Winter Park CO Real Estate

It is difficult to know just how many people there are in Winter Park, Colorado at any given moment. While the official population stands at 662 as of the 2000 census, there are always so many visitors that you really have to go there to get a feel for size. That does not seem to be much of a problem as there are nearly always significant numbers of travelers, vacationers and day-trippers heading for the area. It isn’t difficult to see why.

After annexing about 5000 acres of Winter Park Ski Resort, the town has laid stake to the claim of the highest incorporated municipality in the U.S. due to the summit resting at 12,060 feet. The residents of Alma, CO dispute this as no one in Winter Park lives above their elevation of 10,361’. Suffice it to say, at an elevation around two miles, Winter Park certainly occupies a lofty position.

Winter Park was originally nothing much more than a pair of settlements resulting from tunnel construction nearby. It grew into a village and the town was officially founded and named Winter Park in 1978. The City of Denver owns the ski resort, which lays stake to a claim of its own – the snowiest ski area in Colorado. The town is completely covered in snow 6 months of the year amassing an average of 327 inches annually.

Situated only 67 miles from Denver city limits, Winter Park is the nearest major ski area to Denver International Airport. And, the skiing is exceptional, even by Colorado standards. It is placed near the head of almost every “Top 10” list of U.S. resorts. Twenty-six lifts cover 145 trails with a vertical drop over 3000 feet. The snow quality is as good as it gets anywhere in the world. And, for those who prefer to get away from it all, the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is also of world-class stature.

Residents of Winter Park tend to be affluent and well educated, with a median household income over $80,000 in 2000. Consequently, much of the housing is seasonal, but the usage is no longer exclusively in winter. Summers in Winter Park can be equally attractive. With daytime highs in the 70’s, the area offers respite to residents from much of the rest of the country.

Mid-year activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, backcountry hiking, rock climbing, fishing, white water rafting, golfing, kayaking, boating and more. Downtown Winter Park offers a unique mix of restaurants and nightlife, shopping and near constant music festivals. Slightly larger Fraser, Colorado is only two miles away with additional amenities.

Winter Park CO real estate is currently quite a bargain. As recently as early 2007, the median sales price for a single-family home was above $400,000. Due to the worldwide recession, that number is now closer to $210,000. It is hard to imagine it dropping any lower as home sales are beginning to increase throughout the U.S. and especially in Colorado.

Winter Park real estate is an investment well worth consideration for anyone searching for a second home, a getaway or retirement. The prices are extremely attractive and may never again drop to these levels. The uniqueness of the area coupled with its proximity to Denver make it an exceptional value.