Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park nestles in the Vasquez Mountains high in the Colorado rockies. It's the closest major ski area to Denver, being 67 miles away, so access is relatively convenient (a good option is to take the train from Denver's Union station). The ski village is 3 miles south of the main town of Winter Park. A free shuttle bus service connects the two.

The ski slopes are spread over 4 mountains, Winter Park (10700'), Mary Jane (11200') (both reached by chair directly from the ski village), Parsenn Bowl (12060') (a two hop ride from the village) and Vasquez Ridge(10700') (a chair, a ski run, and another chair from the village).

Beginners have the choice of the easy slopes near the ski village in a dedicated area called Discovery Park, or can alternatively make their way up to Mary Jane, from where you'll find the start of several long easy gently sloped runs.

Intermediates will love the runs off the top of Parsenn Bowl, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. There's also plenty to challenge advanced skiiers, with a great mix of black diamond runs on the north east slopes of Mary Jane facing the ski village.

Extreme skiiers will savour the South and West Headwalls adjoining Vasquez Cirque, which harbor a number of very steep chutes. Snowboarders will enjoy the Rail Yard Terrain Par, with rails, hits and jumps ideal for first timers, and the Vertigo halfpipe for the more experienced.

For ski-in ski-out accomodation, there lot's of choice in the ski village. Alternatively base yourself in Winter Park town itself, where prices tend to be a little lower, and the nightlife more lively.