SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 12, 2006–This year ski mountains are encouraging travelers to try new tricks on improved lifts and increased terrain. For those snow bunnies more interested in what’s hot off the hill, there are numerous unique off-mountain amenities as well.
“The key to the slopes this season is navigating all the exciting new offerings at top ski destinations across North America while simultaneously figuring out how to save,” said Natasha Carvell, a Travelocity editor. “Multi-mountain passes are the perfect way to see more, do more and save more.” Why? Because ski resorts have revamped and revitalized everything from dining options to terrain, making 2006 a year for innovation and increased adventure.
In addition to revealing some of the season’s hottest ski trends on and off the slopes, Travelocity has taken a closer look at its own booking data to find out which U.S. destinations are on the rise.
Travelocity’s Favorite Multi-Pass Options
While some have heard of island hopping, few may be familiar with mountain hopping. It’s easy because multi-passes, which allow skiers and riders to visit more than one mountain on the same interchangeable lift ticket, are now widely available. Not only will consumers save money, but a multi-pass will help everyone find terrain that suits them.
-- SKI SALT LAKE SUPERPASS: Purchase a Superpass and ski at Alta,
Brighton, Snowbird, or Solitude. Only one resort can be skied
per day. Transportation from Downtown or South Valley also is
included in the cost.
-- VAIL RESORTS "PERFECT TEN" TICKET: A Vail/Beaver Creek lift
ticket is also valid at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe
Basin - all located within a 40 mile radius.
-- STRATTON/OKEMO: These two popular mountains in southern
Vermont have teamed up to offer a reciprocal ticket. Purchase
a three-day lift ticket at Stratton and ski or ride one day at
Okemo.
-- NORTH LAKE TAHOE: This interchangeable lift ticket allows
skiers to visit seven downhill and five cross country resorts
and offers savings, convenience and flexibility.
-- Look for additional details on booking ski passes and other
resources on Travelocity's new Ski Store at
www.travelocity.com/skideals.
New Terrain
Added terrain is always a huge draw for repeat skiers, and this year’s crop of newly opened runs promises to up the adrenaline factor on the slopes. Check out Vermont’s Stratton new gladed course designed and hand cut by Bill Koch, the first and only American to win an Olympic medal in Nordic skiing. A local Colorado favorite is the Aspen Highlands which has unveiled “Deep Temerity” offering new, advanced, expert and extreme terrain.
Apres Improvements
Today, mountain towns and resorts alike are stepping it up so that the once-uninspiring apres scene is now almost as exhilarating as the black diamonds themselves.
Dining and Nightlife
-- Aspen: Owners of highly touted Wild Fig have opened D-19,
serving the notable Italian fare of Executive Chef Dena
Marino, formerly of the Aspen's famed Ajax Tavern.
-- The N'ice Club Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada: This unique
lounge is entirely built from ice and snow. The club features
a fireplace, dance floor, and cocktails served in glasses made
of ice.
Spas/Yoga
The new Trilogy Spa at the Village at Squaw offers Hawaiian-influenced signature treatments. Sweet island aromas, fresh cut flowers (imported directly from the islands), and exotic herbal teas make it a welcoming oasis in Intrawest’s Village at Squaw. The Remede Spa at St. Regis Resort, Aspen is the first and only resort spa in Aspen. The 15,000-square-foot property includes fitness and yoga/Pilates rooms plus 15 treatment rooms, and offers signature treatments incorporating Aspen’s alpine and mineral environment.
Family Activities
A new Tube Park will be introduced at Base II on Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler this year, offering an exhilarating snow sliding experience. It is serviced by a conveyor lift, with at least six different sliding chutes. Another first at Whistler Blackcomb, SNO-LIMO service is available for the resort’s non-skiing guests. Panorama, BC sports a Northern Lights Wolf Education Centre. In-house grey wolves Moab and Maya are well adapted to survival in snowy conditions and take Canada’s harshest winter weather in stride while helping to educate visitors about wolf and bear conservation.
Top Domestic Ski Destinations for 2005/2006 Winter Season are: Colorado, Utah, Nevada
Biggest Year-Over-Year Tourism Growth this year are: Kamloops, British Columbia; Telluride, Colorado; and Twin Falls, Idaho
“This year you don’t have to be a ski bum to know the ins and outs of how to save on the hill,” said Carvell. As with many great deals, they don’t always last. Carvell advises buying early as some mountain passes sell out in advance of the season.
Sample Travel Deals(a)
-- Dallas, TX - Denver, Colorado: 7 nights for $720 per person on
American Airlines. Four Points by Sheraton Denver Cherry
Creek- 3 Star, including 2-day ski passes for 2 adult skiers
at Keystone and Breckenridge Resorts
-- New York City, NY - Montreal, Canada: 7 nights for $733 per
person on American Airlines. Hotel Le Cantlie Suites - 3 star,
including 2-day ski passes for 2 adult skiers at Mont
Tremblant Ski Resort.
-- San Francisco, CA - Salt Lake City, UT: 7 nights for $525 per
person on United Airlines. Baymont Inn & Suites Salt Lake
City/West Valley - 3 star, including 2-day Ski Salt Lake Super
Passes for 2 adult skiers.
Travelers also can utilize a host of research and booking tools available on Travelocity’s new Ski Store at www.travelocity.com/skideals to help them access top ski travel deals, updated snow reports, destination information and a photo gallery to help plan 2006 winter getaways. For more up-to-the-minute advice about all of the hottest ski destinations in 2006, log onto www.travelocity.com/newski.
(a) Sample prices are in USD for one adult based on double occupancy and include tax recovery charges. Sample prices gathered on Jan. 10, 2006 for travel from Feb. 15 – 22, 2006. Travelocity’s real-time dynamic TotalTrip packaging engine is constantly updating prices and availability; please visit travelocity.com to confirm availability of current offerings.
About Travelocity(R)
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion – before, during and after the trip and works hand-in-hand with the world’s most reputable travel providers so that everything about a customer’s booking will be right. And if it’s not, Travelocity guarantees that it will work with its partners to make it right, right away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. – booking $4.9 billion in travel in 2004. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(SM), and lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
CONTACT: VOLLMER
Sie Soheili, 972-488-4790
sie@vollmerpr.com
or
Andrea Collins, 212-715-2222
andrea@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity
