Explore Winter Park, a paradise for advanced skiers with 52% black diamond trails. Perfect for thrill-seekers looking for challenging runs.
Winter Park is a paradise for advanced skiers, boasting 52% of its terrain as black diamond trails. For those seeking a thrilling skiing experience, the Mary Jane (Janeside) base is the ideal starting point. This side of the mountain offers ample parking, and a quieter atmosphere compared to the bustling Winter Park (Parkside) base, making it perfect for smaller groups and those driving in.
Advanced skiers highly recommend starting your day at the Mary Jane base. With less crowding and convenient parking, it provides easy access to some of the best trails on the mountain. Once you overcome the morning rush on the Super Gauge Express, the Janeside suits those who prefer a more serene beginning to their skiing adventure.
If you’re arriving by resort bus or with family, the Winter Park base is a wonderful place to kick off your day. It offers a variety of trails that cater to skilled skiers and riders, including some of the world’s best mogul and bump trails. For those who love tree skiing, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the adventurous terrain.
For skilled skiers looking to stick to the trails, the Mary Jane and Sleeper trails are excellent for warming up before the crowds arrive. On the Winter Park side, Cramner and Hughes are top choices, but always check the grooming report for the best conditions. Outrigger and Balch are fantastic bump trails, while Over n Underwood offers a gentler bump experience. For those seeking a true challenge, Outhouse is a lengthy mogul trail that requires complete dedication.
Phantom Bridge and Derailer, located below the C Chair lift, are two excellent bump trails. Trestle, a long black trail with varying pitches, is challenging and often cold due to its shaded location, but the snow holds up well. For tree skiing, Forever Eva and Johnstone Junction are worth exploring, especially when conditions are right.
Winter Park offers fantastic terrain for adventurous skiers. When expert terrain is open, Baldys Chute and Cornice Canyon in the Cirque are must-try runs. The glades off Parrys Peek are also a lot of fun on a good day. For those looking to get into the trees, both sides of Railbender, Outrigger, and Bradleys Bash are excellent choices. Don’t overlook the timber bridge located in the trees to the left of Outrigger, as well as the kickers and features to the left of Sleeper. The Eaglewind Lift area also offers some of the best tree skiing.
While only 3% of Winter Park’s terrain is double black chutes, the mountain still offers phenomenal lines in its long mogul trails and excellent tree skiing. The chutes on Mary Jane are often closed, and access to the Cirque is limited, requiring an extra fee for the tow service. Despite this, the challenging terrain and diverse runs make Winter Park a top destination for advanced skiers.
On powder days, expect crowds as locals and visitors from Denver flock to the mountain for fresh tracks. The Panoramic Express often starts later and attracts crowds, so consider riding the C Chair or exploring the runs off the Explorer lift for a more productive day.
If you park on the Janeside, the Corona Way and Sleeper trails offer the best routes off the mountain. For those heading to the Winter Park base, Hughes is the best way down to avoid the crowds on Village Way.
Winter Park is a family-friendly and unpretentious resort with a lot to offer advanced skiers. Check out our resort guide video for more general information about this fantastic destination.
