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7 Things to Do in Winter Park in the Summer

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When David’s family planned a group vacation for July, they insisted on renting a house in Winter Park for part of the week. It sounded like a hiking, biking, running heaven to us, but we wondered what would there be for the kids and everyone not interested in exhausting themselves for hours in nature.

We found a ton of great things and blessedly we were there while it was over 100 in Denver, so we could enjoy days of 75 filled with sunshine! The mountains really are magical winter or summer.Things to do in Winter Park During the Summer (Above the results of an unexpected hike to 11,300 feet, mentioned as #2 below)

So here are my top 7 Winter Park Summer must see, do, love experiences.

#1 Winter Park Summer Activities

Like any good business, Winter Park resort knows that they can’t be active just part of the year! They take full advantage of the summer by turning the base into a great family fun park with putt putt, rock climbing, bouncy houses, bungee jumps, an alpine slide, rides up the mountain and for the adventurous some intense downhill mountain biking. WInter Park Resort Summer ActivitiesWhile It doesn’t bother me to say be up high climbing a hill or a mountain, I find that every time I try to climb a rock wall my arms and legs begin shaking uncontrollably!!! I had 3 nephews watching though so it was time to suck it up and just get to the top.

I’d actually love to climb more as it’s such a great workout. On the other side of things was flinging ourselves down the mountain in plastic sleds on the alpine slide. It turned out to be seriously fun! You ride the chair lift up and then zip down through some crazy twists and turns. Winter Park Alpine Slide

#2 Second Creek Hike

On your way into or out of the mountains you’d be remiss not to stop at one or more of the available trails. We happened to catch a sign for Second Creek and decided to hop out for a quick exploration.Second Creek Trail in Winter ParkWe were rewarded with beautiful water cascading down the mountain and then a nice 1 mile climb from 10,000 feet to 11,300 for complete panoramic views of the surrounding area. I won’t lie the hike was both technical and hard from the altitude, but so worth every single step.

In the video you’ll see a few more of our photos from this hike, including that beautiful water!! On our way out of the mountains, we stopped at a few more places including the one below. If you simply keep your eyes peeled while driving you’ll notice little pull over areas or trail signs.

Stop. Hop out. You’ll find a trail and a world of beauty.
Places to stop while driving to Winter Park

#3 Continental Divide

If you’re looking for a more family friendly hike, I recommend stopping mid-way up Highway 40 on the way to Winter Park at the Continental Divide. There are some great signs that explain more about the area and then a number of trails which provide options for a super intense hike or a more leisurely exploration.Hiking the Continental Divide as part of a summer in Winter ParkWe took the nephews up the fire road a little ways and that leads to a path which goes more across the mountain than up.

Making it fun for exploring the woods, but not so much a hike that is going to work up a sweat. The result is reaching an open area with once again…amazing views. I know I need to find more ways to describe it.
Looking out over the Rocky Mountains from the Continental Divide Trail

Let the mountains surprise you this summer! 7 things to do in @winterpark #colorado Click To Tweet

#4 Hideaway Park

In the heart of downtown Winter Park is Hideaway Park, which not only hosts free music and other performances throughout the summer but on it’s own can be a lot of fun. A large playground, climbing wall and skate park, were a big hit with the little one’s in our group and it’s location near restaurants and additional trails made it convenient for everyone.wall

#5 Biking/Running Fraser Trail

For young and old bikers, the paved Fraser trail is a great way to get in a little bit of nature without pushing your adventure limits too far. This trail starts just outside the Winter Park Resort and runs along the river through Downtown Winter Park and beyond, connecting with a number of other trails.

The Fraser Trail is paved making it a great option for a family bike outing if not everyone (raises hand) loves the adrenaline of mountain biking, but still wants to get out and enjoy nature! Fraser

#6 Dog Sled Tours

Of course there isn’t enough snow to be found for a true dog sled ride, but that doesn’t stop these active animals from wanting to run! During the summer, the dogs will pull a cart (of up to 4 people) allowing you to get the same sensation and of course enjoy these wonderful animals.

Additionally, with Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park you can enjoy a kennel tour to learn more about their training, feeding and the whole exciting life of a beautiful dogs. This wasn’t something we had a chance to do, so it’s on my list for our next visit.

#7 The Foundry

Should you happen to show up on a day of rain, you can still have a great time at the Foundry. Bowling, movies, billiards, wood fired pizza, everything you need for a family friendly afternoon.

What’s something surprising you’ve found in your area for summer fun?

Coming to CO anytime soon, let me know!! I’m always up for a run.

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Posted by amanda Categories: Active Travel, colorado, Fit Together, hiking

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    July 12, 2016 at 10:05 am

    I totally clicked on this thinking you meant Winter Park, Florida! hahah! I used to live in Orlando and was very interested in what you had to say … :) But now I want to go to Colorado!

    • amanda -runtothefinish says

      July 12, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Since I did just move from Orlando, that is not an unreasonable assumption at all!!

  2. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    July 12, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Colorado looks so beautiful! I’m hoping to visit Fort Collins in September (my brother in law lives there) and every time I see your photos I’m like, yep…definitely need to visit for a few days to see the whole area around Denver! The Dog Sled tour sounds really interesting but I would have to get a run on that trail before anything else.

