Grand Teton Lodge Company Kicks off 2014 Season with Guest Enhancements
2014 season marked by renovations, commitment to sustainability, volunteerism and new leadership
Moran, Wyo., May 27, 2014 — Adventurers, thrill-seekers and national park enthusiasts be advised: Grand Teton Lodge Company (GTLC), which operates inside Grand Teton National Park, has officially opened its doors for the 2014 season. GTLC’s Jackson Lake Lodge opened on May 19 and Colter Bay Village on May 22. Jenny Lake Lodge and Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch will soon follow on June 1; a number of campgrounds and RV parks are currently open to park visitors as well.
To kick off the 2014 season, GTLC announces its commitment to guests with renovations, sustainability, volunteerism and new leadership, all of which contribute to an enhanced guest experience and help preserve the Park for generations to come.
Renovations
Over the winter GTLC has continued its commitment of offering a superior visitor experience through new infrastructure in their kitchens and laundry operations. GTLC has also completed a full renovation of eight cottages and enhanced the bedding of all cottages at Jackson Lake Lodge. Colter Bay Village has benefited from flooring upgrades to many cabins and new mattresses. GTLC has future plans to renovate 365 guest and public bathrooms at Jackson Lake Lodge once the summer 2014 season concludes. All of the enhancements will offer guests a superior product in a National Park setting.
Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge and select locations at Colter Bay Village have also recently completed upgrades to wireless internet service that is offered free to guests and visitors. With improved distribution and new CenturyLink Metro-E service that delivers a full gigabyte of bandwidth, these GTLC locations boast some of the best wireless connectivity in the Jackson Hole.
Sustainability
GTLC is committed to fostering a sustainable environment, and encourages guests to do their part to keep the park clean and eco-friendly. Once guests are onsite during check-in they are encouraged to take the Sustainable Stay Pledge. The pledge includes commitments to practices such as turning off lights and heat before leaving guest rooms, carrying reusable water bottles inside the Park, using Park shuttles and choosing sustainable, healthy food options when dining. In return for taking the Sustainable Stay Pledge, GTLC will reward its guests with a gift of a reusable bag, water bottle, Sustainable Stay sticker, as well as $5.00 per night off their room rate with a two night minimum stay.
Furthermore GTLC encourages guests to donate $1.00 per night during their stay to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, which provides ongoing support for wildlife protection and youth outreach, as well as special projects such as the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming. During the summer 2014 season, GTLC will match, dollar for dollar, all guest contributions.
Volunteerism
GTLC is pledging 1,000 hours of volunteer time to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation over the next two years to assist on projects associated with the Foundation’s Inspiring Journeys campaign, a $16.4 million project that is transforming the south Jenny Lake trail system and visitor plaza in honor of the National Park Service centennial in 2016.
New leadership
Alex Klein is now leading GTLC as VP & General Manager, but he’s not new to the Company. Klein began working at GTLC more than 20 years ago and worked for three seasons while attending Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He returned to GTLC as the Director of Hotel Operations from 2004-2009 and then served at Vail’s Corporate headquarters’ as the Director of Operation’s and later Vice President of Operations from 2010-2013. Klein took over as VP & GM after long-time leader and community fixture John Rutter announced his retirement last summer. Klein’s strong experience working inside Grand Teton National Park will be instrumental in delivering the ultimate guest experience for Park visitors.
“When guests arrive to Grand Teton National Park it’s important that they are able to connect with their surroundings and have an Experience of Lifetime, we want to be an extension of that experience” said Klein.
About Grand Teton Lodge Company
With a mission to preserve, protect and inspire, Grand Teton Lodge Company is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service within Grand Teton National Park operating the lodging, restaurants, tours and activities at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village and Flagg Ranch Company at Headwaters Lodge & Cabins, as well as the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, which is located just outside the park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. GTLC is committed to a comprehensive systematic approach to sustainable business practices that preserve the environment, provide quality service, and offer a healthy and safe place for its guests and employees. For more information visit gtlc.com.
Media Contact
Lesli Carlson, Vail Resorts
lcarlson@vailresorts.com
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
To kick off the 2014 season, GTLC announces its commitment to guests with renovations, sustainability, volunteerism and new leadership, all of which contribute to an enhanced guest experience and help preserve the Park for generations to come.
Renovations
Over the winter GTLC has continued its commitment of offering a superior visitor experience through new infrastructure in their kitchens and laundry operations. GTLC has also completed a full renovation of eight cottages and enhanced the bedding of all cottages at Jackson Lake Lodge. Colter Bay Village has benefited from flooring upgrades to many cabins and new mattresses. GTLC has future plans to renovate 365 guest and public bathrooms at Jackson Lake Lodge once the summer 2014 season concludes. All of the enhancements will offer guests a superior product in a National Park setting.
Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge and select locations at Colter Bay Village have also recently completed upgrades to wireless internet service that is offered free to guests and visitors. With improved distribution and new CenturyLink Metro-E service that delivers a full gigabyte of bandwidth, these GTLC locations boast some of the best wireless connectivity in the Jackson Hole.
Sustainability
GTLC is committed to fostering a sustainable environment, and encourages guests to do their part to keep the park clean and eco-friendly. Once guests are onsite during check-in they are encouraged to take the Sustainable Stay Pledge. The pledge includes commitments to practices such as turning off lights and heat before leaving guest rooms, carrying reusable water bottles inside the Park, using Park shuttles and choosing sustainable, healthy food options when dining. In return for taking the Sustainable Stay Pledge, GTLC will reward its guests with a gift of a reusable bag, water bottle, Sustainable Stay sticker, as well as $5.00 per night off their room rate with a two night minimum stay.
Furthermore GTLC encourages guests to donate $1.00 per night during their stay to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, which provides ongoing support for wildlife protection and youth outreach, as well as special projects such as the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming. During the summer 2014 season, GTLC will match, dollar for dollar, all guest contributions.
Volunteerism
GTLC is pledging 1,000 hours of volunteer time to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation over the next two years to assist on projects associated with the Foundation’s Inspiring Journeys campaign, a $16.4 million project that is transforming the south Jenny Lake trail system and visitor plaza in honor of the National Park Service centennial in 2016.
New leadership
Alex Klein is now leading GTLC as VP & General Manager, but he’s not new to the Company. Klein began working at GTLC more than 20 years ago and worked for three seasons while attending Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He returned to GTLC as the Director of Hotel Operations from 2004-2009 and then served at Vail’s Corporate headquarters’ as the Director of Operation’s and later Vice President of Operations from 2010-2013. Klein took over as VP & GM after long-time leader and community fixture John Rutter announced his retirement last summer. Klein’s strong experience working inside Grand Teton National Park will be instrumental in delivering the ultimate guest experience for Park visitors.
“When guests arrive to Grand Teton National Park it’s important that they are able to connect with their surroundings and have an Experience of Lifetime, we want to be an extension of that experience” said Klein.
About Grand Teton Lodge Company
With a mission to preserve, protect and inspire, Grand Teton Lodge Company is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service within Grand Teton National Park operating the lodging, restaurants, tours and activities at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village and Flagg Ranch Company at Headwaters Lodge & Cabins, as well as the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, which is located just outside the park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. GTLC is committed to a comprehensive systematic approach to sustainable business practices that preserve the environment, provide quality service, and offer a healthy and safe place for its guests and employees. For more information visit gtlc.com.
Media Contact
Lesli Carlson, Vail Resorts
lcarlson@vailresorts.com
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN)
Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.