Winter Olympic Games

The Winter Park Ski Train has made its last run from Denver to Winter Park. ? After 69 years of bringing Front Range skiers up to the mountain slopes, service has ended with the train being sold to Canadian firm Algoma Central Railway Inc. ? The firm is owned by the Canadian National Railway Company. ?The company operates a ski train from its headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario were the train will be relocated. ? The?train?has been?owned by the?Ansco Investment Group a subsidairy of the Anschutz Company. ? Reasons for the sale of the line, first run in 1940, was non-profitability and future concerns with the redevelopment and use of Denver?s Union Station. ? The sale will cancel all summer trips previously scheduled. ? The trains last run was March 29, 2009. During the 1997 Summit of the Eight meeting of world leaders in Denver hosted by President Bill Clinton, first lady? Hillary Clinton hosted a?trip?up to Winter Park?on the Ski Train for the spouses of other leaders attending the summit. The closing of the train will be a blow to skiing enthusiasts who counted on the Ski Train for their trip up to Winter Park. ? The downside of the Ski Train? had been that all trips up Winter Park had to be single day adventures. ? There was no way to book a trip with a stay of a night or two at the resort without paying for two roundtrip tickets. ? For those still wanting to travel by train to Winter Park can still take Amtrack?service?that?runs from Denver?s Union Station?to Fraser. ? If looking for lodging in the Winter Park area, Winter Park Lodging by Owner (WPLBO) is the premier vacation rental company. ???<A HREF=http://www. wplbo. com>Ski Winter Park Colorado</a>

The Winter Park Ski Resort is known for deep powder, excellent mogul skiing and immaculately manicured groomers. To maximize your time spent skiing at Winter Park it is essential you rent the proper skis for your Winter Park, Colorado vacation. Read tips and information that will assist you in choosing your Winter Park ski rentals at various Winter

Park ski shops.

If your visiting Winter Park, Colorado from out of town, it is often easier if you leave the dusty old skis at home and experience cutting edge technology at one of the many ski shops throughout Fraser Valley. Skiing Winter Park and Mary Jane is a deeply rewarding experience but is pure mountain magic when you rent the proper skis for the task at hand. Read about renting the ski and snowboard equipment for your Colorado ski vacation.

Most visitors choose to organize their Winter Park ski rentals in advance. This saves time and money. Instead of waiting in line and having to fill out paperwork for your rental gear, why not do it online prior to arriving? Simply provide your skier information including height, weight, skiing ability and desired equipment and that?s it. All you have to do is show up to the selected Winter Park ski shop and pick up your rentals.

When the snow starts falling in Winter Park, CO you can expect the Colorado?s favorite ski resort to get buried in the deep light snow that this part of the Rocky Mountains are known for. Renting your very own Powder planks are an excellent choice for those looking to take advantage of fresh snow. Powder skis are much wider under foot than other types of equipment. This enables as much surface float as possible while providing solid stability. Powder skis tend to be a little longer than other skis which also helps carry your weight. Again, renting powder skis in Winter Park, Colorado is a popular choice for storm chasers. The best part is, some of the shops in Winter Park will let you swap out different equipment so you can ski various types of skis depending on the conditions.

Some get nostalgic for carving smooth effortless turns in manicured groomed snow. There is something magical about leaning into your turns and having full trust in your edges. Winter Park Resort is a playground for corduroy enthusiasts and bump skiers alike. All-mountain skis provide this combination of attributes whilst giving the skier the advantage to take the skis off piste as well. All mountain skis tend to have deep sidecuts, wide buckets and flared tails. This enables the intermediate to advanced skier to simply place the skis on edge and let the magic of parabolic dimensions do the hard work for you.

Some rental shops in Winter Park will also carry mogul specific skis. For those individuals who love zipper line bumps, this mountain will satisfy all. Do lap after lap of perfectly formed moguls that Winter Park and Mary Jane are known for. Mogul specific skis are much narrower by comparison than other types of skis. They generally have little or no sidecut and tend to be very flexible in the tail. This allows a skier to alternate edge to edge very quickly which is needed for skiing tight mogul lines. Remember the phrase ?No Pain?No Jane?.

