Grand Canyon tours, accommodation, vacations.

For Immediate Release
Photos Available

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - December 17, 2008 - The majority of visitors to the Grand Canyon do so during the warm-weather months, but a visit during the winter lull is preferable for those seeking a different perspective.

"There is a small, but loyal group of visitors that likes to visit in that period between Christmas and spring break," said Gordon Taylor, general manager of Xanterra South Rim L.L.C.*, operator of lodges, restaurants and activities in Grand Canyon National Park. "Some of them come to photograph the Grand Canyon as the light comes in at a lower angle while others simply prefer the slower pace and the opportunity to stay in our lodges that are most popular in the summer."

Even though it is in Arizona, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is located 7,000 feet above sea level, meaning snow is possible during the winter months. Most of the time, however, it is sunny and dry with the low humidity making the temperatures in the 30s and 40s F (-1 - 4º C) feel warmer. Hikers venturing below the rim into the inner Canyon experience progressively warmer temperatures as they descend in altitude.

In addition to hiking, winter visitors can still enjoy motorcoach tours, the Grand Canyon Railway, walking tours of the historic Grand Canyon Village, ranger-led walking tours and the world-famous mule rides.

Winter at the South Rim also means reduced rates and packages at selected hotels. At Maswik and Yavapai Lodges rates are up to 38 percent lower than summer-season rates. At El Tovar, the Romance Package includes accommodations, sparkling wine, fruit basket and dinner for two with a bottle of Grand Canyon label wine in the El Tovar Dining Room.

In addition to discounted room rates at off-rim lodges, it is easier to find available rooms at the four properties on the rim - El Tovar, Bright Angel, Kachina and Thunderbird Lodges - than it is during the summer season.

Visitors can book their rooms online by visiting www.grandcanyonlodges.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-297-2757 or 1-303-297-2757 from outside the United States. You can learn more about the park by visiting www.nps.gov/grca.

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Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. and Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C.) operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country's largest park concessioner. Xanterra operates concessions in the following locations: Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at the Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif.; and eight Ohio State Parks. Its affiliate Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. operates concessions at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Xanterra also operates the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.

Long committed to the preservation and protection of the environment, Ecologix, Xanterra Parks & Resorts' environmental program, includes a variety of proactive environmental stewardship programs in each location. Xanterra has been repeatedly recognized for its environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information about Xanterra, links to individual properties and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com.

Media contact:

Mona Mesereau

(1) 720-842-5271

mona_mesereau@msn.com