FALL WINTER 2019 HIDDEN GEMS Get to know 6 ski resorts that are off the beaten path (37) GOOD SPIRITS Distilleries offer hip spaces and tasty libations (18) DOWNTOWN MEET 4 places TO PLUG INTO LOCAL CHARM ANDVENUESDISTRICT {30}
855.696.5804 BROADMOOR.COM SO MANY WAYS TO MEET, ALL IN ONE MAGNIFICENT PLACE. Only The Broadmoor offers so many distinct venues and experiences of all sizes and types. From impressive trade shows to executive dinners. From grand reception halls to eclectic lakeside cocktails at sunset. From state-of-the-art meeting rooms to secluded brainstorming sessions at Cloud Camp 3,000 feet above the main campus. You’ll find all of it and more within our 185,000 square feet of meeting space, connected by a thread of quality, service and meticulous attention to detail. Visit broadmoor.com and contact us today to explore the wonderful possibilities. 1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
4 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 RESORTPOINTEAGLEPHOTO: 37 EAGLE POINT RESORT contents ON the COVER Telluride in the wintertime. PHOTO BY TELLURIDE SKI RESORT/RYAN BONNEAU In Every Issue 6 EDITOR’S LETTER BY BETH BUEHLER 8 MEETING NOTES What’s new, fun ideas and the latest happenings in the Mountain West, all with the meetings and events industry in mind. 42 PEOPLE PROFILE Steve Hurst shares why the American West has captured his fascination. BY BETH BUEHLER Departments 18 MEET & EAT Distilleries have cropped up all over, providing elevated places to tour, taste and create. BY BETH BUEHLER 24 VENUE REPORT Art-forward spaces by peaks set the bar high for events and education. BY JULIE SCHEFF Features 30 STANDOUT MOUNTAIN MAIN STREETS Ski-town charm often goes hand-in-hand with a historic downtown district linked with mining and ranching history. BY BETH BUEHLER 37 OFF-THE-RADAR SKI RESORTS Six great options for groups to get the snowball rolling, and some bonus extras. BY ERIC PETERSON
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 5 A VAILRESORTSMEETINGS.COM/MEETINGFOREVERYSEASONFORMEETINGEVERYSEASON | 970.496.6557 Meet in the mountains, where the best time of year is any time of year. Whether your group is chatting over the sound of crunching leaves beneath their boots, or grinning from ear to ear with fresh powder beneath their skis, they’re sure to head home with a story and a little extra sunshine on their faces. Based upon availability and subject to blackout dates by resort and for groups that consume prior to 12/31/2020; Not applicable in conjunction with other group offers; A group is defined as contracting 10 peak room nights or more with a length of stay of two or more nights. Amenities are while supplies last.* Select offer is good for one per peak guest room night. Epic Discovery is offered in Vail, Breckenridge and Heavenly.** YEAR-ROUND INSPIRATION SELECT ONE OF THE SEASONAL OFFERS BELOW WINTER • Welcome amenity* • Scenic gondola ride • Snowshoe experience • Discounted group ski lessons • Cider and hot cocoa break SPRING • Welcome amenity* • One-hour guided hiking tour • Yoga class for up to 20 people • 30% off spa services • Smoothie bar or trail mix break SUMMER • Welcome amenity* • Scenic gondola ride • One-hour guided hiking tour • Smoothie bar or trail mix break • 1 per 15 on Epic Discovery experience** FALL • Welcome amenity* • One-hour guided foliage hiking tour • Yoga class for up to 20 people • 30% spa services • Candy apple break
6 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 MY IDEAL SCENARIO would be having a place to live in the mountains and another one near a beach. I grew up around the Colorado mountains and now live in a ski town. I love escapes to places with beaches, something inspired by family vacations orchestrated by my parents. Lucky are the destinations with both mountains and ocean beaches like those along the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington to name a few. One place that I want to call out that isn’t part of our usual coverage area, but has this enviable combo, is Puerto Rico. Why mention a Caribbean island? Because the meetings and events industry across the globe continues to amaze me with its abil ity to support each other, and it’s important to share the news that Puerto Rico is very much open for business to host groups after Hurricane Maria had its devastating impact in September 2017. I was curious about how the island was recovering and was invited to see for myself in late March along with two other journalists and approximately 15 meeting planners and clients who were looking at venues, lodging properties and experiences for groups. Discover Puerto Rico and several destination management companies and hotels put together an ambitious itinerary in San Juan that had us dining on the beach and within the walls of San Cristobal Fort, taking a cobblestone tour of Old San Juan with surprises along the way, and a piña colada mixology class and salsa dancing lesson at Mall of San Juan. Back to the U.S. Mountain West and western Canada, there is plenty to shout about. The Standout Mountain Main Streets article (page 30) in this issue was born from my days as executive director of a downtown district and consultant with the Main Street programs in Colorado and Iowa. There are some really sweet historic downtowns in the mountains. Ever visit a ski resort that doesn’t necessarily have all the bells and whistles but overflows with great skiing, quality venues, friendly staff and no lift lines? These types of ski areas are underutilized by groups and offer huge value and fun, which is the focus of Eric Peterson’s feature story on page 37. Get out and embrace fall and winter in the mountains! Beth beth.buehler@tigeroak.comBuehler editor’s LETTER Mountains & Beaches, Oh My! The Resort at Paws Up in Montana FALL WINTER 2019 mtn.meetingsmags.com EDITOR BETH BUEHLER MANAGING EDITOR MORGAN HALASKA SENIOR EDITOR MEGAN GOSCH ASSOCIATE EDITOR KASSIDY TARALA DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR JULIANNA FAZIO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ERICJULIEPETERSONSCHEFF EDITORIAL INTERNS TAYLOR HAFNER, MEGAN EKSTRAND, JAKOB BERMAS, SOPHIE JONNSON DESIGN DIRECTOR COURTNEY NIELSEN ART DIRECTORS TRACI ZELLMANN, TAYLOR KILGORE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DIANNE TALMAGE PROJECT COORDINATOR BRITTNI DYE CIRCULATION DIRECTOR JEREMY WIELAND SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST EMILY O’CONNELL SENIOR ACCOUNTANT LEANNE WARZEKA CREDIT MANAGER APRIL MCCAULEY ACCOUNTANT JASON LAWSON WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER SANDY POWELL WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR ANGELA BEISSEL ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER BOB HADDAD • CA, CO, MT, NM, UT, WY BOB.HADDAD@TIGEROAK.COM REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 1.800.637.0334 or email reprints@tigeroak.com For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 1.800.637.0334 or customerservice@tigeroak.comWriteto Mountain Meetings 900 S. Third St., Minneapolis, MN 55415 Mountain Meetings accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. TIGER OAK MEDIA FOUNDER & CEO R. CRAIG BEDNAR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BILL NELSON VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT SUSAN ISAY DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JIM YOUNGER 900 South Third St, Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: 612.548.3180 Fax: 612.548.3181 Mountain Meetings is published twice a year © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
Kathy SeniorReakDirector of Convention Sales 719.685.7632Kathy@VisitCOS.com ENVISION YOUR MEETINGColoradoVisitCOS.com/meetingsSpringsisayear-round meeting destination boasting mild temperatures, more than 300 days of endless blue skies and stunning natural scenery. Discover first-tier amenities, an array of properties and unique venues. TOP 8 REASONS TO SPRINGSCOLORADOCHOOSE It’s Colorado Springs - Conventions that are anything but conventional. Complimentary services - From personalized site visits to attendee items, VCOS offers award-winning guidance. Climate - Mild year-round climate and sunshine create the perfect environment, even in off-season. Fantastic accommodations - Over 14,500 city-wide rooms and 450,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Easy access - The convenient Colorado Springs Airport offers over 65 arrivals and departures daily. One-stop - VCOS is a single source for all your event planning needs during the planning process. Personalization - Enjoy hands-on service through each step of the selection and planning process. Support System - Enlist assistance for services, activities and other event details when the time is right. 0708060504030201We believe in keynote speakers that would rather spark an idea than follow an agenda. Attendees who seek a balance between PowerPoint and play. Conventions that are anything but conventional. We don’t believe in “planners.” We believe in visionaries.
Sea to Sky Gondola Tree Walk
Vancouver Convention Centre
CONVENTION CENTRE CELEBRATES 10TH BIRTHDAY
Maple Leaf Adventures Introduces Cascadia
SQUAMISH Sea to Sky Gondola’s mission is to make it easy for people to connect with the great outdoors. In keeping with that philosophy, the organization plans to erect an acces sible, architecturally stunning tree walk that winds 34 meters into the sky, offers soaring 360-degree views and provides access for guests of all ages and abilities. The elevated trail experience starts at Summit Lodge and leads guests on a 2.5-kilometer return trip through the trees and over wetlands along Panorama Ridge. The new structure is the first of its kind in North America and designed to thoughtfully integrate into nature. The Squamish-based tourism attrac tion opened in 2014. seatoskygondola.com
Maple Leaf Adventures
8 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 meeting NOTES VANCOUVERCANADA
A Canadian ecotourism pioneer, Maple Leaf Adventures, has launched the 138foot catamaran Cascadia in British Columbia to provide luxury expeditions along the region’s beautiful western coast. Owners Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon were inspired by the increasing demand for transformational experiences in unspoiled regions, which is a great fit for incentive trips. Accommodating up to 24 guests, Cascadia is designed to offer a more intimate and authentic experience, one aligned with the scale of the coastal inlets and the communities that guests will visit. Regular itineraries include Haida Gwaii, Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, southern British Columbia’s fjords, and wine cruising through the Gulf Islands. mapleleafadventures.com
GONDOLA;SKYTOSEAPHOTOGRAPHY;BORCKSARAPHOTOS:
vancouverconventioncentre.com
ADVENTURESLEAFMAPLE
The West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre, known for its beautiful water views, opened its doors in April 2009 and has hosted more than 5,500 events. The addition of the structure tripled the facility’s capacity, enabling the convention center to welcome more than 9 million guests from around the world to gatherings such as major citywide conventions, consumer and trade shows, private meetings, banquets, fund raisers, community events, special events, public celebrations, and film and TV shoots. Vancouver Convention Centre is the world’s first double LEED Platinum certified conven tion center.
