Best Coffee in WP

When you are planning a trip up to the mountians specially to a place like Winter Park Colorado there is alot of things you have to think about like where are you gonna stay and how are you gonna get there and what runs are you gonna ski but honestly for me the most important thing is where am I gonna get my coffee. Its super cold in Winter Park usually so you need warm drinks to keep you going and if you are driving up from Denver or flying into DIA and taking a shuttle you are gonna be tired from the travel and the altitude really hits you hard sometimes so caffeine is basically a food group up here. I have spent alot of time exploring the area and trying out all the different places to get a cup of joe and I feel like I have a pretty good handle on where the best spots are depending on what you are looking for because sometimes you just want a quick caffeine fix and other times you want to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere.

One thing you have to remember is that Winter Park and Fraser are basically right next to each other so when people talk about Winter Park coffee shops they are usually talking about Fraser too because its just down the road and honestly some of the best spots are actually in Fraser. Its kinda confusing if you arent from around here but just think of them as one big area connected by Highway 40 which is the main road that runs through everything. If you are taking a Winter Wagon ride up here our drivers definitly know all these spots so you can always ask them to stop or just ask for reccomendations because they drive these roads every day and they drink alot of coffee to stay alert on the pass.

Speaking of the pass Berthoud Pass is no joke and if you are driving it yourself you definitly need to be awake but even if you are riding in the back of one of our luxury vans its nice to have a warm drink in your hand while you look out the window at the trees and the snow. The altitude change can make you feel a little groggy so staying hydrated and caffeinated is super important but you have to be careful not to drink too much or you get jittery which is not great for skiing. Anyway lets get into the actual coffee shops because thats why you are reading this and I have some strong opinions about where you should go.

Rocky Mountain Roastery

So if you ask any local where to get the best coffee they are probably gonna tell you to go to the Roastery which is technically called the Rocky Mountain Roastery and its located in Fraser in the shopping center near the grocery store. You can tell you are in the right place as soon as you walk in because the smell of roasting beans just hits you in the face and its amazing. They roast there own beans right there in the shop and you can see the big roaster machine sometimes if you look in the back and it makes a huge difference in the taste of the coffee because its super fresh.

I really like going here in the mornings because it has a really chill vibe and there is usually alot of locals hanging out and talking about the snow conditions or what they are gonna do that day. The seating area is pretty cozy with wood tables and it feels like a real mountain coffee shop not like some sterile corporate place. They have tons of different blends and roasts so if you like dark roast or light roast they have you covered and you can even buy bags of beans to take home with you which is a great souvenir if you want to bring a taste of the mountians back to your house.

One time I went in there and I didnt know what to order and the barista was super helpful and suggested I try one of their speciality lattes and it was delicious not too sweet but just right. They also have some food options like burritos and pastries which are good if you need a quick breakfast before you head to the ski resort. Its definitly not the fanciest place in the world but that is part of the charm and why people love it so much because its authentic and real. If you are staying in a vacation rental in Fraser this place is probly gonna be your go to spot every morning and honestly I dont blame you.

The only downside is that it can get pretty busy specially on weekends or holidays when everyone is in town so you might have to wait in line for a little bit but its usually worth it. Also parking can be a little crazy in that lot because there is a bunch of other businesses there like the grocery store and the hardware store so just be patient or if you are using Winter Wagon you dont have to worry about parking which is a huge plus.

Rollin Street Bakery

Okay so this place is actually super unique and if you havent been here you definitly need to check it out because its not just a coffee shop its like a whole experience. Rollin Street Bakery is famous for these things called chimney cakes which are a traditional Czech pastry and they are absolutly amazing. They take this dough and wrap it around a wooden cylinder and bake it in a special oven and then roll it in sugar and cinnamon or nuts and it comes out warm and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

When you walk in the smell of the baking dough and the sugar is just incredible and it mixes with the smell of the coffee and it makes you want to buy everything in the store. They serve really good coffee too which pairs perfectly with the sweet pastries and they have a nice seating area where you can sit and watch them make the cakes which is pretty cool to see. Its located in Fraser as well but its closer to the Winter Park side so its easy to get to if you are staying in town.

