Category Archives: jasper

Travel Disruption Advisory – June 07 2012

A mudslide 60km west of Golden, British Columbia in Glacier National Park has caused a full closure of of the TransCanada Highway #1 in both directions between Revelstoke and Golden. Road crews are currently working to clean the highway and confirm it is safe for travel.

Additionally, heavy rains have resulted in weakened rail tracks resulting in the cancellation of Rocky Mountaineer rail service between Banff and Kamloops and have been replaced by coach transfers. Meals are being provided by a lunch stop at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and at several rest stops along the route to Kamloops or Banff. Coaches are arriving in Kamloops and Banff at approximately the same time as the scheduled train service normally does. Rocky Mountaineer will advise us when they expect the rail service will resume after inspection of the tracks.

*** UPDATE – 13:55 Pacific Standard Time ***

The tracks between Banff and Kamloops that had been blocked due to heavy rains in the area have now been cleared and Rocky Mountaineer’s full rail service has been restored in both directions.

TransCanada Highway #1 has also been cleared of debris and has been reopened for travel in both directions between Revelstoke and Golden, British Columbia.


The footage below of the Bow Falls in Banff was taken yesterday (June 06 2012)

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Deals – April / May 2012

The award winning Rocky Mountaineer train tour across the Canadian Rockies is on most of your bucket lists. If you are flexible on dates and are able to travel later this month or in May 2012, you must check out the following exclusive GoldLeaf offers on select dates from Rocky Mountain Holidays. The savings are significant.

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Deal

For your convenience, I have posted the eligible dates below. These offers are strictly capacity controlled and so will not be around for long.

Eastbound Departures (3 night packages)

  • Vancouver to Banff: May 21, 28
  • Vancouver to Banff/Calgary: May 3
  • Vancouver to Jasper: May 7, 10, 14, 17, 28

Westbound Departures (3 night packages)

  • Banff to Vancouver: Apr 25; May 2, 8, 22
  • Calgary/Banff to Vancouver: May 12, 19
  • Jasper to Vancouver: Apr 25; May 2, 5, 26

For more information call freephone North America on 1-888-PH-ROCKY (74-76259) and press option 1. Outside of North America you can call freephone from the U.K. on 0800-567-7542 or long distance from all other countries +1 403-609-0286 and press option 1.

Alternatively, click on this link: http://rockymountainholidays.com/rocky-mountaineer-deals.html

Rocky Mountaineer Train Discounts and Deals 2012

Rocky Mountain Holidays™ have just announced their latest deal offerings on Rocky Mountaineer Train® packages; applicable on select 3 night packages on select travel dates in April 2012 and May 2012. These savings amount to almost  the equivalent of 20% and are subject to availability. These are exclusive Rocky Mountaineer deals.

In addition to these deals, which were just announced a few hours ago, they will also continue to offer the Rocky Mountaineer ® Stay and Play promotion through March and April 2012 which includes a FREE night in Vancouver as well as a FREE dinner in the Canadian Rockies or a Vancouver sightseeing tour. I have also listed more information below:
Rocky Mountaineer Stay and Play Promotion with Rocky Mountain Holidays
2012 Deals on 6+ night 2012 packages*
Book any qualifying six (6) or more night 2012 Rocky Mountaineer holiday through us and receive a FREE additional night in Vancouver, a FREE Vancouver sightseeing tour OR a dinner in the Canadian Rockies at your Banff, Jasper or Lake Louise hotel.

2012 Deal – FREE night in Vancouver*
Book any six (6) or more night 2012 Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf, SilverLeaf or RedLeaf package and receive a FREE additional night in Vancouver. Must be taken at the start or end of the package. Accommodation matches the accommodation grade of the package.

2012 Deal – FREE dinner or sightseeing tour* 
Book any six (6) or more night 2012 Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf, SilverLeaf or RedLeaf package and receive a FREE dinner in the Canadian Rockies at your Banff, Jasper or Lake Louise hotel OR a Vancouver sightseeing city tour. Guests travelling in GoldLeaf service will have additional tour options. The dinner or sightseeing tour must be taken at the start, the end or during your package.