ELEVATED TREE WALK EXPERIENCE PLANNED FOR
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 9 Just ask the armless archer. The world record for longest accurate archery shot by anyone belongs to him. This museum is for Team USA athletes like Matt Stutzman who deserve to have their story shared with the world again and again. YOU DON’T NEED HANDS TO HOLD A WORLD RECORD. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO OPENING 2020 USOPM.ORG
To take a look at the happenings in Tuolumne County, we’ll zoom in on three areas: Yosemite National Park, Gold Country and High Sierra. visittuolumne.com
CALIFORNIA
Yosemite Groups looking for the ultimate Yosemite adventure can catch a bird’s-eye view of Yosemite National Park with Yosemite Flights Tours. With flights out of Columbia airport, choose from packages that range from sunset flights to soaring over El Capitan and Half Dome. Or check off two national parks at once with a morning flight over Yosemite while en route to Death Valley. yosemiteflighttours.com
10 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
Gold Country Inner Sanctum Cellars expanded its footprint in Tuolumne County with the acquisition of the Columbia Nursery and Florist property in Columbia. With the purchase came a small café that is reopening with a tasting room for Inner Sanctum Cellar wines and an events venue. The owners envision the property to be everything from a wedding venue to a music venue with the wines and winery being at the center. innersanctumcellars.com
High Sierra Black Oak Casino Resort has launched its new outdoor concert venue, Westside Pavilion, with summer concert series that kicked off in summer 2018 with world-renowned acts like Justin Moore, Smokey Robinson and Rick Springfield. blackoakcasino.com
Event Spotlight: CLIF NAPACAMPOVELOVALLEY
NOTES
HERRECAMPOVELO/JONATHANRESORT;CASINOOAKBLACKPHOTOS: ATTRACTIONSPRINGSGLENWOOD(OPPOSITE)
Tuolumne Trails offers rustic conference rooms with views of the Tuolumne River Canyon, cozy accommodations, trails to hike, agility courses, hay rides, and a heated pool. While the summers at this camp are filled with special needs programs, the fall, winter and spring offer some of the finest times to book a retreat or meeting. tuolumnetrails.org
WHAT’S NEW IN TUOLUMNE COUNTY
At Yosemite Pines RV Resort and Family Lodging in Groveland, sleep in new Conestoga wagons for the ultimate rustic and unique Old West expe rience. However, don’t fret because there are modern features like Keurig coffee makers and air conditioning. yosemitepinesrv.com
Hosted by food visionary and “Top Chef Masters” winner Chris Cosentino and produced by Ride Napa Valley, CLIF CampoVelo Napa Valley is an annual three-day weekend blend ing the best of the culinary, cycling and wellness worlds. Cosentino, along with 20 other chefs, pro cyclists, winemakers and other notable people lead the weekend that encompasses myriad activi ties designed to support Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition and Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry. The third annual weekend, held April 26-28, included dinner under the stars at Tamber Bey Winery in Calistoga that benefitted No Kid Hungry, a cam paign for national anti-hunger organization Share OurTheStrength.menufor the benefit dinner was an inspira tion from regional flavors with ingredients supplied by local farmers and complemented by a selec tion of wines by Tamber Bey and Clif Family and beers from Mad Fritz. The event was limited to 80 guests. Since 2017, CampoVelo has raised more than $35,000 for Chefs Cycle. campvelo.com
meeting
Steamboat Springs Adds Homewood Suites With 84 suites, the new Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs brings more extended stay options to the popular hiking and skiing destina tion. Developed and owned by Gray Stone LLC and managed by K Partners Hospitality USA, the property offers a combination of studio, one- and two-bedroom accommodations that are handy for groups and feature fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas. Additional amenities include a heated indoor pool, game room and fitness center. homewoodsuites.com
New Gondola Transportation at Glenwood Springs Attraction Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has introduced its newest feature, the Glenwood Gondola that replaces the Iron Mountain Tramway that opened in 2003. The gondola features 44 detachable cabins that move continuously, so the ride is faster and smoother and less sus ceptible to weather-related closures. The mountaintop theme park in Glenwood Springs was closed for several months during the gondola construction so the grand reopening was a kickoff for a full slate of summer events, including the attraction’s 20th anniversary celebration and 15 Music on the Mountain concerts, which run through early fall. To thank the community for its patience while the park was closed, free annual gondola passes were offered to residents from Basalt to Glenwood and from Eagle to Parachute. More than 17,000 people signed up! glenwoodcaverns.com
COLORADO
Mt. Hood Skibowl
A team of veteran hospitality executives is at the helm, including General Manager Mandy Hotovy, Assistant General Manager Minsun Robillard and Director of Sales Dan Moller. Wilson Hotel Big Sky Residence Inn is owned by Lone Mountain Land Company and man aged by Urgo Hotels & Resorts. marriott.com
SUSTAINABILITY KEY TO MONTEREY COUNTY TOURISM & EVENTS
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) has joined two initia tives to further its goal of ensuring that Monterey County is one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations. The first is with Positive Impact, a global not-for-profit that provides educa tion and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry and a vision to address the role of plastics in theMeasuringindustry. success is also critical, prompting MCCVB to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSIndex) initiative, an alliance focused on helping destinations, convention bureaus and businesses promote sustainable practices. The GDS-Index does this by measuring and comparing sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world. seemonterey.com/sustainable
FIRST MAJOR HOTEL
meeting NOTES
Only 90 minutes from Portland International Airport, groups can ski with locals, enjoy a beer at a craft brewery, spend the night in a mountain resort and follow snowshoe trails through old growth for ests on Mt. Hood. These three ski resorts offer a wealth of entertain ing options. mthoodterritory.com Timberline Lodge & Ski Area, a National Historic Landmark, is the only ski-in, ski-out lodge in the state. The resort’s operator has expanded with the purchase of Summit Ski Area, the second old est continually operating ski area in the United States with a loca tion below Timberline in the town of Government Camp. Summit’s interior is being remodeled, but the single chairlift, family-friendly and affordable vibe, which is ideal for getting the basics of skiing or snowboarding before heading up to more challenging runs at Timberline, is being preserved. Mt. Hood Meadows has more than 2,150 acres of skiing and imple mented a new ticket pricing system last season that is similar to how airline ticket pricing works. The demand for lift tickets will dictate the prices. During off-peak days, Meadows will drop ticket prices with the goal of enticing people to ski during those times, helping allevi ate congestion and crowds. Mt. Hood Skibowl has the largest night skiing terrain in the United States with 36 lit runs. Plus, the resort’s Cosmic Tubing features more than 600,000 LED lights, laser light shows, black lights, colored lights, music and two handy conveyor lifts.
Wilson Hotel Big Sky Residence Inn by Marriott opened the end of May 2019 and is named after Wilson Peak, one of the most prominent of the Spanish Peaks overlooking Big Sky. The hotel has 129 guest accommodations (a mix of spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom suites); 3,000 square feet of meeting space; a steakhouse-style American res taurant; and The Wilson lobby bar. The hotel’s Town Center location is just steps from shops, restaurants and nightlife and a complimentary shuttle ride from the ski lifts at Big Sky Resort. Groups and guests also can unwind in the outdoor heated pool and whirlpool and 24-hour fitness center.
MONTANA OREGON BIG SKY WELCOMES
Mt. Hood Home to Three Diverse Ski Resorts
TERRITORYHOODMT.MARRIOTT;PHOTOS:
12 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
This sure beats a boring conference room. retreat to a new way of hosting your meeting. Bring your agenda into focus and invite your team members to connect with The Colorado Experience. We’re introducing the Mountain Meet & Retreat Package, a perfectly customizable meeting package ideal for groups of 15 or more. Create and book your Mountain Meet & Retreat Package today. Packages start at $495 per night/per person. * * Pricing is before tax, service, and gratuity. Promotion is valid for groups arriving between 9/3/19–4/31/20. Minimum 2 night, Sunday–Thursday stay required. Located 15 minutes from Winter Park, CO | (970) 722-7836 | devilsthumbranch.com/meet-retreat
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located on the Santa Ana Pueblo between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, is offering new team-building activities for groups and recently complet ed a $3.3 million renovation of 12 indoor meeting spaces.
Whether groups are adventure-seeking, spiritually driven or automotive enthusi asts or planners are looking for a memo rable incentive trip, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Sante Fe is offering various retreat and buyout opportunities. The property has 57 acres to play and meet on and 13,000 square feet of event space, as well as Adventure Architect Hans Loehr who is charged with creating unique itineraries and serving as a guide to the land, cultures, history and heritage of the Santa Fe area.
