We did it for the bikers and thought, why not the music lovers?  Show us your ticket stub from one of the Winter Park Music Festivals from the 2009 season and get 20% off.  There’s only one thing left to say… Show me your ticket!

The Winter Park Jazz Festival is returning to Winter Park this summer to play at Hideway Park’s new mountain venue.  Coem visit the valley July 25-26, 2009 for an all star line-up that includes…

Saturday July 25, 2009, show hours 11am-6pm

Fourplay
War
Warren Hill
Dotsero

Sunday July 26, 2009, show hours 11am-6pm

Boney James
Sax for Stax
Rippingtons
Hazel Miller

With the after party being hosted and located at the base of the Winter Park Resort, your lodging stay with the Iron Horse Resort is a short 10 minute walk from entertainment, to bed.  Just to help you out with your choices,

Iron Horse Resort is offering a one night stay in a studio and a one day ticket to the concert for only $75 per person.  Why not stay for the entire fesitval for only $150 per person?  The tickets will be at the desk when you check-in… how’s that for convienence? 

2 person minimum per studio.  1 person can take advantage of the one night package for $115 per night.  Larger units are available.

The Blues from the Top Festival is celebrating its 7th year in Winter Park, Colorado. June 26-28, 2009, great performers like Tab Benoit & Jimmy Hall, will be rocking at the new venue in Hideaway Park.  The festival includes two full days of some of the best blues in the mountains and late night jam sessions at Smokin’ Moes.  For more information and access to a full line-up of performers, click here.  

Iron Horse Resort is offering a combined lodging and ticket package for the Blues Festival starting at $65 per person, your ticket will be waiting for you when you check-in to your one night stay in a studio condo.

2 person minimum per studio. 1 person can take advantage of this package for $105 per night.  Larger units are available.

Its official the ski season has closed and we have landed in the middle of mud season. As the snow melts and the trash from seasons past begins to surface a new feeling comes over all of us… summer is here! It is this exact feeling that makes mud season so much more bearable.

So, what is mud season anyways?

Up here in Winter Park, well the majority of ski towns, operate around our visitors and guests. When the rest of the world is planning their ski vacation or summer music festivals, we local ski bums know that it is our high season. The time when you don’t get a chance to sit down, never run out of work and all-the-while walk around with a smile on our faces. Although the smile is for our guests, it is also because we know we get to take a lunch break on the mountain and get a few runs in before the closing of the day. But as spring peaks through in the middle of April and begins the spring thaw, something amazing happens, the entire town shuts down. Literally. This is the time that we get to go on vacation… our schools even operate around this schedule. Spring break for us lands in April, not March. But why leave, why not stay? Mud Season is exactly what it sounds like, the snow is melting and mud is everywhere. The newbie’s are commonly found washing their car daily, before they finally realize that it will only stay that way for an hour before the car is dirt brown again… save your money.

So when everyone leaves and goes on vacation, what happens to the local business for the people that decide not to go anywhere? Well, you eat and entertain yourself at home because everything is shut down. Out of 10 (more or less) restaurants in town only about 2 are open, even the remaining few have iffy hours. Stores that used to have set hours now have paper signs taped to the door that simply states, “Walking the dog, be back later.” Later? When’s later? When did you leave? It doesn’t matter though, because you left a sign on the door that stated “Going to Lunch, be back later.” Of course this doesn’t fly with the hotel business, but I do have to agree that this is one of the only times during the entire year that we get the freedom to wear jeans. Oh, what a luxury, really. It almost feels as if you are really living mountain style when you get to strut around in your jeans. I love it.

The other interesting thing about mud season is when the snow melts, little treasures begin to glitter and glisten in the sun. What are these treasures you ask? It’s the things that are lost and dropped from all the visitors throughout the busier times. Cell phones, wallets, skis, poles, gloves, hats, goggles… the list goes on and on. Of course if you find a wallet and are able to return it then you do your good deed, but the best part is that not only do you get your fare share of exercise while hiking around, but you feel like a pirate scouting for loot… argh! Hey, it may not be the best past time sport, but it gives us something to look forward to.

The most amazing thing about mud season is that the snow will be gone for the next 4 months or so. It may snow here and there (in fact it snowed every month in the summer of 2008), but it is usually up high or melts away soon. We all get to dust off our tank tops, shorts, flip flops and Frisbees, and show off the palest skin you have ever seen. The sunburn after only 20 minutes in the sun is one of the proudest things to wear around here because you got out and enjoyed one of the most amazing summers on earth. With a high of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of anywhere from 0-20 degrees Fahrenheit at night, it never gets too hot or too cold. The Aspen Glow lights up the skies in the evening and the grass is greener than you’ve ever seen. The snow melt raises the rivers and makes for spectacular fishing and rafting, and the miles and miles of dirt trails makes Winter Park the Mountain Bike Capital of the World.

One thing of warning when you come up this season, bring your sunscreen, but most important, make sure you bring at least 2 sets of clothes (including jackets) for each day. In the morning you will start off with pants, long-sleeve shirt and light jacket. By noon you will have stripped down to the tank top, shorts and flip-flops. And if you are out in the late evenings, it may be back to your morning outfit, but with closed-toe shoes and a heavy jacket. The weather in Colorado is never predictable and at times has poured rain while sun shining. It is truly amazing. Join the Iron Horse Resort this mud season and upcoming summer and share with us all the beauty and wonder that surrounds this breathtaking town we love, Winter Park, Colorado.

