India, Dec. 29 -- There's something special about being the longest continually operating large-scale ski resort in Colorado, a state known for its world-class skiing. That distinction belongs to Winter Park Resort, which began by welcoming just a handful of skiers in 1940 and has since grown to encompass more than 3,000 acres of terrain in the Fraser Valley just 67 miles west of Denver.

"Growing up in Colorado, I had always heard of Winter Park but never visited until my adult life," said DeAnna Reardon, the guest services manager at Winter Park Resort, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. "When I first visited Winter Park, it was quite quaint and very authentic. I felt as if I had stepped into a place thats true passion and culture w...