FOUR WINTER-SEASON
NATIONAL PARK VACATION IDEAS
FROM XANTERRA PARKS & RESORTS

DENVER, CO – The country’s largest national park operator, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, is gearing up for the winter season with numerous activities and packages – some only available in the winter – in four Western national parks including Grand Canyon’s South Rim in northern Arizona, Death Valley National Park in the California desert, Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming (and parts of Montana and Idaho) and Zion National Park in southern Utah.

The valleys rolling meadows are an important winter range for bison and elk, and a year-round haven for bison, elk, deer, moose, and predators such as grizzly bears and coyotes.

In most national parks – including Zion, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone – 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.

“National park vacations during the winter season tend to be a bit quieter than during the summer months, and although guests come for many different reasons, they all seem to embrace the idea that parks can and should be enjoyed year-round, no matter what the weather,” said Dave Hartvigsen, vice president of sales and marketing for Xanterra. “Each park offers adventures that reflect the destination, like off-road exploring in Death Valley’s backcountry or climbing to the top of historic Desert View Watchtower for exceptionally stunning views of the snow-dusted Grand Canyon. And each location offers winter packages that make it easy for travelers to book a dream winter vacation.”

Unless otherwise noted, the packages quoted are for double occupancy and do not include taxes, fees or gratuities.

Grand Canyon Railway/Grand Canyon South Rim

The Grand Canyon is truly one of the Wonders of the World.

Getting there is half the fun. The Grand Canyon Railway offers one of the best winter bargains in Arizona. The train has already dropped its winter-season rates once and will drop them again on Jan. 1, 2012. Plus, vacationers get to begin their national park adventure before they even get to the park. Located in Williams, Ariz., about 62 miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Railway operates a roundtrip train tour that travels through northern Arizona’s picturesque ponderosa pine forests. The train offers several overnight train packages that include accommodations at both the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams and Maswik Lodge in the park.

For example, the Canyon Limited Plus is a three-night package featuring roundtrip train travel, the first night of lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, the second night of lodging at Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon National Park and the third night of lodging back at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, two breakfasts and two dinners per person at the Grand Depot Café and a motorcoach rim tour inside the park. Concessioner Xanterra offers a variety of motorcoach tours including a half-day tour to the Desert View Watchtower. This historic 70-foot tower, designed by famed Fred Harvey Company architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter as a replica of a prehistoric Indian tower, commands a magnificent view of the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert to the east and San Francisco Peaks to the south.

The starting rate for the Canyon Limited Plus package is $360.76 per person now through Dec. 31, 2011 and $276.76 per person Jan. 1 through Feb. 16, 2012. Travelers can book packages online at www.thetrain.com or by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724). Grand Canyon Railway runs every day of the year except Dec. 25.

Furnace Creek Resort, Death Valley National Park

Top: Furnace Creek Resort, outstanding accommodations.
Bottom: Dante's View, 5,000 feet above Death Valley.

Temperatures drop during the winter season at Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley just like at other national parks, but here that drop means daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Unlike most Western national parks, California’s Death Valley National Park is visited by far more domestic travelers in the winter than in the summer, when temperatures can reach as much as 120 degrees.

Furnace Creek Resort – comprised of the elegant Inn and family-friendly Ranch at Furnace Creek – offers a popular Stay and Play package for winter golf enthusiasts. The resort’s golf course is the lowest in the world, at 214 feet below sea level.

The Stay and Play package features accommodations, unlimited golf per day at the Furnace Creek Golf Course, 18-hole cart rental and club storage. Rates start at $248 at the Ranch and $412 at the Inn. Rates drop in January and February before rising again in March and April. Rates are for two people, based on double occupancy in a standard room. The Stay & Play Package is also available for other room types at both lodging complexes. Rates do not include applicable tax. This package may not be combined with other offers. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply. Reserve this package online at www.furnacecreekresort.com using the promo code “GOLF” or by calling toll-free to 1-800-236-7916 or from outside the U.S. to 1-303-297-2757 and refer to the promo code “GOLF”.

Yellowstone National Park

This backcountry geyser basin is easily reached by a 5-mile roundtrip hike from the trailhead south of Old Faithful. Lone Star Geyser erupts about every three hours.

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. Many visitors prefer the convenience of Xanterra’s “Winter Getaway,” “Adventure and “Lodging & Learning” packages. These packages include experiences, lodging, transportation, some meals and guides. Travelers can find a package that is especially suited to their interests, whether it is cross-country skiing – Nordic skiers consider Yellowstone’s many miles of groomed trails a skier’s paradise – wildlife watching or general sightseeing.

Most of the park is closed to wheeled vehicles in the winter, and transportation into the park’s interior is provided by over-snow vehicles – snowcoaches and snowmobiles.

One popular package is the Winter Wildlife Expedition, a Lodging & Learning package offered in partnership with the non-profit Yellowstone Association Institute. This four-night program is available 10 times during the months of December through March. Guests must be at least 12 years old, and there are a maximum of 12 participants in each program. The program includes four nights at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, in-park transportation for field trips, one welcome gift per adult, use of snowshoes, use of a hot tub for one hour, unlimited ice skating, optional evening programs and a Snow card good for 10 percent discounts on gift shop items, tours, rentals and meals. This package is priced at $629 per person double occupancy and $789 per person single occupancy. The December package price is slightly higher.

Reservations can be made online at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free (1) 866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375).

Zion National Park

With its massive red-rock canyons, miles of hiking trails and relatively mild winter daytime temperatures, Zion National Park is a great choice for anyone who loves the outdoors. On a typical winter day, visitors will be walking the trails, watching for birds with binoculars in hand, photographing the dramatic landscape or relaxing on a park bench and simply taking it all in.

Zion Lodge, the park’s only lodging facility, offers the “Zion in Winter” package from Dec. 1, 2011 through March 15, 2012. The package includes accommodations and breakfast for two each morning. The nightly rate for a Sunday-through-Thursday stay is $95 for a standard room, $105 for a Western Cabin and $125 for a suite. On Fridays and Saturdays, the rates are $10 higher. And during the holiday period of Dec. 23 – 30, 2011 and President’s Day weekend, Feb. 17-19, 2012, rates are $119 for a standard room, $129 for a Western Cabin and $139 for a suite. Each additional person in the room is $10 with breakfast available for purchase separately. This package is not available on Dec. 31, 2011. Guests should mention the promotion code “WNTR” when making reservations.

Zion Lodge is also offering special New Year’s Eve and President’s Day weekend packages.

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Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of several affiliated Xanterra entities) operates lodges, restaurants, tours and activities at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country’s largest park concessioner. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the following locations: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va. and eight Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Windstar Cruises as well as Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been committed to the preservation and protection of the environment for many years. Through its environmental program, “Ecologix,” Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been recognized repeatedly for environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association of America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, National Parks Conservation Association, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.