We’re all eager to get on the mountain, and one of the biggest areas we all could use some extra pro tips in is around the parking scene. Well, good news! We’re here to help. Here are a few pro tips for parking to help you get on the mountain quickly and easily this season.
Download the Winter Park Resort App
Ready to look for some parking stashes? When you’re close to the resort, do a quick app check for the most updated parking info. Tap the “Info” button on the bottom menu bar and then tap “Resort Parking.” You’ll find details about free parking, paid parking, electric vehicle charging stations, drop-off and pick-up locations, and more. Once you find your spot, you can quickly check mountain conditions while you’re in the app, gear up, and head straight for the goods. (You can even mark where you parked too– pretty handy!)
Carpool
Just like you, many other skiers and riders are ready to hit the mountain! You can help us maximize parking and minimize your environmental impact by carpooling when possible. Apps like TreadShare help you to find friends for your powder day while also splitting the cost of fuel.
Bonus: users of the Treadshare app this season will be automatically entered to potentially win a 24/25 Winter Park Season Pass!
Find other carpooling resources here.
Park Efficiently and Thoughtfully
We know you might be running mostly on stoke and caffeine when you arrive for your ski day, but as you park, be a kind neighbor by waiting a moment before opening your car door to let the next car park, too. This helps us maximize the space available in each lot. Every space counts!
Use G-Lot and Shuttle Lots
Try a new-to-you lot — specifically, G-Lot! The G-Lot parking area fills up after some of our other lots so you’re more likely to find a space there. Plus, it receives free, daily shuttle service to the resort, with drop-offs right at the Gondola!
Our other shuttle lots (Old Town, Bus Barn, and Blue Spruce) have free shuttle service on weekends and holidays– also right to the Gondola.
You can find a parking map here or on the app!
Check the Sign Before You Park
As you finish coming down Berthoud Pass and the ski day closer to starting, make sure to check the electronic sign at the entrance of Mary Jane and Winter Park for parking status. You can expect to find this sitting out on busy weekends if parking is filling up. This sign will be updated when lots at the Mary Jane and Winter Park bases are full. (Because of the popularity of Mary Jane, these lots typically fill up first.)
Head to Town and Take the Lift
If all lots are full, fear not! You can head into town and park at the Cooper Creek parking garage. From there, you’ll take the free Town of Winter Park bus (called The Lift) to the Resort. It drops you off just steps from the Gondola, so no long trek in your gear to get on the mountain. Download The Lift app to see all routes and track the shuttles as they make their routes. (PS: You can take any line, except the Green line, to get back to town from the Resort.)
Stay Late and Après
Is it 4pm but you’re not ready to hit the road yet? Avoid rush hour and sped some time at Mountaintop Après Thursday through Saturday evenings. You can also take a spin at the tubing hill (evening tubing has colorful lights and is a can’t miss!), do a little ice skating on the Village pond, or try out guided sunset skiing and riding.
Arrive Early (or Late)
Weekends are a popular time for visiting Winter Park and we can see parking fill up quickly. To secure your spot, we recommend arriving early. There are lots of great places to grab breakfast around the resort while you wait for lifts to open like Coffee & Tea at the Winter Park Base or our pass holders can enjoy the Ten Buck Huck at Mary Jane Café, a breakfast burrito and coffee for $10.
You don’t have to get here first thing, though! If sleeping in is more your speed, we often see parking start to open up again around noon. Sleep in, grab breakfast at home, and then head up for some afternoon skiing.
Take the Winter Park Express
One of the unique ways to get to here is to ditch the car entirely and take the Winter Park Express! The train runs consecutive weekends starting in early January through late March. The Amtrak Winter Park Express departs each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Union Station in Denver at 7am and leaves the resort at 4:30pm. Learn more about the train here or by visiting https://www.amtrak.com.
Park at Winter Park and Still Ski the Jane
Mary Jane lots typically fill up first on weekends so make sure to check the sign near the entrance before turning in. If you park at the Winter Park base but want to ski the Jane there is a free shuttle between the Winter Park base and Mary Jane base that departs every 30 minutes. As well as a free bus service in town that drops off and picks up on the Mary Jane side.
You can also take the Gondola up and ski or ride over to Mary Jane via Sober Englishman or Outhouse. There are several ways to ski back to the Winter Park base at the end of the day too. From the top of Mary Jane, take Whistlestop or the High Lonesome trail to get back to the Winter Park base. There’s also the Corridor trail located just past the Iron Horse lift at the base of Mary Jane that will take you straight back to the Winter Park base.
Check the Forecast
Before the weekend, we recommend checking Open Snow for the latest forecast. Heavy snowfall can impact road conditions and your journey up to Winter Park. Be sure to check the CDOT website for road conditions and any road closures.
Bonus: want to guarantee a powder day? Grab some Early Ups to hit the slopes before anyone else, or book our pass holder lodging deal to stay steps away from first chair.
We look forward to seeing you at Winter Park this winter! For more information on parking and shuttles, please visit our website.