Fraser Valley was the summer hunting grounds for the Ute Indians. Several small settlements of ranchers, farmers and lumberman were established in the 1880’s. In 1927, the Moffat Railroad Tunnel was completed under the Continental Divide. This allowed the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad to reach the Winter Park area. With easier access, more people began to visit the area.
In the early 1930’s, the Colorado Arlberg Club cleared the first man-made ski trail in Colorado. Reportedly, the trail was named after miners’-era madam Mary Jane. The Mary Jane Trail remains a marquee ski run today at the Winter Park Ski Resort.
The Winter Park ski area was established in the 1940’s by the City and County of Denver as a mountain park. Today, the ski area is managed by IntraWest. The “Ski Train” operates today between Denver and Winter Park offering a great way to avoid skier-traffic on Interstate 70 while enjoying a piece of history.
Winter Park and the Fraser Valley offers outdoor activities for all seasons. Mountain biking, hunting, fishing and music concerts supplement the ski season.