Schomp MINI’s Guide to a Weekend Getaway in Winter Park

It’s time to escape the city and make your up to MINI in the Mountains for a weekend getaway from the noise, traffic and daily life. This weekend, head up to Winter Park, just about 1.5 hours from downtown Denver. Winter Park is known as one of Colorado’s best places to ski and snowboard, plus it offers a small town with shopping and excellent dining. There are also numerous events that take in Winter Park all year long, so it’s a great place to go for a fun mountain adventure.

EVENT

• Demofest
• Dec 6, 2014 @ 8:30am | More info

Want to try out this year’s best equipment in mountain gear before you spend the money on it? Demonfest is taking place this weekend at the Zephyr Express Lift at Winter Park Resort. Dozens of ski and snowboard companies, both local and national, will show off this season’s hottest gear and let you try it out before committing to it. It’s a free demo for participants 18 years or older with a valid drivers license, or under 18 with parental consent. The demo lasts for one hour and requires registration, which is from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

STAY

• Winter Park Mountain Lodge
• 970.726.4211 | Website

For a comfortable place to stay while on the mountain, head to Winter Park Mountain Lodge where you can feel right at home at a luxurious mountain resort. With 110 rooms, the Lodge is able to house many people at a time, but be sure to reserve your room since it is a popular place to stay in Winter Park. The Lodge offers an indoor swimming pool, two 10-person hot tubs, sauna, underground parking, and the Moffat Station Restaurant and Brew Pub. The Winter Park Mountain Lodge is located directly across from the Winter Park Ski Resort, which is convenient if you’re heading to get some fresh pow.

DINE

• 78259 US Hwy 40Winter Park, CO 80482
• 970.363.7047 | Website

For a mountain dining experience sure to entice your tastebuds, head to Strip & Tail, where you can get seafood, steak and wild game items. For appetizers, we suggest the baked goat cheese ($8) and the buffalo nachos ($10). There’s a large menu of entree choices, which includes lighter options to hearty meals. For dinner, get the elk medallions ($32) or crab cake stuffed trout ($24) for a seafood option.

SHOP

• Cooper Creek Square
• 47 Cooper Creek Way, Winter Park, CO 80482

Winter Park hosts the Cooper Creek Square, where shopping comes in the form of small boutiques, ski/snowboard shops and supply stores. A few go-to shops include Altitude Jewelry, Christy Sports, the General Store, Moose Hollow Trading Co. and more.