Few experiences can replicate the thrilling sensation of linking turns down smooth, intermediate blue runs in the mountains! Winter Park’s 35 blue-rated runs are a fun option for everyone from beginners looking to improve their basic skills to seasoned shredders who enjoy carved turns and have a need for speed. Whatever your style, Winter Park has a selection of groomed blue trails that will have you skipping lunch to squeeze in as many laps as possible. This is our guide to experiencing the best runs Winter Park has to offer.
Jabberwocky
Start your day at the Village. Take a ride on the Gondola to the top of the Winter Park territory. A short jaunt to skiers’ left down Whistlestop will deliver you to Jabberwocky, an extensive, open trail perfect for warming your legs up and preparing for the day! Plus, “It’s a little longer than most trails and is also kind of a forgotten trail,” said Zach Akselrad, Assistant Director of Ski Patrol. That means you can find open space and ample fresh snow. If you arrive later in the day, stay near the trees on the sides of the trail for the softest snow.
Stagecoach
Continue from Jabberwocky to the bottom of the Pioneer Express lift. Ride to the top of the Vasquez Ridge territory where you’ll have a wide array of groomers to choose from. We recommend Stagecoach, where you’ll find minimal crowds and abundant fresh turns. Plus, the corduroy lasts late into the day in this part of the resort, so you’ll be able to claim first tracks even if you get a late start!
Lonesome Whistle
Spin another lap up Pioneer Express, but this time go to skiers’ right from the top of the chair. Cruise down Gunbarrel, which will take you to Lonesome Whistle. This trail is a cruisy, rolling route that is perfect for practicing turns, surfing the sidewall and dialing in your technique. Thanks to its location in a wooded, north-facing gully, Lonesome Whistle retains quality snow conditions even when other parts of the mountain are warmed by the sun.
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Mary Jane Trail
Hop on the Olympia lift and head up and over the mountain to the Mary Jane territory. Start your exploration of this territory on Mary Jane Trail, a long, wide, top-to-bottom run. A perfect route for digging in your edges and satisfying your need for speed, Mary Jane Trail is also a friendly introduction to more advanced terrain. It is consistently groomed and offers soft snow all day, meaning you can set your edges with confidence!
Pro tip: When you’ve worked up an appetite, swing by Mary Jane Cafe or Bradleys at the base of the Mary Jane Trail and grab a $5 slope side snack to refuel and keep your energy up!
Roundhouse
A classic blue run on the ever-popular Sunnyside of Mary Jane territory, Roundhouse is a dream for skiers and riders who like to get low, slice up the snow and link S-turns. Put your wax and tune to work and carve from top to bottom on Roundhouse’s rolling terrain. Moreover, if you have such a good time that you just have shred Roundhouse again, the Sunnyside Chair provides a four-minute commute to the top of Mary Jane, so you can rack up the laps in no time!
Forget-Me-Not
Catch the Panoramic Express, America’s highest six-seat chairlift, to Parsenn bowl. Situated at 12,000 feet, the summit of Winter Park Resort provides spectacular views of Parry’s Peak, Fraser Valley, and the ski area. Take a moment to appreciate the view and then drop into Forget-Me-Not, a wide-open, high-alpine groomed run. With abundant space to carve turns and consistent powder, you’ll be hollering in delight the whole way down!
Edelweiss
“It’s not a hard trail, but it’s all about the experience at the Jane and seeing it all,” explained Tony Terreri, Director of Ski and Ride School. Continue from the egress of Forget-Me-Not onto another famous Sunnyside groomer: Edelweiss. Another gentle trail with plenty of opportunities to dip into the trees, find powder pockets or catch air off of any of the numerous side-hits that line the trail. This run provides abundant terrain to dial in your technique, practice new skills, or simply savor the sensation of skiing and snowboarding.
Cranmer
A long strip of gleaming white snow that can be seen from town, it’s as though Cranmer is constantly calling you to experience its cruisy conditions for yourself. Cranmer is a great option to finish off the day as you make your way back to the Village. It inspires a need for speed and deep, arcing turns, yet it’s also perfect for a relaxed meander back to the Village. All in all, with plenty of space to pick your own unique line down the trail, as well as a section of moguls on the far right of the run, Cranmer offers a fun finale for skiers and riders of all styles and abilities.
Winter Park may have 166 trails of all kinds to choose from, but for a fun ski day that will leave everyone in your crew grinning ear-to-ear, look no further than the best of our intermediate blue groomers. These runs will not only entertain you from top to bottom, but also provide a tour of the resort, improve your skills and make for a memorable day on the mountain with friends and family. Take the tour, carve the corduroy and experience our array of blue groomers for yourself!
