SPRING SUMMER 2019 Get Outside OUTDOOR SPACES CONNECT GUESTS WITH NATURE MEET YOUR MATCH Which mountain city is your next function’s soul mate?
With amazing year-round weather and more breweries than any other city in America, The Mile High City is waiting to inspire your team to new heights. Discover why Denver’s beer scene is overflowing at CONVENTIONSELEVATED.COM nearly withinbreweries70citylimits SUN the a line train airportfromtodowntown SUN SUN 300 days of sunshine DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT. Denver, ColoradoNo. 7 Hosting a Great Convention a series of helpful tips
855.696.5804 BROADMOOR.COM
GRAND ENOUGH FOR YOUR BEST PEOPLE AND THEIR BIGGEST IDEAS. 1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
Meetings and events take on a special energy at The Broadmoor. The magnificent Rocky Mountain setting will inspire your people. World-class golf, spa, dining and more will refresh them. The unique venues and activities of our Broadmoor Wilderness Experience properties will challenge them and change their perspectives. The 185,000 square feet of meeting space is flexible enough to meet your most demanding requirements. And amidst it all, The Broadmoor’s legendary tradition of quality and service will ensure your event is a success. Contact us today and start planning your meeting now at broadmoor.com.
4 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 In Every Issue 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 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. 38 PEOPLE PROFILE Andrew Heidt keeps growing his industry expertise by relocating from Boulder to Boise. BY BETH BUEHLER 25 SCULPTUREDENVER,FESTIVALGARDENCO contents Departments 18 VENUE REPORT Utilizing outdoor spaces in beauti ful places is a must when meeting among peaks. BY BETH BUEHLER 24 DESTINATION Cities by mountains like Denver, Salt Lake City and Boise offer the best of both worlds. BY BETH BUEHLER Features 28 YEAR-ROUND APPEAL High-elevation destinations deliver four distinct seasons to wow guests, accommodate budgets and tap into a laid-back lifestyle. BY ERIC PETERSON 33 MEETING MATCHMAKER Take a cue from online dating and line up your next meeting destina tion via the perfect proxy. BY JULIE SCHEFFON the COVER Powder Mountain’s Open Air Dining Series showcases different outdoor locations. PHOTO BY: PAUL BUNDY | CURATOR: KELSEY O’CONNOR DENVERVISITOF:COURTESYPHOTO
COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT COLORADOSPRINGS Kathy Reak, Senior Director of Convention Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | Direct: 719-685-7632 Colorado Springs is a year-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. 6 Personalization - Enjoy hands-on service through each step of the selection and planning process. PLAN YOUR MEETING 7 Support system - Get assistance for services, activities and other event details when the time is right. 8 Climate - Mild year-round climate and sunshine create the perfect environment, even in off-season. 9 Expertise - Connect with a seasoned staff, intimately familiar with the choices in the area. 10 Promotion - Tap into destination assets, relationships, PR support, welcome bags and other tools. 1 It’s Colorado Springs - A top destination, attendees will be thrilled with such a beautiful backdrop. 2 Complimentary services - From custom site visits to attendee items, the CVB offers award-winning guidance. 3 Fantastic accommodations - 14,500 city-wide rooms and 450,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. 4 Easy access - The Colorado Springs Airport is close to downtown with a variety of non-stop options. 5 One-stop - The CVB staff is a convenient singlesource for all your event planning needs. TOP 10 REASONS TO CHOOSE
beth.buehler@tigeroak.comBuehler editor’s LETTER Why Site Visits Are Valuable
In Park City, a couple of my favorites were taking part in a new Gin Experience offered by Alpine Distilling that involves crafting your own bottle of gin and the Wine Cellar Experience with a Stein Eriksen Lodge sommelier that takes place amongst a collection of more than 10,000 bottles of wine. Our group completed the fun Mine Trap at Escape Park City, visited Utah Olympic Park, tested out the Adventure Park at Park City Mountain, went fly fishing on the Provo River and roamed Park Silly Sunday Market downtown. Impressive? Absolutely! It was my first time in the slightly mysterious and certainly beautiful Death Valley National Park in California for the grand reopening of The Oasis at Death Valley. A concert and cocktails on the lawn at Mission Gardens, golf at the lowest elevation golf course in the world, sunrise viewing at Zabriskie Point, yoga on the lawn, and a barbecue and square danc ing at Last Kind Words Saloon were standout moments.
If you have some great recommendations for groups to check out in your favorite moun tain destinations in the U.S. Mountain West and western Canada, make sure to let me know! Beth
6 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 SITE VISITS FOR MEETING AND EVENT PLANNERS are similar to media trips for journalists. It’s a chance to get an insider’s look into a destination and experi ence lodging properties, venues, attractions and activities. Wouldn’t you agree it’s quite different to see a place and meet the people when compared to looking at websites, social media postings, planner guides and details on an RFP? These excursions provide me with ideas for standout people, places and pastimes to feature in Mountain Meetings. So if you get a chance to visit destinations you are considering for meetings and events while traveling for business or leisure, it can make the difference between a great gathering and a mediocre event. Here are a few highlights from my travels to three mountain destinations in the last quarter of 2018. Durango and the area stretching to Mancos and Cortez in southwest Colorado have a lot going on in the craft beverage scene (beer, spirits, wine and hard cider). There are all sorts of ways to stay entertained outside the meeting room from taking the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad between Durango and Silverton, enjoying tours and tastings, getting on the water at Lake Nighthorse, visiting Crow Canyon Archeological Center and riding bikes on the paved recreation path along the Animas River. Treats from Durango’s Animas Chocolate Company are a delicious welcome gift or turndown amenity or stop by for handcrafted hot chocolate.
Sunrise in Death Valley National Park
SPRING SUMMER 2019 mtn.meetingsmags.com EDITOR BETH BUEHLER MANAGING EDITOR MORGAN HALASKA SENIOR EDITOR MEGAN GOSCH DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR JULIANNA FAZIO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ERIC PETERSON, JULIE SCHEFF EDITORIAL INTERNS KENDALL VAN HORNE DESIGN DIRECTOR COURTNEY NIELSEN ART DIRECTORS TRACI ZELLMANN, TAYLOR SEVERSON PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DIANNE TALMAGE PROJECT COORDINATORS BRITTINI DYE, ALEX KOTLAREK CIRCULATION DIRECTOR JEREMY WIELAND SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST EMILY O’CONNELL SENIOR ACCOUNTANT MARLA KAPPERUD CREDIT MANAGER APRIL MCCAULEY ACCOUNTANT KATIE BODIN WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER SANDY POWELL WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR ANGELA BEISSEL ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS BOB HADDAD • CA, CO, MT, NM, UT, WY MICHELLE.DEROUEN@TIGEROAK.COMMICHELLEBOB.HADDAD@TIGEROAK.COMDEROUEN•NORTHWEST 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 PRESIDENT TONY BEDNAR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BARB STEINHAUSER 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.
MEET AT REIMAGINED & EXCEPTIONAL More than a remodel, we’re transforming what it means to stay in Pasadena. 2.5k guest rooms 230k square feet of meeting and event space $150m invested To book, visit PasadenaMeetings.com Come Curious.
ARIZONA
Buck Wild Hummer Tours
Arizona Biltmore Under Canvas Tuscon
TUSCONCANVASUNDER
buckwildhummertours.com
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Under Canvas Tucson has introduced a winter glamping experience from December through April at America’s oldest dude ranch, Tanque Verde Ranch. Situated amongst the Rincon Mountains and adjacent to Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest, the 640acre ranch serves as the backdrop for 26 safari-style tents. Guests have access to the ranch’s on-site amenities, including La Sonora Spa, an outdoor pool, a fit ness center, food and beverage outlets and many activities. Under Canvas’s other Arizona location is at the Grand Canyon. undercanvas.com JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa has introduced a new 15,000-square-foot Paradise Ballroom and an additional 16,500 square feet of outdoor and prefunction space, bring ing the resort’s total meeting and event space to 127,000 square feet. The ball room’s floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of Mummy Mountain. marriott.com
ARIZONA HAPPENINGS
Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria resort in Phoenix, now has Happy Hour History Tours. Guests are invited to kick off the weekend by learning about the landmark’s Frank Lloyd Wright architec ture and storied past as a playground for world dignitaries, U.S. presidents, and glitterati of Old Hollywood. The 45-min ute tour is available on Friday evenings and includes two of the resort’s most iconic libations, a tequila sunrise and a glass of prosecco. arizonabiltmore.com
Buck Wild Hummer Tours, a new family-owned-and-operated company, has repurposed and customized a fleet of former military Humvees to provide Grand Canyon tour experiences along the South Rim. Each vehicle features for ward-facing, stadium-style seating and an audio system for guided narration. A selection of pre-set tour itineraries is available, as well as the opportunity to customize a private adventure.
