Before You Go
Coordinates | 39.8917°N, 105.7631°W
Baton Rouge to Winter Park | 1,278.3 miles
Driving Time | 19 hours, 12 minutes
Flying Time | 4 hours, 52 minutes (BTR to DEN)
Why Winter Park? | Bundle up and get ready for a snowy adventure with your entire family. While Winter Park is in a convenient location in Colorado, and is home to endless adventures, offering over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Best of all, you can visit even during the summer months for biking adventures, trail walking, and alpine sliding.
Where to Stay
Enjoy the feeling of being at home, but in a winter wonderland, at the Winter Park Resort. The resort features activities for the whole family, including dog sled rides, tubing, SnowCat tours, and sleigh rides. If you’re needing some time to defrost, there’s also plenty of shopping to take part in. If you plan to visit for the holiday, you and your family can venture out and even chop down your own Christmas tree.
What to Eat
Goodys Mountain Creperie
100 Parry Peak Way, Winter Park Resort, C0 80482
Your little ones will love indulging in some delicious crêpes, and everyone will leave happy at this restaurant. Be sure to try the sweet crêpes, including the S’mores Crêpe or the Curious George Crêpe, or for something more savory, check out the Monte Cristo Crêpe or an Ultimate BLT Sandwich.
Fraser Valley Hot Dog
78927 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
Fraser Valley cooks up gourmet food in a fast-food environment, and is sure to satisfy the whole family. From a Plain Jane hot dog to an everything Chicago dog, you can create the hot dog of your dreams at this joint. And if hot dogs aren’t your thing, Fraser Valley also has tasty hamburgers and sandwiches.
Mountain Grind
47 Cooper Creek Way #126, Winter Park, CO 80482
For a quaint mountain dining experience, Mountain Grind is the place to be. With sandwiches and salads to coffee and gelato, Mountain Grind has something on the menu for everyone in your family.
What to Do
Skiing and snowboarding are likely at the top of your list this winter. If you’re looking for fresh powder (that’s snow), check out Winter Park Resort, Colorado’s longest operating ski resorts. If you’re wanting something smaller, Ski Granby Ranch is the perfect place for families to ski or ride. And for the more experienced fam, try out Snowcat Skiing & Tours to look at backcountry that can only be accessed by Snowcats.
■ winterparkresort.com or granbyranch.com
Go sledding with the entire family at Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park. Go on a dog sled, or visit the kennel. If you’re looking to ride with Snow Mountain Ranch-YMCA of the Rockies, make your reservation at least seven days prior. ■ dsrwp.com
Warm up from the cold by heading over to The Foundry Cinema and Bowl. Enjoy an evening of movies and bowling, and have dinner, too! Their delicious wood-fired pizza will leave your mouth watering and give you plenty of energy before you take on fun games, including pool, shuffleboard, and air hockey. ■ foundry-wp.com
Go on a tour with Powder Addiction to the top of Jones Pass, but be prepared to ski your way back down. For a more laid-back tour, Winter Park Resort offers scenic Snowcat tours all through the season, so be sure to bring your camera. ■ powderaddiction.com
Soar above it all on a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy spectacular flights over Winter Park and Fraser Valley year-round with Grand Adventure Balloon Tours. See a bird’s eye view of the Continental Divide; the Rocky Mountain National Park; and the beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests within. ■ playwinterpark.com
All aboard! Go on an authentic Colorado train ride with Georgetown Loop Railroad. Watch as Colorado history comes to life in a fun adventure that will thrill the entire family. The beauty of the rugged Rocky Mountains surrounds you as a locomotive winds up Clear Creek Canyon, bringing you past the remains of gold and silver mines. ■ georgetownlooprr.com
