass offers an environmentally unique experience due to the topographic and climatic location which allows a lengthy snow season and deep powder.  Go experience the pass whether it is hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or boarding Berthoud Pass is a unique fun excursion while visiting Winter Park.

This February 21st at Hideaway park in Winter Park, co. there will be free carnival games. The games include live music, jumping castles, sledding, hot chocolate, hot dogs clowns and family carnivla fun. The festivities last from 1pm-4pm and many prizes are included. Come out and join in the fun!

 

The Winter Park Ski area is celebrating Mary Jane Birthday this January 24th, 2009. The celebration includes a snow sculpture contest, snowshoe trek, a parade in Winter Park, live music, Mary Jane look-alike contest, apres ski at the Club Car, music and birthday cake at Hideaway Park, and fireworks in downtown Winter Park.

You know I thought that Winter park was going to be fun for the skiing and bars but i could never have thought of the stuff that was going on while I was staying here.

I found that while i was staying in Winter Park there was a lot to do. First, after a great day of skiing I found a few great spas and places to get massages that I just loved, you don’t get the kind of service in Denver that you do here. After I was totally relaxed and had my share of people pummeling my back into dough I decided to hit the town.

While there aren’t a lot of bars in the Winter Par area there is a large presence felt by the bars. I didn’t go to one bar with out there being a great deal on drinks or hearin live music. All in all I found my experience in Winter Park to be fun and enjoyable.

The Grand County Blues Society invites you to shake your blues with Marc Ford and the Neptune Blues Club at Smokin’ Moe’s at 9pm, Saturday, January 24th. Marc is the former guitarist with the Black Crowes. Come out and enjoy the music!   

The town of Winter park has plenty to do in the winter time. There is ice skating at Cooper creek square, dining and shopping downtown and sledding for the kids at Hideaway Park. The full moon skiing and ice skating event in the Fraser Valley falls on Saturday, January 10th. The activity begins in the evening ay 6:30pm at Devil’s Thumb Ranch.