This charming mountain town may be named after just one season, but Winter Park offers year-round adventure for active families, outdoor enthusiasts, and Rocky Mountain lovers alike.
The area’s world-class mountain biking, blazing fall colors, and massive snow accumulation help bring in over a million visitors every year. For anyone looking into Winter Park investment properties, this can translate to income potential that rivals the resort’s 12,000-foot summit.
To help you understand the investment opportunity of this beloved Colorado market, we created a free, downloadable vacation rental market analysis.
Inside you’ll find:
- Rental income potential by property size
- Average occupancy by property size
- Average daily rate by property size
- Average days booked in advance
- Average length of stay
- Vacation rental inventory by property size
- Occupancy rate by month
The findings in this analysis are based on Evolve’s Winter Park market averages in the last 12 months and provide a general baseline for performance potential. They’re designed to help inform smart decisions when exploring the Winter Park real estate market.
Download Our Complete Winter Park Vacation Rental Investment Analysis
Why Winter Park Is a Great Place to Own Vacation Rental Property
Winter Park is built around one of North America’s top ski resorts, as voted by USA Today readers. That level of popularity is largely due to thousands of skiable acres, but also to the resort’s charming mountain village and trademark: Mountain Bike Capital USA. And outside the resort, downtown Winter Park and the neighboring town of Fraser — just a mile down the highway — offer a unique set of local breweries, coffee shops, and tasty eats to provide a well-rounded experience for travelers.
These multi-season activities are clearly taken advantage of when you look at vacation rental occupancy for the area. Winter Park’s first travel surge occurs in the winter months, when travelers come to shred freshly-powdered slopes. The area sees another peak around mid-summer — the perfect time for hiking, biking, and fishing in the Colorado wilderness.
Stats show that’s exactly what the area’s one million annual visitors come to do, too. A study commissioned by the nonprofit Headwaters Trails Alliance found outdoor recreation tourism accounts for approximately 61% of the Grand County economy, and these visitors spend nearly $590 million dollars locally. Because tourism is the main source of industry in the Fraser Valley specifically, Winter Park investment properties could put investors in a strong position to earn.
Colorado’s housing market is famously competitive, with Winter Park’s median home value currently hovering around $843,000. But, this is lower than other ski hubs in the state — think Breckenridge and Vail, which both boast prices over $1 million. For more budget flexibility, nearby Fraser’s slightly lower median home value — currently around $758,000 — could offer a different route to your ski house investment.
How Much Money Can You Earn with a Winter Park Vacation Rental?
As skiers, bikers, and elevation-seekers continue to discover everything the Fraser Valley has to offer, vacation rental owners have mountains of opportunity. But Winter Park investment properties are not one-size-fits-all. Consider these important factors before you make the jump.
Property Size
Perfect for ski crews, holiday gatherings, and big summer outings, larger properties in Winter Park bring in the most revenue and see similar occupancy rates as their smaller counterparts. . However, bigger homes make up the lowest percentage of local inventory, which could make your search a bit more challenging.
On the flip side, two- and three-bedroom properties see strong annual occupancy and have the highest percentage of local inventory available — giving you more opportunity to shop around. And, while one-bedroom rentals have lower revenue expectations on average, a less expensive investment could leave more budget to pack your home with guest-pleasing perks — so buyers itching to enter the Winter Park real estate market shouldn’t rule out smaller homes immediately.
Property Location
According to our real estate experts, top-performing listings in the area are split between Winter Park and Fraser zip codes, which provides a broader range of investment opportunities.
The closer you get to the resort, however, the larger the draw for all-season adventurers. That means that while there’s plenty to do in warmer months no matter your home’s exact location, properties with coveted ski-in/ski-out access often get an extra performance boost in the winter.
Property Amenities
In a multi-season spot like Winter Park, your property should stand out on the snowiest days and during the hot summer season. Start by investing in the amenities travelers look for, then consider extras that give guests the perfect summit experience. Think mountain views, hiking access, and even pet-friendly perks for four-legged trailblazers.
In the winter, your investment property can attract even more bookers and earn five-star reviews with mountain home perks like a fireplace, ski boot dryer, or private hot tub. For Colorado’s famously sunny summer, think about adding warm-weather amenities like air conditioning and an updated outdoor space for post-hike relaxation.
When you’re ready to explore the market, make your search easier by starting with vetted homes for sale.
Download Our Full Winter Park, CO Vacation Rental Market Analysis
A world-famous and multi-season resort draws people to Winter Park where they discover sights, adventures, and local flavor that bring them back year after year. Add this to a diverse lineup of Winter Park investment properties, and your income potential could be ready for (ski) liftoff.
Whether you’re blazing a new trail with an investment property purchase or riding the rental revenue rails with your current home, our free Winter Park Vacation Rental Market Analysis has what you need. It’s full of important insights, including:
- Average daily rate by property size
- Average days booked in advance
- Average length of stay in high and low seasons
- Revenue potential by property size
Use our market data to gear up for real estate investment in Winter Park, so your journey feels as smooth as a glide down the slopes on a pow day.