Banff National Park, AB – Mt. Norquay’s third annual Santa Shreds for Free takes place Christmas Day, 2014 offering a free day pass to those that arrive fully dressed as Jolly St. Nick, Mrs. Claus, an Elf or even a Reindeer.
“It’s less expensive to go buy a cheap Santa Suit than to pay for a lift pass, and you get to keep the suit”
“It’s less expensive to go buy a cheap Santa Suit than to pay for a lift pass, and you get to keep the suit,” said a Norquay guest taking advantage of the offer in 2013.
High Alpine Dining – The newly renovated Cliffhouse Bistro, will be open daily throughout the holiday season starting December 27th to January 4th. Norquay guests are invited to ride the historic North American Chair and take in legendary views of Banff whilst savoring the inspired flavors of new Executive Chef Morne Burger.
Experience winter in Banff from a whole new perspective. No longer exclusive to skiers and snowboarders, winter sightseeing from the North American Chairlift is available all season long, offering foot passengers the option of taking the chairlift up and down the mountain.
It’s going to be a great winter at Mt. Norquay – discover all that Banff’s closest resort has to offer.
Rocky Mountain Holidays posted Rocky Mountaineer’s anticipated rail schedule and rates for 2015 today. We have highlighted the main changes below.
The Rocky Mountaineer train travelling north from Seattle to Vancouver [Coastal Passage Route]After Rocky Mountaineer’s launch of their successful Coastal Passage Route in 2013, which connects Seattle to Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies, they have introduced a planned 18 northbound and southbound departures, up from 12 departures this year (2014). The Coastal Passage Route can still only be booked in conjunction with 2-day rail, it cannot be booked as a standalone product.
The Rocky Mountaineer 2-day rail departures for 2015 remain the same, however, there will be no break in 2015 during the first week of August as per previous years. This break was due to annual maintenance of the trains but they have now changed this schedule to ensure a continuous service.
Rates have increased significantly for 2-day rail over their 2014 rates and at time of press, Rocky Mountain Holidays were still offering 2014 Rocky Mountaineer vacation package pricing for 2015.
In 2015, there are no longer two price bands of April through to May, and June through to October. In the past, April and May departures for 2-day rail were reduced to encourage guests to travel earlier in the season. As a result of this change, there have been some significant price hikes, especially for travel in April and May:
2-day Rail – Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies [Jasper, Lake Louise or Banff]
For April and May train departures in 2015:
RedLeaf = +26% rate increase over 2014
SilverLeaf = +12% rate increase over 2014
GoldLeaf = +10.5% rate increase over 2014
For June through to October train departures in 2015:
RedLeaf = +14.6% rate increase over 2014
SilverLeaf = +5% rate increase over 2014
GoldLeaf = +5% rate increase over 2014
The Rocky Mountaineer train in Banff National Park, travelling eastwards between Lake Louise and Banff [Morant’s Curve]
2-day Rail – Vancouver through the Canadian Rockies to Calgary
For April and May train departures in 2015:
RedLeaf = +23.4% rate increase over 2014
SilverLeaf = +11% rate increase over 2014
GoldLeaf = +9.8% rate increase over 2014
For June through to October train departures in 2015:
RedLeaf = +13.2% rate increase over 2014
SilverLeaf = +4.6% rate increase over 2014
GoldLeaf = +4.7% rate increase over 2014
Vancouver to Whistler 3.5 hour train [Sea-to-Sky Climb]
For May through to September train departures in 2015:
Classic Service – One Way = Almost 18% rate increase over 2014
Classic Service – Return = Over 11% rate increase over 2014
Seattle to Vancouver train [Coastal Passage Route]
SilverLeaf = +10% rate increase over 2014 ($50 increase per person)
GoldLeaf = +7.1% rate increase over 2014 ($50 increase per person)
Why such dramatic rate increases in 2015?
Our assumption is that rising operating costs, updates to their GoldLeaf dome coaches, along with expansion into the United States are all reasons for increased rates. The weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar has also contributed to potential increased costs in 2015.
The upgrade margins between RedLeaf, SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf service have been narrowed to entice guests to indulge in the ultimate luxury of GoldLeaf service onboard.
From November 1st, 2013, Rocky Mountaineer imposed rail fuel surcharges on all of their routes in 2014 due to rising oil prices, so taking that into consideration, the actual percentage rate increases from 2014 are less (as long as more fuel surcharges aren’t imposed for 2015). Rocky Mountain Holidays are still currently offering “rail and cruise fuel surcharge protection” on all of their Rocky Mountaineer bookings, so they will pay any fuel surcharges imposed on your behalf when you book through them.
The Canadian dollar has weakened significantly over the past year, most dramatically over the past few months.
How do these rate increases affect you?
The good news for most international guests is that the Canadian dollar has weakened significantly over the past year, most dramatically over the past few months.
For example:
The U.K. pound has increased in value against the Canadian dollar by 17% over the past year
The U.S. dollar has increased in value against the Canadian dollar by 10% over the past year
Unfortunately, Australians have seen a 5% decline in the Australian dollar against the Canadian dollar over the past year and most guests who live in Canada will not see any benefit in a weakened Canadian dollar.
That being said, the early-bird booking deals set to be offered for 2015 will be very attractive to encourage guests to book far in advance.
What do you think about these changes? Feel free to comment below.
Rocky Mountain Holidays™ have just posted the schedules and rates on their website for the Rocky Mountaineer train in 2014.
The main (and most exciting) change is the permanent addition of the Coastal Passage Route which connects Seattle to Vancouver by Rocky Mountaineer train. This route is due to debut for the first time for just one departure in August 2013. In 2014, there are the following departures:
4 departures in May 2014
3 departures in June 2014
1 departure in July 2014
2 departures in August 2014
2 departures in September 2014
With the exciting Rocky Mountaineer Coastal Passage route in 2014, you will have the option of connecting with 2-day rail routes (Vancouver to Banff / Calgary or Jasper, via Kamloops) as well as the option of SilverLeaf service onboard. For the first debut departure this August 2013, the Coastal Passage route is only available in GoldLeaf service.
In 2014, you will also have the option of disembarking the Rocky Mountaineer train in Lake Louise (instead of Banff). This option was introduced in 2013.
We are thrilled with the new 2014 Rocky Mountaineer train schedule which will connect Seattle (U.S.A.) to the Canadian Rockies (via Vancouver) for over 5 months in 2014 – a fabulous addition.
Rocky Mountaineer video featuring the new Coastal Passage Route from Seattle to Vancouver:
![The Canadian Dollar ["Loonie"]](https://rocky-peak.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/canadian_dollar-300x180.jpg)