TAMAYAREGENCYHYATTENCANTADO;RANCHORESORTSEASONSFOURPHOTOS: CITYPARKPENDRYPHOTOGRAPHY;DIAMONDAUSTEN(OPPOSITE)SPA;&RESORT
meeting NOTES RETREATS & BUYOUTS AT
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America program recognizes and celebrates the finest and most significant historic hotels and recently inducted 27 additional hotels into membership, including La Posada de Santa Fe. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with 157 guest rooms and suites, La Posada de Santa Fe was built in 1881, has 7,687 square feet of meeting and event space, and is known for its long practice of exhibiting and selling original local artwork. The hotel’s Gallery Collection is a profession ally curated celebration of painting and sculpture from the American Southwest. historichotels.org; marriott.com FOUR SEASONS
YOGA-RITA & TEQUILA NATURE WALK
LA POSADA DE SANTA FE INDUCTED INTO HISTORIC HOTELS OF AMERICA
RESORT Rancho Encantado
Adventure: The community’s most scenic spot is at the top of the Ski Basin, where there are breathtaking views at 12,000plus feet and great options for hiking and downhill and cross-country mountain bike rides.
Spiritual: The EQUUS Experience is a self-discovery and leadership develop ment framework that engages part nership with horses to inspire lasting change and breakthrough learning in individuals and organizations. Groups also can embark on a five-hour trek that begins with a traditional Native American smudging ceremony in the resort’s on-site teepee, followed by a trip across Ancestral Pueblo lands with a local guide, yoga in the pumice hoodoos around Abiquiu and a light hike to a lake for lunch. Automotive: The spectacular scenery and stunning New Mexico drive routes are ideal for groups that want to drive their own fun cars or rent one of the resort’s Mercedes-Benz vehicles to explore the open highways.
During Yoga-rita, the resort’s in-house yogi leads a customized 30-minute class for all skill levels before attendees enjoy one of the resort’s signature margaritas. During the new Tequila Nature Walk, groups explore the trails that run through the Bosque cottonwood forest and learn about the flora and fauna and the resort’s Bosque restoration project while visiting mul tiple pop-up tequila stations. At each station, guests learn more about the tequila selection, including its unique flavors and distilling methods.
NEW MEXICO
14 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
Pendry Park City to Open in 2021
In the heart of Canyons Village, a new ski-in/lift-out resort is slated for winter 2021 completion. Pendry Park City will feature 150 guest rooms and suites and more than 7,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, along with a 4,000-square-foot ballroom. Other key features include the only rooftop pool and bar in the area, a spa and recre ation facility, and a Japanese-American restaurant with mountain fare. pendryhotels.com/park-city Salt Lake Selected to Host ASAE’s Great Ideas Conference Three years after hosting the annual meeting of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Salt Lake has been selected to host the organization’s Great Ideas Conference in 2020, 2021 and 2022. It’s the flag ship event for association professionals who gather from across North America to connect, learn and collaborate. The approximately 500 attendees will be based at The Grand America. visitsaltlake.com; gic.asaecenter.org Bring Puppy Love to Meetings In between meetings and during con ference breaks at Montage Deer Valley, the property’s Bernese mountain dogs, Summit and Monty, can be booked for endless puppy kisses and bounds of energy, allowing for a andguestsdailyday.ingspick-me-up. Attendeesmuch-neededreturntomeetconfidentandenergizedfortheThedogsalsoareavailableformeet-and-greetswithallhotelinthemainlobbyat11a.m.3p.m.
SALT LAKE BREWERY TOUR INTRODUCEDPASS Sample, enjoy and experience Salt Lake’s craft beer scene with Visit Salt Lake’s new Salt Lake Brewery Tour Mobile Pass. The self-guided tour introduces beer lovers to the area’s craft ales, lagers, porters and ciders made by 12 top brewer ies and brewpubs with the added bonus of receiving $5 off at each of the participating breweries. A one-day Brewery Tour Pass is $15 and is valid for 24 hours after its first use; the three-day Pass is $20 and valid for 72 hours; and the 90-Day Pass is $30 and valid for 90 days. visitsaltlake.com
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 15
UTAH
Pendry Park City
There also is plenty of charm and interesting things to do in the small towns around Olympia. In Tenino, check out a nation ally-renowned sanctuary for displaced wolves at Wolf Haven International and find hand-carved sandstone treasures, watch them being made and make your own at the Stone Carver’s Shed. In Yelm, head to the scenic grounds of Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm and stop by the posh Uptown Lounge experienceolympia.com
In 1896, Olympia Brewery Founder Leopold Schmidt believed that to make a good beer, he had to use first-rate ingredients. Situated above Tumwater Falls, the artesian spring water is said to have been a key component in what became one of the Northwest’s most iconic brands. Today, a variety of craft brew eries are paying homage to the region’s roots, and the recently opened Well 80 Brewery sits on one of the artesian wells.
PROJECTBICYCLE
WHAT’S NEW IN OLYMPIA & BEYOND
Lodging: The 258 rooms and suites, fresh from an $8 million renovation, have a modern look and feel that echo the Pacific Northwest. Guests also can choose from four 713-square-foot luxury treehouses complete with expansive decks, indoor/out door fireplaces and outdoor fire pits.
Property Spotlight: SKAMANIA LODGE Situated in Washington’s protected Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge in Stevenson is now part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio. Set on 175 densely for ested acres and owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, the prop erty is renowned for its Cascadian-style architecture, state-ofthe-art conference center built to IACC standards, authentic Northwestern cuisine, and awe-inspiring views. skamania.com
Function Space: Skamania Lodge’s 22,000 square feet of conference space includes 23 meeting rooms, exhibit spaces and banquet facilities. Conference space ranges from 250 square feet for intimate gatherings to a 7,000-square-foot ballroom that can hold up to 500. A new $1.6 million event location, Riverview Pavilion, features 2,500 square feet of covered outdoor space.
meeting NOTES WASHINGTON
YELLOWTENINOBEYOND;ANDOLYMPIAVERBELCHUK/EXPERIENCENICKPHOTOS:
16 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
A newly launched, self-guided bike tour, Biking Beyond, takes visitors along the Yelm-Tenino Trail that stretches 14 miles through the rural communities of Yelm, Rainier and Tenino along the former Burlington Northern railroad line. Available in both digital and print format, the guide was created to assist guests in finding points of interest ranging from recreation to top spots for sipping, exploring and dining. Views of farmland, wetlands, wildlife and Mount Rainier make the ride enjoyable for all abili ties. Cyclists can bring a bike or borrow one for free, courtesy of the Tenino Yellow Bicycle Project. bikingbeyond.com
Activities: With 175 forested acres, a sampling of on-property outdoor adventures includes the Canopy Zip Line Tour; Aerial Park with 19 platforms, more than 22 elements and a climbing feature; recently refurbished Gorge Loop Fitness Trail with five stations; and a new axe throwing activity. Additional highlights are four miles of hiking and nature trails, bikes for guest use, and outdoor tennis, basketball and volleyball.
A variety of tours show, taste and tell visitors the Olympia story. Plan an excursion on the Thurston Bountiful Byway, a 60-mile self-guided agritourism adventure where guests can sample and bring home craft beverages and fresh fare from the sources. Other choices include selecting a craft beverage of choice and exploring the area on the South Sound Craft Crawl, opting for the South Sound Wine Trail and sipping at six winer ies, or indulging in the South Sound Coffee Trail that focuses on craft coffee in Washington’s capital region.
The Farm at Brush Creek Up & Running Brush Creek Ranch, a luxury ranch in Saratoga, unveiled its latest addition in June. The Farm at Brush Creek offers nine immersive food, beverage and event experiences, including a Cheyenne Club luxury dining restaurant, Brush Creek Brewery, Brush Creek Distillery, Brush Creek Cellar and Tasting Room, Spirits Vault, Medicine Bow Creamery, bakery, event barn and extensive green house system. The Farm has panoramic views of the surrounding Medicine Bow National Forest and Bennett and Kennaday peaks. Brush Creek Ranch has been a cow camp and hay-producing ranch since the early 1900s, and meet ings and retreats for up to 200 can be hosted. brushcreekranch.com
outsideYoursidewantsameetingwithaview.
Caldera House Opens in Teton Village Teton Village has a new eight-suite luxu ry retreat and members-only alpine club known as Caldera House that is located only steps from the tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The owners set out to create a place that celebrates the destination itself and the local legends that inspired it. The $100 million proper ty also features a spa, ski shop, lockers, lobby lounge, café, and gourmet Italian fare by local chef Paul O’Connor at Old Yellowstone Garage. General Manager Pamela Lenci has more than a decade of experience running one of the world’s most acclaimed heli-ski lodges, and her team can help guests and groups book a wide range of signature experiences tailored to their individual interests. calderahouse.com WYOMING
With 30+ lodges, more than 70,000 square feet of meeting space serviced by venues like the Westin and Viceroy, direct flights to Aspen Snowmass just 6 miles away, and endless fun yearround, Snowmass is an unforgettable setting for your meeting, event or corporate summit. explore venues gosnowmass.comat
Jackson Hole’s Snow King Resort Acquired A Florida-based real estate private equity firm, KDG Capital, has pur chased Snow King Resort in Jackson and plans to invest $5 million in capital improvements. David Kingston has been named general manager, bringing 25 years of senior leadership experi ence. BENCHMARK, a global hospital ity company continues to operate and market the 203-room hotel located at the foot of Snow King Mountain just minutes from the center of Jackson Hole. Approximately 16,000 square feet of meeting space is available at Snow King Resort. snowking.com
18 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 HENDRICKSON;NOELPHOTOS: DISTILLINGMARBLE(OPPOSITE) DISTILLINGHERITAGECOMPANY; COMPANY meet & EAT MEETINGSMOUNTAINSPIRITED
TUMBLEROOT BREWERY AND DISTILLERY Santa Fe, New Mexico
A toast to distilleries with cool venues and options to sip, taste and learn.
