What’s New at Winter Park Resort for Winter 2025–26

Winter 2025–26 is shaping up to be a landmark season at Winter Park Resort—a time for celebration, expansion, and elevated guest experience. Between major upgrades, new activations, and enhanced amenities, this season brings fresh reasons to visit, revisit, or plan your first trip. Dive into what’s new, what’s improved, and how you can make the most of your visit.

Celebrating Mary Jane’s 50th Season

A Milestone That Honors Ski Heritage

This winter marks 50 years of Mary Jane®, Winter Park’s iconic and adventurous secondary mountain. Since first opening in 1976, Mary Jane has earned a reputation as a place of bold terrain, hidden stashes, exhilarating jumps, mogul fields, and steep tree lines. It’s where skiers and riders go to push their limits—to find the raw, untamed side of the mountains.
To celebrate, January 10, 2026 is designated as the official birthday for Mary Jane, and Winter Park will roll out a season-long celebration honoring the “Lady of the Mountain.” From first chair to late spring tracks, expect special festivities, programming, and surprises embedded into the entire winter calendar.
Why this matters: Celebrating Mary Jane’s golden anniversary not only draws more excitement and storytelling energy to the mountain, it elevates Winter Park’s identity as a resort that honors its roots and its bold side.

Send’er November: Your Early-Season Advantage

Winter Park is launching a dynamic new campaign called Send’er November, designed to reward early-season skiers and passholders while ramping up anticipation for the full winter. Here’s what that looks like:

What You Get by Skiing in November

• Unlock perks all season: Ski just two days in November, and you earn benefits that carry forward all season long—making even early visits feel strategic.
• Early access to Mary Jane terrain: Before it officially opens to the general public, you’ll get in on select runs.
• Join the private ski patrol text alert list: Get real-time alerts for rope drops, terrain openings, and ideal runs.
• Five transferable “Early Ups” tickets: Use or share these for first-track access on powder mornings.
• Passholder Lounge at Sunspot: Chill, connect, and enjoy giveaways every other Sunday (Nov 8, 15, 22) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect custom gear, giveaways (season passes, parking, kits), live DJ sets, mini-events, free waxes, and more.

November Event Lineup

• Nov 8 – High Stakes & Hot Laps: Rail jam + poker run with real cash prizes.
• Nov 15 – Hot Doggin’ & Haute Moves: Amateur ski ballet contest (yes, it’s back!) with prize money.
• Nov 23 – Mini Mary Jane Mogul Showdown: A throwback bump challenge with retro flair, synchronized skiing, fun rules, and serious stoke.

Why Send’er November works: Early-season foot traffic is hard to ignite, but by adding value, community, and excitement, Winter Park is turning “skimpy November coverage” into a proactive advantage. It also gives passholders and early visitors a reason to arrive sooner, which helps build momentum for the entire season.

$37 Million Snowmaking Overhaul: Better Early Season + Sustainability

One of the most impactful technical upgrades this season is the comprehensive snowmaking system overhaul—a $37 million investment. This upgrade isn’t just about more snow; it’s about smarter, greener, more resilient snowmaking.

What the Upgrades Deliver

• Faster, more efficient coverage: The new system enables Winter Park to open terrain sooner and maintain more runs.
• Energy consumption cut nearly in half: That’s huge—better performance with a lighter environmental footprint.
• Improved reliability and consistency: Less dependency on ideal natural conditions; better buffering for thin or marginal snow periods.
• Extended season window: With more terrain ability earlier and later in the year, your trip window widens.
• Stronger on-mountain experience: Better base coverage, smoother grooming, and fewer exposed bare or icy spots.

Why guests win: For skiers and riders, that means more runs available at the start of the season, fewer disappointment closures, and a more consistent slope experience. For the resort, it means operational stability and a more resilient offering in changing climate conditions.

Dining, On-Mountain Cuisine, & Local Flavors — Elevated

Winter Park isn’t just building better snow—it’s also elevating the dining experience with new concepts, refreshed menus, and local partnerships that bring Colorado flavor to each bite.

New Dining Concepts & Refreshes

• Ptarmigan Kitchen + Bar: Slated to take over the space formerly occupied by Doc’s (base-area Village), this new hub is designed to be a natural gathering spot. Expect seasonal, approachable food and drink, a sunny patio, comfort + craft vibes, and energy to match the bustle of gondola traffic.
• Menu refreshes across the mountain: Restaurants and food stalls like Lunch Rock, Sunspot, Snoasis, Chili Hut, Club Car, and Mary Jane Café are expanding their offerings. You’ll see grilled favorites, Indian/Himalayan dishes, empanadas, street tacos, and more variety than in prior seasons.
• Stronger local sourcing: Winter Park continues its partnership with Fitch Ranch, a family-owned ranch in Grand County, to supply locally raised proteins. That means more farm-to-table authenticity throughout your meals.

