Spring Creek Ranch Offers Winter Wonderland of Activity

Go cross country, downhill, on snowshoes or sled!

by Lynn O'Rourke Hayes

Families looking for a great winter getaway should consider Jackson Hole's Spring Creek Ranch. A perennial pick by Condé Nast Traveler for its "Gold List" of the top 500 places to stay , this year the picturesque property has teamed with two of the world's most breathtaking downhill ski areas to offer value-filled winter ski packages.

The resort's Ski Free Package gives skiers a chance to experience the downhill excitement of the famed Teton Range at reasonable rates from late November to December 24, 2003. Guests can choose to ski at either of two first-class locations, Grand Targhee or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. For the earliest snowbirds, Grand Targhee opens in mid-November, in time for Thanksgiving gatherings. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, home of the Rendezvous and Après-Vous Peaks, is scheduled to open in early December. (Call 888-DEEP-SNO for mountain conditions.)

Priced from $150 per room per night, the Ski Free Package includes:

• Deluxe hotel room with fireplace (double occupancy)
• Breakfast for two daily at The Granary
• Lift ticket to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or to Grand Targhee (limit two per day)

For skiers who like to stay on more level ground, Spring Creek's Cross Country Skiing package may fit the bill. Priced from $108 per night per person, based on double occupancy, the package runs from January 4 - March 16, 2003 and includes:

• Welcome gift
• Deluxe hotel room with fireplace (double occupancy)
• Skiing on the resort's 13 kilometers of groomed trails
• Breakfast for two daily
• One dinner at the Granary restaurant
• Ski tour into Grand Teton National Park

Spring Creek Ranch's Nordic Ski Center offers instruction, tours of Teton National Park and equipment rental for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Families often have skiers with vastly different abilities. For more flexibility in planning, skiers can create a personalized package by choosing their length of stay and ski areas with the resort's Build Your Own program. The Spring Creek staff will adapt any package to suit a family's preferences and schedule.

Making it easy on families, in season, the resort provides complimentary shuttle service to town and to the ski areas.

After a taxing day on skis, what could be better than an opportunity to enjoy the pampering and relaxation of Spring Creek's new Wilderness Adventure Spa. The intimate, full-service spa offers a variety of treatments including après ski massages, cozy mud wraps, hot stone massages, sunrise facials, Acupressure, and more. During a recent visit, I had one of the best massages of my life, provided by a young European woman taking a break from school and enjoying the mountain life.

Located on a butte just outside the charming western town of Jackson, and overlooking beautiful Jackson Hole Valley, the 1,000-acre Spring Creek Ranch offers ruggedly elegant accommodations that blend into the surrounding landscape. Constructed out of rough-hewn spruce and fir, Spring Creek's lodges feature big, open stone fireplaces and hand-made lodgepole pine furniture. Large windows leading onto private balconies offer spectacular and expansive views of the famous peaks. Spring Creek's accommodations provide multiple options for families of various shapes and sizes. Their guest rooms are equipped with direct-dial telephones, cable television, coffee makers and mini-refrigerators.

Ask about the resort's suites, studios with full kitchens, and two- and three-bedroom luxury condominiums. Executive homes are also available providing the possibility for family reunions.

Too tired to trek into town after a day of winter sports? For après-ski ambiance, the resort offers two choices: a comfortable upstairs lounge and an award-winning restaurant, The Granary. Both offer a roaring fireplace for relaxation and warmth, as well as breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons.

Specializing in American cuisine, The Granary has an extensive menu including specialties like Lavender Crusted Wapiti Shortloin and Porcini Seared Ribeye of Beef. The restaurant's extensive wine list features an excellent and well-priced international selection.

For reservations, contact Spring Creek Ranch by phone at 1-800-443-6139 or 307-733-8833, by fax at 307-733-1524 or at www.springcreekranch.com.