Hi!

My boyfriend and I are two non-black diamond skiiers. We are headed to Colorado (Winter Park) for the first time to ski. Does anyone have any suggestions for cheap equipment rentals and lift tickets? Does anyone have any general advice for Winter Park?

Thanks!

There are plenty of runs at Winter Park for you. Mary Jane has blacks, so you might not like it there as much.

I don't know of any deals on lift tickets at this point in the season, but I do have a couple of $59 all-day lift passes I can give you. You would present them at the ticket office and then pay $59 for an all-day lift ticket. No blackout dates. We get ten of them with each of our annual passes, and we won't use them all.

If you are interested, I could email two of them to you, if that would help you out. Just post your email address here, if you want them. No strings attached.

We have had a place at Winter Park since the late 70s, and we love it there. Hopefully you will get hooked, too!

That is a nice gesture on your part Peace! I had to check out what the day ticket rate was at WP. WOW $97.00!!

Skiing is not for the faint of heart in more ways than one!

Jump at the offer Pebble!

-john

Although Mary Jane is known for bump runs, there are some very nice blue cruisers there, too--IIR, Bluebell, Columbine, Eidelweis.

Shell station and perhaps the Phillip 66 stations will give a 2 for 1 coupon for a fill up. Don't know the time limit for that promotion. There is a station right at the first exit (east end) for Idaho Springs off of I-70. Check various web sites for promotional pricing of rentals. Sometimes the rental places will offer slightly discounted tickets.

PeaceOut, thank you so much for reaching out to me. You just made my day... or better yet, my trip! You can reach me at [email protected].

Any other suggestions are really helpful!

Just sent you an email. When you get it, please confirm it reached you.

Have you found a rental yet?

Do you want to try Nordic skiing? Because there are two very nice places in the Winter Park area.

Just checked my e-mail and have not received it yet. When I get it, I will confirm. If I do not receive the e-mail, I will write you back on this post.

As for a rental, I found the Ski Exchange located at 1097 Winter Park Dr. Have you heard of them? Do you know of other places that are more reputable?

I've never been Nordic skiing, but am curious to learn more. What places do you suggest? Rentals?

Thanks for everything! I really appreciate the help.

I sent an email to the address above, but it bounced back undeliverable. Is there a typo above?

That's strange! Sorry about that.... May have been a period at the end where it shouldn't have been.

[email protected]

If that doesn't work, please e-mail: [email protected]

Thanks!

I just sent a short message again. Maybe I copied the period last time. Let me know if you get it.

As far as ski rentals, I do know Ski Exchange. It is a small locally owned place in old town Winter Park. I walk past it with my dog all the time. It gets good business, and is certainly reputable. If you have any problems with your equipment, it would be easy to get it fixed or to change ski length, etc.

If you rent equipment there, you can park in an old town parking lot for free, and grab the free shuttle into the base area. Otherwise, you park and pay about $10 at the base area. Or you park up above at the highway for free, and ride the free open gondola down to the base area. Your choice.

Christy Sports is probably the biggest chain of equipment rentals. You could stop at any of those on your way to Winter Park. I suggest you just investigate prices and equipment availability, and consider the location.

Nordic skiing is a completely different experience than downhill. It's obviously slower and easier, and you can enjoy the quiet of open country. So it's your choice. It is also cheaper to rent and get a pass.

I suggest you look into Devil's Thumb Ranch, which is a gorgeous place with great restaurants. Or Snow Mountain Ranch, a YMCA facility, which is more basic, but good, too.

Snow Mountain had to take down a lot of trees in recent years, so it breaks my heart to go there, but it might not bother you, since you did not see it before. It is probably cheaper than Devil's Thumb.

Have you found lodging yet? Snow Mountain has very basic lodging, but they could be full now. Devil's Thumb is awesome, but expensive. A rental company we like is Destinations West, but I think they now specialize in larger, more expensive properties.

Forgot to mention, Winter Park might still have a combo pass which includes equipment rental, half-day lesson, and lift ticket. It used to be a very good deal, but I don't know if they still offer it. Or if you want a lesson.

Ok, I just scanned two and e-mailed to you.

Glad you got them! Be sure to post a trip report.

Hi, my family and I are traveling to winter park over NYE and came across this post. Was wondering if you might have any more $59 day passes or know of someone else that might?

Thanks much

Hi, devshawks1. This year's vouchers do not have a value printed on them. Which is strange. But I think they are for $79. I could e-mail two of them, if that would help you.

For a little perspective. The first year I skied at Winter Park, lift passes were $2.50

I think full retail price on a one-day lift ticket is over $90. If you Google, you can find discount coupons. I think King Soopers grocery stores sells them. The Entertainment book always had the best deals on lift tickets, like BOGO.

I am leaving town today through New Year's. So I can't help with getting coupons to you, devshawks1. As I posted above, though, there are other sources. Have fun in Winter Park! No Pain, No Jane!

For those looking for a bit of a break in lift tickets, there are (used to be?) usually King Soopers (grocery) discounts available. Or, for example,

http://www.onthesnow.com/colorado/wi...t-tickets.html

In 35 years of skiing, we never paid window/retail for a Colorado lift ticket anywhere.