Tubing_blur
Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chamber Announces Winter Events
Photo caption: Winter Park is a winter wonderland for events and outdoor activities.
Winter Park, Colo. – The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber today announced its winter events lineup, including the 75th year anniversary bash for Winter Park Resort. Here is a look at the fun that’s in store for winter visitors to Colorado’s Favorite Playground. For a complete list of events in Winter Park please visit the Winter Park Events Calendar. Dec. 13 – Tommelfest at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa Fun for all ages, this season kick-off celebration includes free lessons, team sprints, grog & beer garden, keg toss, BBQ, retail specials and prizes. Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade The Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade is one of the most beloved Winter Park traditions. The event begins with Christmas carols around the bonfire at the base of Winter Park Resort, next to the Zephyr Lift at 4 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., a procession of torch-bearing skiers and riders begin their way down Lower Hughes trail, followed by Santa Claus and his merry helpers. A spectacular fireworks display and snowcats adorned with holiday colors light up the slopes in a Christmas tree formation to conclude the festivities. Immediately following the show at 6 p.m., visitors are welcome to attend Christmas Eve interdenominational services located in the lower level of the Balcony House and Catholic Church services located in West Portal Level 4. Services are scheduled to last about an hour. Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration at Rendezvous Event Center at Hideaway Park Come enjoy the amazing fireworks display in Downtown Winter Park at 9 p.m. Bring the entire family for free sledding. Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at Ski Granby Ranch Ski Granby Ranch invites families to participate in a glow stick walking parade followed by a torchlight procession of the ski and ride instructors. Kids can pick up their free glow stick in ski school from 5-5:30 p.m. then head up to the top of the Milestone lift where the parade begins at 6 p.m. Stick around to ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. Jan. 24 – 75th Anniversary Weekend Celebration at Winter Park Resort The celebration invites one and all to take part in the 2nd Annual Stagecoach Classic cross-country race, 75th Anniversary Gala followed by a main street parade and parade, and much more. Jan. 24 – Winter Park Resort 75th Anniversary Gala Join Winter Park Resort guests, locals and fanatics, along with the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), as they celebrate the 75th Anniversary of ski industry greatness at Winter Park Resort. Enjoy a scenic, moonlit gondola ride to a delicious, gourmet dinner served at the Lodge at Sunspot, 10,700 feet above sea level. Guests can also take part in the silent auction to benefit the NSCD while dancing the night away to live music. Jan. 24 – 2nd Annual Stagecoach Classic This "off the map" 30km/15km classic cross-country ski race and tour will start at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, traverse through the former iconic Idlewild Ski Area and finish with a post-race party in Winter Park. A portion of the race and tour proceeds will go toward the Colorado Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited to protect and preserve the endangered Fraser River. Post-race events will include lunch, a beer garden and live music at Rendezvous Event Center at Hideaway Park. Feb. 7-15 – Winter Carnival Activities every day including DU & CU alumni days, Mardi Gras celebration, GoPro Night, live music, kid and adult activities, Subaru WinterFest, and much more. Activities and events take place in the town of Winter Park and at Winter Park Resort.
Feb. 15 – Cupid’s Revenge Snowshoe Race This new event utilizes the new Yankee Doodle Trail by Hideaway Park in the old Idlewild Ski Area. The loop starts by climbing the trail to loop down on Meadow Trail on the way back. Fun for the entire family!
Feb. 20-22 – 40th Annual Wells Fargo Ski Cup at Winter Park Resort This event brings together world-class disabled ski racers, Denver celebrities, Denver Broncos alumni, along with amateur skiers and snowboarders of all abilities for a weekend of activities to benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). Competitors in the Governor's Cup, a Pro Am race, assemble a team of five friends, family members or co-workers to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. The highlight of the weekend is the World Disabled Invitational, when disabled skiers compete head-to-head on parallel courses. The Celebrity Challenge is one of the most entertaining events of the weekend as celebrities and former football stars make their way down a race course. A giant silent auction attracts frivolous and frugal shoppers alike!
March & April – Rock the Ranch at Granby Ranch During March and April celebrate spring in the Rocky Mountains with live music on the patio (Saturdays March 7-April 4), outdoor BBQs and beach parties. There’s also a Night Ski Scavenger Hunt on Fridays and Saturdays in March, as well as the Beach Bash and Pond Skim on March 28. The Granby Ranch Easter Celebration is on April 5.
March 28 – Winter Park Wipe Out Competitors will experience a series of incredible challenges on a mystery course that takes them all around the town of Winter Park, including the Wipe Out Zone, where things WILL get messy snowmobile-tubing, food challenges, hammerschlagen and many other wild winter activities. April 26 – Coca-Cola® Spring Splash at Winter Park Resort Competitors in both the ski and snowboard divisions start the course by coming out of the gate backwards and struggle through a hilarious obstacle course before skimming like a Jedi across the icy pond. Live music in the Plaza to follow. To learn more about planning a vacation to Winter Park visit www.playwinterpark.com. Or, check out the Winter Park Deals page for lodging packages. About Winter Park & Fraser Chamber (www.PlayWinterPark.com) The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber is a non-profit Colorado corporation created to help further and maintain responsible growth in the Winter Park-Fraser Valley area, located in the Rocky Mountains just 65 miles west of Denver.