Just to share a little love for mud season, I did a tour today of our resort and took pictures for a new slideshow… enjoy!

Technorati Profile

The fitness center has been delayed through the season due to some construction difficulties, but we were happy to have it open and operable for Spring Break in March!  The locker rooms themselves have seen the biggest change with new tile, paint, fixtures, doors… well, just about everything.  Before, it seemed that we had and overabundance of lockers, bathrooms and showers, and of course an outdated style, but with the new warm colors and a reduction in all of the things that were stuffed in the locker rooms prior, there’s a much more airy and comfy feeling.  The glass doors that seperate the main entrance from the more private areas, and the door that closes off the sauna, give a very distinct trendy look that definately leaves you feeling like your in a more updated environment than before. 

 The minty green shade carries into the gym area where a major wall has been removed that helps give the gym an open feeling.  Where before it seemed like the gym equipment was a little squished, now we have room for new equipment, like the new Schwinn Spin bike, fitness balls and yoga matts!  We also have a new flat screen television!  I’m sure the warmer months ahead will bring plenty of time for outside exercise, but we hope that each of our guests will enjoy the new features, remodels and updates that the Iron Horse Resort has to offer.  Until then, enjoy our flickr slideshow to view the fitness center remodel…

P.S. Do you want more pictures of our property or want more information posted on this blog?  Feel free to comment here or send your questions to kallen@ironhorse-resort.com. 

P.S.S. Thanks for the reminder Mr. Dollison!

Tabernash Tavern at Winter Park Chef’s Cup

January 23rd, the Winter Park Resort will host the 26th Annual Chef’s Cup Benefit Dinner.  Beginning at 6:30 pm at West Portal, join culinary experts and locals in tastings from many local restaurants and catering companies, including our very own Tabernash Tavern.  Each contestant will be judged in different areas, like Best Presnetation to Best Appetizer.  For more info call (970)726-1590.

Welcome Back to Winter Park Launches

Winter Park’s newest website, www.welcomebacktowp.com, launched last week and offers tons of deals for tourists and locals!  From lodging, to shopping and dining, each savings can earn you a key that gives you a chance at winning $10,000 at the end of the season!  Visit the website for more details.

Happy New Year from your Chamber Board & Staff!

New Year’s Eve Celebrations!

Hideaway Park:   The New Year’s Eve Celebration (in downtown Winter Park) is a community event that draws guests from all over.  The event has many activities that appeal to all ages starting at 7pm.  Hideaway Park bustles with family fun:  snow games, human bowling, free sledding, kid’s rails, music and hot chocolate by the fire to keep warm.  A spectacular fireworks display add to the festivities at 9pm.
Winter Park Resort: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Lodge at Sunspot.  Two options of unique dining are available at 10,700 feet.  An elegant experience is the Four-Course Dinner in Sunspot’s Dining Room.  Sunspot’s Alpine Buffet is satisfying and suitable for the whole family.  Reservations are required by calling 970.726.1446.  www.skiwinterpark.com
SolVista Ski Basin:   New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.  Bring the family to help us celebrate the New Year.  The evening festivities begin at 6pm with the traditional kids parade, synchronized ski-down and spectacular fireworks display. Limited glow sticks will be available to children 12 and under, otherwise, bring a flashlight and join in the parade.   www.solvista.com
Grand County Blues Society:  The Grand County Blues Society presents New Year’s Eve at Silverado II.  The show features Jimmy Hall, Ronnie Fruge and Guests.  Dinner is a 4-course meal including appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert.  Cocktail hour at 6pm and dinner served at 7:30pm.  You don’t have to come to dinner to enjoy the music at 9pm.  www.grandblues.org

Back Country Grill: Enjoy an intimate celebration with limited seating of 32 people. At 10pm, enjoy appetizers of PEI Mussels or Steak Tartare, house salad, then love the Filet Mignon & Lobster Tail or Duck & Lobster Tail followed by a Hot Waffle Hot Fudge Sundae or Hot Donuts with Dipping Sauces. Champagne Toast for $65/ person (tax & gratuity not included) while bringing in the New year.  Located Downtown Winter Park. Call for reservations at 726-5557. Serving regular menu until 8pm.

-Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce. “New Year’s Eve Town Events.” Email to Iron Horse Resort. 30 December, 2008.

Because I basically share an office with the Fitness Center construction, banging, clanking and drywall dust, I am more than happy to announce that the new Fitness Center and Locker Rooms is set to be completed by January 9^th! 

With new steam rooms, beautiful tile and an expanded fitness center, we are now able to offer our guests a true fitness experience in style!  As soon as they let me take a visit inside, I’ll grab some pictures and post them. 

The town of Winter Park is launching a new website, www.WelcomeBacktoWP.com,  that is offering guests and locals deals for the season and a HUGE incentive to visit… a chance to win $10,000 at the end of the season! 

Many local business partners are coming together to offer everyone from first time visitors to returning guests, discounts and specials at participating restaurants, shops and lodging partners.  Each deal will be different, but everytime you spend money with one of the participating partners, you can take your receipt to the Winter Park Chamber and they will give you a key that has a special code.  You can log-on to www.WelcomeBacktoWP.com and try you key code in the door.  If the door opens, then you have a chance to win $10,000 at the end of the season… yep, its that easy!  Don’t worry, there are plenty of other prizes to go around and you can get a free t-shirt when you visit the Chamber! 

Let the reservationsist at Iron Horse Resort know that you are interested in the Welcome Back to Winter Park deal for more information!