Winter Park

It all began with two small settlements nestled against the western slope of the Continental Divide. Old Town started with construction on the Moffat Tunnel. Hideaway Park began in 1932 with tourist cabins, a café and service station. In 1978 the two settlements became the Town of Winter Park. Growth continued with the land around the ghost town of Arrow at the western base of Rollins Pass. Winter Park Ski Resort was annexed into the town's boundaries, now making it the highest incorporated municipality in the state.

Today the heart of the town straddles US Hwy 40 with many shops, restaurants, galleries and lodging facilities. The snow gods smile on this portion of Grand County. The town is home to Winter Park Resort, Colorado's Favorite™ ski area, named, of course, because the ski area is a winter park owned by the City and County of Denver and now managed by Intrawest. The abandoned construction camp at the west portal of the Moffat Tunnel was bought by the City of Denver in 1939 for development into a winter recreation area, which was officially opened on January 28, 1940, with a half-mile-long rope tow and a one-dollar lift ticket. Consequently, it was the rope tow that brought people to the town, unlike other ski towns that were once gold-centered villages.

Mountain biking and hiking trails are favorites in the summer. Summer also brings art fairs and music festivals. Home to the famous Winter Park Jazz Festival and other music events from blues to folk to rock, outdoor concerts are held in the town's newly constructed amphitheater in Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park. Next to the amphitheater is the new outdoor skateboard park with three bowls and rails. (The park has no supervision; skate at your own risk.) The small-town atmosphere combined with world-class skiing make Winter Park a great place to enjoy all that the mountains have to offer.

• 69 miles northwest of Denver on US Hwy 40
• Population 662
• Elevation 9110ft

• The key to safe mountain driving is to slow down and look further ahead than in normal driving. Most accidents occur because drivers are either driving too fast, and/or are following too closely to the car in front of them.
• Unique mountain hazards include wildlife that can dart out in front of you, scenic overlooks that attract traffic, and heavy truck traffic that speeds up on downhill sections while slowing down going uphill.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles or SUVs can lead to a false sense of security in rain, snow and ice. SUVs do not stop any differently than conventional cars.
• Observe posted speed limits on curves. Keep to the right of your lane when rounding a curve to put as large a cushion of safety as possible between you and oncoming traffic. According to the Colorado State Patrol, a large percentage of high country accidents are caused by drivers who don't stay on their side of the road.
• Blue Light warning! Colorado's snowplows use distinctive amber and blue lights to warn you well in advance that snow removal operations are underway. When you see these lights, slow down and use caution.
• Cell phones don't always work in the mountains. If you have to use one for an emergency, a higher ridge line will give you the best reception. If you call 911, tell them you are in Grand County. Depending on where you are, you may reach an emergency center for a different county.