Castle Hot Springs, located northwest of Phoenix in Morristown, was Arizona’s first luxury resort in 1896. After four decades of being closed due to a fire at the main lodge, the property returned to the scene in February 2019. The land was a medicinal healing habitat for the Yavapai and Apache Indians for centuries before becoming a resort getaway. A local partnership with multigenerational roots in Arizona purchased the property in 2014 and began restoring and rebuild ing. Highlights are 32 luxury accommo dations, an organic farm and gathering spaces for groups. castlehotsprings.com
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CIVANA Carefree became the first sustainable wellness resort in the greater Phoenix area upon opening in 2018 at the location formerly known as the Carefree Resort and Conference Center, situated on more than 20 acres adjacent to Scottsdale. The property has undergone a major renovation and features 23,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space; 184 guest rooms and suites and five vil las; two dining outlets; a 22,000-squarefoot spa; two pools; tennis and pickleball courts; and fitness, yoga and enrichment studios. civanacarefree.com
Edgewood Tahoe is a one-of-a-kind luxury resort for corporate retreats, meetings, and events. Located one hour from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, our property offers a spectacular array of indoor and outdoor spaces and toptier amenities for your group to engage and foster new ideas. But Lake Tahoe’s only true lakefront resort isn’t all business. From yachting to yoga to bombing black diamond ski runs, Edgewood is your basecamp for mountain-to-water adventure and wellness. Discover why we were voted the No. 1 Resort Hotel in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.
You’ll like our meeting spaces. Unite your team at EdgewoodTahoe.com/Meetings or call 844-692-5321
Royal Palms Resort Orange Grove
Only eight properties in the world and three in the United States, including The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Tucson, have secured spots on both the Forbes Travel Guide 2018 “World’s Most Luxurious Hotels” and “World’s Most Luxurious Spas” lists. Forbes Travel Guide’s new verified lists are compiled from data gathered by the company’s incognito inspectors, who stay at the properties and evaluate them on up to 900 standards used to determine the guide’s annual star ratings.
BATTLE OF THE BIGHORN RIVER TEAM-BUILDING Cañon City’s Echo Canyon River Expeditions offers a Battle of the Bighorn package from May through September (depending on water levels) that combines physical and mental challenges in a competitive and fun format for corporate team-building. Although navigating Class III-IV rapids through Bighorn Sheep Canyon might be the most exciting part of the exercise, there is much more such as tackling four challenges before getting on the Arkansas River; retrieving a watermelon thrown from the Five Points overlook and carrying it to the finish line; completing a water shuttle and helmet brigade; and paddling backwards. Prize and video/photo packages and a post-race catered party at the company’s 8 Mile Bar and Grill also are available, as well as lodging in cabins and glamping tents. raftecho.com
Famous for its rich history as a private estate dating back nearly 100 years, Royal Palms is reminiscent of a Mediterranean-style retreat with original design details like rustic doors, winding stone paths, hand-painted tile, courtyard fountains, outdoor fireplaces and lush gardens. The property sits on nine acres just below the area’s famous Camelback Mountain.
10 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 meeting NOTES COLORADOARIZONA
RESIDENCES&HOTEL
The historic 119-room Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix has added 3,600 square feet of outdoor meeting and event space.
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Tucked on the north side of the property, Camelback Vista can host 100 for a seated dinner and 180 for a reception and features a fireplace and surrounding brick patio, lawn and gated entrance.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain also has unveiled a floor-toceiling makeover of its 253 guest rooms and 44,000 square feet of meeting space, all inspired by the resort’s Sonoran Desert sense of place. As part of the upgrade, an arcade and 14 ground-level Fireside Mountain View guest rooms, each outfitted with its own outdoor fire pit, were introduced. ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain
Renovation & Accolades for Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Royal Palms Resort Adds Outdoor Function Space
The newly imagined Orange Grove accommodates 170 for seated dinners and 200 for receptions and was built on the site of the estate’s original orange grove. Highlights include a fireplace, pergola, tile mural and orange trees. royalpalmshotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
For more information, contact sales@sagelodge.com or call 855.400.0505. DRIVE, PRAY, MONTANA 59065 SAGELODGE.COM TO PARADISE
WELCOME
Nestled in the heart of Paradise Valley in southwest Montana, just 50 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and 35 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, Sage Lodge is a breathtaking meeting destination with a backdrop of natural beauty. Take over the Lodge with 50 guestrooms, or share a well-appointed Ranch House with a small group. Host a grand affair for up to 160 in the Yellowstone Room, or enjoy an intimate gathering in the Library or on the lawn, overlooking the river. And take teambuilding to the next level with one of our many Montana adventures, right in our backyard.
PRIVATE RANCH NEAR TELLURIDE NOW AVAILABLE TO GROUPS Sleeping Indian Ranch, a private estate set on 15,000 acres and located 47 miles northwest of Telluride and 6 miles south east of Ridgway, is now available for groups and can be booked through Telluride’s Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection. The 40,000-squarefoot, seven-bedroom lodge sleeps 16 guests, was built in 1993 as a private family vaca tion estate, and is the largest post-andbeam log structure ever constructed that reflects the arts and crafts movement. Inspired by the great lodges of Yellowstone and Yosemite, the home features reclaimed logs from the 1988 Yellowstone fire, some of which are up to 50 inches in diameter. Highlights are a dining hall that can seat up to 25 guests at a long table or outside on the terrace, media room, cigar room and three-room wine cellar that has the capacity to hold 3,000 bottles and intimate dinners for six to eight. Also located on the estate is the one-bedroom Elk Cabin. Among the ame nities are 24-hour butler service, meals prepared by the Madeline’s staff and access to vast wilderness and numerous activities. sleepingindian.aubergeresorts.com
COLORADO
55 SAGE LODGE
CANADA New Boutique Hotel in Rossland
Originally built in 1927 and located in Death Valley National Park, the mission-style Inn at Death Valley celebrated its $100 million transformation with a grand reopening celebration in November 2018. The property, owned by Xanterra Travel Collection, features 66 updated rooms, a renovated fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge, the new Tranquility Spa, and a spring-fed pool bordered by a new café and cabanas. Twenty-two one-bedroom casitas have been added along with Mission Gardens, a prime location for outdoor events.
This summer, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is debuting $25 million in expansions. The new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge features a central gathering build ing, communal outdoor fire pits and more than 50 two-bedroom cabins. Also, the lodge recently intro duced new Glacier Point at Sunset Tours that run from May through September and combine the expert knowledge of a local guide with the beauty of Yosemite National Park. Groups can enjoy wine, cheese and crackers or their own picnic dinner while enjoying the alpenglow.
