Uncategorized, Winter

Pro Tips for Parking at Winter Park Resort

The 2022/23 Winter Season is off to a snowy start! We’re opening more lifts and terrain as more snow falls, and we’re excited to see all of YOU, our guests, come and enjoy some time on the slopes.

We spent time last Summer and Fall making improvements and updates to get ready for winter, and parking was at the top of our list. After finishing several parking upgrades, we have nearly 350 MORE parking spaces than we did last season. However, since we continue to be a popular holiday and weekend destination for many of our guests, parking can fill up early on holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, especially after a fresh snow. Here are a few pro tips to help you get on the mountain this season.

Download and Check the Winter Park Resort App

Along with adding parking spaces, we’ve made updates to our app to help alert guests when parking lots are full and where to find open parking. 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.

Carpool

Just like you, many other skiers and riders are ready to hit the mountain too! Help us maximize parking and minimize your environmental impact by carpooling when possible. Check out the new ride-sharing apps like TreadShare or Caravan if you’re looking for someone to carpool with.

Pro Tip: Users of the treadshare app will receive a FREE Phunkshun Wear face mask!

Find other carpooling resources 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

We expanded our parking capacity significantly this year, with 350 more spaces than last season through our new G-Lot. That’s something to celebrate! 

What’s more: the G-Lot parking area receives free, daily shuttle service to the resort, with drop-offs right at the Gondola! 

Our other shuttle lots (Old Town, Bus Barn, Lone Tree, 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 gets closer and 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

Pro Tip: If all lots are full, head into town and park at the Cooper Creek parking garage. You can take the free Town of Winter Park bus to the Resort from there, called The Lift. 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. You can take any line, except the Green line, to get back to town from the Resort.

parking, Pro Tips for Parking at Winter Park 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 (cosmic tubing is a can’t miss!), do a little ice skating on the village pond, or try out sunset skiing and riding.

parking, Pro Tips for Parking at Winter Park Resort

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! Tickets can be purchased for as low as $34! 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.

parking, Pro Tips for Parking at Winter Park Resort

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. Want to guarantee a powder day? 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.

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