shoulder season

noun

1. a travel season between peak and off-peak seasons, especially spring and fall, when fares tend to be relatively low.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoulder season¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

I knew the Dark Season, where we commenced, as a shoulder season.

From Outside Online

Also consider shoulder seasons, when possible, and alternative entry points or lodging sites.

From Washington Post

Camping inside the parks can be great, especially during the shoulder seasons.

From Outside Online

While this Utah outpost shines in the shoulder seasons—that is, spring and fall, when the weather is at its best and temperatures are at their most benign—it has its winter draws, too.

From Outside Online

These are the technical pieces of gear that will keep you riding—and smiling—through the shoulder season and beyond.

From Outside Online