LODGETENAYA
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PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: THE OASIS AT DEATH VALLEY
The Inn’s family-friendly sister property, The Ranch at Death Valley, underwent a transforma tion of its own with the addition of a mission-style town square, complete with a courtyard with a welcoming reception area. Another new feature is a central hub for entertainment and socializa tion featuring a retail store, ice cream counter and WesternLocatedsaloon.nextto The Ranch, the 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley (the world’s low est golf course at -214 feet) also underwent a massive renovation primarily focused on water conservation and the transition of 15 acres of maintained turf to desert with native plantings that use little water. Non-chlorinated water from the two properties’ two spring-fed pools is used to irrigate landscaping and the golf course. oasisatdeathvalley NEW CABINS & SUNSET TOUR AT TENAYA LODGE
The Josie Hotel, a ski-in/ski-out boutique property in Rossland, British Columbia, opened its doors in November at the base of RED Mountain Resort’s slopes. The 106-room property, named after one of the town’s most notable mines, Josie Mine, also is located along Canada’s world-renowned Powder Highway in the heart of the West Kootenays. Key ame nities include more than 1,500 square feet of function space, a spa (opening winter 2019) and fitness center, and The Velvet Restaurant & Lounge. With chef MarcAndré Choquette at the helm, The Velvet features a menu with subtle French influences and works closely with local suppliers, farmers, producers and vineyards. The Josie is a Noble House Hotels & Resorts property in partnership with William Cole Companies. thejosie.com CALIFORNIA
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 13 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
The lodge’s 46 accommodations range in size from 570 to 2,500 square feet, and the new Auberge Spa offers an open-air soaking pool, treatments, fitness training and mind ful pursuits such as yoga. Sky Lodge is the social heart of the resort and where guests can enjoy meals or relax outside on the patio. The focus of the lodge’s main restaurant will be refined western cuisine using many ingredients that are locally produced or grown on-site. The Refectory, an already established restau rant at High West Distillery at Blue Sky, offers dining, tours, tastings and inventive whiskey-based cocktails. Another option is The Tavern at Blue Sky, a remote out post saloon. In summer months, early risers can partake in morning horseback rides up the hillside for a cowboy cauldron-style breakfast made over The Tavern’s open campfire. Blue Sky’s existing meeting and event spaces, in addition to The Tavern, are The Arena, The Remuda and The Terrace. aubergeresorts.com/bluesky Alta’s New IncorporatesLodgeLocal History Snowpine Lodge in Alta opened for busi ness in January 2019 and utilized the site of the oldest building in Little Cottonwood Canyon, which dates back to the 1870s and the original 1941 Snowpine Lodge. Completely restored from the ground up, the alpine retreat offers modern-day ame nities with nods to the historic past. In addition to 77 total accommodations, the lodge features five new indoor and out door meeting and event spaces, including a 3,400-square-foot ballroom that accommo dates up to 400 guests. The outdoor terrace, lawn and deck can be used for additional outdoor space, and Swen’s Restaurant is an ideal spot for meals and admiring the sce nic surroundings with floor-to-ceiling win dows. Additional hotel amenities include a slopeside heated pool with hot tubs, spa facility with multiple treatment rooms, indoor grotto, fitness center, oxygen bar, casual bar, game and movie rooms, and fire pits. snowpine.com
Chateaux at Deer Valley Residences Available for Nightly Rentals Located midmountain at Deer Valley Resort, The Residences at The Chateaux Deer Valley, part of the Stein Collection, are now available to groups and individuals for nightly accommodations and access to The Chateaux Deer Valley hotel facilities. Typically operating as a private residence club, these luxury three- and four-bedroom residences and four-bedroom penthouses range in size from 2,200 to 2,800 square feet. the-chateaux.com/chxres-rooms.html
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Lodge at Blue Sky to Open in May Auberge Resorts Collection’s newest resort, The Lodge at Blue Sky, is set on 3,500 acres just outside of Park City and plans to welcome its first overnight guests in May. The property is the vision of local developer and rancher Mike Phillips and is the luxury complement to his Blue Sky Ranch, a yearround destination for outdoor adventures.
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Hearth and Hill Joins Park City Dining Scene The 192-seat Hearth and Hill restaurant opened in December and delivers an upscale-casual environment. Proprietor Brooks Kirchheimer, the former manager of Daly’s Pub at Montage Deer Valley and Sundance Resort’s Zoom, has assembled UTAH Hearth and Hill Chateaux at Deer Valley Residences
Slopeside Treehouses at
Whitefish Mountain Resort Snow Bear Chalets, the world’s first ski-in/ ski-out luxury treehouses, has complet ed its first year of welcoming groups and individual guests at Whitefish Mountain Resort with great success. The three tree houses, situated alongside the slopes, sleep a total of 22 guests. The three-story Cedar Chalet is ideal for a retreat, sleeping 10 and featuring four bathrooms, a living room/ kitchen/dining area that seats 20, and a spacious outdoor deck with seating for 10. Ponderosa and Tamarack Chalets both sleep up to six and have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, balconies that are 30 feet above the forest floor and private hot tubs. snowbearchalets.com
a team of local talent including General Manager Mia Yue and executive chef Jordan Harvey. The menu highlights both local specialties and flavors from around the globe, and the bar serves draft beers and signature make-your-own Old-Fashioned, complete with seasonal liqueurs and housemade ingredients. A spacious patio and 36-seat private dining room, both with a fireplace, are among the various seating options for groups. hearth-hill.com
MONTANA
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MONTANAWYOMING
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole welcomed Emma Matilda, a 16-weekold Bernese mountain dog last May. She has been melting the hearts of guests, groups and staff ever since. Tillie is named after the wife of William O. Owen who was the first, along with three other climbers, to ascend to the summit of Grand Teton in 1898. Follow Tillie’s adventures in Jackson Hole on the property’s social channels and the hashtag #FSJHTillieDog. fourseasons.com/jacksonhole
Sage Lodge Opens in Pray
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PUP JOINS FOUR SEASONS JACKSON HOLE TEAM
MOUNTAINS Incentive Trips for Adventurers Planning trips that are distinct can help inspire top performances and loyalty. Grand American Adventures, which specializes in small group excursions for 35- to 65-yearolds, has launched a series of in-depth, guided tours in the Mountain West that also can work well for incentive trips. The excursions feature an element of luxury and accommodations in upscale boutique lodges, ranches, yurts and cabins. grandamericanadventures.com On Canyon Country in Utah – Canyoneering, Hummer tour ing, mountain biking, floating the Colorado River. Departures: April to October Winter Wildlife in Wyoming – Snowshoeing and tracking wolves, elk, bighorn sheep and more. Departures: January Alaska and Kenai In-Depth Tour – Watching wildlife from kayaks and hiking across glaciers and ice fields. Departures: June to September Yellowstone and Teton In-Depth Tour – Exploring and tracking wildlife in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Departures: June to September
SPA&RESORTTAMAYAREGENCY
Situated 20 minutes south of Livingston and less than 35 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, the new Sage Lodge in Pray features 50 guest rooms in the form of a 34-room lodge and four 2,800-square-foot cabins that sleep up to 16. Sage Lodge’s event facility, The Barn, includes the Yellowstone Room that can host receptions for up to 190 and three smaller breakout rooms with space for up to 30 each. The Barn’s indoor-to-outdoor design allows events to spill onto the Lodge Lawn and Yellowstone Lawn. Amenities at the property include a full-service spa, more than a mile of Yellowstone River access, hiking and biking trails, and more. Sage Lodge also offers unique adventures á la carte, including tours of tours of Yellowstone National Park, horseback riding, llama treks, snowshoeing and more as well as multiday itineraries and all-inclusive programs such as fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, alpine skiing and riverbank yoga. On the culinary side, The Grill, led by executive chef Brian Sullivan, serves a menu featuring craft cocktails, wood-fired meats and regional fish, with most of the cooking done over an open wood-fire grill. The restaurant has seating for up to 80 inside and an additional 30 on a covered patio overlooking the Yellowstone River. In the main lodge, The Fireside Room seats 50 inside and 24 on the patio and serves daily breakfast for guests, brunch on the weekends, and an all-day menu for quick bites and beverages. Sullivan and his team also offer programming for meetings and events, including cooking classes. sagelodge.com
outsideYoursidewantsameetingwithaview.
