When we wanted to find a beginner’s ski package with lots of inclusions, the “Build Your Own Package,” at Winter Park, Colo., sounded like a good plan because it appeared to promise made-to-order features and one-stop shopping. (800-979-0332; www.winterparkresort.com)
INCLUSIONS/OPTIONS AS PUBLISHED
On the Winter Park Web site, with personal choices determining the final price.
Air fare: special air fare, presumably from originating city.
Lodging: presumably a choice among several, for however may nights.
Transportation: shuttle, presumably from Denver airport to Winter Park; or car rental.
Lessons: ski, snowboard lessons.
Equipment: ski, snowboard equipment rentals.
Activities: sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, dinner sleigh rides.
PRICE QUOTE WE WANTED
For a four-night stay with check-in on Feb. 12 and check-out on Feb. 16, given the range of choices published on the Web site.
Air fare: Round-trip air from Chicago to Denver, departing Feb. 12, returning Feb. 16.
Lodging: four nights in one-bedroom condo, with kitchen, fireplace, at Zephyr Mountain Lodge.
Transportation: round-trip shuttle from Denver airport to Winter Park.
Lessons: ski lessons.
Equipment: ski equipment rentals.
Activities: snowmobile, dinner sleigh ride.
PRICE QUOTE WE GOT
After speaking with a telephone agent.
$1,209.88 per couple for the following:
Lodging: Four nights in a one-bedroom condo, with kitchen and fireplace, at Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Feb. 12-16.
Equipment: Three-day ski equipment rental, on the advice that it would not be possible to take lessons on our arrival day. This would include skis, boots, poles.
Lift tickets: Not mentioned in the package, but necessary. These would be the four-day pass offered at a promotional rate ($119/person), on the advice that even though we wouldn’t use all four days the price would be cheaper than the three-day pass ($177-plus/person).
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE QUOTE
Air fare: No quote because the agent was unable to get a response from the company Winter Park uses to book air travel. It was too busy during our phone call to provide a quote. The agent did offer to take my number and call me back.
Shuttle: Not included in total above because, although the agent knew the price ($86/person round-trip), she preferred not to include it in a quote until they knew the flight times.
Lessons: No quote because the agent recommended that, as beginners, we arrange the lessons ourselves when we arrived. She said group ski lessons ($49/person) last about 2 1/2 hours, starting at 9:30 and 12:45; so it wouldn’t be practical to fly in and take a lesson on Day 1. The agent recommended taking one lesson on Day 2, then decide if more would be necessary.
Activities: No quote on the snowmobile tour because this year’s rates had yet to be added to the agent’s computer system. She did give last year’s rates ($70-$75/person) and recommended that each person ride separately. She gave us the number of the outfitter if we wanted to call for specifics. No quote on the dinner sleigh ride, she said, because that has to be booked by the traveler. However, she gave ballpark figures for prices ($50-$75/person) and named an outfitter we could call for more information.
BEYOND THE DOLLAR SIGNS
As a package, Winter Park’s “Build Your Own Package” doesn’t deliver. It’s more nuisance than help. But as an advertisement, well, it’s honest. When it says you build your own package, it’s not kidding.
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E-mail Toni Stroud: tstroud@tribune.com