Although referred to as three parks in one sometimes the Olympic National Park is really just one park that encompasses several ecosystems. The three ecosystems that divide the park are the rainforest, Olympic mountains, and the Pacific coastline. Olympic National Park is located in the upper northwestern corner of the state in an area known as the Olympic Peninsula.

The park is very interesting to visit because of its location and its three different ecosystems, but also because there are species there that are not anywhere else on earth. The reason why is the mountain range closes the peninsula off from the rest of the land and certain species evolved here that did not elsewhere. The park is a biological reserve and it is studied on a regular basis to better understand what makes the park so special and how animals evolved here.

Tourists love the Olympic National Park because of the beauty, nature, and outdoor sports like hiking and backpacking. It is especially cool to backpack along the beach for several days. This is no problem because the coastline is very long and provides the perfect place for backpackers to trek through the natural beauty. Hurricane Ridge is a great place within the park to visit during the winter months for the Nordic and alpine skiing.

There are several roads on the peninsula, but none of them make it into the depths of the peninsula rendering much of it wilderness that may only be explored on foot. Because of this visiting the park for a brief time will not do it justice. So, plan a couple days or at the very least one full day to dedicate to exploring the beauty of Olympic National Park.

Some of the best things to do in the park, for those who don’t know, include the following. Doing these activities will ensure you get the best of the park. You should definitely climb all 7,965 feet of Mt. Olympus. Also, backpack the 57 miles of coast and raft the rivers. Hike the Grand Ridge Trail that is above the tree line and provides unbelievable views from a very precarious trail. Sea kayak the coast of the park, soak in the hot springs, and watch the salmon migrate. If you can fit all of these activities into your vacation to the park then you will certainly get the best experience possible.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www. seasonalvacationspots. com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Winter Park is ?The Mountain Bike Capital of the USA?. Winter Park real estate and development company, Coyote Creek is only 90 minutes outside Denver. Though, primarily a ski town, Winter Park is becoming a four-season town. The desire for mountain homes is making Winter Park a popular place to live, driving the Winter Park real estate market.

Winter Park is located in Grand County, Colorado. It lies at 9100 feet. The area is surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest and three beautiful Wilderness areas. Close by, the Rocky Mountain National Park offers 265,727 acres of natural land and wildlife habitat for public enjoyment. In the Fraser Valley are three different ecological zones offering fantastic views and surroundings for Winter Park mountain homes.

David Moffat founded Winter Park as a workers camp during construction of the Moffat Tunnel while building the transcontinental railroad from Denver to the Pacific. Winter Park began as two small settlements, Old Town and Hideaway Park. The Fraser Valley in which Winter Park is located has a rich heritage of Ute Indians, logging, pioneers, mining, ranching and the railroad.

Winter Park offers the best powder skiing in the nation. Cold and long winters at high altitude are perfect conditions for winter recreation. Average annual sunny days is 250, average snowfall is 231 inches, the average high is 54 degrees, average low is 12.

Tourism drives the Winter Park economy. Retail and service businesses are the major employers. In addition, the Winter Park real estate market is vibrant because so many are seeking mountain homes.

Work in the town is very seasonal. Winter park enjoys low unemployment rates. The average median household income is $44,000, much higher than the national median of 41, 994 (2000 census).

Winter Park is a small town of 662 people with 129 families. Seasonal work fluctuates the population, as well as, second-home owners vacationing in their mountain homes.

Located in the Arapahoe National Forest, moose, elk, deer, porcupines, bear and mountain lions make their home in the mountain region.

3000 acres of skiing landscape offer terrain parks, groomers, bumps, steeps and deeps. In 2006, snow fall was an ideal 365 inches. There are other popular sports ? cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing.

In the summer with 250 sunny days a year there is mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, backpacking and river rafting. There is also a full cultural life with concerts and festivals; the Alpine Art Affair takes place in July.

Smart buyers are taking advantage of opportunities in Winter Park real estate. Booming business and proximity to Denver are increasing the potential for Winter Park real estate, at the same time it is still affordable. As the area has grown, affordable housing needs have to. In Winter Park, 80% of homes are owned by second home owners wanting mountain homes.

The median value of owner occupied housing units is $334, 400; median asking price $541,000. Winter Park real estate ranges from $120, 000 to $2,500,000.

