Press Releases

TAKE BIRD WATCHING TO A NEW LEVEL AT SKAMANIA LODGE

Resort Offers Hands-On Raptor Adventure Program

STEVENSON, Wash. – (June 24, 2010) – Skamania Lodge, an all-season mountain resort in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, provides guests with the unforgettable opportunity to handle and fly hawks with the new Raptor Adventure Program each weekend from Friday, June 25 to Sunday, August 29, 2010.  The program is presented by the US Forest Service and Raptor Adventures, a program that safely introduces families to birds of prey. 

“Introducing these predators to our guests builds understanding and appreciation of the regal birds,” said Scott Spann, general manager of Skamania Lodge.  “With our scenic setting in the Columbia River George, Skamania Lodge is the perfect location for guests to observe and interact with these birds in their natural environment.” 

Skamania Lodge’s Raptor Adventure Program offers free education programs that introduce guests to trained hawks in their natural setting while they learn handling techniques and basic hawk knowledge.  Skamania Lodge also offers three sign-up programs each weekend that allow guests to get up close and personal with the majestic birds:

• Introduction to Raptors teaches guests the biology and natural history of raptors, basic raptor identification tips, basic hawk handling techniques and the important roll hawks play in the environment.
• Hawk Walks provide guests with the opportunity to interact with hawks and view them in flight.  On these guided walks, guests will cast hawks from the glove and watch them in free flight as they walk the scenic trails surrounding the property.
• During the Day of Falconry, guests are educated on raptor handling etiquette and technique and how to weigh and feed raptors before embarking on a Hawk Walk.  After handling the birds, participants watch the stunning falcons during a lure flying demonstration by a Master Falconer. 

Skamania Lodge’s Raptor Adventure Program is suitable for all ages and each sign-up program costs $30 per person.  The complimentary educational programs are available to guests five times each weekend with shows at 6 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays.  For more information about Skamania Lodge and the Raptor Adventure Program, visit www.Skamania.com or call 800-221-7117. 

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, 50 minutes 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.  Skamania boasts the Waterleaf Spa, indoor swimming pool and whirlpools, a fitness center, onsite hiking, an 18-hole par-70 Golf Course that earned a four-star rating from Golf Digest magazine in their “Best Places to Play” for 2008, 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

Skamania Lodge is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers by Destination Hotels & Resorts, the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California. The 102-acre ocean front resort will feature a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.  For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

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