Category Archives: banff

Good Bye Summer, Hello Autumn

The summer seems to have flown by this year.

It’s September 30 2010 and less than 2 weeks ago, the ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies received 20cm of fresh snow and we experienced way below average temperatures. The Canada Ski Blog posted some photos of this September snow. This last week, we have experienced above average temperatures (in the 20s°C) with sunny skies giving us another opportunity to take advantage of the many summer activities in the Canadian Rockies. This is typical of the Canadian Rockies as we are in the mountains at higher elevations.

Just check out the colours in the recent pictures taken in the Canadian Rockies. This is what we love about the autumn.

Autumn in Canmore

Cascade Mountain, Bow River, in the Autumn

The Rocky Mountaineer train departing tomorrow from Vancouver, October 1st 2010, is the company’s largest departure in their history, and will set a record for largest passenger rail train in North American history – a total of 1331 guests! This is one of the last Rocky Mountaineer train departures for 2010, but we already have 2011 packages in place with early-bird savings of up to $1,400 per couple.

50%OFF Panorama Lodging early-bird deal ended today but we have many early-bird deals for the 2010-2011 winter season, some of which are soon to expire. We are seeing some of the best ski accommodation deals in Banff this year with free nights accommodation and free ski deals for stays of 7 or more nights.

The early-birds will definitely be getting the best deals on ski packages and summer packages.

We hope you had a great summer and we thank you for reading our blog. We always love to hear from our readers so please feel free to post any relevant comments you may have.  Wishing you safe and happy travels.

Rocky Mountaineer Holidays 2010

The Rocky Mountaineer® Train offers spectacular rail journeys across Western Canada in the spring, summer and autumn months.

The Rocky Mountaineer® train operates through the Canadian Rockies in either direction to Vancouver from Calgary, Banff or Jasper and also to Whistler from Jasper. The train only operates during daylight hours to maximise your viewing experience and pleasure.

Rocky Mountaineer Routes

The Whistler Mountaineer™ train now known as the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb, is a three-hour experience connecting North Vancouver and Whistler which allows you to take a complete rail loop from Vancouver, Whistler and Jasper.

Make sure you make your holiday in Western Canada a Rocky Mountaineer Holiday.

Source: Rocky Mountain Holidays

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!

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

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!

Calgary Flames RED tickets

We now have LIMITED confirmed RED TICKETS for the following Calgary Flames games:

Wednesday December 9, 2009 7:30 pm Atlanta Thrashers
Wednesday December 23, 2009 7:30 pm St Louis Blues
Wednesday December 30, 2009 7:30 pm Los Angeles Kings
Monday January 25, 2010 7:30 pm St Louis Blues
Thursday February 11, 2010 7:30 pm Dallas Stars
Saturday February 13, 2010 8:00 pm Anaheim Ducks
Wednesday March 3, 2010 8:00 pm Minnesota Wild
Friday March 19, 2010 7:00 pm San Jose Sharks
Tuesday March 23, 2010 7:00 pm Anaheim Ducks
Wednesday March 31, 2010 7:30 pm Phoenix Coyotes
Tuesday April 6, 2010 7:30 pm San Jose Sharks
Thursday April 8, 2010 7:30 pm Minnesota Wild

The rate is $250 each including return transportation from Banff and Canmore. Rate includes 5% tax.

To book, visit rocky-peak Holiday’s Banff Ice Hockey page.

Banff – Calgary Flames Ice Hockey Tours

Calgary Flames NHL Hockey Tickets with transportation from Banff and Canmore are now available for sale. The rates are as follows:

– Blue Tickets: $170 each including return transportation
– Green Tickets: $140 including return transportation
– Black Tickets: $110 including return transportation

The above rates are subject to 5% GST (tax).

These tickets are already booking up so send us a Banff Hockey Tour request or Canmore Hockey Tour request and we will confirm availability and get back to you right away!

Here is the Calgary Flames NHL Home schedule (played in the Saddledome):

Date Opponent Game Time
Thu Oct 1, 2009 VANCOUVER 8.00 PM
Tue Oct 6, 2009 MONTREAL 7:00 PM
Fri Oct 9, 2009 DALLAS 7:00 PM
Fri Oct 16, 2009 VANCOUVER 7:00 PM
Tue Oct 20, 2009 COLUMBUS 7.30 PM
Sat Oct 24, 2009 EDMONTON 8.00 PM
Wed Oct 28, 2009 COLORADO 7.30 PM
Sat Oct 31, 2009 DETROIT 8.00 PM
Sat Nov 7, 2009 NY RANGERS 8.00 PM
Tue Nov 17, 2009 COLORADO 7.30 PM
Thu Nov 19, 2009 CHICAGO 7.30 PM
Wed Nov 25, 2009 PHOENIX 7.30 PM
Wed Dec 9, 2009 ATLANTA 7.30 PM
Fri Dec 11, 2009 MINNESOTA 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 17, 2009 LOS ANGELES 7.30 PM
Sat Dec 19, 2009 NASHVILLE 2.00 PM
Wed Dec 23, 2009 ST LOUIS 7.30 PM
Sun Dec 27, 2009 VANCOUVER 6.00 PM
Wed Dec 30, 2009 LOS ANGELES 7.30 PM
Thu Dec 31, 2009 EDMONTON 7:00 PM
Sat Jan 2, 2010 TORONTO 5.00 PM
Fri Jan 8, 2010 COLUMBUS 7:00 PM
Mon Jan 11, 2010 COLORADO 8.00 PM
Wed Jan 13, 2010 PITTSBURGH 7.30 PM
Fri Jan 15, 2010 NASHVILLE 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 21, 2010 CHICAGO

7.30 PM
Mon Jan 25, 2010 ST LOUIS 7.30 PM
Sat Jan 30, 2010 EDMONTON 8.00 PM
Mon Feb 1, 2010 PHILADELPHIA 7.30 PM
Wed Feb 3, 2010 CAROLINA 7:00 PM
Thu Feb 11, 2010 DALLAS 7.30 PM
Sat Feb 13, 2010 ANAHEIM 8.00 PM
Wed Mar 3, 2010 MINNESOTA 8.00 PM
Fri Mar 5, 2010 NEW JERSEY 7:00 PM
Thu Mar 11, 2010 OTTAWA 7.30 PM
Mon Mar 15, 2010 DETROIT 7.30 PM
Fri Mar 19, 2010 SAN JOSE 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 23, 2010 ANAHEIM 7:00 PM
Wed Mar 31, 2010 PHOENIX 7.30 PM
Tue Apr 6, 2010 SAN JOSE 7.30 PM
Thu Apr 8, 2010 MINNESOTA 7.30 PM