Category Archives: powder

What’s happened to the Kicking Horse Powder Express?

I can’t tell you how many calls and emails we have received over the past few weeks from return and new guests regarding the Kicking Horse Powder Express. There seems to be a lot of confusion over what the Kicking Horse Powder Express is this season. Where has it gone? What has replaced it? How much does it cost? We have already spent a lot of time answering these questions and to make it easier and to save us some time answering individual calls and emails regarding this topic, here are some questions and answers below.

All of our guests seem disappointed and frustrated about these changes. Feel free to comment on this post as we would like to hear your thoughts.

Okay, let’s start with the questions and answers below:

1) Is the Kicking Horse Powder Express operating this season?

The Kicking Horse Powder Express with the dedicated return transportation and lift pass included at a rate of about $100 including all tax is no more.

2) Is there a replacement to this service?

Yes. There is a scheduled service which is about $100 plus tax return for just the transportation and in addition to this, you must purchase the lift pass. There is no discount on the lift pass – you must pay full price making this ski-away day quite pricey compared to the old service.

3) How is this service different?

This service is not a dedicated Powder Express ski shuttle as in previous seasons. It is a scheduled service connecting Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The advantage of the scheduled service means that minimum numbers are not required.

The return time of 3:30pm means that you do not get to enjoy a full ski day on the mountain but you do have the convenience of catching a one way shuttle for a reasonable price.

4) What is the schedule for this new service?

This is the new schedule correct as of today:

FROM CANMORE / BANFF / LAKE LOUISE / GOLDEN TO  KICKING HORSE

Depart Canmore 5:30
Arrive in Banff 6:00

Depart Banff 6:15
Arrive in Lake Louise 7:15

Depart Lake Louise 7:30
Arrive Golden (Prestige Inn) 8:50

Depart Golden 9:00
Arrive Kicking Horse (Glacier Mountain Lodge) 9:30

FROM KICKING HORSE TO GOLDEN TO LAKE LOUISE / BANFF / CANMORE

Depart Kicking Horse (Glacier Mountain Lodge) 15:30
Arrive Golden (Prestige Inn) 16:10

Depart Golden 16:10
Arrive Lake Luoise 17:40

Depart Lake Louise 18:00
Arrive Banff 19:15

Depart Banff 19:45
Arrive Canmore 20:00

5) When does the above new service operate?

Daily: December 20th, 2011 through March 31st, 2012.

6) Are there other ski-away options out of Banff?

Yes, the Panorama ski bus is operating again this season with a minimum of 4 required to guarantee a departure. We are finding most guests are booking this ski-away day instead this season to experience another ski resort in the Canadian Rockies at a fraction of the cost.

7) Will the original Kicking Horse Powder Express be offered for the 2012-2013 season?

We have no idea but hope so! If it does, we will be sure to get the word out!

❓ How do I book this new service?

Contact Ski Holidays Canada.


Happy Holidays to you all and thanks for reading. We hope that we have answered your questions okay? Remember to visit www.SkiHolidaysCanada.co.uk for ski package deals and specials.

Looking forward to your comments!

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.

Sunshine Village Powder | May 09 2008

Snow Report
Friday, May 09, 2008

Conditions:
With 50 cm of new snow in the past 36 hours Sunshine Village are currently sitting at 55 cm in the past 4 days! Goats Eye Express chair will re-open today for your skiing and riding pleasure. Visit Sunshine Village’s website at Skibanff.com to see the line-up of their weekend outdoor concerts happening every weekend until May 19th!

Past 36 hours: 50 cms
Past 4 days: 55 cms
Base: 206 cms

Today’s Forecast:
Snow Showers
High 0 °C
Low -10 °C

Tomorrow’s forecast:
Light Snow
High -1°C
Low -7°C

Mountain Status:
12 of 12 lifts open
64 of 107 trails open

Ski Banff at Sunshine Village 2008 – APRIL POWDER DAY!

With 45 cm of new snow in the past 24 hours Sunshine Village is currently sitting at 64cm in the past 2 days! Due to this extreme snowfall, the Aaron Pritchett Concerts have been cancelled for this weekend (April 19 and 20). This Concert will be rescheduled.

Sunshine Village is scheduled to close at the end of May 2008.

WINTER STORM CYCLES LEAVE WHITE GOLD AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

Consistent snowfall spoils skiers and riders

Over the past seven days Whistler Blackcomb has received 51cm/20 inches of new snow. The five day forecast is calling for a possible 85+cm by Sunday as a strong frontal system hits the coast. The long-range forecast is calling a series of disturbances to pass over the area bringing even more snow to the Coastal Mountains by the end of the week. The snow base is currently sitting at 289cm at mid mountain on Whistler and there is more snow on the way.

“The freezing level has stayed consistently low and with all this snow it means great conditions all the way to the village,” says Ryan Proctor Whistler Blackcomb Public Relations Coordinator. “I’m not sure when the last time that I had to look for powder was, it feels like we’ve been getting fresh snow almost everyday.”

Incredible snow conditions and great events mean February is shaping up to be one for the books. February 12 is the two year countdown mark for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Also, make sure to check out the Canadian National Snow Sculpting Team showcasing their work on Whistler Mountain, February 27-29.

Remember to book your ski holiday with rocky-peak Holidays – your year-round specialists in Western Canada!