All posts by Canadian Rockies Blogger

Rundle Mountain Helicopter Bombing, Canmore

On Saturday April 10 2010 there were some loud explosions in Canmore in the Canadian Rockies which rattled most of the residents’ windows: they were bombing the east end of Rundle Mountain in Canmore to trigger controlled avalanches. Rundle Mountain is about 25km long and stretches all the way to Banff from Canmore.

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

Take a closer look and you can see the helicopter drop the explosives.Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

The explosives then trigger an avalanche down Mount Rundle’s east end.

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

Rundle Mountain bombing by helicopter, Canmore

It took some time for the dust and debris to clear.

Did anyone else here the bombing of Mount Rundle in Canmore on Saturday? I am curious how far away the explosions could be heard. If you did, post a comment below!

Lake Louise Torchlight Dinner 2010

Last one of the season!

Friday April 16 2010 :
Lake Louise Torchlight Dinner and Ski – The Ultimate Après Ski Party

This is the final Torchlight Dinner and Ski event for the 09/10 winter ski season at Lake Louise!

This party is the ultimate way for your group to wrap up a wonderful day on the slopes, or the perfect escape to the mountains after a work week.

Rates: Adult $49, Child $28.

Group rates (>15) and transportation to Banff or Lake Louise available.

Contact rocky-peak Ski Holidays to book!

Kid Rock and Orianthi to Raise the Saddledome

Exclusive Insider News:
Kid Rock and Orianthi to Raise the Pengrowth Saddledome Roof [in Calgary]

Kid Rock and his outstanding Twisted Brown Trucker Band will electrify the concert goers July 16 during the 2010 edition of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, began his music career at the age of 11. Since the release of his first album in 1990, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, he has sold 22 million records worldwide. His 2007 album, Rock n Roll Jesus, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Opening act, Orianthi a singer-songwriter-musician who’s skyrocketing up the rock charts. Her hit single, According to You, out of her album Believe, reached #2 on the American Top 40 for the week of March 29.

Tickets are priced at $73 to $41.50 (plus applicable ticket fees) and include admission to Stampede Park on the day of the concert.

Kid Rock and Orianthi are presented by Stampede Concerts Inc., CJAY92, the Calgary Sun and Global Calgary.

Source: Calgary Stampede

Exclusive ticket presale runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. MST, Wednesday, April 14. We will post the exclusive password next week as soon as it becomes available.

Prevent conflicts with wildlife

They may sometimes appear unconcerned by our presence, but all park animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Keep your distance from wildlife

Always keep your distance.

Do not approach or entice wildlife. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens instead.

Remain at least:

– 100 metres (10 bus lengths) away from BEARS, COUGARS and WOLVES

– 30 metres (3 bus lengths) away from ELK, DEER, SHEEP, GOATS and MOOSE

Never leave food attractants out for wildlife.

Food attractants include:

– coolers (they are NOT bearproof!)

– food scraps or leftovers

– dishwater

– dirty dishes, pots or barbecues

– empty bottles, cans or wrappers

– toothpaste, soap or other toiletries

– pets

– pet food dishes (full or empty)

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Because it is impossible to predict how wildlife will react in any situation, avoiding encounters is the only sure way to keep people safe and wildlife wild.

– Always be on the lookout for animals or signs of their presence.

– Carefully supervise children whenever outdoors.

Source: Parks Canada

Jenn Heil to visit Jasper Marmot Basin

Olympic Medalist Jenn Heil to visit Jasper Marmot Basin.

Jennifer Heil in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
Photo courtesy of VANOC

Jasper Marmot Basin is thrilled to have Canada’s five time World Champion of mogul skiing, Jennifer Heil, visit on Saturday April 3rd 2010. You can meet Jenn at the Paradise Chalet.

Get an autographed photo and go for a run with our Olympic hero!

The Olympic Silver medalist was the first Olympian to win a medal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. She was the gold medalist in Turin in 2006 and has just won her fifth World Championship in freestyle mogul skiing.

Watch her win silver on YouTube: Jenn Heil in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Jasper Freewheel Battle of the Boards

Freewheel Battle of the Boards is happening this Sunday, March 28th 2010 at Jasper Marmot Basin. The Skier/Boardercross event starts at 12 pm on Punchbowl.
Jasper Marmot Basin Freewheel Battle of the Boards
Registration will take place at Jasper Marmot Basin and Freewheel starting at 8 am March 28th. The event will feature a banked dual slalom followed by a mini rail jam in Terrain Park located on Lower Lift Line at 3 pm.
See  you there!

