Major city · United States
Winter ParkWinter Park, Colorado
Go for 2–3 nights if you ski or ride; 1 night is enough in summer. Stay in the town of Winter Park or Fraser, not at the resort base, unless you want ski-in/ski-out.
Winter Park is a ski town about 105 km west of Denver, reached by I-70 and US-40 over Berthoud Pass. Winter is the reason to come: the resort, snowmobiling and tubing. Summer brings the Alpine Slide, mountain biking and hiking, but several businesses close in spring and fall. A car or the Denver shuttle is the practical way in; the local bus is free.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for hiking and biking
- avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (spring and fall closures, thin snow)
- Airport
- DEN
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Winter Park911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Grand County non-emergency970-725-3343
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Winter Park, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime, high-altitude and winter-driving risk.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 970-725-3343 Grand County non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDEN Denver International Airport (About 2 h by car via I-70 and US-40; commercial shuttle runs from the airport to Winter Park.).
- Getting aroundThe Lift runs free local buses between Winter Park Resort, the town of Winter Park and Fraser.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, per person$25–45
- BeerDraught beer$7–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$20–40
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DEN Denver International Airport (About 2 h by car via I-70 and US-40; commercial shuttle runs from the airport to Winter Park.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Aug (12 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Winter Park: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
9 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
9 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Lift runs free local buses between Winter Park Resort, the town of Winter Park and Fraser. A car helps for Hot Sulphur Springs, Pole Creek golf and Granby; in winter check cotrip.org for Berthoud Pass conditions before driving US-40.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hot Sulphur Springs
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive US-40 north via Granby, about 45 min
Hot springs pools open year-round; a car is needed.
Granby
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive or bus north on US-40, about 20 min
Supplies, food and a base for Rocky Mountain National Park's west side.
Rocky Mountain National Park (west entrance)
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive via Granby and Grand Lake, about 1 h 15 min
Timed-entry rules may apply in peak season: check the park site.
Denver
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Drive I-70 east, about 1 h 30 min in clear weather
Weekend ski traffic can double the time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Winter Park
Walkable to restaurants and shops on US-40; about 5–10 min drive or free bus to the resort base.
Fraser
Quieter town 8 km (5 mi) north; cheaper beds, still on the free bus line.Quieter town 5 mi (8 km) north; cheaper beds, still on the free bus line.
Resort base (Winter Park Resort)
Ski-in/ski-out condos and lodges; priciest, least need for a car in winter.
Tabernash / Granby area
North of Fraser; golf-course condos and hot springs access, but you need a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge double room1 × 3 nights × US$200 | US$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$170 | US$1,020 |
| Airport shuttle from DEN, one way2 × US$60 | US$120 |
| Lift ticket, one day2 × US$200 · Book ahead for lower rates. | US$400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$219 |
| Trip total≈ US$402 per person per day, bed included | US$2,409 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; lift tickets, flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Pizza, per person | $15–25 |
| Sit-down dinner, per person | $25–45 |
| Draught beer | $7–10 |
| Lift ticket, one day | $150–230 |
| Snowmobile tour, half day | $150–250 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $20–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Berthoud Pass can be snowing heavily while Denver is clear: check road conditions before you drive US-40.
- Many businesses close in spring and fall; confirm hours before booking a shoulder-season trip.
- Winter driving needs traction or snow tyres; I-70 west of Denver backs up on weekend mornings.
- Altitude is about 2,700 m at town level: hydrate and take the first day easy.
- Cell coverage is patchy north of Fraser and in the mountains.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Grand County non-emergency
- 970-725-3343
Pocket card
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Winter ParkWinter Park, Colorado
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Grand County non-emergency970-725-3343
Embassy
No consulates in Winter Park; embassies and consulates-general are in Denver (check the list for your country).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DEN → Winter Park, shuttle: about $60–90 one way, about 2 h
- Local bus (The Lift): free
- Lift ticket, one day: $150–230
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- One lift ticket, please — One lift ticket, please
- Is the pass open? — Is the pass open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the rental shop? — Where is the rental shop?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Winter Park. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar for snow; Jun–Sep for hiking and biking · avoid Apr–May and Oct–Nov (spring and fall closures, thin snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DEN: shuttle departures field-checked, rental-car fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Winter Park, Fraser, resort base.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (resort, Alpine Slide, Hot Sulphur Springs) and eat pages with last orders.
- Berthoud Pass closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.