The Pacific Crest Trail Complete Meeting Package at Skamania Lodge aids in trail restoration and preservation

Stevenson, Wash. – (April 8, 2008) – Skamania Lodge, an all-season mountain resort in the Columbia River Gorge managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, announces the 2008 Pacific Crest Trail Complete Meeting Package.

            This group package includes a donation to the Pacific Crest Trail, named one of the nation’s first National Scenic Trails.  The donated funds will be used for trail restoration and preservation along the Pacific Crest Trail.  The Pacific Crest Trail Complete Meeting Package offers a special all-inclusive nightly rate for meetings held in the Lodge’s 22,000 square-foot Conference Center and features a team building Geocaching activity on the forest trails of Skamania Lodge.  Led by Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys, the Geocaching activity will be a fun, two-hour outdoor team building event.

            The Pacific Crest Trail passes through California, Oregon and Washington and boasts the greatest elevation changes of any of America’s National Scenic Trails, allowing it to pass through six different North American ecological zones including the Mojave Desert, Yosemite National Park, the Russian Wilderness of Northern California and the volcanoes of the Cascade Mountain Range.  An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, the Pacific Crest Trail is easily accessible and diversely wild.    

            “Our picturesque location in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area showcases some of the greatest symbols of American natural beauty and recreation,” said Scott Spann, general manager of Skamania Lodge.  “This package comes on the heels of the ‘Chinook Meeting Package’ campaign where funds were donated to the National Forest Foundation to help aid in salmon habitat restoration.  By offering our groups the chance to give back, it is our way of celebrating the Pacific Northwest and maintaining its beauty for future generations to enjoy.”
                       
The Pacific Crest Trail Complete Meeting Package is available to a minimum group size of 20 room nights, on a space-available basis.  As a Complete Meeting Package, this offer will include overnight accommodations, primary meeting space, standard audio visual equipment including an LCD projector, dinner on the night of arrival, breakfast, lunch and two continuous breaks the following day.  Price includes service fees, but exclude lodge fees and taxes.  To make reservations or for more information please call (800) 251-0848 or visit www.skamania.com/trails.

About Skamania Lodge
Surrounded by the waterfalls, peaks, forests and canyons of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge is an all-season mountain resort and conference center, situated on 175 acres, 45 miles east of Portland, Ore., in Stevenson, Wash.  With 254 guest rooms and a 22,000-square foot, International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) approved conference center, Skamania Lodge offers a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and groups.  The Lodge boasts the Waterleaf Spa, indoor swimming pool and whirlpools, a fitness center, onsite hiking, an 18-hole par-70 Golf Course, the Cascade Room, River Rock Lounge and the U.S. Forest Service Information Center located in the lobby.  Skamania Lodge is centered in a Pacific Northwest playground with hiking, biking and Sternwheeler cruises along the Columbia River in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; and golfing, fishing and whitewater rafting all year long for outdoor enthusiasts.  Skamania Lodge is a spectacular location to soak in the natural beauty and to enjoy a vast array of outdoor activities. www.skamania.com.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With more than 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 7,000 guest rooms, nine golf courses and 10 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Jackson Hole, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

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Media Contacts:     Wendy Ogunsemore / Kristin Riefflin
                                    Richmond Public Relations
                                    (206) 682-6979

wendyo@richmondpublicrelations.com /
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