Mountain travelers still seeking bargains

DENVER – A research group says mountain lodges and hotels will have to offer unique, well-priced, well-timed specials to attract skiers and others looking for bargains this winter.

Ralf Garrison of the Mountain Travel Research Program, or MTRiP, offered a winter outlook Wednesday. He said economic indicators have been volatile, and customers will need a push to boost demand for vacations.

He says the market appears strong for visits from customers within driving distance, but it’s still tough for customers who fly in.

MTRiP says a sample of properties in Colorado, Utah, California and Oregon shows that as of Oct. 31, reservations for November through April are up 2.7 percent from the same period last season, and room rates are flat.