More tourists could travel to Grand County this year to visit Colorado’s only available mountain Alpine Slide at Winter Park Resort.

“As far as marketing is concerned, that is an advantage,” said Darcy Morse, Winter Park Resort spokeswoman, of the fact that the state’s other slide won’t operate this season. “But we’ll see as soon as the summer starts how much.”

Breckenridge will shut down its mountain this summer to make “base area improvements,” according to the resort’s Web site. That means the Peak 8 SuperSlide, Scenic Chairlift Rides, Zip Line, SuperPutt and Mountain Bike Park also will be closed, leaving Winter Park with the only mountain Alpine Slide.

Winter Park Resort tries to plan different events for every weekend during the summer as well.

“Events are big,” Morse said. “A lot of people will plan their vacations around certain events. We try to have something for our visitors to do every weekend.”

The resort’s close proximity to Denver also could play a role in attracting tourists to the valley as gas prices are expected to continue climbing steeply.

“We’re hoping that being one of the closest destination resort’s, that it would be to our advantage,” Morse said.

The Zephyr Lift, Alpine Slide, Amaze'n Human Maze, Leaps & Bounds Bungee, Rock 'n Roll Gyro, Mountainside Mini Golf and Outdoor Climbing Wall all will be open this summer at the base of Winter Park Resort.

Winter Park’s 3,000-foot long Alpine Slide is the longest in Colorado.
“It’s super fun,” Morse said. “There’s all kinds of different swoops and turns. You’re able to determine how fast you want to go.”

The resort also purchased 84 new sleds this year.

The ride lasts for a couple minutes. Guests can buy a single ride or purchase a day pass.

Morse said people often find that one ride is not enough. “It’s better to go for the adventure pass,” she added.

There is a height limit for the ride.

“Oftentimes to get around the height limit, parents will ride with their kids,” she said.

An attendant at the top of the slide instructs riders when it’s safe to slide. Another worker is positioned at the bottom to assist participants, Morse said.

Riders are responsible for their sleds.


Resort prepares to open
Winter Park Resort will open for the summer on June 14.

“Winter is still by far our biggest season,” Morse said. “Summer has grown and continues to grow.”

Although the resort opens on different days each year, it will open a week later than usual this year.

This is in hopes of not having snow on opening days, Morse said. “We’re hoping to avoid that.”

Crews have started shoveling the Alpine Slide, so the sun can melt the rest of the snow faster.

The resort also is finishing its summer hiring and equipment maintenance.

Summer activities will be open daily through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The resort will also be open weekends only from Sept. 6-28. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on the weather. For more information call (970) 726-1564.

“The ball is rolling in terms of summer and getting everything ready,” Morse said.