FREE Rail and Cruise Fuel Surcharge Protection*
This early-bird promotion offers peace of mind. Your holiday price will not increase after you book even if oil prices do. Any rail and cruise surcharges imposed between now and packages booked up to October 2013 will be absorbed by us.

FREE Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary Hotel Transfer*
Get off to the right start when you arrive at Calgary Airport YYC. You will be met by a representative and transported to your Calgary hotel.

* Visit Rocky Mountain Holidays for details of these offers.

Rocky Mountaineer Train Packages 2012

Rocky Mountain Holidays now have all 2012 Rocky Mountaineer packages available for download. We are glad to see they have kept most of the packages the same with some of the popular packages having additional cruise ship departures added. One new route we are excited about is the “Coastal Passage” route which connects Seattle and Vancouver with the Rocky Mountaineer Train. The Whistler Mountaineer will no longer have dome service available for 2012. The dome trains used on the Vancouver to Whistler route will now be used for the new SilverLeaf service in 2012 which was introduced this year. For your convenience, we have provided links to all of the packages below. Alternatively, you can visit Rocky Mountain Holidays direct for their Rocky Mountaineer package download page.

2012 Rocky Mountaineer Circle Packages Start End Duration
Classic Rail Circle Vancouver Vancouver 8 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 14 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 14 nights
Classic Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Seattle 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway Vancouver Vancouver 8 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Getaway with Pre Cruise Seattle Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle Vancouver Vancouver 9 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Seattle 17 nights
Grand Rail Circle Vancouver Vancouver 11 nights
Grand Rail Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 16 nights
Golden Circle via Whistler Vancouver Vancouver 10 nights
Golden Circle via Whistler with Pre Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 17 nights
Sea to Summit Glacier Circle with Post Cruise Vancouver Vancouver 18 nights


2012 Rocky Mountaineer One-Way Packages Start End Duration
Classic First Passage to the West Vancouver Banff 3 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Banff Vancouver 3 nights
Classic First Passage to West with Pre Cruise Vancouver Banff 11 nights
Classic First Passage to West with Post Cruise Banff Vancouver 11 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Vancouver Calgary 3 nights
Classic First Passage to the West Calgary Vancouver 3 nights
Classic Journey through the Clouds Vancouver Jasper 3 nights
Classic Journey through the Clouds Jasper Vancouver 3 nights
Classic Journey with Pre Cruise Vancouver Jasper 12 nights
Classic Journey with Post Cruise Jasper Vancouver 10 nights
Classic Journey with Pre Cruise Seattle Jasper 11 nights
Classic Journey with Post Cruise Jasper Seattle 11 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 4 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 4 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 12 nights
Canadian Rockies Excursion with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 12 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler (Eastbound) Vancouver Jasper 4 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler (Westbound) Jasper Vancouver 4 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler, Pre Cruise Vancouver Jasper 11 nights
Canadian Rockies and Whistler, Post Cruise Jasper Vancouver 11 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 5 nights Vancouver Calgary 5 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 5 nights Calgary Vancouver 5 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 6 nights Vancouver Calgary 6 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights – 6 nights Calgary Vancouver 6 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 13 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 13 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Canadian Rockies Adventures, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Western Explorer (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Western Explorer (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Western Explorer with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 16 nights
Western Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 14 nights
Western Explorer with Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Western Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Northern Explorer (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 8 nights
Northern Explorer (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 8 nights
Northern Explorer with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Northern Explorer with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 9 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 9 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 18 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 16 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 17 nights
Canadian Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 17 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure (Eastbound) Vancouver Calgary 10 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure (Westbound) Calgary Vancouver 10 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 17 nights
Northern Rockies at Leisure, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 17 nights