PARK DISTILLERY Banff, Alberta, Canada Sourcing water that originates from six glaciers in the Canadian Rockies, Park Distillery offers small-batch spirits (vodka, gin and rye), backcountry hut décor and campfire-inspired cuisine. Groups also will appreciate the private and semipri vate spaces for gathering, a heated patio, tastings and mini bottle gift options. The whole facility can hold up to 180 seated and 250 for a cocktail-style event, while the Guides Room and Library hold 40-70. “I recently attended a large media event at Park Distillery to kick off the Tribute to Craft Spirits Festival—a new element of Banff and Lake Louise’s winter festival SnowDays—and was amazed at how they essentially recreated their space to provide the perfect venue for us. Not only that, but I feel that Park Distillery is truly authen tically local and really represents what Banff National Park is all about,” says John Doherty, communications and media coor dinator for Banff & Lake Louise Tourism.
Ever heard of a brewstillery? The idea for Tumbleroot was sprouted in 2015 when co-founders Jason Fitzpatrick and Jason Kirkman were on a biking tour of Denver, Colorado breweries and distilleries. They decided to build a combined production space and create a multifaceted taproom that has cozy indoor and outdoor spaces and serves as a music venue with a stage and sound system. Also at the heart of the vision was making beer and spirits (rum, whiskey, vodka, gin and agave spirits) using seasonal, wild and organic ingredients.
BY BETH BUEHLER TAKING A PAGE FROM THE RISE AND SUCCESS OF MI CROBREWERIES, distilleries are becoming trendy new gathering places in many mountain towns. Here are a few great options for tours, tastings and hands-on distilling experiences for group gatherings.
Tumbleroot’s Agua Fria taproom in Sante Fe opened its doors to the public in April 2018. For private events, there is seating for 220 inside and 120 outside, and Clockwise: Park Distillery is located in Banff National Park; Marble Distilling Company’s bar is made from local marble; a Heritage Distilling Company tasting room.
ALPINE DISTILLING Park City, Utah
HERITAGE DISTILLING COMPANY Roslyn, Washington
Owner Rob Sergent was inspired by his Kentucky moonshine roots, and the distill ery’s gin, whiskey, vodka and liqueurs are a nod to the flavorful European spirits he enjoyed while living in Great Britain and Germany. Tastings that include the entire portfolio of spirits are available at 350 Main, and tours of the production facility at anoth er location can be booked.
The Alpine Distilling Gin Experience is similar but with a four-course meal at its microdistilling location in downtown Park City at 350 Main. It’s a memorable way to discover the art of distilling by selecting your own ingredients; learning about the history of gin and the science of aroma sensory; and discovering the various food courses with 350 Main’s chef, Mat Safranek.
The family-operated Heritage Distilling Company (HDC) produces a wide variety of whiskey, vodka and gin from as many local ingredients as possible and oper ates six distillery tasting rooms in Eugene, Oregon, and Gig Harbor, Roslyn and Seattle in Washington. In Roslyn, a former coal mining town in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains, the venue and staff are well-versed in providing group tastings and tours and hosting meetings, receptions and holiday parties. The three private and semiprivate spaces accommodate groups of 16-55.“Typically the space is used by smaller groups for either breakouts away from the larger conference (often times at Suncadia) or small companies or nonprofits seeking a laid-back yet historically classic setting for their strategic planning, training or sales development. Meetings sometimes adjourn with a group spirits tasting,” says General Manager Beth Marker. HDC also has three-hour educational experiences like My Batch where groups and individuals can learn about the distilling process from beginning to end, bottle the spirits and take home two bottles that they helped make. The My Batch classes also include a tour with the head distiller and a food pairing with several HDC products.
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there is enough space indoors to host 400 reception-style. The large space also is con ducive to a variety of group activities such as yoga classes. SPOTTED BEAR SPIRITS Whitefish, Montana This community-minded craft distillery receives its inspiration from Montana’s wild places, which are reflected in a lineup of spirits that includes gin, vodka and coffee liqueur. The tasting room features seasonal cocktails made with local and organic ingre dients, juices pressed on-site and house made syrups, shrubs, tonics and bitters. Spotted Bear can accommodate up to 75 if the entire tasting room is rented and 15-20 at a time for a tasting and tour.
MARBLE DISTILLING CO. Carbondale, Colorado Marble Distilling Co. features all sorts of great spirits made in a sustainable fash ion due to a water and energy reclamation system that saves more than 4 million gal lons of water and harvests 1.8 billion BTUs annually. All grains are grown locally, and the vodka is filtered through crushed Yule marble from a quarry 25 miles south in Marble. Another unique fact is there are five luxury guest rooms above the distillery. Vodka, whiskey, bourbon and liqueurs (Gingercello and Moonlight EXpresso) are on the menu in Marble Distilling Co.’s tast ing room that holds up to 78. The private Barrel Club Room has a maximum capacity of 35, and the upper and lower patios can host up to 20 each. A full buyout, including production space, is possible for up to 150. “We’ve had several corporate groups, from full buyouts of the rooms and all space, to utilizing just the tasting room and/or Barrel Club Room for meetings followed by a tour and tasting to groups getting on the bottling line for a team-building party (this can be up to three hours and includes food, drinks, working the line and everyone tak ing a signed bottle home with them),” says Connie Baker, head distiller. “We even had Montanya Distillers come over from Crested Butte for three days and hold their annual
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Wanship, Utah Founded in 2006, High West Distillery began with humble roots, opening a saloon in 2009 with a small, 250-gallon still in a his toric livery stable and garage in downtown Park City. There has been much growth since then. High West Saloon continues to operate as a gastro-distillery, Nelson Cottage in Park City offers whiskey-paired dinners and High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship is an event space and location for educational whiskey tastings, pairings, tours, and a large 1,600-gallon copper pot still. The Wanship location provides a scenic backdrop for groups of up to 80 for plated dinners and 125 for buffet-style events when the deck is utilized. For a cocktail reception, the range bumps up to 150-250. Private tours and tastings reflect why the company’s passion for making whiskey reflects the adventurous spirit of the American West and extends to ryes, bourbons, vodkas and mixed cocktail blends.
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Backwards Distilling Company has a new tasting room in downtown Casper, Wyoming.
HIGH WEST DISTILLERY
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 21 FROM MIST TRAIL TO SUMMERDALE In the shadow of Yosemite, great ideas come to light. You can take your corporate retreat to new heights at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite – with newly renovated guest rooms, four seasons of unique group activities and 14 flexible meeting rooms. Our team will customize a meeting experience that suits your exact needs. Out here, inspiration is all around you. To learn more, call our sales team at 877-635-5807 or visit TenayaLodge.com/meetings
tastings
BRUSH CREEK DISTILLERY Saratoga, Wyoming
22 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 meet & EAT retreat here; they took over the guest rooms and tast ing room for meetings during the day and partied in the tasting room at night.”
JACKSON HOLE STILL WORKS Jackson Hole, Wyoming Friends and business partners Chas Marsh and Travis Goodman make 100 percent of Jackson Hole Still Works vodka and gin from locally sourced non-GMO grains and botanicals. The distillery hosts several events, tours, tastings and cocktail classes in town and throughout the region, with the tasting room able to host around 20 guests. Arrangements for smaller premium experiences and larger groups can be accommodated. The “Spirit of Wyoming Label Competition” gives Wyoming artists the chance to be featured on the company’s Jackson Hole Still Works Vodka label for a year. What are you waiting for? Meet, mix and mingle in style at the expanding distillery scene in the mountains! ConnectedGet ALPINE DISTILLING 435.200.9537alpinedistilling.com BACKWARDS DISTILLING COMPANY 307.472.1275backwardsdistilling.com BRUSH DISTILLERYCREEK 307.327.5284brushcreekranch.com HERITAGE DISTILLING COMPANY 509.904.0957heritagedistilling.com HIGH WEST DISTILLERY 435.513.6654highwest.com JACKSON HOLE STILL WORKS 307.699.8998jhstillworks.com MARBLE DISTILLING CO. 970.963.7008marbledistilling.com PARK DISTILLERY 403.762.5114parkdistillery.com SPOTTED BEAR SPIRITS 406.730.2436spottedbearspirits.com TUMBLEROOT BREWERY AND DISTILLERY 505.780.5730distillery.comtumblerootbreweryand DISTILLERYCREEKBRUSHPHOTO: Brush Creek Distillery produces smallbatch rye, vodka, gin, moonshine and whiskey.
The Farm at Brush Creek opened in July 2019, provid ing nine immersive food, beverage and event experi ences at the 30,000-acre Brush Creek Ranch. Brush Creek Distillery is one of the nine options and offers a selection of small-batch rye, vodka, gin, moonshine and whiskey, as well as tastings and tours. Head Distiller Stephen Julander plans to incorporate local botanicals such as juniper, yarrow, rye and lavender to create spirits truly unique to Brush Creek Ranch. Able to accommodate groups of up to 20, Brush Creek offers groups options like barrel straight from the barrel, tastings of classic and seasonal spirits, a blending seminar and more.
BACKWARDS DISTILLING COMPANY Casper, Wyoming Located at the base of Casper Mountain in central Wyoming, Casper has added Backwards Distilling Company’s new tasting room to its list of downtown attractions. The distillery will celebrate its fifth anni versary in December and can now host groups of up to 35 in a private space upstairs; there also is a large tasting room space on the main floor. Backwards hosts tours, tastings and cocktail-making classes for corpo rate groups that are a perfect introduction to made-inWyoming vodka, gin and rum. Earlier this year, they released their first-ever batch of whiskey.