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. venues gosnowmass.comat
NEW MEXICO Take Breaks with Dogs & ActivitiesWellness
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, locat ed between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, has introduced new activities for groups and completed a $2.5 million renovation to its reception area, living room and other pub lic spaces. Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon now offers wellness options ranging from walk ing meditations and chair yoga sessions to a guided appreciation circle for team-build ing and personalized scrub-making classes.
explore
During Meet the Hotel Dogs, attendees have the chance to greet and play with pups who are at work with staff that day, ranging from Oreo, who is General Manager Herb Rackliff’s Newfoundland mix, Cannoli the Chihuahua, Bagel the beagle, Beau the dove retriever mix and Stubbs the Pomeranian among many others. “Being a pet-friendly resort, several of our team members bring their pets to work on a regular basis,” says Marketing Manager Jolene Mauer, “and we usually have anywhere from two to 10 dogs in our offices at any given time.” tamaya.regency.hyatt.com
BY BETH BUEHLER Lodge at Whitefish Lake’s Lakeside Pavilion & Lawn
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California VIP guests, tour operators and journal ists attending a multiday grand reopening celebration at The Oasis at Death Valley in November 2018 were treated to a cock tail reception under the stars at the new Mission Gardens, located steps from the resort’s completely renovated Inn at Death Valley. The patio and connecting lawn served as the backdrop for mingling and a concert.
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REPORT
From terraces, lawns and pavilions to decks, islands and ice bars, options are abundant and magnificent.
venue
ONE OF JOHN MUIR’S MOST FAMOUS QUOTES IS, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” And when in the mountains, do what the locals do: get outside. To hole up in boardrooms and ballrooms misses the point when there are all sorts of great outdoor venues for meetings and social gatherings. Here is a glimpse at a few places to consider. Montana The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough has debuted two new outdoor venues since May 2017. The Island Lodge at Salmon Lake was acquired in January 2018 and provides a true island experience in western Montana. The lodge can host 60-80 guests comfort ably on expansive outdoor decks with room to spill over into the interior great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. North Bank Camp, perched on a bluff overlooking the Blackfoot River, is Paws Up’s latest glamp ing creation with two- and three-bedroom luxury tents and the attractive Dining Pavilion featuring a large stone fireplace, bar, community seating, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a fire pit only steps away. North Bank Camp can accommodate groups of 25-35. Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky has an outdoor pavilion accommodating 100-plus guests under an attractive log-frame struc ture that exudes the West and features an adjacent outdoor fire pit. Canvas walls lower for inclement weather, and guests can stay in the 24 cabins on the 148-acre property.
In Whitefish, groups can score on both mountains and water at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake’s Lakeside Pavilion & Lawn, which are available in fair-weather seasons and seat up to 250.
Outdoor Spaces in Beautiful Places
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 8025 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.
Colorado After a 10-month, $13 million renova tion, the Walter Isaacson Center at Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen was unveiled in June 2018. Two of the highlights for groups seeking the newest outdoor-focused spaces in this building are the Madeleine K. Albright Pavilion that opens on three sides and the elevated Bren and Mel Simon Terrace above. Located on a 40-acre cam pus, there are many additional options for outdoor gatherings such as Anderson Park and the Marble Garden. Or head to Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resort in downtown Aspen and book the redesigned central garden courtyard that seamlessly connects the historic hotel to the recently renovated Aspen Times Building that added an underground speakeasy bar and new meeting spaces. Now offering a 360-degree experience, the courtyard features a redesigned pool and terrace and holds up to 250 for a cock tail reception.
venue REPORT Just down the road, the resort’s other property, Ranch at Death Valley, features the Borax Museum that has a large yard dotted with carriages, 20-mule wagon trains, a locomotive and more from the area’s mining days. Other options are book ing the date grove with picnic tables for a western-style barbecue and the Furnace Creek Golf Course for a star party. Located midmountain at Northstar, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe offers both lakeside and slopeside outdoor function spaces. At the hotel, expect 15,000 square feet of indoor options and an additional 15,000 square feet of outdoor space includ ing two lawns that can hold 200-400 guests, Backyard Bar & BBQ by the main pool and the spacious Fireside Terrace. For groups seeking a waterfront experience, head for the shores of Lake Tahoe and the proper ty’s Lake Club, a window-filled, two-story venue with patios and a seasonal lawn. The Lake Club can accommodate receptions for up to 90 and water sports and meals for smallerJaimegroups.Haddad, sales and operations manager for RMC, a destination manage ment company with an office in nearby Truckee, has utilized all of the property’s outdoor spaces. “All are very scenic and feel as if you are sitting in the forest. Looking out at the mountain through the pine trees is very relaxing, and most clients love each of the locations and struggle with which is best for their event or gathering,” she says. Resort at Squaw Creek is conveniently situated at the base of Squaw Valley ski area. The resort features more than 33,000 square feet of event space and an addi tional 10,000 square feet of outdoor space, including the 6,000-square-foot Sun and Spa Deck perched above the Pavilion lawn for an idyllic layered venue with spectacular views of the pool, golf course, valley and mountains. It’s also the perfect place for lawn games with a reception above.
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Rustic yet elegant and available in both summer and winter months, the onmountain Uley’s Cabin at Crested Butte Mountain Resort has a secluded location and panoramic views from a large patio that is ideal for mingling before heading indoors to enjoy a meal for up to 60. In winter, groups can belly up around the Ice Bar to soak in the alpenglow and enjoy après ski. The circular Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks, a 35-foot, glass-enclosed bar with a ceiling that opens, in tandem with the adjoining deck can hold up to 75 at the top of Painter Boy chairlift. In summer and fall, a nearby tent provides an ideal spot for groups of up to 200.
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Backyard Bar & BBQ at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; Bren and Mel Simon Terrace at Aspen Meadows Resort (below)
VailGroups@wynvr.com | 866-820-6549 | LionSquare.com BeaverCreekGroups@wynvr.com | 866-604-5152 | TheCharter.com There are few places that combine old-west charm, world-class recreation and gorgeous 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
Reserve the PEAK Food Truck, oversized lawn games and café lighting for an event that attendees are sure to remember.
Utah With 35,000 square feet of outdoor function space, Montage Deer Valley offers loads of options with the 20,000-square-foot Grand Lawn and the smaller 4,800-square-foot Mountain Lawn surrounded by mountain and valley views. Eight terraces ranging from 400 to 5,200 square feet allow several groups to soak in the fresh air at once. Nearby, the attractive new outdoor deck at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa, situ ated at the Canyons base area, accommo dates up to 152 seated and 190 standing and totals 2,400 square feet. The deck has heated floors for winter months and three gas grills. “We did a concert event for a company on the patio for the opening ceremony of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games and also had TVs and a curling setup from the Utah Olympic Park,” shares Director of Sales Jim Goslin. In the Ogden area, Snowbasin Resort has options at both lower and on-mountain lodges, while Skylodge is an amazing escape that sits at the top of Powder Mountain surrounded by 8,464 acres of skiable ter rain. With panoramic views sweeping over four states, Skylodge features 5,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. Both resorts are about 30 minutes from Ogden, but there are options right in the city as “Wewell.recently held a huge meeting at Fort Benuventura that included dinner, axe throwing, marshmallow roasting, etc. It is 1 mile west of downtown, but in a secluded, forested area with a pond, hiking trails following the Ogden River and disc golf,” says Sydnie Furton, marketing and public relations manager for Visit Ogden.
SUNRIVER RESORT destinationhotels.com/sunriver-resort
SNOWBASIN RESORT snowbasin.com
Alberta Situated in Alberta’s gorgeous Banff National Park, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise pro vide truly impressive options like outdoor receptions on the terrace at the “castle” in Banff, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is an experience unto itself. At Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the 1,450-square-foot Lakeview Terrace has a magnificent view of Victoria Glacier and Lake Louise and accommodates up to 300 seated theatre-style. A bit smaller, Victoria Terrace holds up to 150.
