Ever dream of seeing how "the other half" lives by staying at a luxury condominium or lodge at a local ski area?
If you have, the "shoulder season" between now and the Christmas holiday season is an excellent time to find an amazing deal on a room for a weekend fall family getaway or a romantic close to home vacation for two.
"It's a terrific time as far as the value season goes," said Craig McCarthy, communications director for the Park City Chamber of Commerce. "The demand for the product is not nearly as high as during the peak winter season. Lodging properties are offering people, particularly locals, deals to visit this time of year."
A look at the "hot deals" section of the Park City Chamber Web site ( www.parkcityinfo.com) showed that 44 different properties were offering deals, many through the end of November and a few even into December right before the busy holiday ski season. The deals included free nights, private hot tubs, lift tickets when resorts open, and romance packages.
At the fancy Stein Eriksen Lodge, for example, packages are available through Nov. 22 that include one night accommodations, a three-course dinner at the Glitretind restaurant, and complimentary valet park starting at $99 per person or $125 for a luxury suite.
Deer Valley's Emily Summers said that resort is offering a fall special for stays through Dec. 4 with rates as low as $99 for a one bedroom condo or $119 for a hotel room at the Silver Baron Lodge.
"These are low rates," she said. "You can come up and experience some of the restaurants and stay up here at one of the best rates you will find year-round."
Pat Quigley, general manager for Club Lespri which, among other things, books rooms in the Park City area, said there is also a chance that skiing may start earlier than Thanksgiving weekend if snow continues to fall.
"There are lots of deals to be had," he said. "There are deals where if you book for three nights, you pay for two, that expire prior to Christmas, around Dec. 21."
The deals also continue at Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon where spokesman Jared Ishkanian said rates are some of the lowest he has ever seen at all resort properties, including the Cliff Lodge.
"We are offering rates of $99 per night through Thanksgiving that include a $50 gift card that can be spent at almost any Snowbird property on food, beverage, spa or retail," he said. "If we get a lot of snow and open the week of Nov. 9, this rate could fluctuate a little bit but each person also would receive a lift ticket with this package."
The Canyons is also offering some deals, including Thanksgiving week, at its four lodges. Rooms are available starting at $49.50 per person, per night and guests who stay three nights will receive two free lift tickets.
Park City's McCarthy said that while some restaurants are closed early in the week, most open on the weekends.