Just a short drive west of Denver’s metropolitan area, vacationers and winter sports enthusiasts alike commonly find themselves taking in the breathtaking sights and scenery of Winter Park, Colorado. This hidden Rocky Mountain gem plays host to thousands of visitors every year in search of a getaway from the city or fun for the entire family ? or some enjoy surrounding themselves in sheer natural beauty. Winter Park has so much to offer, including charming boutiques to shop in, exquisite dining or exciting festivals in the town center. No matter what you’re after, surely it can be found in Winter Park.

Nestled in the awe-inspiring peaks of the Rocky Mountains just 90 minutes west of Denver’s city limits, Winter Park is home to some of the most desired ski slopes in the continental United States. Commonly known as “Colorado’s Highest,” Winter Park holds the highest elevation of any incorporated town in the United States at 12,060 feet above sea level. Early on, initial settlements first sprung up during the construction of the Moffat Tunnel when a local merchant named “Doc” Graves built 26 tourist cabins, a caf? and service station. Recognized for the site’s beauty and sheer potential as a getaway location, Graves powered the small mountain village by means of a water wheel he installed at the nearby Vasquez Creek. Enjoying rare economic prosperity during the ominous Great Depression, the Winter Park Ski Resort opened its doors to patrons in 1939. Thousands flocked to Winter Park over the years simply to hit the slopes on the resort’s three interconnected peaks ? Winter Park, Mary Jane and Vasquez Ridge. Despite the tourist buzz and years of success, it wasn’t until August 1, 1978 that Winter Park, Colorado was officially founded.

With all there is to offer, Winter Park lodging enjoys constant activity year round. During the winter months, Winter Park hotels are hubs for winter sport activity and excitement. But not just a ski town, Winter Park also boasts lots of warm weather activity including hiking, mountain biking, fishing and sight seeing. The town center also provides patrons with numerous shopping and dining opportunities.

No matter what you’re looking for, Winter Park is arguably one of the most accommodating vacation towns found throughout the Rocky Mountains. Winter Park lodging is warm and cozy and offers a wide array of vacationing choices. Anyone of the Winter Park hotels is sure to fit your needs. So whether it’s summer fun or winter sports activity, you’re sure to get your fill in Winter Park.

Winter Park CO lodging includes ski in / ski out hotels, cozy condo rentals and mountain lodges to fit any travelers accommodation needs. Located on the fringe of the Front Range of Colorado, Winter Park?s convenient location to Denver and Colorado Springs make it a popular ski vacation for both Colorado natives and out of state visitors.

Here is some general information about Winter Park lodging and accommodations.

Winter Park Hotels

Those travelers who are looking for full service amenities will feel right at home in any of the hotels in Winter Park, Colorado. Offering guests a wide variety of lodging styles many of the Winter Park hotels provide slopeside accommodation while remaining close to the town?s happening nightlife. You can wake up to continental breakfast, hit the slopes for a couple of hours, and then relax in the warmth of a outdoor hot tub. Nightly prices for Winter Park hotels range from budget accommodations to luxury rooms. Choose your own adventure in the Winter Park / Frasier Valley.

Winter Park Condo Rentals

Another popular choice for accommodations is to book your own Winter Park condo rental. The added advantage of having your own private 1-4 bedroom condo is the ability to cook your meals and gather with friends and family while having enough space for all your luggage and ski equipment. Winter Park condos are scattered throughout the entire valley. Some offer close proximity to the ski resort while others offer the quiet solitude of being tucked away next to a meandering river deep in the pine forest of Colorado. Some condo rentals in Winter Park are for the budget minded travelers who just need a place to crash, while other units provide luxury amenities like private outdoor hot tubs, full scale kitchen and cookware and of course wood burning fireplaces.

Winter Park Lodges

Winter Park lodges are where hotels meet private condos. The perfect blending of two offer guests authentic mountain ambience while providing full service amenities such as concierge service and guest reception. Many of the lodges in Winter Park are decorated in true Colorado architecture which consist of log structures and intimate meeting space.