The modern Aspen Art Museum is sure to impress groups of up to 250.
WHITNEY WESTERN ART MUSEUM Cody, Wyoming Square Footage: 10,000, plus outdoor space Capacity: 160 seated/300 reception-style venue
Take a cue from artistic installations and venues to curate your next event.
ASPEN ART MUSEUM Aspen, Colorado Square Footage: 33,000 Capacity: 250 reception/150 banquet Art Experience: The rotating exhibitions— from whimsical to classical—in the modern space feature photography, painting, sculp ture and Choosingmore.an art-forward event is easily accomplished in Aspen, a mountain town equated with luxury and worldwide recog nition. One of the most distinct newer build ings is the Aspen Art Museum, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Shigeru Ban and opened in 2014. The extremely modern and geometrically-shaped structure is always free and has the only public rooftop view of Aspen Mountain. “The view is unparalleled, and the bright, airy modern design is unlike anything else in town. The simplicity of the space allows my design team to easily transform it to suit our client’s vision,” explains Jason Burns, owner of Burns & Madsen, an Aspen-based special event and wedding design company. “Incorporating their current exhibits into the overall event design is a fair trade for having the opportunity to be in such a jawdropping venue.”
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BY JULIE SCHEFF WHETHER IT’S THE SHEEN OF THE SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN SLOPE in the background or the lush forest surrounding a two-story, floor-to-ceiling window spread, art is simply more sublime in mountain towns.
Artisans truly set the stage for a spec tacular event by providing inspiration from the onset. “The noncollecting aspect of the museum makes it an ever-changing destination, and even repeat guests can be wowed by the transformation,” notes Sarah Reynolds Lasser, senior director of business development for Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
ART-FORWARD SPACES IN MOUNTAIN PLACES
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TAOS ART MUSEUM AT FECHIN HOUSE
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THE GALLERY AT TWIN LAKES
Ashland, Oregon Sip, see and move the art party through the neighborhood on a gallery walk. Ashland Gallery Association is a col lection of more than 30 galleries and studios in Ashland, which has been referred to as one of the “best small arts towns” in America. The com munity is nestled in the foothills artarrangedciation,borderaboutthe Siskiyou and Cascade rangesofonly15milesnorthoftheCaliforniainOregon.Throughtheassotours,eventsandmorecanbewithfood,beverage,hostsandleaders. ashlandgalleries.com
Taos, New Mexico
Mammoth Lakes, California “It’s fun to explore the intriguing old cabin and assorted artwork on display in this quirky gallery. But don’t miss the historic and fun additions in the back—if you’re lucky like me, you might even get the chance to learn to throw an axe on your visit!” explains writer Shelly Rivoli, who attended a 40-person sit-down lunch, art show and demonstration experience at the gallery. The 1934 cabin of photographer and painter Stephen H. Willard is now a world-class gallery with a focus on historic Eastern Sierra and Yosemite artists and scenery. visitmammoth.com
ASHLAND GALLERIES
Whitney Western Art Museum is one of five museums within the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, located in the Bighorn Basin bordered by Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1959, the Whitney is recognized as one of the finest Western art museums in America.
The entire Center of the West is available for rent. The lobby is referred to as the “hub” and is used for many events, and individual wings or museums within the center can be utilized as well. Guests can view the backlit art museum while seated at their tables in the hub.
STAPLETON GALLERY Billings, Montana Square Footage: 4,000 Capacity: 75 seated/200 reception-style Art Experience: Emerging and established Montana artists including Crow Indian artists Ben Pease, Judd Thompson and Kevin Red Star and photographers Audrey Hall and Chris StapletonBoyer.Gallery, located in a retro-chic historic building, was once home to the studios of famous Montana artists such as LeRoy Green and L.A. Huffman. Today’s exhibitions include painting, sculpture, photography, found items, artifacts and folk art that are representative of Northern Plains talent and resources. “There’s not another space like it,” observes Darla Worden, editor in chief of Mountain Living magazine after a recent event. “Its location in the historic Stapleton Building, adjacent to the Kibler & Kirch studio, gives the gallery such character as a meeting space. It’s perfect for receptions, board meetings and events—even the kitchen was designed with caterers in mind but with historically accurate details. More than just a venue space, the historic build Whitney Western Art Museum is one of five museums at Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.
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The Fechin House, home of the Taos Art Museum, features the local adobe style; exquisitely carved walls, furniture and woodwork; and some of the finest artwork ever created in Taos. During the warmer season, guests can stroll the flower gardens and take in the expansive northern sky views. Situated centrally in the historic district, it’s easily accessible from numerous hotels. The beautiful gardens, patio and historic Fechin House are available for private events, work shops and artist talks with a capacity of 150. taosartmuseum.org
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Collections include historical and modern representations of Western life, land, people and wildlife through paintings, print and sculpture. “It’s a world-class facility, and the Smithsonian affiliation and priceless works in the museum are often a welcome surprise to meeting and event planners,” says Claudia Wade, director of Park County Travel Council. “Planners are also appreciative there are numerous event space options including outdoor gardens, classroom-style and banquet rooms, and an auditorium. Plus, the museum also has the ability to provide a high level of catering services.”
Art Experience: George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt, William R. Leigh, Joseph Henry Sharp, Deborah Butterfield, Fritz Scholder and many more well-known artists.
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass/meetings_and_events 130 WOOD ROAD SNOWMASS VILLAGE COLORADO SALES DEPARTMENT 970 923 8024 DISTINCTIVE SPACES & LIMITLESS ADVENTURE Surrounded by the splendor of the majestic Colorado Rockies, Viceroy Snowmass offers more than 9,000 square feet of striking indoor and outdoor options for any size event or celebration—all wrapped in nature’s grandeur with year-round activities and unparalleled amenities. www.viceroysnowmass.com 130 WOOD ROAD SNOWMASS VILLAGE COLORADO SALES DEPARTMENT 970-923-8023 Distinctive Spaces & Limitless Adventure Surrounded by the splendor of the majestic Colorado Rockies, Viceroy Snowmass offers more than 9,000 square feet of striking indoor and outdoor options for any size event or celebration–all wrapped in nature’s grandeur with year-round activities and unparalleled amenities.
MEOW WOLF SANTA FE Santa Fe, New Mexico Square Footage: 20,000 Capacity: 600 maximum for exhibit/400 for most concerts and performances, with out seating Art Experience: House of Eternal Return features dozens of rooms, stairways and secret passages combined with interactive components such as light and music. Santa Fe has the most surreal, extreme, art venue on the list, and four more Meow Wolf experiences are set to open in Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Meow Wolf is challenging to describe or even capture on film; participants truly must experience the weirdness and feel ing of crawling through a refrigerator into another room and realm to understand the mission of immersive artistic entertain ment. The themes and rooms are so bizarre and perplexing, the experience lasts for days as a world of florescent forests, Victorian rooms in an actual house, a stage with live musicians, and everything in between is all melded into one art explosion. The exhibition can take hours to explore as no one visit could ever reveal all the intricacies of the installation. Most groups plan at least two hours to explore Meow Wolf. The attraction’s entire space is available for rent, and also features a children’s learn ing center, café and bar, and highly-rat ed music venue . Whether is it a snazzy reception that ties into an art exhibition or a rooftop sculpture garden overlooking steep slopes, allow the artistic light shine on your next event. Get Connected
28 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 ing renovation adds ambiance and is an attraction in itself.” The gallery has comfortably hosted events for a few hundred people spread across the second floor of the building in a vari ety of rooms and configurations. “We love orchestrating environments that combine art and interior elements in fresh ways,” says gallerist and co-curator Jeremiah Young. “For an event we hosted for the Montana International Film Festival, we created an atmospheric ‘great room’ lounge space that received rave reviews from film makers accustomed to events around the world who said they’d never seen anything like it.”
WHITNEY WESTERN ART MUSEUM centerofthewest.org | 307.578.4031 venue REPORT
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ASPEN ART MUSEUM aspenartmuseum.org | 970.925.8050 MEOW WOLF SANTA FE meowwolf.com | 505.395.6369 STAPLETON GALLERY stapletongallery.com | 406.384.0996
Top to bottom: Everything at Meow Wolf Santa Fe is melded into an artistic explosion that is hard to forget; a recent exhibition at the Stapleton Gallery featured draped fabric to create a tent-like, “glamping” look.
There are few places that combine old-west charm, world-class recreation and gorgeous mountain scenery better than Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Add in the renowned hospitality of The Steamboat Grand and you have all you need to make your next meeting spectacular. For more information visit steamboatgrand.com/meetings or call 970-871-5553 HOST YOUR NEXT MEETING IN Grand Style VailGroups@wynvr.com | 866-820-6549 | LionSquare.com BeaverCreekGroups@wynvr.com | 866-604-5152 | TheCharter.com
30 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019 MAIN STREETS Mountain Meetings rounded up four great options for groups and provided some bonus extras. BY BETH BUEHLER Standout MOUNTAIN Downtown Telluride
Virginia City, Nevada Location: Situated at 6,200 feet on Mount Davidson, Virginia City is 25 miles from Reno and 45 miles from Lake Tahoe.
Downtown Lodging: Virginia City’s 200 rooms include hotels, motels and historic bed and breakfasts. Since Virginia City is a small community, almost everything is on C Street. Tahoe House Hotel features 16 guest rooms, and Silver Queen Hotel has 28 rooms with some reported to be haunted for the ghost hunters in your group.
