Winter Park Central Reservations, (800) 729-5813, can book 150 different lodging properties, plus air transportation, lift tickets and special activities. This resort has a group of mountain inns unique in Colorado. They are like small bed & breakfasts but many include dinner, as well. They all serve meals family-style so guests get a chance to meet one another easily. Most inns have transportation to and from the slopes. The food is usually fantastic and plentiful, and the inn owners go out of their way to please their guests. These inns are perfect for solo travelers who want to meet others. In fact, Central Reservations can book a four-night package for solos that includes mountain inn lodging with its meals, three days of lift tickets, and a Ski & Snowboard School workshop to improve your skills while meeting others of similar slope abilities. Prices begin at $600.

There are several mountain inns in Winter Park. Perhaps the most upscale is the Gasthaus Eichler (800-543-3899; 726-5133; $–$$$). The inn is very European and the rooms are well decorated with down comforters on the beds. Each bathroom is equipped with a jetted tub. It's perfect if you want quiet, elegant lodging in the center of town within walking distance of restaurants and nightlife. Prices include breakfast and a filling dinner.

Arapahoe Ski Lodge (800-754-0094; 726-8222; $–$$$), also downtown, is a pleasant, friendly, no-smoking mountain inn that feels like home. The rooms have private baths. It features a large spa and indoor swimming pool. Prices include breakfast, dinner and transport to the slopes.

The Woodspur Lodge (800-626-6562; 726-8417; $–$$$; above) has a massive living room with a fireplace, soaring roof and plenty of space. This central area makes a perfect meeting place for the guests. The rooms here are of two types—newly restored and old style. Ask for one of the updated rooms if you are staying as a couple and one of the older rooms for larger groups. The lodge is served by local buses as well as lodge vans that shuttle skiers to the area and the town. Rates include breakfast and dinner.

The Timber House Ski Lodge (800-843-3502; 726-5477; $–$$$; above left) is tucked into the woods at the edge of the area. A private trail lets you ski directly back to the lodge. You'll meet other guests in the giant living room with its stone fireplace, at family-style meals, or soaking in the outdoor hot tub. Rates include breakfast and dinner.

The other mountain inns and B&Bs are outside of town toward Tabernash.

The Wild Horse Inn (800-729-5813; $$–$$$) is the most elegant of the local B&Bs and is built with large pine logs. The seven rooms each have a private bath and private balcony. The living room is large and comfortably furnished with leather chairs and couches. Special attractions include a hot tub, an on-site masseuse, and endless freshly baked cookies.

Whistle Stop Bed & Breakfast (800-729-5813; 726-8767; $–$$) is a casual B&B located just a block from the train station in Fraser. Two of the rooms have private baths and two have shared baths. Each guest room is located on a different level of the inn for increased privacy. The hearty breakfasts have become one of their top enticements.

The Outpost Inn (800-430-4538; 726-5346; $–$$$), a B&B, is comfortable and homey. Vans shuttle skiers to and from the ski area. A spa attached to the building becomes a social center in the evenings. A maximum of 20 guests at a time stay at the inn. Rates include breakfast, but no dinner.

Winter Park also has many condo complexes. The most luxurious is the Zephyr Mountain Lodge (800-729-5813; 726-8400; $$$–$$$$) is a luxury condo-style hotel at the Winter Park base, featuring generous rooms with full kitchens, free high-speed Internet access and some nice little touches, like free luggage carts that make it easier to move your luggage between the parking garage and your room. The Iron Horse Resort Retreat (800-621-8190; 726-8851; $$–$$$$; left) has a swimming pool and a fitness center. Iron Horse is about 2 miles outside of the town center near the base of the slopes, but has excellent shuttle service if you want nightlife.

Winter Park Mountain Lodge (866-726-5473; 726-4211; $–$$$) is across from the ski resort and is part hotel, part ski lodge. It was completely remodeled and enlarged in 1999 and is an attractive and affordable choice for those who want to be close to the slopes. It has an indoor pool, hot tubs, brew pub and game room, and also has cable TV and phones in each room.

The Vintage (800-472-7017; 726-8801; $$–$$$$) is also slightly out of the center of town but right next to the ski area. It features a restaurant, fitness room, swimming pool and good shuttle service into the town. The owner admires Winston Churchill and has Churchillian memorabilia throughout the hotel. The beautiful wooden bar came from a London pub. One of the finer properties in Winter Park, the Vintage has studios and suites available.

For condominiums in town, try either the Snowblaze (800-729-5813; 726-5701; $$$–$$$$; right) or Crestview Place (800-729-5813; 726-9421; $$$–$$$$). Both are across the street from Cooper Creek Square. Snowblaze has a modest athletic club with racquetball court, swimming pool and fitness center, which are included in the price of the condo. Studio units normally come with a Murphy bed, and two- and three-bedroom units have baths for each bedroom, private saunas and fireplaces. Crestview Place does not have an athletic club or private saunas, but has fireplaces and full kitchens.

One of the most popularly priced condominiums is the Hi Country Haus (800-729-5813; 726-9421; $$$–$$$$). These condos are spread out in a dozen buildings and share a recreation center with four hot tubs, sauna and heated swimming pool. They are within walking distance of town and are on the shuttlebus routes.

A couple of unusual alternatives outside of town are especially good for Nordic skiers. Devil's Thumb Ranch (800-729-5813; 726-5632; $$–$$$) has undergone a major renovation, adding the county's first full-service spa, new upscale cabins and a gourmet restaurant featuring organic dishes. Also try the Snow Mountain Ranch (970-887-2152; Denver line, 303-443-4743; left), which has Nordic trails, plus dorm facilities and cabins. It's owned by YMCA of the Rockies, and it conducts year-round recreational programs.

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Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less