Winter Park Resort Receives Critical Approvals For $2 Billion Expansion Plan

Winter Park, Colorado — Winter Park Resort is getting closer to beginning work on a series of transformational projects.

Sky-Hi News reports that the Winter Park Town Council approved a few measures on June 3rd that will help advance the Colorado ski resort’s $2 billion expansion plan. The first was approving an ordinance to rezone 165 acres at Winter Park Resort as a mixed-use development. This zone could eventually feature 2950 residential and lodging units.

A resolution was also approved that will lead to the creation of a regional transit authority. Part of the transit infrastructure will include a gondola that will connect the town of Winter Park to the ski resort. Enhanced train service from Denver is part of this transit project.

Called Winter Park Unlocked, the ambitious master development plan will see various changes at the Colorado ski resort. A significant terrain expansion is planned, with the goal of adding a 700-acre expansion around Vasquez Ridge.

In terms of the base area development, they are planning three new hotels (one of which will also be home to a base lodge) and workforce housing. As part of the June 3rd meeting, the Town Council approved using three parcels that can be used for workforce housing. A new public space zone will include a large parking garage and lots of open space. Renovations to current food and beverage outlets across the ski resort are also planned.

Then there’s the gondola, which will feature multiple stages. One will be at the current Winter Park base village, with stops at Discovery Park and the new Cooper Creek Summit. The first phase of the gondola project will connect Winter Park’s base area to the Discovery Park beginner area and will effectively replace the Gemini Express chairlift.

This will eventually connect to the other Winter Park gondola, which goes from downtown Winter Park to the Cooper Creek Summit. There will also be a ski back trail that will take guests to the town of Winter Park. Funding for the gondola will be through a mix of public and private financing (Alterra).