I took my friend here last year when he visited and he couldnt believe how good the chimney cakes were he literally ate two of them in one sitting which I was impressed by but also kinda worried about his stomach. But seriously the coffee here is legit and they take pride in what they do so you arent getting some watered down stuff you are getting quality espresso and drip coffee. It feels very European inside which is a nice change of pace from the typical log cabin style you see everywhere else in Colorado.

They also have savory options if you arent into sweets for breakfast so you can get a chimney cake filled with eggs and bacon or veggies which sounds kinda weird but trust me its delicious. Its a great place to go if you want something different and want to support a local family business that is doing something unique in the community. Just make sure you check there hours because sometimes they close a little earlier than other places so you dont want to miss out.

Goodys Mountain Creperie

If you are staying at the resort or you are already at the base and you dont want to drive anywhere then Goodys is the place to go. Its located right in the Village at Winter Park Resort so its super convenient if you are about to get on the gondola or if you just finished a long day of skiing and you need a pick me up. As the name suggests they are famous for there crepes both sweet and savory but they also have a full espresso bar and they make some really good drinks.

The vibe here is totally different than the Roastery or Rollin Street because its right in the middle of the action so its usually loud and energetic and full of people in ski gear clomping around in there boots. Its a great place to people watch and soak up the ski town atmosphere while you sip on a hot chocolate or a latte. The staff is usually moving super fast because they have a line out the door but they are friendly and they get your order out pretty quick considering how busy they are.

I love getting a coffee here and sitting outside on the patio if its sunny because you can watch the skiers coming down the mountain and its just a really nice view. It can be a little pricey since its at the resort but that is kinda expected when you are paying for the location and the convenience. If you are renting skis or waiting for your friends to finish getting ready this is the perfect meeting spot because everyone knows where it is and you can grab a quick bite to eat too.

They have these giant cookies that are really good too and they go great with a black coffee if you need a sugar rush and a caffeine rush at the same time. Since Winter Wagon drops off right near the village for a lot of our guests this is often the first place people see and its a solid choice to start your vacation. Just be prepared for it to be crowded specially during peak season like Christmas or Spring Break because everyone has the same idea.

Mountain Grind

Another place that I really like is Mountain Grind which is located in Cooper Creek Square in downtown Winter Park. This place is cool because its not just a coffee shop its also a fudge shop and they make some of the best fudge I have ever tasted. The coffee here is really good too and they focus on using organic and fair trade beans which is important to alot of people around here because we care about the environment and where our food comes from.

The inside of the shop is really nice and warm with a fireplace and comfy chairs so its a great place to bring a book or your laptop and get some work done if you have to. I have spent many afternoons here just sipping on a cappuccino and writing or just relaxing after a morning on the slopes. They also have gelato which is kinda crazy to eat in the winter but honestly its so good that I do it anyway.

One thing that is nice about Mountain Grind is that its in Cooper Creek Square so there is plenty of parking usually or you can take the free bus that runs through town and stops right there. There is also a bunch of other shops and restaraunts right there so you can make a whole afternoon of it walking around and checking things out. The staff here is always super nice and they remember you if you come in a few times which makes you feel like a local.

They have a really big menu of drinks so if you like fancy flavored lattes or teas they have tons of options to choose from and they can make basically anything you want. I usually stick to the basics but sometimes I treat myself to a mocha or something sweet because why not I am on vacation or at least pretending to be. Its definitly one of the more relaxing spots in town compared to the craziness of the resort base.

The Importance of Water and Altitude

I know this article is about coffee but I feel like I have to mention water because its super important when you are up here in the high country. Winter Park is sitting at over 9000 feet and if you go up the lift you are going even higher so the air is thin and dry and it dehydrates you really fast. Coffee is a diuretic which means it makes you pee and lose water so if you are just drinking coffee all day and not drinking water you are gonna get a headache and feel terrible.

