Category Archives: 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

Rocky Mountaineer 2010 Holiday Package Downloads

Rates are now available for all the Rocky Mountaineer Holiday packages for 2010. You can download the itinerary and pricing in PDF format at our Rocky Mountaineer Holiday Package Download page.

The 2010 Rocky Mountaineer rail packages now include the following:

Circle Tour Holiday Packages (Start and finish in Vancouver):
• Classic Rail Circle | 7 nights / 8 days
• Canadian Rockies Getaway | 8 nights / 9 days
• Grand Rail Circle | 10 nights / 11 days
• Golden Circle via Whistler | 10 nights / 11 days
• Canadian Rockies Circle | 12 nights / 13 days

One-Way Tour Holiday Packages (Can be taken in either direction):
• Classic Rail Holiday, Vancouver to Banff | 3 nights / 4 days
• Classic Rail Holiday, Vancouver to Jasper | 3 nights / 4 days
• Classic Rail Holiday, Vancouver to Calgary | 3 nights / 4 days
• Classic Rail Holiday, Whistler to Jasper | 3 nights / 4 days
• Canadian Rockies and Whistler | 4 nights / 5 days
• Canadian Rockies Excursion | 4 nights / 5 days
• Canadian Rockies Highlights | 5 nights / 6 days
• Canadian Rockies and Vancouver | 6 nights / 7 days
• Canadian Rockies Adventures | 7 nights / 8 days
• Western Explorer | 7 nights / 8 days
• Northern Explorer | 8 nights / 9 days
• Canadian Rockies at Leisure | 9 nights / 10 days
• Northern Rockies at Leisure | 10 nights / 11 days

Trans-Canada Rail Tour Holiday Packages (Can be taken in either direction):
• Trans-Canada Rail Adventure | 11 nights / 12 days or 12 nights / 13 days
• Canada’s Coast to Coast by Rail | 15 nights / 16 days or 16 nights / 17 days

Rail and Self-Drive Holiday Packages (Can be taken in either direction):
• Banff the Beautiful | 5 nights / 6 days
• First Passage to the West Discovery Drive | 7 nights / 8 days
• Journey through the Clouds Discovery Drive | 7 nights / 8 days
• Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Drive | 8 nights /9 days

We can customise any of the holiday packages at RockyMountainHolidays.com by adding a cruise to Alaska for example.

WestJet is Canada’s preferred airline

Study conducted by Leger Marketing indicates WestJet is tops

CALGARY – WestJet [recently] announced the results of a study conducted by Leger Marketing indicating that WestJet is Canada’s preferred airline.

The study, conducted quarterly on behalf of WestJet by Leger Marketing, one of Canada’s most well-known and reputable research firms, shows that 49 per cent of Canadians chose WestJet as their preferred airline in Canada. Air Canada was preferred by 35 per cent.

“We are thrilled by this news,” said WestJet President and Chief Executive Officer Sean Durfy. “Clearly, this demonstrates that our culture and our people are making a difference in the lives of Canadians. I congratulate the more than 7,500 WestJetters who have earned these results and who work very hard to provide a caring guest experience.

“Becoming Canada’s preferred airline is a significant milestone as we continue to deliver on our objectives and move towards our vision of becoming a top five international airline by 2016,” continued Sean Durfy. “Our brand and financial strengths are big contributors to these results as the travelling public recognizes that our business model is sustainable and that our guests can book with confidence.”

Dave Scholz, Leger Marketing Vice-President, Toronto Office said, “WestJet has consistently performed well when we have asked Canadians which airline they prefer. WestJet provides its customers with the travel experience that people are looking for these days and the survey shows that this is appreciated.”

In addition, WestJet ranked 21st in Leger/Marketing Magazine’s annual Corporate Reputation Survey and was the only airline to be ranked in the top 100.

Bob Cummings, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President, Guest Experience and Marketing added, “We are truly humbled to be number 21 in this study ahead of
such great brands as Fed Ex, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Pepsi, Coke, Starbucks and McDonald’s. These results demonstrate the current and future potential of the WestJet brand. We are one of the leading service industry brands in Canada – period. In particular, WestJet is poised to leverage its position to further
grow in the business and vacations markets. Our brand will continue to flourish as we introduce new products, deliver on our Care-antee and increase the strength of our company culture.”

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada’s preferred airline, providing high-value low-cost service throughout its 55-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 79 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 42 aircraft, bringing its fleet to 121 by 2013, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.

Source: CNW Group, & Travel Alberta’s Web Editors

Make WestJet part of your Rocky Mountain Holiday package!

Canada jumps in world tourism rankings

Canada overtook the US to move from ninth to fifth place

Canada overtook the US to move from ninth to fifth place in The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 released this month by the World Economic Forum. Canada’s high ranking is the result of “excellent” natural and cultural resources, the world’s top-ranked air infrastructure system and the business community’s consensus that the Canadian government is making a concerted effort to promote tourism overseas, according to the report.

“The report reflects the positive impact of the government’s increased support for tourism,” says Greg Klassen, Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) vice president of Marketing. “It’s also significant for the investment community that Canada is recognized as a great place to develop tourism infrastructure.”

Switzerland, Austria and Germany topped the list again, while France jumped from 10th place to fourth in the new ranking. The United States dropped from seventh to eighth.

