Carlyle Thornton Blog

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A GUIDE TO WINTER PARK, COLORADO: SPRING SKIING AT ITS FINEST

CLICK HERE TO SHOP THIS SKI LOOK

In early April a few of my girlfriends and I took a trip out West to Spring ski! I was actually fortunate enough to grow up skiing and have had the opportunity to ski at many different resorts around Colorado. All that to say, it was my very first time skiing Winter Park and it’s definitely not one to miss! I was a little worried about the quality of the runs, being that it was near the end of ski season, but it turned out to be absolutely perfect. The weather and the snow were both better than I ever imagined! Not only that, but I was so impressed with all aspects of Winter Park. I especially enjoyed the “small town” feel of the town, while still offering a plethora of fabulous dining options, fun shops, a great ski mountain and many other activities! If you’re looking for a relaxed, family or friend getaway - Winter Park should be at the top of your list! It was the perfect spot to chill and take in the all the beauty that Colorado has to offer. I’m excited to share more details about where we stayed during our visit to Winter Park, what we did and some highlights from the trip below!

WHERE WE STAYED IN WINTER PARK:

We truly had the BEST experience at our Winter Park bike and ski rental for the week! The hosts were so responsive and accommodating, they even left some sweet treats in the fridge waiting for us upon arrival. One of my favorite parts about this rental had to be the location. Every single thing you’ll possibly need for a successful trip is in close proximity to the house so we really never had to go far, which was ideal! There was a bowling alley minutes away, which we had way to much fun at one night of the trip - In addition to tons of restaurants & shopping that we took advantage of daily. Every morning we would go grab a coffee and breakfast burrito from a local shop nearby & grocery runs were super convenient too being that the market is right around the corner. We even rented our ski equipment from a local shop near the house and received a 10% discount for simply staying in the neighborhood! If you’re interested in skiing or snowboarding, a bus picks up right in front of the house and will conveniently drop you off directly at the ski slopes - Which is hard to beat. I also recommend looking into snowmobiling if you’re visiting during the winter, it’s so much fun. There’s also a tubing hill within walking distance from the house with beers and a bonfire that we just couldn’t pass up. Aside from the prime location, I really appreciated that the rental included so many amazing amenities. The garage for example, was stocked full with bikes, snow shoes, sleds and other equipment that guests are able to use during their stay! We also thoroughly enjoyed the peloton bike and free subscription located in the master suite upstairs. Also, the outdoor grills were such a bonus - we used them to make dinner a few times during our stay. Of course I can’t forget to highlight the star of the show - The incredible hot tub on the back patio of the home. There is truly nothing better than soaking with a cold beverage after a long day on the slopes!! The rental has plenty of space and can sleep up to 12 people no problem- making it a no brainer for a family or friend trip. It can accommodate a large group, while still providing all that extra space you need. Colorado is not only the ideal location for a ski trip, but also a perfect place to visit year round. There are so many activities outdoors including biking and hiking. It’s truly the perfect place to plan a trip no matter the season! I’m excited to share that the owner of the rental graciously agreed to give me a 10% off discount code to share with my followers and readers so be sure to take full advantage of that! Simply mention my name, CARLYLE, when booking to get a discount on your stay in Winter Park. The rental owners also own similar properties that you may also want to consider for your next getaway - I’ll include a full list of those below.

USE CODE ‘CARLYLE’ FOR 10% OFF YOUR STAY!

click here for a link to the rental property!

**keep scrolling for photos of the house :)

OTHER RENTAL PROPERTIES YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:

WINTERPARK BIKE & SKI: https://www.vrbo.com/1005761

ASPEN SNOWMASS MAGICAL INTERLUDE: https://www.vrbo.com/1845817

ASPEN SNOWMASS TRUE SKI-IN SKI-OUT: https://www.vrbo.com/2020488

10 BEDROOM BRANSON COVE CHATEAU: https://www.vrbo.com/2158501

10 BEDROOM LAKEFRONT HAVEN: https://www.vrbo.com/2158101

We enjoyed cooking friend dinners during the trip and loved using the large dining table. The entire aesthetic of the house was so well thought out and beautifully decorated. We loved the open floor plan and that we were all able to hang out together in the common area without ever feeling too crowded. You can tell the owners really take pride in the property and the space has been really well maintained. I also wanted to mention there was tons of storage space inside the main entrance to hang coats, store boots and ski gear.

We spent many evenings relaxing in the cozy living room of the rental house. We loved utilizing the fireplace and the large television included all the apps & channels we could ever want during our stay! There is also a game cabinet in the living room stocked with tons of board & card games that were so much fun!

The kitchen was huge and has multiple barstools for casual dining. The kitchen included all the appliances, dish-ware, and cooking accessories that we needed for a comfortable stay. Pictured above is the king master suite where I slept (I was so excited about the peloton bike & subscription included). There were also two other queen bedrooms upstairs, a huge laundry room, a second living room & a large bunk room.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TRIP…

SHOP THIS LOOK

SHOP THIS LOOK

SHOP THIS LOOK

Nothing beats Apres Ski (a well-deserved beverage after a long day on the slopes). We loved dining at Lime in the Winter Park Village after we were finished skiing. Lime had amazing margaritas, tequila cocktails, Mexican dishes and delicious guacamole. We also enjoyed taking a quick ski break at the top of the mountain and our go-to cocktail became a canned Cutwater Tequila Margarita (because it literally has over 10% alcohol). We were definitely feeling good after one of these and we’re always ready to hit the slopes for even more fun! Both of these are pictured above :)

OTHER PLACES WE ATE:

  • Lime

  • Goodys

  • Doc’s Roadhouse

  • Foxtail Coffee

  • Fontenot’s Seafood Grill

  • Sushi Nama

  • The Foundry (food, bowling alley & bar)

Always love spending quality time with my little sister :)