.png)
AstroTours.org is excited to partner with Winter Park to provide an out of this world experience!
Hosting programs at Winter Park will provide us access to the pristine dark sky above Winter Park. Due to it's high elevation and lack of light pollution Winter Park is a seller spot for astronomy.
We will be providing two experiences:
A tour for all ages located at Hill House. Tours start at sunset and last for 2 hours. The show will explore the night sky with several large telescopes and a laser pointer. We will see and learn about planets, constellations, navigation, satellites, nebula, clusters, galaxies, maybe some shooting stars (if lucky), and our universe. Through telescopes we will get up close looks at these objects and take in their beauty with our own eyes. Guests are provided with a red flashlight, comfy seating, and hot coco. Guests are encouraged to bring questions, wonderment, and warm clothing (it will get cold after sunset). Please be aware of weather, tour is subject to cancellation if it is too cloudy to see any stars.
A tour for all ages located at the top of the Winter Park Resort Gondola. Tours start at sunset and last for 2 hours. The show will explore the night sky with several large telescopes and a laser pointer. We will see and learn about planets, constellations, navigation, satellites, nebula, clusters, galaxies, maybe some shooting stars (if lucky), and our universe. Through telescopes we will get up close looks at these objects and take in their beauty with our own eyes. The tour takes place at the top of the gondola in winter park (small ~100yard walk required, snowshoes available upon request) where phenomenal sunsets and wildlife are often seen. Guests are provided with a red flashlight, comfy seating, and hot coco. Guests are encouraged to bring questions, wonderment, and warm clothing (it will get cold after sunset). Please be aware of weather, tour is subject to cancellation if it is too cloudy to see any stars.
Frequently asked questions about the Winter Park tour:
For General Information feel free to reach out to Winter Park here:
Guest Services - 970.726.5514
Location:
top of the Gondola or Hill House depending on tour.
About the tour: Tours start at sunset and last 2hrs. we start with a talk about telescopes and looking at a few twilight objects. Then there's a 30 to 45min astronomy talk where we will teach you how to navigate with the stars, point out some constellations with a lazer and share their stories as we let our eyes adjust to the night. Next is ~45 min of telescope time where we get to look at: planets, constellations, satellites, nebula, clusters, galaxies, maybe some shooting stars, and our universe. I end with a 15min q&a and a last few objects (I love looking at things in the telescopes so, guests are free to stay as late as they like and I will keep pointing telescopes at things, answering questions, and talking, as long as there's an audience).
Recommended night/ moon worries:
I would recommend a day or two after the full moon or a day or two after a new moon. The moon is amazing to see in a telescope but, it gives off natural light pollution which drowns out a lot of the dimmer stars and things. For full moon tours I would recommend to just book the usual tour in Boulder as the full moon will make the sky in Winter Park very similar to Boulder's light polluted sky
Will there be any hiking?:
Nope, No hiking required. You might have to walk ~100 yards from the Village Cabriolet for hill house, or the gondola for sunspot. the ground is flat at the sight. We provide chairs for you to sit in during most of the show, and can assist you getting around if needed. Most of the telescopes require standing to use, however I can show the same things in more accessible telescopes if needed, and you will be able to sit during telescope time if needed as well.
Can children come:
Yes, All ages are welcome! I just warn parents of young children: this is a late night show geared for a developed mind requiring a good attention span, little ones often fall asleep. Can dogs come:
No, unfortunately Winter Park does not let dogs come to the resort. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the tours in Boulder only.
Should we come earlier?: If guests want to come earlier to see the telescopes in the daylight and ask questions, ~15min before the show starts the guide usually will be mostly set up and able to talk about the telescopes
Can we use the discounts listed on the discount page?:
No, all discounts listed on this web sight are for the tours in Boulder only. Unfortunately these programs are ran entirely through the resort in Winter Park as such AstroTours.org has no control over adjusting prices.
We're very excited about this partnership and look forward to seeing you at Winter Park