NEW! 2012 Coastal Passage Tours Start End Duration
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage Seattle Calgary 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage Calgary Seattle 7 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 12 nights
Canadian Rockies Highlights + Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 14 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage Seattle Calgary 9 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage Calgary Seattle 9 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Western Explorer + Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Jasper 11 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Jasper Seattle 11 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Pre Cruise Seattle Banff 10 nights
Classic Coastal Passage, Post Cruise Banff Seattle 12 nights


2012 Trans-Canada Packages Start End Duration
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure (Eastbound) Vancouver Toronto 11 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure (Westbound) Toronto Vancouver 12 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure with Pre Cruise Vancouver Toronto 19 nights
Trans-Canada Rail Adventure with Post Cruise Toronto Vancouver 20 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail (Eastbound) Vancouver Halifax 15 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail (Westbound) Halifax Vancouver 16 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail with Pre Cruise Vancouver Halifax 23 nights
Coast to Coast by Rail with Post Cruise Halifax Vancouver 24 nights


2012 Rail and Self-Drive Packages Start End Duration
Banff the Beautiful Rail and Drive Vancouver Calgary 5 nights
Banff the Beautiful Rail and Drive Calgary Vancouver 5 nights
Banff the Beautiful with Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 13 nights
Banff the Beautiful with Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 13 nights
First Passage to the West Discovery Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
First Passage to the West Discovery Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
First Passage to the West, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
First Passage to the West, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights
Journey through the Clouds Discovery Vancouver Calgary 7 nights
Journey through the Clouds Discovery Calgary Vancouver 7 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 16 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 14 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Pre Cruise Seattle Calgary 15 nights
Journey through the Clouds, Post Cruise Calgary Seattle 15 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Drive Vancouver Calgary 8 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Discovery Drive Calgary Vancouver 8 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Drive, Pre Cruise Vancouver Calgary 15 nights
Rainforest to Gold Rush Drive, Post Cruise Calgary Vancouver 15 nights


2012 Rocky Mountaineer City Stop Add-Ons Start End Duration
Explore Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver 1 night
Explore Victoria from Vancouver – Pre-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria from Vancouver – Post-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Whistler from Vancouver – Pre-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Whistler from Vancouver – Post-Tour Vancouver Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria and Seattle (Northbound) Seattle Vancouver 2 nights
Explore Victoria and Seattle (Southbound) Vancouver Seattle 2 nights
Whales and Bears of Tofino Vancouver Vancouver 3 nights

Source

Jasper National Park as a Dark Sky Preserve

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has officially designated Jasper National Park as a Dark Sky Preserve. At 11,228km2, Jasper is the largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, and the only preserve in Canada with a town wholly within the preserve. Most of Jasper National Park has excellent dark skies; the southern part of the park boasts truly dark skies. This is one of the only areas in southwestern Canada with exceptional darkness, yet is accessible by year-round road and offers multiple accommodation facilities.

Read the article in Canadian Geographic describing the process to create the Preserve, and the article in the local Fitzhugh newspaper describing what it means for the park and the community.

Source: http://jasperdarksky.org

2011 Summer Holiday Packages – Canada

What a great start we have had to 2011 with about a metre of snow received by the ski resorts across Western Canada over the past week! Now that we are into 2011, the busy summer season does not seem so far away. With the early-bird deals starting to “fizzle” out or become less attractive for the summer, especially with the Rocky Mountaineer train packages, now is a good time to get a good deal on a 2011 spring, summer or autumn/fall package. Rocky Mountain Holidays have brochure downloads in PDF (Portable Document Format) and as always, we have provided the links below for easy reference. These packages can be easily customised based on your preferences (as long as the changes fit in with the rail or cruise schedule). Be sure to take advantage of specials such as free nights and activities in Vancouver – value added rather than discounts are the way to go.

Self-drive holidays are becoming increasingly popular in the Canadian Rockies as it gives you the independence but you also have full support when you are out here and the peace of mind that you won’t struggle to find accommodation during the peak season months in the Canadian Rockies. When booking a self-drive package, check to see if you have Loss Damage Waiver insurance coverage with your credit card provider as this can save you about $30 per day. Also, check out what the one way drop-off fees are from Vancouver to Calgary for example. When you book independently they can be as much as several hundred dollars whereas through a tour operator, typically the rates are about $75-$100.

