I long have wanted to walk through the tall trees of Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park with deep snow underfoot. While I can't seem to fit that trip into my schedule just yet, you might want to consider some of the lodging deals being offered at the park.
The Wuksachi Lodge and its 102 rooms, just up the road from the Giant Forest, is the only in-park lodging in Sequoia, and it's well-positioned for snow lovers. To entice you, concessionaire Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts is offering a variety of packages.
Wuksachi’s winter adventure package is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. Beginning at $125 per night, the package includes cross-country ski rentals for two so guests can explore the park’s glimmering Giant Forest or any number of well-marked ski trails that range in difficulty from beginner to challenging.
If you’d rather sip cocoa than sweat to warm up, the lodge’s winter snowshoe package might be a better fit. The package provides snowshoes for two and allows guests to sightsee at their own pace. Starting at $182, along with snowshoe rentals and overnight accommodations, this package also helps keep guests warm by giving them two keepsake thermoses full of hot cocoa.
If you plan on bringing the family, Wuksachi has you covered with its winter family fun package. People of all ages enjoy the snow and for the younger ones, this package includes a children’s sled that you can keep even after the kids are done zooming over fresh powder. Along with overnight accommodations, the package also includes snowshoe rentals for two adults and starts at just $136 per night (based on two adults and one child).
Wuksachi also designed a few packages with couples in mind. The winter sweet treat package makes sure you’ll stay warm while indoors, providing adults with hot cocoa, peppermint Schnapps and two Sequoia logo mugs upon check in, starting at just $137 per night. If romance is the reason for your visit, the winter romance package might suit you well. The package, starting at just $195, includes nightly accommodations, snowshoe rentals for two, a bottle of champagne with two Sequoia logo flutes and handmade truffles.
All of the packages are available until March 31, 2011, including over the holidays (rates will increase during peak travel periods), based on a first-come first-serve basis. Snow related packages are weather permitting and subject to availability. For more information and reservations, call 866-449-4902 or visit http://www.VisitSequoia.com.
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I live in Southern California and have heard stories about Sequoia in the winter. I hear it feels like a whole other world compared to a typical California winter which seems to have been accurately portrayed as evidenced by your photos.
Look forward to checking out Wuksachi Lodge, hopefully this winter.
A couple winters ago my wife and I stayed at the Wuksachi Lodge and snowshoed the Giant Forest. Unlike summer when you can count on mobs of people, in winter you will likely have the giant Sequoias all to your self, once you get past the parking lot and out on the trails a little ways. A wonderful way to visit a magical place.
And having a quiet evening in the lodge after a day on snowshoes or skis is not too bad either.
Some practical advice: you will likely be required to have tire chains in your car to drive up there, depending on conditions. If you fly in and rent a car, you will still have to get them, or do as we did and bring them from home.
If you plan to ski or snowshoe away from the main areas, be sure you know what you are doing, and carry a pack with basic survival gear.