Winter Park Ski In / Ski Out Accommodations

The best part of the varied lodging in Winter Park, Colorado is many of the units offer slopeside access to the Winter Park & Mary Jane ski resort. Simply head out the door, click into your bindings and let any of the numerous lifts take you to the top of the Continental Divide. Ski in / Ski out lodging in Winter Park tends to be a little more pricey than other lodging in the area but many find that the convenience factor is a big value worthy of spending a little more on their vacation accommodation.

A heart felt Winter Park, Colorado wedding is punctuated by stunning panoramic views of the continental divide, clean crisp air and a cobalt blue sky that Colorado is so well known for. A wedding celebration in Winter Park is about unifying families, the bring together of friends, and sharing of memories. Winter Park and the Fraser Valley have provided meaningful and memorable weddings for decades. Say ?I Do? with the stunning peaks of the Colorado Rockies as your wedding backdrop. Read more about planning a sensational wedding in Winter Park, Colorado.

When it comes to planning your wedding in Winter Park, you need to sort out the big ticket items first. What type of lodging is most suitable for your wedding party? What venue would you like to select as both your wedding ceremony and / or reception? These and other components of your wedding are best established at least a year in advance.

Winter Park accommodations are offered in many different styles. Condo rentals, hotels, private lodges and even bed and breakfasts provide unique settings for Colorado weddings in Winter Park. Winter Park condo rentals are scattered the Fraser valley. Many lodging options are available to budget minded travelers as well as those looking for upscale lodging units. Condo rentals in Winter Park allow wedding guests their own private space will ensuring everyone remains relatively close.

Winter Park hotels are also another popular option for booking group lodging. Winter Park hotels are also available throughout most sections of the Winter Park. Hotels allow your entire wedding party to be located under the same roof which enables access to the guests in case any circumstance arises.

Winter Park Wedding Ceremony & Reception Locations

The Lodge at Sunspot is the most popular venue for Winter Park wedding venues. Owned by the Winter Park Resort, this location is a specially designed venue for wedding parties and group gatherings of all sizes. The Lodge at Sunspot rests at 10,700 feet at the summit of Winter Park Resort. This intimate rustic wedding location is accessible by chairlift and/or gondola, as well as traditional transportation. The expansive wraparound deck overlooks the Continental Divide and provides splendid photographic opportunities for your Colorado wedding. The Lodge at Sunspot is perfect for outdoor ceremonies with seating up to 200. The Lodge at Sunspot’s inviting log architecture sets the stage for a distinct Colorado wedding.

The closest resort town to Denver, Winter Park, Colorado offer an unmatched combination of accessibility and fantastic skiing. Here you will ski some of the deepest snow in the state of Colorado. This area of the central Rockies receives BIG snow in the winter. On the other hand, summers in Winter Park provide lush green mountains filled with meandering streams and rivers. Winter Park is so close to Denver, many visitors simply rent a car after they book their flights. Read more information about flying into Winter Park and ground transportation.

In order to get to Winter Park, some visitors choose to fly into Colorado for quick and convenient access. There are two major airports within easy striking distance. These include Denver International Airport and Colorado Springs Regional Airport.

Flying to Denver has never been easier! Simply fly into the Denver International Airport (DEN) and rent a car or take a shuttle to Winter Park, Colorado. Denver provides affordable rates from many major U. S. cities. Most major airlines utilize this airport for connection flights to other parts of the country. This enables cheap

discount flights to Winter Park, Colorado for those wanting to get to the Colorado high country. The Denver International Airport is a quick 1. 5 hour drive to Winter Park and Mary Jane Resort.

Flying into Colorado Springs Regional Airport

Located 2 hours from Winter Park, the Colorado Springs Airport offers visitors an up close view of Pikes Peak as they drive the scenic route from Colorado Springs to the Frasier Valley. .

Car Rentals For Winter ParkWinter

Park rental cars are available on-site at the Denver International Airport. Advanced reservations are recommended. Book online to reserve a rental car at discounted rates for all airports in Colorado, including Denver (DEN) and Colorado Springs (COS). Car rentals include everything from economy vehicles to full sized 4wheel drives.

Intown Transportation

Transportation throughout Winter Park enables visitors to leave the rental car behind. The local transportation provides FREE transfers from the town of Winter Park to the resort. Hop on the shuttle and let the local transit carry you between your Winter Park condo rental and the ski resort.