Weather and annual events also play an important role in determining how busy our towns are, as they affect motel rates and availability. For example, motel rates can go up as much as double for the Sisters Quilt Show on the second Saturday in July. Rooms for that weekend are booked a year in advance. One proprietor told us that on quilt show weekend you aren't paying for the room, you are paying for the date. Two other special events that can have a major impact on lodging are the Sisters Rodeo on the second weekend in June and the Deschutes County Fair the first weekend in August.
Holidays are also extremely busy times for area hotels and motels.
Our price codes reflect average summer weekend rates. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and British Columbia in Canada all work together to stagger school spring breaks through March and April so that all the families don't hit the tourist areas simultaneously. Spring break does cause some rates to go up. The national chains publish prices for each season. They offer the best values during the peak season, but they don't lower prices much in the off-season periods.