| WINTER PARK INFORMATION: In 1932 a small town called Hideaway Park began in the Fraser Valley. It would be the fourth town in the valley and was developed and built by L.O. (Doc) Graves, who eventually built 26 tourist cabins and a cafe & service station called Docs Place. By 1937, the small settlement of Old Town joined Hideaway Park to become the home base for those workers building the Moffat Tunnel. The completion of the Moffat Tunnel in 1937 provided an easier and faster way for ski and sports enthusiast in Denver to access the beauty and challenge of the Continental Divide and the Fraser Valley. Winter Park Resort opened to the public for the 1939/1940 ski season with three trails and a single tow rope. With the love and dedication of a handful of people, Winter Park Resort grew into a true ski playground for the city of Denver. Owned and operated by the city of Denver until 2002, Winter Park Resort has grown substantially from its small beginnings. In 1976, the Mary Jane Trail was added to the heart of the Winter Park Mountain. Once owned by the infamous Mary Jane; the land was given to you by workers building the Moffat Tunnel in exchange for her services. In 1986 Vasquez Ridge was added to the ski resort and provides secret snow stashes for many of the locals. The Parsenn Bowl, with a top elevation of 12,060 feet, was first opened in 1992. The Bowl provides a nirvana like experience on a powder day. Finally, the Vasquez Cirque, and its off piste chutes and steeps, opened in 1997, and although you have to hike to this terrain, most of the locals will tell you it is worth it. In 1992, Intrawest, a Canadian company, partnered with the City of Denver and now manages the ski resort. In addition to their commitment to provide more than $50 Million in on mountain improvements in the first 10 years (already seen in the addition of the Eagle Wind lift, Panorama Lift opening in 2007, and improvements made to the West Portal Building at the base of the mountain) Intrawest is building a Village including multiple condominiums & hotels, restaurants, shops, and a village pond. Now that you know the history, come see for yourself just how magical Winter Park is. |