The World Economic Forum interviewed 13,000 executives around the world, including 79 Canadians. The organization weighed a variety of factors making countries attractive for tourism developers, including transport and tourism infrastructure, regulations, access to labour, safety and security, government tourism policy and natural and cultural resources.

Canada was particularly recognized for its resources—both natural and cultural. Canada has a reputation of offering access to spectacular natural beauty and also has nine natural sites recognized by the United Nations as World Heritage Sites.

Source: CTC news staff (18/03/09) & the Travel Alberta web editors

Kicking Horse, Canada

Here is some information about a resort which receives plenty of publicity regarding the incredible ski terrain offered, but little about what the summer months offer: Kicking Horse, Canada.

Kicking Horse Mountain Ski Resort offers some of the best ski vertical in the winter time with is famed “champagne powder” which is light fluffy snow (the stuff making snowballs out of is difficult). I have been up to my waste in this stuff, and you can still move easily! In the winter time, many use the Kicking Horse Powder Express to experience this ski resort from Banff and Lake Louise or you can stay right on the mountain.

Lets look at what the summer offers as we are finding more and more guests are now including Kicking Horse in their Rocky Mountain summer holiday itinerary.

Kicking Horse, Canada

? The Kicking Horse Summer Gondola. Another gondola?! This one is worth it too as there is an almost 100% you will see a grizzly bear at the top! Boo, the resident grizzly bear, lives in the largest grizzly bear reserve IN THE WORLD. There are day tours from Banff to Kicking Horse which actually guarantee the Grizzly sighting or you get to go on the tour again for FREE!

? Hiking and Mountain Biking. There are trails from the top of the gondola to make things easier for you – downhill all the way!

? Rafting. There are several White-Water Rafting trips available on the Kicking Horse River. Most tours include a mouth-watering BBQ lunch on the riverside.

? Jet Boating. Jet boating on the Kicking Horse Lower Canyon and Columbia River can also be easily integrated into any Rocky Mountain summer holiday package. This tour is usually combined with a rafting trip for additional package savings.

? Wolf Centre. See these beautiful animals up close and learn about their struggles against humans.

? Golfing. There is plenty of golfing to be had and the rates are fraction of comparable other resort golf courses. Tee times are easy to secure and can be included into a discounted Rocky Mountain Holiday package.

? Fishing. Nearby lakes located out of National or Provincial Park boundaries can be visited in a day. Permits are still required.

? Accommodation. Kicking Horse accommodation in the summer is very reasonably priced. There is on-mountain accommodation which certainly will not disappoint.

To ask how to incorporate Kicking Horse, Canada into your Rocky Mountain Holiday, just contact a Rocky Mountain Holiday specialist who can create your customised itinerary.

Any questions or suggestions about Kicking Horse, Canada? Visit KickingHorseCanada.com or post your comments on this Canadian Rockies Blog.

Information provided by: RockyMountainHolidays.com

Heli-Hiking Canada

Heli-Hiking in the Canadian Rockies is a great way to see some backcountry under careful supervision of a qualified guide. I have written a bit about my recent Heli-Hike experience and included some photos for you to enjoy.

Helicopter

I went out last Tuesday, October 14, which is getting quite late for Heli-Hiking. As you can see by the pictures, there was already some snow. Once the snow really accumulates, you can take advantage of a Heli-Snowshoe tours which can also be booked through rocky-peak Ski Holidays.

The drive to the Helicopter start point is spectacular in itself as you have to drive along the magnificent Icefields Parkway from either Jasper, Banff or Lake Louise. The location makes this tour a great addition to many itineraries in Western Canada as it is right en-route and so minimises travel time.

Once you arrive at the Icefields Heliport, just outside of Banff National Park, you will be safety briefed, geared up, and then you board the helicopter.

heli-hike

The helicopter takes you into the backcountry where you can start your hike with the certified guide. Martha, the guide, was very knowledgeable and has the qualifications to back this up!

heli-hike

The walk in itself was easy, however, if you are a stronger hiker, slightly more challenging heli-hikes can be arranged. The home-made gourmet lunch was delicious and really satisfying. After a couple of hours of hiking, the guide will radio the helicopter pilot and you will be picked up. It really is that easy!

Helicopter Landing

I hope you enjoy the photos and if you have any questions, please feel free to post here and I will do my best to answer them, or you can contact rocky-peak Holidays direct.

Do you like Yoga? Why not try a Heli-Yoga tour?!

heli-hike
Memorable hiking in the Canadian Rockies.

heli-hike
There are many photo opportunities!

heli-hike
The only things left behind: your footprints.

heli-hike
Nature surrounds you. Opportunites to see wildlife.

heli-hike
The guide knows the area better than anyone!

heli-hike
Scenic mountain streams.

Abraham Lake
Abraham Lake greets you on your return flight.

rocky-peak – CANADA & U.K. websites

Please note that there are more ways to find rocky-peak Holidays. Based in the Canadian Rockies year-round, rocky-peak Holidays offers ski holidays and summer vacations in Western Canada.

rocky-peak – Canada: www.rockypeak.ca

rocky-peak – U.K.: www.rockypeak.co.uk

Thank you for your new and repeat business. We look forward to planning your next ski holiday and summer vacation in magnificent Western Canada!