Mary Jane & Winter Park: Explained
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Mary Jane and Winter Park are two “sister” ski resorts located in the Rocky Mountains. They are both located near the town of Winter Park, between Idaho Springs and Granby. They are separate ski areas with distinct characteristics and offerings. To keep it simple, they do share tickets and the same season passes, currently the Ikon Pass.
Mary Jane is known for its steep terrain and deep powder, and is considered a more challenging ski area than Winter Park. It is particularly popular with advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders. Mary Jane is also known for its moguls and tree skiing.
Winter Park, on the other hand, is considered a more family-friendly ski area with a wider range of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. It has over 3,000 skiable acres, with a wide variety of runs, including groomed cruisers, terrain parks, and back bowls. It also offers a variety of activities, such as tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and more.
Both resorts are part of the same parent company; a lift ticket or season pass will allow access to both ski areas.
Overall, Mary Jane and Winter Park have different personalities. Mary Jane is more challenging and expert-oriented, while Winter Park is more family-friendly and welcoming to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Mary Jane
The area now referred to as Mary Jane started like many Colorado towns, as a settlement of miners, rail yard workers and loggers in the late 1800s.
A woman named Mary Jane had a clever business sense for supply and demand of miners and became a well-known madam of the evening. Mary Jane’s business is partially credited with turning what was once a lonely mountain trail into a highly sought-after winter playground.
The Mary Jane ski area is known for its steep terrain and deep powder, and is considered a more challenging ski area than Winter Park. It is particularly popular with advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders, and is known for its moguls and spectacular tree skiing. The Panoramic Express is a popular lift taking you to 12,060 and the Parsenn Bowl, which connects the two ski areas.
If you are an early bird, Mary Jane offers parking right next to some of the main lifts. This makes any back and forth to the car for a boot adjustment or quick lunch a breeze. They also have a little waffle hut too.
Winter Park
The history of the Winter Park area can be traced back to the late 1800s, when the first prospectors and miners arrived in search of gold and silver. The area was initially used for logging and mining, but in the 1930s, the Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway, which runs through the area, began promoting it as a winter sports destination.
In 1939, the city of Denver, which owned the railway, opened the Winter Park Ski Area, which was initially just a rope tow and a small ski jump. Over the following years, the ski area was expanded, and new lifts and gondolas. The ski area was popular, but it was not until the 1960s that Winter Park began to see significant growth and development.
In the 1970s, Winter Park underwent a major expansion, with the addition of several new lifts, including the Zephyr Express, which made it possible to ski the entire mountain. The ski area also began to attract more visitors, and the town of Winter Park began to grow as well, with the development of new condominiums, vacation homes, and other accommodations.
Today, Winter Park Resort is a major tourist destination, attracting skiers and snowboarders from around the world. It has a wide variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, as well as other activities such as tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and more. It also has a rich history that is reflected in the town and the ski area, which continues to be a major part of the local economy and culture.
Winter Park & Mary Jane Ski Map
If you are looking for more Colorado Ski History, check out The History of the Chair Lift in Colorado.