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Downtown Attractions & Experiences: Stroll along authentic board sidewalks and view historic churches, 19th-century homes and public buildings, and quaint cemeteries. Visit Old West saloons, shops and restaurants and ride on a stagecoach, horse-drawn carriage or trolley. Historical Tidbit: Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, called Virginia City home. It’s where he first penned the name Mark Twain while working at the local paper, The Territorial Enterprise. For Groups: There are 17 museums to explore and guided ghost walking tours offered seasonally. At its peak, Virginia City had 115 saloons, a type of business that still dominates the landscape of Virginia City today. Watch for saloon crawls held in tandem with most local events or create yourTourown!the Ponderosa Mine in the back of the old Bank of California building to see the underground workings of a real mine or take a ride on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, the train that transported gold and silver ore from Virginia City to Carson City and beyond.
Insights: Over Memorial Day weekend, 29 members of the Northern California Chapter Society of Architectural Historians explored the architecture of Carson City and Virginia City and considered the Comstock Lode silver strike’s impact on San“TheFrancisco.Virginia City Tourism Commission helped us put together an itinerary of build ings to tour both days and had guides wearing Western clothes meet us,” says Ward Hill, treasurer and past president of NCCSAH, who noted the amazing num ber of saloons and the fact that the town has its own official spirit, Cemetery Gin. “Everyone thought Virginia City was a fun place, a little bit like Disneyland with all the tourists, but they have done a good job keeping the frontier feel of the place. I like the fact that the buildings look beat up and old, not restored and cute. For people interested in history, there is a lot to see.”
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Downtown Virginia City
Highlights: Once described as “the rich est city in America,” Virginia City became a boomtown in the 1860s when the Comstock Lode, one of the nation’s largest discoveries of silver ore, was found here. Approximately $400 million in gold and silver was mined (equivalent to more than $20 billion today), which helped fund the Civil War and establish Nevada as a state. The town became a booming metropolis with more than 25,000 residents. C Street (Virginia City’s main street) is a half mile-long stretch of historic build ings that looks as if it’s straight out of the 1800s. With loads of Victorian architec ture, downtown continues to be the hub of the town.
Instead, mining and early-day settlers were the drivers behind development that left behind character-filled downtown districts that are the community treasures of today. It’s important to note that sometimes downtown lodging properties don’t have enough guest rooms or function space to host groups, but options are typically available nearby (frequently ski resorts) for a win-win combination.
Tourism and skiing didn’t give birth to many of the West’s sweetest mountain towns.
Downtown Lodging: Treasure Mountain Inn Hotel & Conference Center has 56 lodging units and 4,600 square feet of meet ing space. Washington School House, a luxury boutique property, has 12 guest rooms and 900 square feet of function space. Other nearby options—both about one mile away—are Lodges at Deer Valley and DoubleTree by Hilton Park City.
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Park City, Utah
Downtown Park City Downtown Prescott
Location: A 35-minute ride from Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City sits on the eastern side of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains.
Highlights: Founded in 1884, Park City landed on the world map when the town helped host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and visitors from around the globe watched the world’s best athletes compete for Olympic gold. However, more than 130 years ago, people flocked to Park City seek ing a different precious metal: silver. When mineral prices fell in the 1930s, the boom years ended, and the commu nity began focusing on another prize from nature: snow. Today, Park City is a unique blend of the old and new and features two world-class ski resorts, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort with more than 9,500 acres of skiing. Sixty-four of Park City’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of which are located along historic Main Street.
Downtown Attractions & Experiences: Park City’s colorful mining and ski his tory is on display at the newly renovated Park City Museum, while the 1880s-era Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theater seats approximately 240 guests and started out as the ornate Park City Opera House. The PRESCOTT, ARIZONA Downtown is comprised of 600 historically preserved buildings centered on Courthouse Plaza and Whiskey Row. After a massive fire wiped out most of the town in the 1900s, it was rebuilt with red brick.
The bar from The Palace, the oldest Western saloon in Arizona, was the only thing that survived because the town’s residents made a point of carrying it out! visit-prescott.com
theater hosts a variety of musical acts, comedy and community events weekly, so check the schedule. The Mines & Wines Tour with Fox School of Wine offers a fun and unique take on Park City’s mining history as well as pours that fit each story and stop (includ ing Main Street). For a taste of local spirits, head for Alpine Distilling’s Gin Experience or a tasting at its 350 Main location.
Downtown Cody
Location: Situated 45 minutes from the nearest stoplight, Telluride is nestled at the end of a towering canyon. Located at an elevation of 8,750 feet, the community is surrounded by the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in the lower 48 states.
Insights: “My client and I conducted a site tour of Park City, including Main Street, for her July 2019 top producers trip. My client was especially interested in learning about Main Street as her guests love local bars/ restaurants and boutiques,” says Cindy Hughes, global hotel sourcing specialist for Global Cynergies in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Park City is the perfect destination for a group event; the attendees can meander up and down Main Street for shopping, galleries and great dining options. Make sure to stop by No Name Saloon and High West Saloon!”
Downtown Lodging: The only hotel in the downtown area with meeting and event space is New Sheridan Hotel with the American Room holding up to 32 and The Continental Room accommodating up to 55. Plus, The Chop House main dining room can be bought out for groups of up to 90. The Hotel Telluride and Hotel Columbia Telluride also offer nice lodging options for groups, with the maximum number of guest rooms being 59 at The Hotel Telluride. CODY, WYOMING Cody’s main street, Sheridan Avenue, was named after Civil War General Philip Henry Sheridan who was an early supporter of the exploration and protection of Yellowstone National Park. The road stretches nine blocks through the heart of the town founded and laid out by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is located on the western end of downtown. Like many streets in the West, it was built wide enough for horse-drawn wagons to make a complete turn. codyyellowstone.org
Highlights: In 1875, prospector John Fallon made the first mining claim in the Marshall Basin above Telluride. The Sheridan Mine proved to be rich in zinc, lead, copper, iron, silver and gold. The population of Telluride soared to around 5,000 residents with the coming of the railroad in 1890, but the combination of a silver price crash in 1893 and World War I a couple of decades later ended Telluride’s mining boom, and the town shrunk to less than 600 residents. Telluride began its resurrection in the 1970s with the establishment of a ski area. Today, the intertwining of a historic Old West mining town and modern mountain resort in nearby Mountain Village is an ideal combination for memorable meet ings, with the two linked by a free gondola that began operation in 1996. Today, the intertwining of a historic Old West min ing town and modern mountain resort in nearby Mountain Village is an ideal combination for memorable meetings, with the two linked by a free gondola that began operation in 1996.
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For Groups: Flanked with boutiques, bookstores and specialty shops, Main Street is filled with merchants selling items from artisan olive oils and eclectic gifts to toplabel apparel. Stroll the streets or take a free ride on the Main Street Trolley. Park City also is home to more than 100 bars and restaurants, distilleries and microbrewer ies, with several located along Main Street. Time a gathering in conjunction with popular events like Savor the Summit, a huge outdoor dinner party with 2,500 attendees and more than 70 restaurants from the Intermountain West. From June through September, Park Silly Sunday Market is a marketplace of food, produce, arts, crafts and live music. At Kimball Arts Festival, browse the work of 200 jury-select ed artists and enjoy live music and artisan food tastings. Sundance Film Festival is a highlight of winter.
Telluride, Colorado
Historical Tidbit: During the mining hey day, the mountains surrounding yielded $400 million in silver and created 23 mil lionaires, including the father of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.
steamboatchamber.com
Whitefish, Montana Location: Situated in the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana, Whitefish is adja cent to the peaks of Glacier National Park, Big Mountain and the Whitefish Range.
Historical Tidbit: There are two theo ries about how the town became known as Telluride. One suggests the name was derived from the mineral tellurium, a nonmetallic element often associated with min eral deposits of gold and not found in the valley! Another idea is tied to the famous send-off given to fortune seekers head ed to the southern San Juan Mountains, “To-hell-you-ride!”
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STEAMBOATCOLORADOSPRINGS, Lincoln Avenue is an unusually wide thoroughfare bordered by quaint shops, art galleries and restaurants and framed by the trails of Steamboat Ski Resort. Main Street is home to one of the oldest family-owned outfitters in the country. F.M. Light & Sons, founded in 1905, is the place where local ranchers still pur chase cowboy boots, belts, hats and authentic Western wear. Pop into the Steamboat Art Museum and don’t miss soaking at Old Town Hot Springs, anchoring the south end of Lincoln Avenue.
Insights: “Downtown Telluride is such an important part of the Telluride experience that we plan it into all of our group experi ences,” says Patrick Latcham, director of business development for Telluride Ski & Golf. “With only one road in, no traffic lights, no chain restaurants and no highway cutting through town, Telluride offers a very serene experience that takes you back in time. Another unique factor for down town Telluride is the gondola. The majority of our groups stay in Mountain Village, and the ability to just hop on a free gondola ride is pretty special.”
Downtown Attractions & Experiences: The Telluride National Historic District is six blocks wide and 12 blocks long and reflects the town’s rich history. A big part of the downtown Telluride experience is din ing. If a group meets and stays in Mountain Village, it’s easy to ride the free gondola to downtown for a group dinner. Another popular downtown experience is the his toric walking and food tours that provide an ideal way for attendees to get their bearings and learn about the community’s heritage, people, and food and beverage establishments.
For Groups: On the dining front, 221 South Oak, The Sheridan, Rustico and There Bar stand out as great options for groups with buyout options and/or private dining rooms available. Historic walking tours and shopping tend to be popular with groups, and there are skiing and hiking trails that start right in the core of down town. Telluride is known for its abundance of festivals, so start planning early if your group wants to plug into MountainFilm, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Film Festival and Telluride Blues and Brews.