Banff Douglas Fir Temporary Waterslide Closure

Please note that the Banff Douglas Fir‘s in-house waterslides will be shut down for one week due to regular maintenance. In order to minimise the disruption they have chosen the shutdown to occur Sunday April 25th at 9:30 PM after their regular closing time. The slides will re-open on Friday April 30th at 4 PM, just in time for the weekend!

Banff Douglas Fir Resort Playzone

While the waterslides are closed for maintenance, the Douglas Fir Resort will have the playzone, amenities, pool, saunas, jacuzzi, tennis/basketball courts, fitness room and barbeques all open for your convenience.

The Banff Douglas Fir Resort is perfect for families and we are currently offering an early-booking discount of up 30% OFF for summer 2010 bookings. Some restrictions (but not many) apply!

Famous People and Celebrities Onboard The Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer train is one of the most famous and spectacular train journeys in the world and as a result attracts famous people and celebrities. Below is a list of famous people and celebrities who have been on this spectacular rail journey (that we know of!).

When you go on a Rocky Mountaineer Holiday – you never know who you may see!

  • Peter Jennings, ABC News Anchor
  • Sam Sullivan, Former Mayor of Vancouver
  • Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation
  • Stephane Dion, Former Leader of the Liberal Party
  • Joe Clark, Former Prime Minister of Canada
  • John Reynolds, MP/MLA and Speaker of the House of Commons
  • Chaim Herzog, Former Israeli President
  • Molly Sugdeon, TV Actor – played the role of Mrs. Slocum on the British comedy “Are you being served?”
  • Carroll Spinney, TV Actor – played the role of Big Bird on “Sesame Street”
  • The great-great-grandson of Simon Fraser – he proposed to his fiancée on the Fraser River between Lytton and Vancouver on the westbound leg of the journey in the dome car
  • The great-great-granddaughter of Billy Barker (Onboard in 2008)
  • Andrew Jergens, Inheritance magnate of Jergen Soap Products – one of the family members with him is the inventor of Crocs (shoes)
  • Dal Richards, Musician, Dal Richards Orchesta (Vancouver)
  • Carlo Rota, TV Actor, host of “Great Canadian Cooking Show” and now starring on “Little Mosque on the Prairie”
  • Charlotte Gray, Host of CBC’s “The Greatest Canadian”
  • Morgan Freeman, Film Actor
  • Ken Dodd, British Comedian – he resembles a real life Austin Powers.
  • Dr. Heimlich, Inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver
  • Thaksin Shinawata, Former Prime Minister of Thailand (Onboard in 2003)
  • Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft – he bought out an entire RM GLS dome coach for him and his family and asked to stop the train for a photoutside. This was allowed for him, of course. (Onboard in 2003)
  • Patrick Stewart, TV Actor – Jean Luc Picard, “Star Trek Next Generation” (Onboard in 2006)
  • Hans Blix, Swedish Diplomat – served as the United Nations Chief Weapons Inspector (he was the one who told George Bush there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, although Bush invaded anyway). (Onboard in 2006)
  • Anna Faris, Film/TV Actress – Scary Movie, Entourage, The House Bunny, etc. With a group of friends onboard RM winter train. (Onboard in 2007)
  • John Bishop, Chef of Bishops Restaurant in Vancouver, BC

The Whistler Mountaineer

  • Rajan Datar, Host of BBC TV “Fast Tracks” – he is a very well known British Television personality with program aired internationally. (Onboard in 2006)
  • Alan Thicke, TV/Film Actor, “Growing Pains”. (Onboard in 2007)
  • John Curly, Host of “Evening Magazine” (Seattle). (Onboard in 2007)
  • Johanna Ward, Host of Shaw Cable’s “The Express”. (Onboard in 2007)
  • Michael Eckford and Fiona Forbes, Hosts of Shaw Cable’s “Urban Rush” (Onboard in 2007)

To obtain Rocky Mountaineer prices please visit Rocky Mountain Holidays for a full list of downloadable PDF brochures.

Ski Jasper Marmot Basin Video

I hope you like this video of Jasper Marmot Basin. Feel free to comment below.

Ski Jasper this ski season and experience the new longest high speed quad chair in the Canadian Rockies! This new lift is 2.3 kilometers or 1.5 miles in length and whisks skiers and snowboarders up 1,955 vertical feet in only 7.5 minutes. This is one of the most significant ski lift developments in North America for the 2009-2010 season and will result in even less time riding lifts and more time skiing and snowboarding!

Visit JasperHolidays.com for more information on Jasper, Alberta, Canada.