Mary Jane Ski Resort – North America’s Best Ski Bumps

Mary Jane at Winter Park Resort is the grand madam of bump skiing in North America. The bumps are big the snow deep and the runs are steep. If you like to ski bumps there is not a better place to be challenged and if you want to learn there is not a better place to take it up. Why is Mary Jane the best for bumps and how did she get this way? Lets take a look through The Jane’s past and that should give us a glimpse why she is the grand dame of bump skiing.

As bits and pieces of history and lore are revealed, what began as an innocent settlement of miners, rail yard workers and loggers in the late 1800s, would later mark the coming of age of a woman named Mary Jane and her clever business sense for the worlds oldest profession.

A well-known madam and local lady of the evening, Ms. Jane’s good fortune for services rendered would turn what was once a lonely sheep trail used for grazing into a highly sought-after winter playground.

A lady recognized as Maryjane lived in the town of Arrow, about 3-4 miles up the old railroad bed outside of Winter Park. The parcel of land that is the base of The Jane sits on what was called the Mary Jane Placer. It is unknown whether Mary Jane bought this parcel of land with her earnings or if it was given to her by a grateful client.

Mary Jane Ski Area officially opened for the 1975-76 ski season, costing Winter Park and the City of Denver 4.6 million dollars to develop. The complex contained 4 new Heron-Poma double chairs, 26,700 square foot lodge, 18 trails, and 350 skiable acres. This increased Winter Park’s acreage by 80 percent.

In 1986, Winter Park/Mary Jane enjoyed the benefits of a $9 million dollar capital improvement plan. Mary Jane gained an additional 20 trails (200 acres), which included some of Colorado’s steepest trails in The Chutes.

The 90s brought additional up grades to “the Lady.” The Sunnyside chairlift began operation on the backside of The Jane. In addition, Club Car restaurant, at The Jane Base, increased capacity by 50% and snow-making was expanded to the Mary Jane side of Winter Park Resort.

For the 2007-2008 ski season, this lady of the night debuted a new triple chairlift on the back side of Parsenn Bowl and 7 new runs to hand deliver you to powder heaven. The Eagle Wind lift has some of the best tree skiing and steeps in all of Colorado. Parsenn Bowl also has a six pack lift (six person) servicing the front side of the mountain.

The Jane’s history gives us a bit of why she has the best bump skiing in North America but the real reasons come down to this. Ms. Jane (only that part of Winter Park resort), dedicates itself to moguls. You can find moguls on the entire mountain. This is the break down of the trails:

* Expert Only: 1% (Double black diamond)

* Most Difficult: 57% (Black diamond)

* Advanced: 22% (Blue-Black)

* Intermediate: 19% (Blue)

* Beginner: 1% (Green)

The bumps here are known as VW bumps because that is what looks like is buried under the snow.

Mary Jane may have been a lady of ill repute, but the bumps you will find here are the best in all of North America if not in the world.