As we close Winter Park for the 20/21 ski season, we have no other words besides thank you. Thank you for making this season a memorable one. Thank you for sticking with us from December 3, 2020, to now, and beyond. Through the sunny days and powder days, thank you. Though there were unexpected twists and turns this season, plus uncertainty and unchartered territory, the good times outweighed all of that by a long shot. We were able to extend our closing date not just once, but twice! So again, thank you for making the Winter Park ski season one for the memory books!
We welcomed a new Avalanche dog named Gravy, and he’s already tackling his certifications! Thanks to your participation in our uphill program, we raised $40,000 for Grand County Search and Rescue (GSCAR). We had the ski highest ski season snow total in the state with 369″. Also, we began the journey of reconnecting with the land on which we ski with the help of Indigenous skier, Connor Ryan. We tried out some new things, like Ice Bumper Cars and order-from-anywhere ski snacks. We went through so much this season, together, and we are forever grateful for your support, loyalty, and understanding. THANK YOU!
One of the Longest Seasons on Record
This season, Winter Park Territory was open for 143 days. April 25 is the latest closing date for Winter Park Territory since the 1980/81 season! Mary Jane opened on December 16, 2020, and is slated to close on May 16, 2021, for a grand total of 151 days (that’s 164 total days of skiing this season). We’ve only seen 1 season with a later Mary Jane closing date, and that was the 1997/98 season, and it closed May 25.
Since March 1, we’ve seen nearly 9 feet of snow fall! Our season total of 369 inches makes us the resort with the highest ski season snow total throughout the state. In comparison, Breckenridge has less than 280, Copper got less than 230, and Vail got less than 240. We’d say that’s pretty good 😊.
Giving Back
New this year, we implemented an uphill armband system to help our Patrol team verify that all uphill skiers reviewed and agreed to our uphill policy. Learn more about uphilling at Winter Park here! By exercising and doing good to your body, you also helped out an important local non-profit by helping us raise $40,000 for Grand County Search & Rescue, an organization that provides services to residents and visitors of Grand County, Colorado in the back country, completely free, so that we all can Venture Out beyond Winter Park Resort.
This year, we took it upon ourselves to learn more about the land on which we ski and about the past, to change our present behaviors, to improve the future of our community, our industry, and our planet. Connor Ryan, Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta, is doing the important work of educating us on the lands that we enjoy every day. The lands on which Winter Park sits belong to the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute tribes. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Connor Ryan, our land, our planet, our community, and everyone who loves the outdoors. We hope you join us on this journey!
Again, thank you for an incredible 20/21 season—for navigating the ever-changing hurdles, for sticking with us through it all. We look forward to the quality time, celebrations, and powder laps still to come!