Skylodge at Utah’s Powder Mountain
WESTGATE PARK CITY RESORT & SPA westgateresorts.com
22 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 BUNDY.PAULOF:COURTESYPHOTO venue REPORT Get Connected ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT aspenmeadows.com CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT skicb.com FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS fairmont.com/banff-springs FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE fairmont.com/lake-louise FORT BENUVENTURA webercountyutah.gov/parks/fortb HOTEL JEROME, AN AUBERGE RESORT aubergeresorts.com/hoteljerome THE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE lodgeatwhitefishlake.com LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH lonemountainranch.com MONTAGE DEER VALLEY montagehotels.com/deervalley THE OASIS AT DEATH VALLEY oasisatdeathvalley.com POWDER MOUNTAIN powdermountain.com RANCH AT DEATH VALLEY death-valleyoasisatdeathvalley.com/lodging/the-ranch-atTHE RESORT AT PAWS UP pawsup.com RESORT AT SQUAW CREEK destinationhotels.com/squawcreek THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAKE TAHOE ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/lake-tahoe
Oregon Sweeping views of the Cascade Mountain Range and rushing water are highlights of the Mt. Bachelor Lawn at Sunriver Resort located just outside Bend. Able to accom modate up to 200 people, the green space is a memorable locale for food stations spotlighting Northwest cuisine or elegant outdoor dinners. For a more casual envi ronment, try Besson Commons with more than 10,000 square feet of outdoor space.
REACH NEW HEIGHTS ELEVATED MEETINGS AT THE ALL-NEW PAVILION AT THE STANLEY Envision your next meeting or event at the stunning new Pavilion featuring a 285-seat glass door auditorium set against a private pond overlooking the mountains. Book the all-new Pavilion by April 15th, 2019 and receive 25% off our best available room rates, 10% off A/V services , and reduced site fees (a $5K to $15K value). TO BOOK CALL 970-577-4018 Offer based on availability at the time of booking. Must book and consume by May 23, 2019. 333 WONDERVIEW AVENUE, ESTES PARK, CO 80517 | STANLEYHOTEL.COM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH Salt Lake City attracts groups from all over the world. Some come for the rich history, friendliness and vibrant culture. Others relish the plethora of ski areas nearby and the 2002 Winter Olympic legacy. Added bonuses are a convenient transit system and a growing food and beverage scene, all under the watch of the legendary Wasatch Mountains that tower over the city and soar to 11,000 feet. Population: Salt Lake City: 192,670 Salt Lake County: 1,121,352
STELLAR CITIES BY MOUNTAINS Salt Lake City, Denver and Boise are three shining examples from the U.S. Mountain West.
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Elevation: 4,327 feet Historical Tidbit: On July 24, 1847, Brigham Young and a group of Mormon pioneers pulling handcarts and driving wagons with oxen and horses entered the Great Salt Lake Valley. It was the conclusion of one of the greatest Western journeys and led to the founding of Salt Lake—Utah’s capital city. Transportation: Salt Lake City International Airport, with daily nonstop flights from 92 cities, is 10 minutes from down town and currently undergoing a $3.6 billion rebuild scheduled to be done in 2020. TRAX light rail connects the airport to downtown and ski bus stops to all four resorts and the fare-free TRAX line runs through the convention district.
DESTINATION
Venues: Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center, Mountain America Exposition Center, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Maverick Center, Natural History Museum of Utah, Salt Lake County Center for the Arts, Gallivan Center Hotels: 7,000-plus hotel rooms in the con vention district, 19,500-plus in Salt Lake metro area Activity Ideas: Salt Lake Bicycle Tours for biking, hiking and walking excur sions; Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail; Salt Lake Mobile Brewery Tour; culture galore with loads of concerts and numer ous museums
VIBRANT CITIES WITH PROXIMITY TO MOUNTAINS deliver the best of both worlds for gatherings. Mountain Meetings selected three growing communities that have built reputations as attractive meet ings destinations, feature impressive convention centers in the heart of downtown districts, offer distinct venues and neighborhoods, and boast amazing outdoor recreation and culinary delights. In no par ticular order, here we go!
BY BETH BUEHLER Downtown Salt Lake City
Venues: Colorado Convention Center, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Coors Field, Broncos Stadium at Mile High, McNichols Civic Center Building, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, University of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Stanley Marketplace, Milk Market, Ironworks, Mile High Station
Attractions: Historic Temple Square, Natural History Museum of Utah, This Is The Place Heritage Park, Hogle Zoo, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Clark Planetarium Key Events: Days of ’47 Parade & Rodeo, Utah Arts Festival, Utah Pride Festival, Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Festival, Twilight Concert Series, Native American Celebration in the Park Cool Neighborhoods: Central City, Sugar House, 9th & 9th, Avenues/Capitol Hill, University/Foothill, Granary District Nearby Mountain Fun: Alta Ski Area, Brighton Resort, Snowbird and Solitude Mountain are approximately 35 minutes away; more than 60 national and state parks only a few hours away Get Connected: Visit Salt Lake visitsaltlake.com | 800.541.4955 DENVER, COLORADO
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Clockwise: Utah Arts Festival, Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center, Maverick Center
Restaurants: The convention district alone features 200-plus restaurants, cafes, brewpubs, and bars, while the greater Salt Lake area features nearly 2,000 restaurants and bars.
Transportation: Denver International Airport has nonstop service to 200 desti nations worldwide and nearly 1,600 daily flights. RTD’s A Line commuter rail con nects the airport to downtown in 37 min utes, and RTD light rail and buses serve much of the city. During ski season, Amtrak Winter Park Express connects Denver to Winter Park. B-Cycle, the nation’s first bike-sharing program, has 80-plus stations.
The Mile High City is 340 miles from the exact center of the continental United States and is 5,280 feet in elevation, as com memorated on the steps of Colorado State Capitol. Within a mile radius of downtown there are three major sports stadiums, the nation’s second-largest performing arts center, three colleges, several art and history museums, and a mint that produces 10 bil lion coins a year. The common thread that runs throughout Denver—besides a keen love for the outdoors—is beer, with more than 100 breweries in the area. More beer is brewed here than any other American city!
Population: Denver City/County: 705,651 Denver Metro: 3,154,134 Elevation: 5,280 feet Historical Tidbit: In 1858, there was not a single person living in the Denver metro area. Thirty years later, Colorado was a state with a population of almost 200,000. It was a Gold Rush that caused this boom, and in a 30-year period Denver saw some of the wildest events in the wild, Wild West.
DESTINATION
Attractions: 16th Street Mall, Denver Union Station, Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, U.S. Mint, History Colorado Center, Downtown Aquarium, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park A Few Key Events: Great American Beer Festival, National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, Denver March Powwow, Denver Chalk Festival, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Cinco de Mayo Festival, Denver Food + Wine Festival, A Taste of Colorado, Mile High Holidays Cool Neighborhoods: Uptown, LoDo, RiNo, Larimer Square, Golden Triangle Creative District, Highlands, Cherry Creek, Art District on Santa Fe, Tennyson Street Cultural District
Get Connected: VISIT DENVER visitdenver.com | 800.480.2010 BOISE, IDAHO Boise landed the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ 2018 list of America’s fastest-growing cities. It’s a signal that groups also will plug into Idaho’s largest community with a location midway between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Denver Central Market, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Art Museum
Nearby Mountain Fun: The City and County of Denver owns Winter Park Resort, plus Copper Mountain, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts aren’t far away; Rocky Mountain National Park; Central City and Black Hawk for gambling; Clear Creek Canyon for rafting.
26 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 (OPPOSITE)DENVER;VISITDRESSEL-MARTIN;SCOTTOF:COURTESYPHOTO BUREAU.VISITORS&CONVENTIONBOISE
Restaurants: 2,000-plus restaurants, including 300 within walking distance of the Colorado Convention Center
Hotels: 11,000-plus hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center and 47,000 in the metro area Activity Ideas: Punch Bowl Social, Denver Pavilions, 90 golf courses open year-round, 850 miles of bike trails, City on the Side tours in Russian sidecars, Taste of Denver food and beverage tours, Denver Graffiti Tour, food halls and culinary mar ketplaces, shopping in Cherry Creek
Population: Boise: 220,000 Metro Area: 600,000 Elevation: 2,730 feet History Tidbit: Boise reportedly got its name from French-Canadian fur trappers who were weary from traversing the dry high desert plains, rejoiced upon seeing the tree-lined Boise River and shouted “Les bois, les bois!” the French word for “forest.”
