Don't Be Fooled by the Name: Winter Park, Colorado, is Fun to Visit Any Time

It's called Winter Park, Colorado, but don't let the name fool you. To be sure, there is plenty to do during a winter vacation in the town. Winter Park is also a great place to take a summer vacation, however, or to visit at any time of the year.

Winter Park, Colorado, is known as "Mountain Bike Capital "USATM," and there are 600 miles of hiking and biking trails that spread past rushing streams, by peaceful meadows, and up steep mountain terrains. You can view the Continental Divide, hike or bike through the area, or enjoy lunch at the lodge at Sunspot.

Other things to do in the area include visiting one of the four championship golf courses in the county (Pole Creek Golf Club, Grand Elk Ranch and Club, Grand Lake Golf Course and Headwaters Golf Course), enjoying the High Country Stampede Rodeo, a miniature golf course, the hot mineral springs, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and much more.

The hiking and biking trails spread across the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Arapaho National Forest and BLM lands. There are 52 miles of single and double track trails. Much of the area is accessible by chairlift.

The High Country Stampede Rodeo operates in the winter and summer. The motto of the rodeo is "The High Country Stampede Rodeo, where everyone has fun!" The rode includes typical events such as barrel racing, bull riding, bronco riding, and steer wrestling. There are also such events as pole bending, in which a horse rider and his horse run through six serpentine poles on a path; mutton bending, in which children ages 5 to 7, attempt to stay on a sheep for six seconds, similar to bull riding; team roping of steers; rodeo clowns; and others. There are also meals, including ribs, hamburgers, bratwurst, and other items.

Other summer events at Winter Park include a Blues Festival June 26-27, a fourth of July celebration with fireworks, a bike party and tire classic with entertainment, food, and a bike parade; a jazz festival in July, a Parade of Homes in September and more.

Even though there are plenty of things to do in the summer at Winter Park, Colorado, the name of the town still fits, because of the great skiing, snow tubing and snow scoots, and dog sled rides. There is great dining in the area, live music, a winter carnival, horse drawn carriage rides, snowmobile rides, and more to enjoy in the winter. The horse driven carriage rides are free.

Other events during the winter include blues music, a progressive dinner that involves three separate locations, night skiing, a snow sculpture contest, classic stories read by story tellers, and more.

Of course, the skiing is the major attraction for many people. There are four snowcapped peaks at the Continental Divide. There is plenty of fresh air to enjoy, as well as plenty of gorgeous scenery.

"Winter Park is a small time locals mountain, with breathtaking views, and a great local people," thefoodguru82 said on tripadvisor.com. "This mountain stands as one of my favorite places to just get away, but far enough from the cities and the normal ski crowds to open powder, (and) unreal backcountry."

Whether you want to visit in the summer or winter, or anytime in between, there is plenty to do in Winter Park, Colorado, only 90 minutes from Denver.

Citations:

Winter Park, no author listed, coloradosummerinfo.com

Winter Park, no author listed, coloradowinterinfo.com

Winter Park: Traveler Reviews, no author listed, coloradowinterinfo.com