Why Winter Park Resort should be your next vacation destination
The first major round of snowfall blanketed much of the western U.S. earlier this month — and here at The Points Guy, it has us dreaming about hitting the ski slopes. Between flying down the runs, taking in the scenery and (of course) enjoying après-ski in front of a blazing fire, there’s hardly a better activity to enjoy this winter.
And if you’re seeking a perfect spot to partake in this pastime while still enjoying the creature comforts of home, look no further than Winter Park Resort in Colorado.
Here are some of the top reasons why this destination should be at the top of your list to visit this winter season.
The adventure — aided by new tech
Travelers are ready (and eager) to get out and experience the freedom only a wintertime mountain adventure can bring. And to help navigate a getaway of every type, Winter Park Resort is launching a new mobile app — right in time for opening day on Nov. 17. The Winter Park app allows guests to access their tickets and check wait times for the lifts, right from their phones. No need to stop at the ticket desk upon arrival or fall victim to a long wait for a lift — all of which creates a more seamless and stress-free experience on the mountain.
Related: 6 things you must know before taking a first ski trip
And rather than brave the lines (and crowds) when it’s time to eat, the app will also allow guests to order lunch ahead of time at most base and on-mountain dining spots — ensuring your meal is ready and waiting as soon as you step out of your bindings. The app will even sync with your Ikon or Winter Park season pass, allowing passholders to automatically receive discounts when they order through the app.
Speaking of which …
The savings — and flexibility
Buying a ski pass can be one of the most important ways to enjoy the slopes every winter, offering an array of options to meet your needs as well as a number of ways to save at the mountain.
If you purchased a season pass, you can enjoy up to 15% off your food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases at select Winter Park Resort eateries — including Moffat Market, Snoasis and Mary Jane Café.
Mary Jane Café is particularly noteworthy here, as it provides one of the best grab-and-go breakfast options out there: the Ten Buck Huck, a breakfast burrito with a 16-ounce coffee for just $10. This deal is exclusively available to passholders before 10 a.m. — providing valuable fuel in convenient to-go packaging before a day of exertion.
Passholders can also save 25% on walk-up lift tickets for visiting friends or family members, and you can also access shopping discounts at select outlets at the resort.
Now, ski passes aren’t for everyone, but Winter Park regularly offers discounts and other promotions for any traveler. Be sure to check the resort’s deals and packages page for current offers.
If flexibility is what you’re seeking, look no further than Winter Park’s flex ticket option (available through Nov. 23, with select blackout dates over the holidays). Commit to 2, 3 or 4 days of skiing at a set price — and then choose your specific dates later. This gives you valuable savings over last-minute prices at the resort while ensuring maximum flexibility for your planning purposes.
Read more: 7 mistakes to avoid when planning a ski trip
The experience
Visiting a ski resort isn’t just about the terrain, and while saving money is important, it’s not what makes memories for visitors. A ski trip is all about the entire experience — and here again, Winter Park Resort has you covered.
New for this year is Ember at Snoasis, the resort’s new outdoor, wood-fired dining concept. Indulge in a meal from a rotating menu of global cuisine — including a “cut of the day” like lamb or wild game. Overlooking the nearby slopes and terrain park at mid-mountain, Ember at Snoasis will offer a beautiful spot for an outstanding dining experience.
If après-ski is more your scene, venture up to 10,700 feet above sea level and the Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, which features food-and-drink specials along with live music every Friday and Saturday afternoon. The resort’s gondola is free for all riders during après events — even if you didn’t ski — so everyone can enjoy the festivities at Sunspot while taking in a beautiful sunset.
Related: 9 ways to enjoy a ski resort vacation without hitting the slopes
And for those looking to get even more activity in beyond the slopes, there’s plenty from which to choose:
- Adventure guides: You and your family can opt to try many other activities on the mountain through Winter Park’s adventure guides. This includes snowga — a small-group yoga session ahead of a day of skiing — or uphilling.
- Sunset tours: You can find even more peace by booking a sunset tour — via snowcat, snowshoe or ski-bike — that’ll whisk you to a secluded spot on the mountain. Enjoy s’mores and a warm drink as you take in the sunset and the transition to the starry night
- Venture Out Fest: You’ll have the chance to partake in all things adventure with the return of Venture Out Fest this year — including live music, dog sledding, and much, much more.
The convenience
Finally, Winter Park offers terrific convenience for travelers — both in reaching the resort and once you’re on property. Guests can fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), from which it’s a drive of less than two hours to get to Winter Park. While renting a car is an option, travelers can also utilize scheduled van service with Home James Transportation — with six daily departures starting Nov. 19 (expanding to 11 daily trips as of Dec. 17).
Once you get to the resort, you may not find much need to leave. There are a variety of dining spots, multiple lodging options, and on-site rentals and lessons.
But even if you want to venture off property, it’s incredibly easy to do so via “The Lift” — free shuttle service within Winter Park and nearby Fraser. There’s even an app specifically for riders, allowing you to track the buses in real time.
Bottom line
It can be hard to select a ski resort for your winter getaway, but Winter Park in Colorado has everything you need for a successful trip this season. From its new mobile app to exciting experiences and incredible convenience, Winter Park Resort can make a fantastic destination for hitting the slopes this year.
For more information about the resort and its various travel packages, click here.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.