Why this matters: On-mountain dining can often feel like a necessary afterthought; by investing in flavor, quality, and local identity, Winter Park is making it part of the guest experience rather than a compromised filler. Good meals translate to happier guests, longer stays, and stronger word-of-mouth.

Family- and Beginner-Friendly Enhancements

Winter Park is leaning into its reputation as a top destination for families and new skiers, and this winter’s changes reinforce that positioning.

Key Enhancements for Beginners & Families

• Kids Ski Free program: Children 14 & under get a free lift ticket when enrolled in ski/ride school lessons; those 12 & under get free equipment rentals when an adult rents for three days.
• Learn-to-Ski Guarantee: If a new skier hasn’t mastered 10 designated green runs after three lessons, Winter Park will extend with a free fourth lesson.
• Pro Tip Sessions: These are short 60-minute technique boosters for intermediate and advanced riders. They also include early lift access, giving you a chance to get ahead of the crowd. Sessions begin at $99.

Why families and beginners win: These enhancements remove friction (cost, uncertainty, frustration) and increase confidence. They also help parents feel more comfortable bringing children, knowing there’s support—and that the resort cares about the learning journey, not just the skilled riders.

Winter Park Express: Rolling Back with Expanded Service

Good news for travelers: the Winter Park Express is returning with expanded schedules and better options for access without a car. In partnership with Amtrak and CDOT, this service offers an easy, eco-friendly route between Denver and Winter Park.

Key Service Details

• Holiday period (Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026): Runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Regular season (Jan 8 – Mar 29, 2026): Service Thursday through Sunday.
• Pricing: One-way fares start at $19, scaling up to $39 depending on demand and capacity. Children 12 & under travel at half fare.
• Status: Price structure remains unchanged from last winter.

Why this is important: For discerning travelers who want to skip the mountain drive, the Express is a dream. It reduces road stress, parking hassle, and environmental footprint. It also appeals to those wanting a more connected, multi-modal ski experience (train + resort).

Why This Season Is One to Watch

Between the anniversary, the snowmaking revamp, the new events, and guest-focused upgrades, 2025–26 is a turning point for Winter Park. Here’s what makes this season especially compelling:

1. Momentum & storytelling: The Mary Jane 50th gives the resort a narrative anchor that can attract local and national attention.
2. Early-season boost: With snowmaking upgrades and Send’er November, the resort can hit the ground running rather than waiting for cold snaps.
3. Enhanced guest satisfaction: Better food, better operations, improved infrastructure—these compound to make every trip more satisfying.
4. Broader appeal: The mix of family, beginner, and advanced enhancements means this season can appeal across skill levels.
5. Sustainability & resilience: Operating more efficiently, reducing energy use, and opening terrain more reliably is a step toward future-proofing the resort.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Visit

• Arrive early in November if you want access and perks via Send’er November.
• Book during Mary Jane’s birthday window to enjoy the celebrations and programming.
• Use the Winter Park Express when possible to skip road stress.
• Plan meals ahead—with new dining hubs, availability could change, especially during peak times.
• Stack beginner or family discounts (Kids Ski Free, Learn-to-Ski Guarantee) to optimize value.
• Sign up for alerts (ski patrol, rope drops) as a Send’er November participant.
• Consider post-season flexibility—reliable snowmaking might let you ski later into spring than in years past.

Winter Park Private Shuttle

Winter Park to Denver Airport Transportation | Private Car Service

There’s something magical about winter in Colorado. Picture this: gliding down pristine mountain slopes, wandering beneath snow-covered evergreens, and ending your day beside a glowing fireplace surrounded by laughter and warm conversation. Outside, golden light spills from cabin windows, reflecting off the snow like a Christmas postcard come to life. It’s the kind of setting that stirs your sense of wonder—the quiet excitement that something special is about to happen.

If that feeling inspires you to pack your bags and head straight for the mountains, Winter Park Resort awaits you. Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, this world-class destination captures the essence of Colorado’s alpine beauty. But before you can enjoy the powder and cozy lodges, you need a reliable, comfortable, and stress-free way to get there—or back to the airport after your trip.

That’s where Great Divide Transportation LLC comes in.

Luxury Transportation from Denver Airport to Winter Park

Forget the hassle of crowded shuttles, long waits, or unpredictable weather delays. With Great Divide Transportation, your journey from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Winter Park is smooth, private, and designed for comfort. We operate 24/7, ensuring that no matter what time your flight arrives or departs, we’re ready to get you to your destination safely and on time.

Winter Park Limo

Choose from a fleet of modern, high-end vehicles that cater to every traveler’s needs—from solo adventurers and couples to families and large groups. Our cars are equipped to handle heavy luggage, ski and snowboard gear, and everything else you might bring for your mountain getaway.

Your professional driver will meet you at the airport, assist with your bags, and navigate the scenic mountain roads while you relax and enjoy the ride. Sit back in plush leather seats, take in the breathtaking views, and let us handle the driving—because your vacation should start the moment you land.