Hotel Polaris Launches Wings of Winter Holiday Celebration

Photos Courtesy of Hotel Polaris

This holiday season, Hotel Polaris, managed by CoralTree Hospitality, invites guests to experience the magic of winter through the lens of aviation with its inaugural Wings of Winter celebration. Located in Colorado Springs, just minutes from the iconic North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters, Hotel Polaris is embracing its unique place in holiday history with seasonal activations inspired by one of the most beloved Christmas traditions – the NORAD Santa Tracker. Wings of Winter blends the spirit of flight with the enchantment of the holidays, featuring a lineup of activations that celebrate the season and honor the 70th anniversary of NORAD’s tradition of tracking Santa Claus.

The Santa Tracker holiday tradition began in 1955, when a misprinted Sears advertisement encouraged children to call Santa, however, the phone number rang through to NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command. Rather than turning them away, a kind- hearted colonel answered the calls and gave updates on Santa’s location. Thus, a tradition was born and today, NORAD tracks Santa’s journey around the globe every Christmas Eve.

This year, Hotel Polaris is bringing that story to life with immersive holiday experiences from Flights with Santa on the hotel’s 737Max flight simulator to a Cocoa Command Center at Doolies, holiday tea with a twist, a classic red phone hotline to the North Pole and more.

Starting Dec. 1, the hotel will unveil its own Santa Hotline, a nostalgic red phone in the lobby that allows children of all ages to call the North Pole for a special message from Santa, Mrs.
Claus and/or the elfs.

Flights with Santa
After calling the North Pole, fly to Santa’s winter wonderland in Hotel Polaris’ 737 Max flight simulator. On Sundays throughout December from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., take the pilot’s seat for a flight to Rovaniemi Airport in Finland, the Official Airport of Santa Claus. The 5-10 minute approach to Rovaniemi is accompanied by Santa in the co-pilot’s seat. Flights with Santa are on a first come, first served basis and costs $15 for guests ages 6 and older. The fee includes a 15-minute flight with Santa, complimentary hot chocolate and a photo with Mr. Claus himself.

Operation Elf
Operation Elf includes special appearances by Santa and his elves throughout the festive season. A special Operation Elf package also is available for bookings after the Thanksgiving Holiday. The special Operation Elf package includes Elf turndown service with a cookies and milk amenity and a complimentary Operation Santa Claus: How NORAD Saved Santa book commemorating the 70th anniversary of the tradition. Operation Elf package rates start at $135.

Cocoa Command at Doolie’s
Cocoa Command at Doolies will be available Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 28 to Dec. 28 from 2-4 p.m. for guests wanting to refuel with a cozy hot cocoa bar, complete with a “fueling station” of custom toppings for a personalized winter treat, a kids cocoa lab and spirited sips for adults. Cost is $20 per person or $10 for children (12 and under).

NORAD Santa Tracker Viewing Party
On Christmas Eve, Hotel Polaris will broadcast the NORAD Santa Tracker on all public TVs, turning the hotel into a festive command center for Santa’s global journey.

Throughout the hotel’s Wings of Winter celebration there will be weekly activations ranging from aviation-themed cookie decorating to smore’s and firepits out on the Flat Iron Terrance. Hotel Polaris also is an official drop off location for the United States Marines Toys for Tots program. Hotel visitors will receive a free hot chocolate for every toy donations.

Rooms begin at $109 per night during the Wings of Winter celebration. For more information on activations throughout the festive season please visit thehotelpolaris.com/experiences. To book a stay at the hotel, please visit thehotelpolaris.com.