  3. Hannah says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    My family stayed really close by last month, but didn’t go to Winter Park. Now I’m wishing we had checked out the rock climbing and trails!

  4. Lindsay Cotter says

    July 13, 2016 at 9:21 am

    After seeing your recommendations and pictures, I really would love to vacation in Winter Park for our summer vacation! We love the outdoors and would totally enjoy any of these ideas on your list!

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3️⃣HIP MOBILITY MOVES - I love that mobility i 3️⃣HIP MOBILITY MOVES - I love that mobility is a word we’re hearing A LOT because it’s so much more useful than the static stretching most grew up with.
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In mobility we are working on the end range of motion.
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🤗As a runner that means ensuring your hips can fully extend through the push off and pull up the knee in front of you for a powerful stride.
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😢Lack of mobility can place strain on other muscles and joints and we all know we don’t want that.
//
HIP FLOW
2 rounds of 10 reps per side (or just do them once and I’ll dance for joy!)
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1️⃣Elevated Twist - Put something soft below your bottom knee. You can also do this standing by putting your leg in a pigeon pose on the counter.
2️⃣Kneeling Rock - what you do with your arms is optional, but I love the goal post arms for a chest stretch too.
3️⃣Angeled Bird Dog- After extending arm and leg, try bringing both to 90 degrees without dropping. You can definitely see where I’m working on that full opening of my hip.
//
Let me know how this one goes!!
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#hipmobility #mobilitywork #runcoach #runningcoach #runtothefinish #womensrunning #runnergirl #runningwoman #halfmarathontraining #hipstretch #runforlife #runrunrun #teamwr #shapesquad #popsugarfitness
PICK A SUPERMARKET SWEEP STORE?? If you could run PICK A SUPERMARKET SWEEP STORE?? If you could run through any fitness type store for 90 seconds and get to keep what you grab, what store???
//
Do you go @lululemon crazy? Remember you can only get 5 of one item? But mmm all my favorite run shorts are there...
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Do you think big at @rei? Though I imagine it might take all 90 seconds to get that SUP back to the counter.
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Me? I’d head in to @runnersroost! I mean running shoes are priority one, then tops and maybe a watch ya know!
//
Ok your turn!! Pick a store! #dreamreallyfreakingbig #supermarketsweep
LIFES A BEACH...except when it’s sand dunes next LIFES A BEACH...except when it’s sand dunes next to a mountain range. Then it’s just confusing 😂 and a hard, but awesome workout. 
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Which feels exactly like my start to the year with running.
//
What emoji best describes your recent workouts??
🤦‍♀️Errr not happening
😀Doing what I can
👍Having fun, consistently sweating
🔥Fired up to achieve big things
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While I had a good 10K time trial on the 2nd and I’m rocking some hard core workouts, I’m missing my longer runs. The legs just haven’t been feeling it though and I’ve been tired.
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A good reminder to us all that when adding intensity and new strength, it’s ok not to be hitting big miles. I’ll keep building slow and steady.
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Photo throwback from a visit to the Great Sand Dunes.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Do you look at those Buzzfeed WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Do you look at those Buzzfeed stories to see what childhood idols are doing now…this is my runner life version.
👇👇👇
Have you always loved running? Recently found it? Still trying to love it?🤔
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🔴Guaranteed no one would have guessed I’d become a runner.
In fact, they flat out told me I was not a runner. I was athletic, but not a runner.
🟣By high school I only ran as punishment at practice or once a year when they timed us in the mile for PE.
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🛹🛼On the flipside, stayed out late under the streetlights playing tag  for hours or I could joyfully go in circles around the yard with my big old Collie. 
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FUN. IT WAS FUN!!!! 
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💡Turns out that’s all it really took for me to like running. To find out that it could in fact be FUN:
👉to challenge myself
👉to see what I’m made of
👉to have time to think
👉to explore the world
✅and never worry about proving anything to anyone
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I never would have imagined going from hating a mile to running 31 solo last year just because I wanted to see if I could 😂
MIND GAMES IN RUNNING are a tool every experienced MIND GAMES IN RUNNING are a tool every experienced runner has in their little pockets.
I’ll just got to that next sign 🛑, well maybe til my watch is a round number...ok, just 5 more minutes.
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We’re very good liars 😂because then we just say it again.
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Those are always my favorites to get out the door or prevent myself from quitting on a run where I really have no good reason to stop.
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But SAVE THESE mental training tips for a day you might need them:
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💜Go with the flow. Not every run is our best or fastest, stop trying to force it to be so and you’ll have more fun.
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💚Change the words you use. Stop saying you’re slow and not a runner and this is too hard and you are too busy. Those just confirm and cement the ideas, not help you move forward.
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🤍Embrace mistakes as the best way to have a great run or race in the future. 
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💙Acknowledge ALL of your progress. 1 extra push up? Awesome! 1 minute longer running? Awesome! Actually did all of your workouts for the week? Awesome. Stop waiting for race day to celebrate!!
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❓❓What mental tricks do you have that help keep you training (especially this last year with races off the table for motivation)?
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