Old Town Winter Park: A Hidden Gem with Old-School Ski Town Charm and Prime Access to Winter Park Resort
Nestled at the base of Winter Park Resort along the Fraser River, Old Town Winter Park might just be the neighborhood you never knew existed. You can ski Winter Park hundreds of times and take advantage of the dining and shopping in downtown Winter Park yet still miss this quaint little community with old-school ski town vibes.
Old Town Winter Park was one of the two small settlements that later become the official Town of Winter Park. Established to facilitate the construction of the Moffat Tunnel in the early 1920s, its only inhabitants were builders of the Moffat Tunnel, miners, and loggers. Hideaway Park was settled shortly after in 1932 in what is now downtown Winter Park. Almost 50 years later, the official Town of Winter Park was founded in 1978, with town limits including both Hideaway Park and Old Town Winter Park.
It wasn't long before the Old Town neighborhood evolved from a construction hub to a skier's dream. Winter Park Resort was established in 1940, and the completion of the Moffat Tunnel made getting to Winter Park from the Front Range so much easier and more accessible (with the help of the ski train). The secret was out, and people quickly realized that living at the base resort was even better than visiting.
More cabins started to spring up in the area. In the sixties and seventies, the area became a hot spot for après ski at Adolf's, the local watering hole, and a picture of that laid-back, grassroots ski culture of the time. The neighborhood now sits along Winter Park Drive just to the north of Winter Park Resort and weaves through narrow roads that either come to an end or loop back to Winter Park Drive, making it a low-traffic, laid-back area, a relative unicorn in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the resort.
LOCATION
The location doesn't get any better: residents and visitors staying in Old Town can throw their skis over their shoulders and take a quick, two-minute hike on the groomed Ho Chi Minh trail that pops out at the base of the lifts. If you live in Old Town and the snow is good, it's likely you can ski all the way back to your front door after a day on the mountain.
The Village at Winter Park and Gondola are less than 1/2 mile from the cozy neighborhood, and busses run to and from the base all day long during the winter. Need to rent some gear or get your skis tuned? Alpine Sun Ski Shop is right by the bus stop. And the new Saloon at the A-Frame Club, a nostalgic nod to the ski towns of yore, is a perfect place for aprés ski right in the heart of Old Town.
Summertime brings wildflowers and the sounds of the Fraser River running through the neighborhood. Residents can easily take advantage of the base activities at the resort and Trestle Bike Park, And it's easy to catch a bus or hop on the Fraser River Trail to bike into town for more dining, shopping, and trails!
Old Town Winter Park is about as close it gets to Denver, just 90 miles from DIA and about an hour to the west side of the city. About a five-minute drive from downtown Winter Park and less than 45-minutes from Grand Lake, Old Town's location makes enjoying Winter Park Resort a dream while still in close proximity to all the rest of the county has to offer!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Old Town is made up of an eclectic mix of single-family homes and multi-family residences, some built decades ago and others in the past few years. The newer Village Way Lofts and Slopeside Village Condominiums sit alongside decades-old residences like the Winter Park Village Condominiums and Winter Park Place Condominiums; they all add to the charm of the neighborhood.
All the buildings are on city sewer and water and have access to high speed internet. Just a handful of vacant lots are left in the area. For those fortunate enough to snag one up when it hits the market, understanding local codes and regulations is key. Old Town Winter Park generally falls under the same codes as the Town of Winter Park. However, the Winter Park Town Code does make room for "lot and building standards that are flexible and unique to the Old Town neighborhood where development preceded incorporation into the Town." Read: it's a funky little area established well before any codes and zoning requirements, so it doesn't quite fit into a box, meaning the town approaches designs and standards with a little more flexibility.
The Town of Winter Park also recognizes the beauty of the area. The Winter Park Town Plan has an Old Town Amendment with plans to improve walkability, signage, lighting, and landscaping and add a common area, all while seeking to maintain its unique, more "rough around the edges" vibe.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS
The neighborhood itself isn't governed by a Homeowners Association. However, individual developments and condominiums have their own associations with varied services and regulations. Should you be in the market for a place in Old Town, we have all the HOA information you need as you navigate the nuances each development.
SOLD ON THE OLD-SCHOOL?
Are you looking for a place with backyard access to Winter Park Resort but hoping to be a little more away from it all? We'd love to show you around Old Town WP, set you up with listing alerts, and answer any questions you may have. Connect with us to learn more about this unique neighborhood!
Posted by Leah Bishop on
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