The country’s largest national park operator, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, is preparing for the fast-approaching winter season with numerous winter-only activities and packages.
In most national parks — including Zion, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks — the number of visitors drops along with the temperatures, making the winter season especially appealing to visitors who seek a quieter, slower paced park experience. California’s Death Valley National Park is an exception. There, when the temperature drops visitors flock to the remote desert park.
“The winter-season experience is typically quite different from the summer season in visitation as well as scenic splendor,” said Dave Hartvigsen, vice president of sales and marketing for Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “There is a special beauty of a quiet national park on a frosty day and many repeat visitors tell us they feel like they are visiting an entirely different park when they travel during the winter.”
Despite the colder temperatures, visitors can still find a wide array of adventures. For example, winter can be a great time of the year to spot wolves in action on the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park. And many of the park’s hiking trails are groomed for cross-country skiers. Hiking the popular Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is popular year-round, and since temperatures increase as hikers make the descent into the Canyon, hikers are often treated to mild and comfortable conditions for their winter-season hikes.
Examples of lodges with special packages and pricing during the winter months are listed below. Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on double occupancy and do not include gratuities or taxes. Some blackout dates apply.
The “Zion in Winter” package includes an overnight stay and features breakfast for two each morning. From Dec. 1, through March 31, this package rate for a Sunday-through-Thursday stay is $89 for a standard room, $99 for a western cabin and $119 for a suite. On Fridays and Saturdays, the rate is $99 for a standard room, $109 for a western cabin and $129 for a suite. The rates are $10 higher than weekend rates during the holiday periods of Dec. 23-30 and Feb. 11-13 and Feb. 19-21. Each additional person in the room is $10 with breakfast available for purchase separately. Zion Lodge also offers a two-night New Year’s Eve package for guests arriving on Dec. 31. The “Zion in Winter” package is based on double occupancy, does not include taxes or gratuities and is not available on Dec. 31 or Feb. 19-20. Guests should mention the promotion code “WNTR” when making reservations. Guests should use the promotion code “WNTR” when making reservations online at www.zionlodge or by calling 888-29-PARKS (888-297-2757).
In Yellowstone National Park, where only the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are open during the winter, the focus is on combining accommodations and specific winter activities. Most of the park is closed to wheeled vehicles in the winter, and transportation is provided by over-snow vehicles — snowcoaches and snowmobiles. Many visitors prefer the convenience of Xanterra’s “Winter Getaway” and interpretation-based “Adventure” and “Lodging & Learning” packages.
Winter provides a scenic backdrop for spotting wolves in the wild and the “Trail of the Wolf” package focuses on educating guests about this famous predator as well as the park’s abundant natural features. The package includes guided snowmobiling in the interior of the park and wildlife watching by van in the park’s Northern Range. This package includes three nights of lodging split between Old Faithful and Mammoth, a round-trip guided snowmobile tour between Old Faithful and Mammoth, a “Wake up to Wildlife” tour of the Lamar Valley, two breakfasts per person, welcome gift, a one-hour hot tub rental, unlimited ice skating and skates and a Snow Card good for 10 percent off meals, activities and more. Rates start at $419 per person for double occupancy for two nights at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and one night at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Rates start at $549 per person for double occupancy for two nights at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and one night at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
Yellowstone may be booked by phone by calling (307) 344-7311 or toll-free (866) GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375). Complete tour details also are available on the Web site at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park offers the El Tovar Romance Package at the elegant El Tovar, a national historic landmark and the park’s most sought-after lodge. The package includes one night in a standard queen room, a bottle of California sparkling wine and fruit basket in the room and dinner for two with a bottle of Grand Canyon label wine in the El Tovar Dining Room. The base package cost is $375 plus tax subject to availability. Guests may upgrade to a deluxe room or suite, based upon availability, for an additional charge. The Romance Package is available Nov. 28 through Feb. 14, excluding Dec. 11 and Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, and Jan. 12. For reservations, visitwww.grandcanyonlodges.com or call 888-29-PARKS (888-297-2757). Guests should use the promo code “ROMANCE.”
Also at the Grand Canyon, Maswik and Yavapai lodges offer the Winter Value Rate, representing a significant savings over summer-season rates. The Winter Value Rate is $85 per night plus tax at Maswik South and Yavapai West, and $110 per night plus tax at Maswik North and Yavapai East. The Winter Value Rate is available from through March 10, excluding Nov. 24 through Nov. 27, Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 and Feb. 19 through Feb. 21. The rates are good for single or double occupancy. The cost for each additional person in the room is $9. Children 16 and under stay at no extra charge. Lodge and room type are subject to availability and seasonal closures. For reservations, visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com or call 888-29-PARKS (888-297-2757).
Grand Canyon Railway rates drop twice during the winter season — on Nov. 12 and again on Jan. 1. The rates for packages — which include train travel, accommodations and more — drop as much as 36 percent during the historic train’s winter season. The Railway Getaway Plus features roundtrip coach-class train travel, two nights of lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and two breakfasts and two dinners per person. The rate is $262 per person beginning Nov. 12 through Dec. 31 and $202 per person Jan. 1 through March 14. The Grand Canyon Railway also offers packages featuring overnight accommodations inside the park at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Travelers can book packages online at www.thetrain.com or by calling 800-THE-TRAIN (800-843-8724).
Unlike most Western national parks, California’s Death Valley National Park is visited by far more travelers in the winter than in the summer. For golfers, Furnace Creek Resort offers the Stay & Play package, which includes overnight accommodations at either the Inn at Furnace Creek or the Ranch at Furnace Creek, unlimited golf for one day, 18-hole golf cart rental and club storage. Rates start at $211 at the Ranch and $387 at the Inn through Dec. 16. Rates for a Sunday through Thursday stay Jan. 1 through Feb. 28 start at $207 at the Ranch and $345 at the Inn from Nov. 28 through Dec. 16. Rates for a Sunday through Thursday stay Jan. 1 through Feb. 28 start at $207 at the Ranch and $341 at the Inn. Rates for a Friday or Saturday stay during that period are $221 at the Ranch and $351 at the Inn. Rates are for two people based on double occupancy and do not include taxes. Rates may be higher on weekends and some blackout dates apply. For reservations online, visit www.furnacecreekresort.com and use the promo code “GOLF.”
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