Other things to look out for if you are shopping around are hidden fees such as “credit card surcharges”. This is a common technique used by some companies to squeeze some extra cash out of you after you have already agreed to the booking. It is also good to ask the straight question – “what extra costs will I have to pay in additional to the package price?”. Any good tour operator will be able to list these for you immediately so you know where you stand with the total of your holiday cost.

Here are the holiday brochures for 2011 – available for download through RockyMountainHolidays.com.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2011.

Rocky Mountaineer Train Holidays 2011

We are not even into August 2010 yet and the rates have been released for all Rocky Mountaineer Train and Cruise Holiday packages for 2011. They have kept most of the packages the same as 2010 but have added an Alaska cruise from Seattle onboard Holland America’s ms Oosterdam to seven of their existing popular 2010 train holiday packages. Alaska cruises from Vancouver for 2011 are still onboard the Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam, which, in our opinion, has to be one of, if not, the best cruise ship sailing up to Alaska from Vancouver, Canada.

Below are the new 2011 Rocky Mountaineer train holiday packages with the Seattle cruise add-on. The links are to PDF documents on RockyMountainHolidays.com.

Rocky Mountaineer with Cruise to Alaska from Seattle

New Rocky Mountaineer Holiday Products for 2011

There have not been any major changes to the 2010 Rocky Mountaineer packages for 2011. Any changes are “tweaks” to already very popular and exciting train holiday packages.

Changes to Existing 2010 Products for 2011

  • All tours that overnight in Vancouver now include admission to the Vancouver Lookout
  • All tours that overnight in Calgary now include admission to the Calgary Tower
  • RedLeaf Service pre- or post-cruise tour packages now utilize Ocean- View Staterooms (Category D).
  • GoldLeaf Service pre- or post-cruise tour packages continue to use Deluxe Verandah Ocean-View Staterooms (Category VC).
  • Classic Rail Circle now has an additional pre-night in Vancouver plus a six hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore.
  • Grand Rail Circle now has an additional pre-night in Vancouver plus a six hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore
  • Canadian Rockies Highlights now has an additional pre-night in Vancouver plus a six hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore.
  • Canadian Rockies Highlights – 5 nights is also available; this is the same as the 2010 Canadian Rockies Highlights.
  • Canadian Rockies Circle is now 9 nights in duration instead of 12 nights.
  • The westbound itineraries of Trans-Canada Rail Adventure, Canada’s Coast to Coast by Rail, and the post-tour cruise options of these packages now include 2 nights in Jasper plus a Jasper highlights motorcoach tour, but only one night in Lake Louise.
  • City Stop add-on products are able to be sold independently, with rail-only, or in conjunction with any Rocky Mountaineer packages. Please note that transportation to/from the station or airport is not included in any City Stop packages.
  • Taxi transfers to/from cruise terminals in Vancouver are no longer included.
  • Travel documentation will advise of estimated taxi transfer rates, and limousine transfers available for purchase.

Discontinued 2010 Rocky Mountaineer Holiday Products

New for 2011 – Child and Youth Rates

New for 2011, Rocky Mountaineer holiday packages now include rates for youths (ages 12-18) and children (ages 2-11) when travelling with at least one single adult guest.

The published child and youth prices will apply for a maximum of 1 child or youth sharing with 1 adult. Parties of 1 adult and 2 or more children/youths will have to be booked with a minimum of 2 adults. It is not possible to book a single room with more than 2 persons sharing.


These are all the changes to the Rocky Mountaineer Holiday packages for 2011. Rocky Mountaineer package information which include cruises up to Alaska from Vancouver or Seattle can be all found at RockyMountainHolidays.com. You can view all the latest Rocky Mountaineer early-bird deals there too.

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

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