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Downtown Lodging: The Firebrand Hotel is the closest lodging property to downtown. It’s one of the newest hotels in Whitefish and has a sister property, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, that is only a five-
Highlights: More than 50 years ago, Whitefish residents rallied with a common vision for creating a unique and memo rable recreation destination. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish Lake Golf Club, downtown and the whole town are a reflection of that dream and hard work.
FRISCO, COLORADO Perched at 9,000 feet in the heart of Summit County, Frisco has a picturesque and pedestrian-friendly Main Street that is bookended by Mount Royal and Frisco Bay Marina and home to more than 50 locally owned restaurants, B&Bs, coffee shops, bookstores, boutiques and bars. Frisco Bay Marina is a fullservice marina where groups can canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board, fish and even sail from June through September.
townoffrisco.com
Downtown Frisco
TELLURIDE
ConnectedGet PARK CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & CVB 800.453.1360visitparkcity.com TOURISM BOARD 888.605.2578visittelluride.com CITY TOURISM COMMISSION 775.847.7500visitvirginiacitynv.com CVB 406.862.3390explorewhitefish.com
Downtown Whitefish
Insights: “My customer partners love coming to Whitefish! Jim Kenyon, CEO at Whitefish Credit Union, introduced me to everything Whitefish has to offer and all the local attractions. Each year, Jim and I co-host an educational and networking event with our credit union CEO business partners, and The Firebrand is our go-to hotel,” says Randall King, vice president of sales and marketing for CUNA Mutual Group. “Event attendees really enjoy the variety of restaurants and shopping. We have a casual lunch at the Bulldog, best burgers anywhere! Craggy Range food is excellent, and the outdoor seating is so relaxing and enjoyable. We also enjoy the upscale steak and seafood menus at Whitefish Lake Restaurant and Lodge and Tupelo, all have amazing upscale menus with a resort casual feel.”
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Downtown Attractions & Experiences: Central Avenue is filled with restaurants, galleries, shopping and nightlife and attractions like the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. For local craft beverages, groups can unwind at Great Northern Brewing Company and Spotted Bear Spirits. Another bonus is downtown’s location only 8 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort, with 3,000 skiable acres. Check out the downtown events calendar to add local character to a meeting itinerary. For example, Whitefish Winter Carnival in February includes a parade, snow sculpture contest, pie social, beer bar ter, art expo and more. Every Tuesday evening from late May through September, Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market is the place to go. Historical Tidbit: The first train arrived in Whitefish in 1904. Stumptown Historical Society acquired the Whitefish Railway Depot built in 1927. The exterior was restored to its original Glacier National Park chalet-like appearance and the inte rior remodeled to accommodate the Whitefish Museum, Amtrak and more.
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 35 minute shuttle ride from downtown and borders Whitefish Lake. There are 13 hotels, seven B&Bs and 11 rental agencies/private rentals.
For Groups: Situated at the edge of Whitefish Lake, the community works best for small to midsized meetings and group events. There are plenty of options for group dining in downtown with Casey’s Pub & Grill, Craggy Range Bar & Grill and Abruzzo Italian Kitchen able to offer a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces. The largest is Casey’s with the ability to accommodate up to 180. Ciao Mambo and Tupelo are other delicious options for gatherings.
MAKE MEETINGSFunAGAIN! RECEIVE PERKS FOR YOUR SPRING & SUMMER MEETINGS! Go online, call, or email for more information. 970-453-8780 Groups@beaverrun.com BeaverRun.com EVENT SPACE SHAPES AND SIZES f all 6 Exhibit Halls with 584,000 sq.ft. of space on one level 63 meeting rooms with 100,000 sq.ft. of meeting space on one level 2 ballrooms and 85,000 sq.ft. of space on one level 5,000 Bellco Theatre with cut down capability Free Wi-Fi and Charging Stations To inquire or book, call or email Rich Carollo at 3o3.228.8022 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com
Off-the-Radar SKI RESORTS Check out these six great options for groups to get the snowball rolling and some bonus extras. By Eric PetersonAREA.RECREATIONMOUNTAINBASINBOGUSOF:COURTESYPHOTO Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.
“Seventy percent of our terrain is advanced or expert,” says Cole Fawcett, sales and marketing manager. “By a coun try mile, we have the highest average snow fall in the province of Alberta.”
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“It’s a big hill with a small vibe,” says Molly Myers, group sales and event coordinator for this nonprofit, 2,600-acre ski area 16 miles northeast of Boise. This acreage of skiable terrain is second only to Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the Gem State. “We work with the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring groups up here.”
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, Idaho
Groups of 15 or more can get a possible discount depending on the season. The lodge’s third-floor bar, The Drift, offers a semiprivate space for meetings of up to 75 Inattendees.summer, it’s notably cooler than many places and offers a day pass for a wide range of activities, including chairlift rides, a climbing wall, and the Pacific Northwest’s only mountain coaster that also operates in winter, unless the snow shuts it down. Without the ski crowds, spaces in the Main Simplot lodge can accommodate groups of up to After200.Boise Cascade did an after-hours event in summer 2018, CEO Tom Corrick provided a testimonial noting, “Based on what I heard the next day at the office, our evening at Bogus Basin was the best com pany event ever.”
“The cat-skiing operation is pretty unique in that it’s resort-based,” he says, noting that participants ride a lift to the cat for every run on an in-bounds parcel
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A wise ski instructor once said his favorite resort was the one with the most snow and the least people. When it comes to bringing a group up for the day from a nearby city or going all-in and planning an event in a ski resort’s base village, there are several mountains that fit that description across the West.
Silver Mountain Resort
Fawcett says the resort’s sweet spot is small groups of 20-40. A two-day corpo rate cat-skiing retreat package is available for up to 24 participants and involves a day of resort skiing and a day of snowcat skiing starting at $479 per person and includes lodging, breakfast and lunch. “It’s not focused on meetings, it’s focused on getting away from meetings,” says Fawcett.
Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta About 90 minutes north of the MontanaAlberta line and three hours from Calgary, Castle Mountain is known as a skier’s mountain with challenging runs.
Eagle Point Resort, Utah Located in the Tushar Mountains, roughly midway between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas off Interstate 15, Eagle Point’s 600 acres span 1,500 feet of vertical and the snowfall average is 350 inches. “We’re a great venue year-round for peo ple to get together,” says Shane Gadbaw, owner of the resort. “With us, it’s truly an experience. It’s not a VFW hall you can rent, and you don’t have to pay much more thanThethat.”base area’s overnight lodging can accommodate groups of up to 250 if attend ees don’t mind sharing their rooms, and catering is available. It’s not uncommon for a corporate group to take over the entire resort on winter weekdays, as the lifts typically run Fridays to Mondays. Groups that arrive on Wednesday could have a Thursday meeting, says Gadbaw, “then people could leave Thursday or stay over and make a ski weekend of it.” Summer is also attractive. As the sur rounding desert swelters from Las Vegas to Salt Lake, the weather is “75 degrees and pleasant” at Eagle Point, says Gadbaw.
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 39 of about 900 acres. “You don’t have to hop on a Thebus.”day lodge has a meeting room that can accommodate about 40 people classroom-style, and there are hotels and meeting venues in the town of Pincher Creek, about 30 miles northeast of Castle Mountain.SECURE Energy Services out of Calgary has done a day trip to Castle Mountain for about five years running. “It’s grown through the years,” says Katie Duke, mar keting specialist, noting that the group has grown from about five employees on the first trip and customers to about 60 in 2019. “We get a couple buses and drive out there.”
A self-described “avid skier,” Duke says most people see the trip as something special. “It’s kind of nice to switch it up, because most of us don’t have a chance to get to Castle that often,” she explains. “It’s not really a ski town, it’s so secluded. I just love how empty it is.”
MONARCH COLORADOMOUNTAIN, skimonarch.com | 719.530.5000 Just 18 miles west of Salida, Monarch gets consistently high snowfall (360 inches annual aver age) and is the oldest Colorado resort using only natural snow. It offers discounts for groups of 20 or more people. WOLF CREEK SKI AREA, COLORADO wolfcreekski.com | 970.264.5639 Colorado’s snowiest resort with an annual average of 430 inches, Wolf Creek is located 80 miles east of Durango between South Fork and Pagosa Springs in south western Colorado. Groups of 25 or more skiers receive a 15 percent discount and a free lift ticket. Fernie Alpine Resort
DODGE RIDGE WINTERSPORTS AREA, CALIFORNIA dodgeridge.com | 209.965.5434 The nearest ski area to the Bay Area (162 miles west of San Francisco), 862-acre Dodge Ridge has a number of packages and dis counts for groups of 15 or more.