Activity Ideas: Ridge to Rivers trail system with 190 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; history, craft beer and scenic locations with Boise Bicycle Tours; Quinn’s Pond and Esther Simplot Park for stand-up paddleboarding, kaya king, fitness classes, events and covered picnic areas
Restaurants: 100-plus restaurants and bars located near the convention center and 20 different breweries in the metro area
Attractions: Freak Alley Gallery (block of street art), Basque Museum and Culture Center, Basque Market, Zoo Boise, Idaho Botanical Garden, World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise River Greenbelt Trail A Few Key Events: Boise Music Festival, Alive After Five, St. Ignatius Basque Festival, Jaialdi, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Western Idaho Fair, Hoptober Freshtival Cool Neighborhoods: Basque Block, Hyde Park Historic District, Linen District Nearby Mountain Fun: Only 16 miles to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area for alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboard ing, tubing, hiking, biking, disc golf, alpine coaster and live music series Get Connected: Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau boise.org | 800.635.5240
Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater; downtown Boise (below)
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 27 Oregon. There are some surprises, like an eclectic food and drink scene to fuel up after a day playing in the outdoors or attending productive meetings and one of the largest Basque populations per capita in the United States. The city’s convention center, Boise Centre, recently expanded, and the local ski hill that has been deliver ing fun since 1942 has plans to add a canopy tour, ropes course and amphitheater. Nearly 30 Idaho wineries are located within a 45-minute drive from downtown Boise.
The community of Boise was established in 1864 and was a service center for gold and silver miners in the nearby mountains and foothills, and proclaimed the capital of the Idaho Territory. Transportation: Located 3 miles from downtown, Boise Airport is served by six airlines that offer direct flights to 20 major U.S. markets with connecting flights to cities worldwide. Most hotels offer com plimentary airport shuttles. Boise Green Bike has checkpoints throughout the city with rentable bicycles ready for use, and two e-scooter companies have dis tributed approximately 500 rental scooters throughout downtown. Venues: Boise Centre Convention Center, Boise State University, Grove Plaza, Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, Boise Depot, Owyhee Rooftop, Discovery Center of Idaho, Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater & Reserve Hotels: More than 1,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of convention cen ter, 6,000 in metro area
TAHOE.EDGEWOODATLODGETHE ERIC PETERSON
YEAR-ROUND APPEAL WHEN IT COMES TO MOUNTAIN MEETINGS AND EVENTS, the four seasons each have bright spots and drawbacks. Mountain Meetings tapped four planners from across the U.S. Mountain West for their do’s and don’ts for spring, summer, fall and winter. Mountain destinations deliver four distinct seasons to impress guests, accommodate budgets and tap into a laid-back lifestyle. BY
28 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019 (OPPOSITE)SPA;&RESORTRANCHTHUMBDEVIL’SOF:COURTESYPHOTO
edgewoodtahoe.comgroups.”|775.588.2787
The Mount Hood Adventure Park also is “a one-stop shop” for team-building. “It’s the easiest place for clients to have that adventure experience,” says Waldron. “In Colorado, we’re so lucky with raft ing, hiking and horseback riding,” adds Tobey. “It’s more team-building focused.”
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He highlights The Broadmoor’s mountain venues in and around Colorado Springs in this regard. “These are all wonderful corpo rate retreat locations,” he suggests, adding that The Ranch at Emerald Valley “is my personalCompetitionfavorite.”for top Tahoe venues is The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe // Stateline, Nevada
SPRING Spring is the season of nonprofit dinners. “Summertime doesn’t work for them, because a lot of these organizations are family-based,” says John Tobey, who has organized numerous meetings and events in Colorado’s mountain destinations since launching Denver-based John Tobey Event Design in 2000. In Portland, Oregon, Denise Ker Waldron, CMP has similar experience in the Cascades. Establishing Viva! Events in 2006 and opening a destination division in 2010, Waldron has found that milder weather is a good fit for “all styles of clients” and likes Bend for its spring skiing and other recreational opportunities at lower elevations. “Leave your meeting and you can really quickly get into that true outdoor experience right out the front door of your meeting space.” After work hours, the community is known for its restaurants and breweries. “You also have downtown Bend, which is incredible for getting the team together in the evening,” says Waldron. Lisa DeLeon, senior vice president of sales at Destination Tahoe Meetings & Events in Stateline, Nevada, indicates that every season in the Sierra Nevadas presents both challenges and opportunities. One of the benefits of spring is a good deal in the Lake Tahoe area. “It’s a benefit for groups because it’s an affordable room rate,” she says. “It’s not as busy. You’re not going to have as much nightlife, but it’s easy to get into a Becauserestaurant.”it’soff-season, spring in the mountains is a good time of year to focus on meetings. “It’s not an incentive, it’s an actual meeting where they have little free time. They don’t feel like they’re missing out,” she suggests. Not that there aren’t any diversions to Tahoe in spring. “We get really creative,” emphasizes DeLeon. Fly and charter fish ing is one option, and history and brewery tours are available year-round. Late spring is the unofficial kickoff for event season in New Mexico’s mountain destinations, says Camilla Dominguez, who launched Albuquerque-based Corazón Events in 2003. “Late spring and summer are amazing in Taos,” she says. “It’s anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Albuquerque.” SUMMER Weddings dominate many mountain ven ues for much of the summer, but it’s also the season where recreational opportuni ties open up beyond snow sports. Focused meetings are the exception, says Waldron, and team-building is the norm. A classic activity that’s accessible to just about everybody is “taking the lift up and hiking down.”
Opened in June 2017, the lakeside lodge at the renowned golf course of the same name can accommodate 200 guests in its 3,000-square-foot ballroom and also offers several outdoor spaces and smaller rooms. “It has that ‘king of Jackson Hole, Alpine lodge’ feel (luxurious, yet relaxed), but it also has a lot of modern elements,” says DeLeon. It’s a high-end property, she adds, but there are deals in the shoulder seasons. “That’s a bonus for
FALL As family travel dips in the fall, corpo rate events have an opening. “For us, it’s mountain retreats,” says Tobey. “It’s near ing year-end, but it’s not yet holiday, and it’s a beautiful time in Colorado.”
Sometimes it’s best to leave civilization behind to bring things into sharper focus. From the 450-year-old doors to the authentic hacienda décor, this 13,000-square-foot home 30 miles southwest of Santa Fe offers a distrac tion-free setting. The venue has nine bedrooms, a fully equipped catering kitchen, and outdoor and indoor spaces. “It’s great for a corporate retreat,” says Dominguez. Corazón Events plans events all over New Mexico and has focused exclusively on the state in recent years. “You’ve got amazing views of the mountains. You don’t even have cell phone reception up there.” | 505.424.8995
Once a hub for cross-country ski ers, Devil’s Thumb Ranch has grown into a full-fledged resort and spa in recent years. With venues that accommodate as many as 350 peo ple, it’s also a picture-perfect spot for meetings and events. Tobey planned an executive retreat for a client at the Fraser Valley ranch in fall 2017. While it was before ski season, he says it was a great time of year for a focused meeting and for gawking at the fall colors. “The leaves were perfect.” 970.726.5632
Some resorts are open for skiing in late fall, but not all. The snowy mountains are still an eye-opener for out-of-towners, says Tobey. “While the skiing isn’t phenomenal, people still say, ‘Wow!’”
haciendadonaandrea.com
devilsthumbranch.com //
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Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa Tabernash, Colorado
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30 Mountain Meetings | SPRING SUMMER 2019
Tobey recently planned fall retreats for clients at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa near Winter Park and The RitzCarlton, Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek Resort. “Lots of times, there will be better offerings and incentives for companies,” he says. “We’re seeing more and more people have their corporate events in November.”
fiercest from June to September. “Corporate groups are competing for space with wed dings in the summer,” DeLeon says. She recommends booking venues and activities as far in advance as possible. “You’re bat tling the general public. There are only so many fishing boats.”
