For planners and organizations that want to include skiing in their next Colorado gathering, know that more can be built into the experience than just renting skis and snowboards, purchasing lift tickets, exploring the slopes and meeting for après ski.
For example, in tandem with its 50th anniversary, Powderhorn Mountain Resort is now offering a new Ski Patrol Ski Along. Located on the beautiful Grand Mesa in western Colorado and located just 45-minutes from 4, participants get a behind-the-scenes look at the mountain from the perspective of ski patrollers such as ensuring safety and transporting and caring for guests on the mountain.
“We’ve developed the Ski Patrol Ski Along program to serve as a local guide to educate guests of all ages about the roles of ski patrol and their importance to the resort,” says Powderhorn Marketing and Sales Manager Ryan Robinson. Two- and four-hour outings are available. Find out more by calling 970.268.5158 and check out the resort’s 50th anniversary video. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau can assist groups with lining up lodging and meeting and event space.
The new year kicked off the official return of the Amtrak Winter Park Express presented by CenturyLink, traveling from Denver Union Station to Winter Park Resort each weekend and Monday holidays from Jan. 7 through March 26, 2017. For groups seeking a city and mountain experience, Winter Park Express is an easy and fun solution especially through a new partnership with The Westin Denver Downtown.
The Westin Denver Downtown, located only five blocks from Union Station where the Ski Train picks up and drops off, is one of three hotels partnering with the train and is offering special amenities for guests staying at the hotel and using the Winter Park Express such as a $20 food and beverage credit for every night spent at the hotel, complimentary ski and snowboard storage and free Wi-Fi. My favorite part is a Slope-Side Survival Kit filled with wool socks, lip balm, sunscreen, hand warmers and other goodies. Book online or call 866.716.8108.
The Westin Denver International Airport also is offering a 10 percent discount, two drinks and free Wi-Fi for guests taking Winter Park Express and is directly linked to Union Station on a rail line that opened in April 2016.
Not only is the Winter Park Express an iconic Colorado tradition, passengers can kick back and enjoy a scenic trip through the Rocky Mountains and avoid traffic along busy Interstate 70. The train leaves Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives in Winter Park at 9 a.m. The return train departs from Winter Park at 4:30 p.m. and arrives back at Union Station at 6:30 p.m.
Get out and enjoy the abundance of snow this winter in Colorado!