DISCOVERY SKI AREA, MONTANA skidiscovery.com | 406.563.2184 With 1,750 vertical feet and 2,400 skiable acres, Discovery has plenty of elbow room and partners with lodging in nearby Philipsburg, as well as Fairmont Hot Springs Resort only 33 miles away and with conference facilities for 600 people. fairmontmontana.com
GREAT DIVIDE SKI AREA, MONTANA skigd.com | 406.449.3746 Within 25 miles of downtown Helena, Great Divide is a local’s hill with more than 1,500 acres. The ski area offers up to 50 percent off for group discounts, depending on the size of the group and whether it’s a weekend or weekday, and partners with area hotels. FERNIE ALPINE RESORT, BRITISH COLUMBIA skifernie.com | 250.423.4655 With 3,550 feet of vertical on more than 2,500 skiable acres, Fernie is a seriously big mountain with a bit of Hollywood glitz. The resort and its Fernie Slopeside Lodge serve as the backdrop for “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
Six More Gems
40 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Nevada
In March 2019, Alchemy, an education technology company based in Reno, hosted a company-wide meeting in Reno, bringing 60 employees together who work in offices in Reno as well as San Ramon, California, New York and remotely from all over the country. “We’re big into the outdoors, doing fun stuff and getting everybody together while we still can, before we’re too big,” says Bill Broomfield, operations specialist at Alchemy.Thethree-night event kicked off with an awards dinner on Monday followed by meetings on Tuesday, and an outing on Wednesday. Reno provided a wide range of dining and entertainment options for the“Forevenings.oneof our daily excursions, we took a group up to Mt. Rose for a day of skiing,” says Broomfield. “Not everyone skis. We gave them a Broomfieldchoice.”saysthe Wednesday excur sion was a big hit. “We kind of had the mountain to ourselves—no lift lines to speak of,” he says. “We had people take advantage of their learn-to-ski program.” In the summer, groups of up to 130 often take over Winters Creek Lodge on the back side of the mountain, and the boardroom at the main base lodge is an option for groups of 20 or less. “Especially if it’s midweek, there are usually options we can give them,” says Marketing Director Mike Pierce. A common scenario is a breakfast with lift tickets that can be discounted by 30 percent for groups of 25 or more. “We do that all the time,” says Pierce. The resort also can help coordinate bus transportation from Reno, 22 miles from Mt. Rose. Groups also come from Incline Village near Lake Tahoe, 11 miles away.
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Silver Mountain Resort, Idaho Just off Interstate 90 in Kellogg, ski resorts don’t get much more accessible than Silver Mountain. But easy doesn’t equate to tame. Silver Mountain’s 1,600 acres of skiable terrain has seven lifts, including North America’s longest gondola at 3.1 miles. “The skiing is amazing,” says Cathi Jerome, sales manager at the resort. “We get about 300 inches of snow a Noah’syear.”Loft Conference Center can accommodate banquets of 400 people, and there are a number of smaller venues both on the mountain and in the base village. Then there’s an unexpected facility: a yearWinters Creek Lodge Eagle Point Resort
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SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT
ConnectedGet BOGUS
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Sunlight Mountain Resort
CASTLE MOUNTAIN RESORT
For meetings and events, the group has utilized outdoor spaces as well as Noah’s Loft. “Every year, we have a party on top of the mountain,” says Harmon. “It’s like no other destination: mountains for days, skies for days. They’re a hidden little gem, and their service level is off the charts.”
After the snow melts, summer and fall are good seasons for meetings and events at Sunlight. Camping is an option, and the resort has other base lodging in the form of individually owned condominiums and a 19-room B&B. Steve Shute, a member of the Glenwood Springs Rotary Club, has organized sev eral outings for the group at Sunlight in recent years. Shute, an entrepreneur who owns several small gas utilities, says it’s a 35-year tradition to do a winter meet ing at Sunlight. “About 20 or 30 of us go to Sunlight for the day. We have a lunch meeting up there and Sunlight gives us a pretty sweet deal. The Rotarians do a few runs,” he says. “If you live in Glenwood, and you’re 45 miles from Aspen and 55 miles from Vail, why would you ever ski Sunlight? If it’s a powder day or if you have a growing fam ily, you’re nuts to do anything else. … You could pay $100 more, but why would you?”
For event planners, it’s worth taking a look at the slopes less taken. At many lesservisited ski areas, it’s just your group, deep snow and little in the way of distraction. BASIN AREA bogusbasin.org | 208.332.5100 skicastle.ca | 403.627.5101 POINT eaglepointresort.com | 435.438.3700 ROSE SKI TAHOE skirose.com | 800.754.7673 silvermt.com | 208.783.1111 sunlightmtn.com | 970.945.7491
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 41 round, indoor water park with room for 800. “It’s fun because we can rent it out to corporate groups,” says Jerome. “After hours, they can have their own private luauthemed event and buffet.”
Shute fondly remembers a 16-inch snow day during the 2018-19 season. “It was just the best day ever,” he says. “We’re getting first tracks because there’s no one there, and there’s 28,000 people at Vail.”
Harmon also has brought smaller groups of 20 or less employees on other occasions in both winter and summer. She usually leaves a half day open for skiing, hiking or a “more relaxed event” of the participant’s choice.
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Sunlight Mountain Resort, Colorado Just 12 miles south of Glenwood Springs, Sunlight is a local’s hill with some nice steepTroyterrain.Hawks, Sunlight’s marketing direc tor, says a morning session followed by an afternoon of skiing is typical. Maximum capacity for a meeting at the base area is about 100 people, and spaces can be reserved in season with advance notice on a case-by-case basis. “We’re pretty uncompli cated,” says Hawks. “Weekdays are a great time to make that happen.”
Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank did just that at a recent manager retreat. “We’ve done three corporate retreats there the last three years in September,” says Kate Harmon, the bank’s retail learning and development manager. The annual week long events bring in about 150 managers from branches in Washington and Idaho. She describes the gathering as “80 per cent learning and development and 20 per cent fun,” and Silver Mountain offers an apt setting for that mix. Proximity to Spokane (about 75 miles west of the resort) and more than 40 branch locations in eastern Washington and Idaho is another key. “If you fly in, in an hour you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere,” says Harmon. A water park event with team-building activities has been a common ingredient. Harmon says the luau “was amazing. You would think people wouldn’t want to get in swimsuits in front of their co-workers, but they did.”
SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT
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THE RESORT AT PAWS UP pawsup.com | 877.580.6343
AFFINITY FOR THE WEST
S teve Hurst has experienced life and learning in the West, Midwest and East Coast. Born in Great Falls, Montana, and raised on the outskirts of Chicago and in southern California, he headed to New York University for a degree. Since then, Hurst has focused his energy on the West, working for highend properties such as Salishan Spa and Golf Resort, Heathman Hotel Portland, The Allison Inn and Spa and Sunriver Resort in Oregon, as well as Pebble Beach Company in California. Today, he has come full circle and is back in Montana managing The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough for the past two years.
Why are mountain meetings a nice option for groups? “Placing your group in an environment that encourages personal growth, challenges and fulfillment also breaks down barriers often caused by normal work environments. Each season brings something new, unique and excit ing at Paws Up from skijoring in winter and ATV riding in a muddy playground in spring to testing your s’moreology skills while glamping under the big sky in summer and watching the leaves turn as you ride a horse through 37,000 acres of unspoiled Montana wilderness.”
What attracts you to the West? “The American West is all about discovery and adventure, especially in Montana. I think it plays directly into the ethos of who I am and Paws Up … always seeking innova tion, blazing new trails and discovering both the outside world and our inner self.”
How did you end up working for highend properties? “I am attracted to bou tique properties of distinction because at their heart they must authentically care to succeed. Many hotels and resorts are about the business of overnight stays, but unique, luxury-minded properties must differentiate themselves with service and constantly evolving, curated experiences.”
Steve Hurst, managing director at The Resort at Paws Up, shares why the American West has captured his fascination.
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BY BETH BUEHLER
people PROFILE
How did you land at The Resort at Paws Up? “The Lipson family is ultimately the sole reason I chose The Resort at Paws Up; it is rare to find independent, thoughtful and engaged owners who so freely pursue new stories and experiences to share.”
42 Mountain Meetings | FALL WINTER 2019
WHERE NATURE INSPIRES From team-building retreats to nationwide conferences, YMCA of the Rockies has facilities for groups of all sizes. Our two locations in Colorado, Estes Park and Winter Park, offer cabins and lodges. Lodging, meals, meeting spaces and activities are included in your conference, group, or retreat booking. 800-777-9622 ColoradoConferenceCenters.com e Industry’s Most Powerful Resource Tool meetingsmags.com meetingsmags.com 150,000 Resource Listings City/Destination Profiles One-Click RFP Expert Advice Weekly Local NationalNewsNews
Many begin their days early with energizing general sessions and breakout meetings, but end early so that their attendees can experience all that is Snowmass Village. Summer and fall bring long days and mild temperatures that are perfect for hiking up wildflower trails, or heading down on a mountain bike, or getting your groove on at an outdoor concert. Whether your speed is taking a balloon ride or whitewater rafting, we have it here in Snowmass Village. Book a meeting in August, September or October 2019, 2020 or 2021 and choose from the following concessions: 20-50 Total RN: Pick from 3 of the below concessions 51-100 Total RN: Pick from 4 of the below concessions 101+ RN: Pick from 5 of the below concessions • 14 day cut-off date • Complimentary one-hour reception of beer, wine and 3 passed hors d’oeuvres • $5 rebate per consumed room night • Two complimentary one-hour massages or facials • Complimentary Resort Fee • 50% allowable attrition reduction (Group must provide hotel with 2 years pickup history) • Complimentary Meeting Space with Banquet Food and Beverage minimum attained (to be determined by sales manager based on room nights and space needed) • Gift Certificate for a one-night stay with breakfast for two (value of $400) For more info contact the Resort Sales Office at 970 923 8214 or email nicole.kubitza@westinsnowmass.com Meetings in Another Altitude ©2018 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit westin.com/snowmass. Contract needs to be signed by June 30, 2019. THE WESTIN SNOWMASS 100 Elbert Lane PO Box 5009 Snowmass Village, CO 81615 T +1 970 923 8200 F +1 970 923 westin.com/snowmass8205