Every time I order a coffee I always ask for a cup of water too and I make sure to drink it all because I dont want to get altitude sickness. Its a rookie mistake to come up here and just drink beer and coffee and forget about water and then wonder why you feel sick the next day. So please do yourself a favor and drink alot of water along with your coffee so you can actually enjoy your trip.

Also the alcohol hits you harder up here too so if you are putting bailey’s in your coffee just be aware that one drink might feel like two or three at sea level. I have seen plenty of people have a rough time because they didnt respect the altitude so just take it easy and listen to your body. Winter Wagon drivers always have water in the van usually or can stop for you to get some because we want you to feel good and have a great time.

Comparison of Top Spots

I made this little table to help you decide where to go based on what you are looking for because I know I just wrote alot of words and sometimes its easier to just see it all in one place.

Yeah I put Starbucks on there just because sometimes you just want what you know and there is one in the Safeway in Fraser and one at the resort. I personally prefer the local spots because they have way more character and the coffee usually tastes better but I get it sometimes you just need a mobile order and go.

Why Winter Wagon loves Coffee

You might be wondering why a transportation company cares so much about coffee but honestly it is a huge part of our culture and our daily lives. Our drivers are up early in the morning picking people up from the airport or driving them around town and coffee is the fuel that keeps us going. We also love sharing our local knowledge with our guests so when someone asks where to get a good cup of coffee we want to have a good answer for them.

We beleive that the little things like a good cup of coffee can make a big difference in your vacation experiance. If you start your day with a terrible burnt coffee it puts you in a bad mood but if you start with a delicious creamy latte and a warm pastry you are ready to conquer the world or at least the bunny hill. That is why we try to stay up to date on all the best places so we can help you have the best time possible.

If you are booking a ride with us from Denver to Winter Park or just around town feel free to ask your driver what there favorite spot is because they might have a new recommendation that I didnt even mention here. Things change pretty fast in mountain towns and new places open up or old places change owners so its always good to get the latest scoop from someone who lives here. We are more than just a ride we are your friends in the mountains and we want to make sure you are well fed and caffeinated.

Other Spots Worth Mentioning

There are a few other places that I didnt go into huge detail about but are still worth checking out if you have time. There is a place called The Perk which has been around for a long time and its a classic spot for locals. There is also Simple Coffee Co in Fraser which is really cool because they focus on sustainability and being eco friendly which is awesome.

Also alot of the breakfast places like Wake N Bacon serve really good coffee because they know you need it to wash down your eggs and bacon. So dont feel like you have to go to a specific coffee shop to get good coffee because honestly the standard up here is pretty high because there is so much competition. Even the gas stations have decent coffee sometimes if you are really desperate but I would definitly reccomend going to one of the local cafes if you can.

Its also worth noting that alot of these places sell local art and little gifts so you can do some shopping while you wait for your drink. I have bought so many cool little things like mugs and stickers at coffee shops because I cant resist a cool design. Supporting these local artists is another great reason to shop local and skip the big chains.

Final Thoughts on Winter Park Coffee

So there you have it that is my guide to getting coffee in Winter Park and Fraser. Whether you want a fresh roasted brew from the Roastery or a sweet chimney cake from Rollin Street or a convenient crepe from Goodys you really cant go wrong. The most important thing is that you take the time to slow down and enjoy it because that is what being in the mountains is all about.

Dont just chug your coffee in the car on the way to the lift take a few minutes to sit down and smell the beans and look at the snow and appreciate where you are. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place and having great coffee shops just makes it even better. And remember if you need a ride to any of these places or back to the airport Winter Wagon has got you covered.

We love driving people around and showing them our town so give us a call or book online and let us take care of the driving so you can focus on drinking your coffee and having fun. Be safe out there and stay warm and hopefully I will see you in line at the coffee shop one of these days.