Winter Park Colorado: Warm weather fun

There are paths to stroll among the stores, restaurants, shops, or walk along the tiny pond. In fact, a careful look at the architecture of Winter Park suggests the early Colorado towns. The condo buildings recall wood and timber. Other buildings have a hint of Victorian, as well as suggestions of old brick town buildings like a bit of homage that makes for a pleasing diversity of styles.

There's also plenty of dining options. For breakfast try one (or more) of the huge selection of crepes at Goody's. Of course, there's also Starbucks for those of us who need our serious coffee fix. Restaurant choices are also plentiful with a nice selection of dining options.

Family Time

This is a perfect destination for outdoor active families. Mini Golf, Zephyr Scenic Chairlift, Human Maze beckon. Kids especially will love the climbing wall, and the trampoline that comes complete with safety harness. There’s also an alpine slide and scattered throughout the grounds are wonderfully quirky musical instruments by Freenote that call out to be enjoyed.

The condos are set up for families, well-furnished, with a complete kitchen, living room (some with fireplace), and many with small balconies. The large outdoor hot tub is more the size of a swimming pool.

Mountain Biking

But the biggest lure during nonskiing months is mountain biking. In fact, Winter Park (and the Fraser Valley) has restyled itself as the Mountain Bike Capital USA (TM) and Winter Park has turned its trail system into Trestle Bike Park. There are two lifts serving 33 miles of downhill freeride trails including tabletop jumps, elevated stunts, drops and more. Novice riders can enjoy Green World a 5 mile top to bottom trail. Winter Park also hosts the incredible Crankworx. If people could ski on mountain bikes, the result would look a lot like Crankworx.

If the concept appeals, but the experience is lacking, try Trestle 101, an half-day package with a guide, lift ticket and bike rental. Downhill mountain biking for beginners.

Fishing and Rafting

If you’re not into mountain biking, gravity-fed or otherwise, try your hand at fishing with Grand County Fishing. Or, try river-rafting with Adventure in White Water Rafting which offers both family, and white water trips.

Town of Winter Park

The town of Winter Park itself charms with shops and restaurants. Try dinner at Fontenot's Seafood and Grill. They are justifiably proud of their mojito, and their Chili scallops - tasty with cream sauce with a bit of a bite. If you aren't cooking breakfast (or lunch) in your condo head over to Mountain Rose Café that describes its cuisine as "redneck mountain fusion with a dash of hippie love." I called it delicious.

The town also sports a new amphitheater complex that host concerts in the summer, and sledding and tubing in the winter. It is rapidly becoming a magnet to draw people into the town. Add to that Cooperplace with its own tiny stage for additional free summer events and visitors can quite literally shuttle between the village and the town with "The Lift." Winter Park's FREE bus service runs daily from Winter Park Resort to Winter Park and Fraser, and also provides service to Granby.