In the Pacific Northwest, a milder fall allows for a diverse day trip known as the “Fruit Loop Tour,’” says Waldron. It Hacienda Doña Andrea // Los Cerrillos, New Mexico
DeLeon says ATV tours in the Tahoe area are a good recreational option for early fall. “You can ATV ride in the desert year-round.”Fallisprime time for events in New Mexico’s mountain destinations, including Santa Fe and Taos. “Our high season in New Mexico is fall,” Dominguez explains. “It’s usually people from the south. We have a lot of Texans do events in New Mexico.”
It’s a great time to split a meeting between Colorado’s Front Range and the high coun try. After work in the city, it’s a treat to ascend in elevation to play in the snow. Waldron echoes the idea and notes, “There’s a certain type of client. We see more retreats. They’re doing more strategic planning in the winter.” Case in point is when Viva! booked the on-mountain Silcox Hut at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood for a Portland-based nonprofit’s executive retreat. A snowcat took the group to the cabin in early 2018. “During breaks, they had snowshoes avail able,” says Waldron. “It was a great, connec tive, very authentic experience.” DeLeon says Tahoe is in need of larger spaces in snowy months. “Our biggest chal lenge—a lot of our biggest groups come in the winter—is that we don’t have venues to hold them in the winter. We have them in the summer.” But the venues that hold 200plus attendees are limited in the winter, including Lakeview Lodge at Heavenly and Zephyr Lodge at Northstar. For a quick recreational company out ing, however, the time is right. “They can do a short trip, and it’s pretty affordable,” sheSnowshoeingadds. is a great group winter activity at multiple locations around Lake Tahoe. The four-hour activity includes 1.5 hours on the trail and ends with a party. “You’re getting a snowshoeing adventure, but it finishes at a great roaring bonfire,” saysInDeLeon.NewMexico, Dominguez highlights investments made in group facilities at Taos Ski Valley. “Taos has really stepped up its game,” she says. “[The resort] has really great meeting space. They are heavily focused on meetings and retreats.”
‘Tis the season actually applies to every time of year in the meetings business. Some seasons are more apt for certain kinds of events, activities or budgets, but there’s never a bad time for meeting in the U.S. Mountain West.
DESTINATION TAHOE MEETINGS & EVENTS destination-tahoe.com | 775.375.5032 JOHN TOBEY EVENT DESIGN jtobey.com | 303.830.0889 VIVA! EVENTS viva-consult.com | 971.277.6392
A venue that’s accessible by sleigh is a distraction-free setting for a meeting or event. In the snowy mountain woods, there’s a sense of iso lation that can catalyze connection and focus. At Sun Valley Resort in Idaho, the historic Trail Creek Cabin has capacity for 70 people and can be booked for meetings or meals. It’s on the banks of the creek of the same name, and participants can arrive by horse-drawn sleigh, car or snowshoes and pay tribute to the Ernest Hemingway Memorial en route. sunvalley.com // 208.622.2019
WINTER Holiday party season begins in earnest in early December, but there’s an opening in January and February for snow-loving groups “before the nonprofit world kicks in, usually in February and March,” says Tobey. “The skiing is certainly attractive.”
It’s also the season for many big cultural events in New Mexico. Dominguez says that the state’s “Latin vibe” is the biggest draw for groups. “You don’t need a pass port,” she says. “Most of our clients are going for a cultural experience.”
Trail Creek Cabin // Sun Valley, Idaho
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 31 includes lunch at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and stops at farm stands and winer ies at lower elevations. “You can literally take a group from Portland all the way around the mountain and back in an all-day experience,” she says. “That’s really unique and a lot different than most mountain venues.”
CORAZÓNCONNECTEDGETEVENTS corazonevents.com | 505.890.4381
granlibakken.com 800.543.3221 We’re an All-Inclusive ConnectionMecca • 16 flexible meeting spaces • 24,500 sq. ft. of event space • 4-400 guests • Year-round, outdoor heated pool & hot tub • Sauna & spa • Miles of hiking & biking trails • 3 delicious meals each day • Cocktail hour included • High-speed Wi-Fi With features like an outdoor adventure park, built-in wellness programs, and gourmet health cuisine—all situated on 74 acres of National Forest land—teams just can’t help but connect with success at Granlibakken Tahoe. Don’t just meet—connect with success! Call to Start Planning Today. We're not a Conference Center
MTN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 33 PHOTOBECKTONSETHOF:COURTESYPHOTO MATCHMAKER,MATCHMAKER, Match Take a cue from online dating and line up your next meeting destination via the perfect proxy. MAKE ME A Do you get pigeonholed into the same meeting spot year after year? Are you tired of the same regime, conversation and buffet? Do you long for new activity and adven ture? Then it’s time to break up with your old meeting destination and get into the dating scene.
Choosing a group location is just as scrutinizing and stressful as dating—dreadful coffee meetups, horrible dinner setups and uncomfortable lunch scenes. Mountain Meetings has removed the awkwardness of dating conundrums and narrowed down the field to five suitable candidates.
By JULIE SCHEFF Snowmass, Colorado
LOCATION: Big Bear, California ELEVATION: 6,700 feet SIZE: 5,300 residents CONNECT WITH ME: bigbear.com | 800.424.4232 ABOUT ME: If you don’t live in California, you’ve perhaps never heard of me. Nearly 90 percent of my visi tors are from in-state. However, I’m West Coast entrepreneurial and understand climate change and changing up habits so I now offer incredible year-round activities and accommodate groups up to 1,500. Nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, we can see each other often as I’m conveniently located about 100 miles from Los Angeles and 150 miles from downtown San Diego and deliver more than 300 days of blissful sunshine. My namesake alpine lake is 7 miles long and has 23 miles of shoreline, and I have hun dreds of miles of forestry road surrounding me.
MY PERFECT MATCH: I’m looking for someone who might not be from California, a match who is excited to see this beautiful niche of the Golden State that is for eign to many out-of-staters. I like to host parties at locations such as The Lodge at Big Bear Lake, located right next to the village with 147 guest rooms and suites, 9,000 square feet of meeting space and Stillwells, the popular on-site restau rant. Big Bear Convention Center can host up to 1,400 for mingling or 800 for banquet seating in 11,000 square feet of available space. A shindig at Wolf Creek Resort for a maximum of 65 is fabulous as well.
PROFILE:
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TimberCruiser
MY PERFECT DATE: Picture winter retreats that feature strategic plans over a hearty breakfast, board meetings held while swooshing down alpine slopes and enjoying après ski, and fireside brainstorming sessions back at the lodge. I’m warm and wel coming, just like a big bear hug from a burly lumberjack; so let’s cozy up by a fire pit in the village. Maybe we can grab a beer at Big Bear Lake Brewery or a bite to eat at The Pines Lakefront? I might be a little hard to get to, but the climb is more than worth it. With my crisp, clean air and small-town hospitality, some say I really elevate what it means to mix work and play for a complete meeting experience, includ ing outdoor options like Action Tours Zipline, Big Bear Jeep Experience, and Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski resorts.
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LOCATION: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho ELEVATION: 2,180 feet SIZE: 50,285 residents CONNECT WITH ME: coeurdalene.org | 208.664.3194
ABOUT ME: I won’t be upset if you can’t pronounce my name on our first date because I know by evening’s end you will be loving my uniqueness, northern Idaho panhandle location and pet name of “Lake City.” Just use CDA for easier text messages and hashtags. I’m 36 miles west of Spokane, Washington, and named after a local tribe of Native Americans. My Coeur d’Alene National Forest is protected, precious and most importantly, authentic. I also have a city Lakefront Beach that offers swimming and leads to a beach in front of North Idaho College, which also borders the Spokane River. I enjoy strolls on the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River and eve nings out in my downtown with many bars and restau rants that offer live music. And, I’m distinguished with the longest floating boardwalk in the United States!
