mountain meetings

Take a cue from online dating and line up your next meeting destination via the perfect proxy.

Salt Lake City, Denver and Boise are three shining examples from the U.S. Mountain West.

This summer, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is debuting $25 million in expansions. The new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge features a central gathering building, communal outdoor fire pits and more than 50 two-bedroom cabins. Also, the lodge recently introduced 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.

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.

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 amenities include more than 1,500 square feet of function space, a spa (opening winter 2019) and fitness center, and The Velvet Restaurant & Lounge.

Royal Palms Resort Adds Outdoor Function Space

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.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located 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 public spaces. Tamaya Mist Spa & Salon now offers wellness options ranging from walking meditations and chair yoga sessions to a guided appreciation circle for team-building and personalized scrub-making classes.

Sleeping Indian Ranch, a private estate set on 15,000 acres and located 47 miles northwest of Telluride and 6 miles southeast 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 vacation estate, and is the largest post-andbeam log structure ever constructed that reflects the arts and crafts movement.

Quieter months in mountain destinations are no longer a secret, but there are still savings to be found.