Whether the booking choice is a Montana wilderness ranch or a luxury resort in central Colorado, business groups with an eye on the white season in the mountains are best served with the strategic approach.
“We encounter planners all the time who lack understanding of the destination in which they have interest,” says Rich tenBraak, director of travel and tourism for Vail Valley Partnership. “They come to us here in Vail with a tight budget, and we just can’t meet their needs.”
Words to the wise go something like this: Study the destinations you are considering for value calendar dates, winter accessibility and amenities that fulfill objectives and agenda. The options are about as wide as the West itself, but doing some pre-booking homework is the best road to high marks in high country.
Although high winter season amid the peaks can mean big rates and other booking challenges, the right approach can make all the difference.
Here are a few tips:
- Be flexible with dates, and look for properties that will be flexible, too. For example, if a resort or ranch usually closes in mid-October for its “off” season, inquire if your group’s business could encourage them to stay open longer to land the business.
- Look at the whole picture: location, amenities, price value, staff, and service. Sometimes larger resorts have one or two of these advantages, but not all four. The best deals provide a combination.
- Watch for properties that really want your business and are not afraid to give a client what they want and need for a successful meeting or event.
- Look for “off the beaten path” properties—unique places that will be eager for meetings business.