MY PERFECT DATE: When it comes to groups, I’m well-versed in preparing the ideal outing. Coeur d’Alene Resort has a conference center with more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space and can host up to 1,800 guests. I would take you kayaking around Tubbs Hill or we could stand-up paddleboard right off the shore. Maybe a sunset dinner lake cruise would be memorable, or ROW Adventures offers incredible guided whitewater rafting trips that are close by. If you prefer a winter date, Wallace, just to my east, is at the heart of a snowmobiling area that stretch es from Coeur d’Alene to St. Regis, Montana, a 1,000mile trip. Wallace can offer us 250 miles of groomed trails to play and get acquainted with one another in a winter wonderland. If it’s spring you want, then I would take us to The Greenbriar, a historic Victorian house and restaurant, with a few lodging rooms and wonderful off-site catering.
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MY PERFECT MATCH: No spuds about it, I’m looking for a serious water and forest enthusiast. I offer Tubbs Hill, a 120-acre water front preserve in my downtown with nature trails, wildlife and incredible views of the lake. I have lots of hobbies, including art. The first weekend in August, Art on the Green, hosted by Citizens’ Council for the Arts, is held on the North Idaho College campus. I need someone with a sense of adventure and quirki ness. Follow the 2-mile Mudgy Moose Trail where the children’s book “Mudgy & Millie” by local author Susan Nipp comes alive with bronze sculptures depicting the friends’ hide-and-seek game. Do you golf? My Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course’s 14th hole is the world’s only floating green and a stunning opportunity for selfies.
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LakesideLover
LOCATION: Snowmass, Colorado ELEVATION: 8,410 feet SIZE: 2,800 residents CONNECT WITH ME: gosnowmass.com | 970.923.2000
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ABOUT ME: I’m consistently referred to as Aspen’s lit tle brother or sister, but you need to be aware of my metamorphosis into a hand some bidder for your companionship. I’m 9 miles from Aspen and a champion of innovative outdoor programming, numerous four-star hotel offerings and upscale mountain cuisine. I offer 3,300 acres of skiable terrain (three times the size of Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands or nearby Buttermilk). I don’t have an ego, but am humbled and honored that I consistently rank as one of the best ski areas in the world. Don’t fret if you don’t like downhill skiing or snowboarding, as I have over two dozen other offerings in winter and loads of other options in sum mer and fall. MY PERFECT MATCH: I need to be with someone who is com fortable in a resort setting rather than a full-fledged town, as 95 percent of my lodging is within Snowmass Resort. I am one of the smaller luxury mountain towns but have some of the biggest offerings, so I need an adventurer who has a liking for fine and clever dining, such as newly opened Limelight Lounge and The Crêpe Shack by Mawa’s Kitchen, and posh hotel rooms such Viceroy Snowmass and its brand new addition, Limelight Hotel Snowmass or The Westin Snowmass Resort with an attached conference center built directly into the side of the mountain.
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MY PERFECT DATE: I wish you’d visit in summer; I’m especially spectacular. I would love to take you to a Snowmass Free Concert Series on the mountain with a picnic basket prepared by The Artisan at The Stonebridge or we can grab a local brew or glass of wine to toast the music. The Snowmass Rodeo celebrates 46 years this summer with Wednesday evening shows, and we could have an authentic wild, Wild West experi ence. I would meet you early in the morn ing for a cup of coffee at local’s favorite Fuel Café before we embark to Lost Forest for the day. Located at Snowmass ski resort’s Elk Camp, the adventure park has an alpine coaster, zip lines, biking trails, challenge course, climbing walls, ponds to fish and two disc courses.
PROFILE: Luxury Adventurer
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LOCATION: Flagstaff, Arizona 7,000 feet 72,000 residents meetinflagstaff.org | 928.213.290 I sit on the western edge of the world’s largest pon derosa pine forest. In 2001, I was awarded the world’s first International Dark Sky City designation to preserve my pristine setting for four magical seasons, snow included. I am home to Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Orpheum Theater, Northern Arizona University and Lowell Observatory. My proximity to the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona Sunbowl, Meteor Crater and infamous Route 66 make me geographically available to many activity and transportation options. A walk through The Arboretum at Flagstaff is the perfect afternoon date where I can show you 750 species of plants or host a special meeting or event inside or outisde. Another option is Roux 66, a unique 1,000-square-foot meeting space with full catering, bar and audio-visual equipment. For a little more intimacy, we’ll visit the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park where we can tour the 13,000-square-foot arts and crafts style home with 40 rooms. The Stanley
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PROFILE: Elk Elegant
Swipe Right
I’m known as the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park, home to The Stanley Hotel and locale of large elk herds. Luckily, I’m only 90 minutes from Denver International Airport and easy to access. My YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center has cabins, lodge rooms and vacation homes for lodging options to welcome small to enormous groups as well as a roller-skating rink, arts and crafts, on-site dining and tons of meeting space. The Stanley also has many options for courting such as The Pavilion with a 300-seat amphi theater featuring a retractable glass wall and two event rooms, and the 2,640-square-foot Concert Hall with dra matic high ceilings, a large stage and its own veranda over looking the mountains. I’d like to impress you with a summer drive to the top of Trail Ridge Road, summer llama trekking trip and stargazing at Estes Park Memorial Observatory. For elk lovers, don’t miss my The Wapiti Colorado Pub (try a smoked elk, jalapeño and cheddar brat) Green Jeep Tours and guided elk tours with Yellow Wood Guiding.
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TINDER HAS TAUGHT US, SOMETIMES, IT’S AN INSTANT CONNECTION.
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PROFILE: Lively Lumberjack
LOCATION: Estes Park, Colorado ELEVATION: 7,500 feet SIZE: 6,400 residents
CONNECT: visitestespark.com | 970.577.9900
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FROM BOULDER TO BOISE
Andrew Heidt has capitalized on opportunities to build a livelihood in thriving cities that bump up against the mountains.
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BY BETH BUEHLER THE LATEST STOP on Andrew Heidt’s career train is the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, an organiza tion he joined last April as a convention sales manager.
The fact that this booming Idaho city has new hotels, a recent convention center expansion and an abun dance of recreational opportunities was enough to lure the Virginia native away from the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he most recently served as director of group sales and marketing. While working at hotels and studying hotel manage ment at Virginia Tech, Heidt discovered the world of destination marketing organizations. “Around 9/11, I was able to land a marketing coordinator job with the Annapolis CVB that turned into a sales role; that’s how I got into the meetings side.” He grew up skiing on the East Coast and trips to Loveland Ski Area and Breckenridge resulted in an itch to live in Colorado that had to be scratched. After six years working for the Annapolis CVB, Heidt accepted a position with Groople, a new startup in Denver at the time. “I wanted to get into the automation of group business,” he explains. Groople was purchased and the headquarters moved, so Heidt turned lemons into lemonade by accepting a group sales position with the Boulder CVB. As the organization’s budget increased, the sales team grew to three full-time staff members and Heidt became the director of the department. “I was still loving Colorado and the position in Boulder was ideal, but I had a gut feeling it was time to see what else I could learn from the meetings and conventions world. I went on a sightseeing and camp ing trip through Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and fell in love with Boise,” he says. In his free time, Heidt enjoys his surroundings, espe cially trail running, mountain biking and skiing. “When you are in a town in the U.S. Mountain West, you get a really welcoming vibe. It’s more casual. Everyone works hard, but it’s all about the adventure and the outdoors that other places can’t offer. I think one of the biggest reasons I stay out here is that every season has its own unique activities.”
Get Connected BOISE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU boise.org | 800.635.5240 people PROFILE
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 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
Call our sales team at 877-635-5807 to learn more. In Yosemite’s great outdoors, big ideas have room to grow. Take your meetings to new heights at Tenaya Lodge – with newly renovated guestrooms, four seasons of unique group activities and 14 flexible meeting rooms. Our talented team will customize a meeting experience that suits your group’s exact needs. 21,000 sq ft of flexible space 101 things to do 352 guestrooms 1 iconic destination ©2019 DNC Parks & Resorts at Tenaya Lodge, LLC. New Two-bedroom Explorer Cabins Available Starting in June! TenayaLodge.com Here, your team can move mountains. And climb them.
