Category Archives: tickets

Free Skiing and Riding Christmas Day at Mt Norquay

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 Mountaineer release 2015 Rail Schedule & Rates

Rocky Mountain Holidays posted Rocky Mountaineer’s anticipated rail schedule and rates for 2015 today. We have highlighted the main changes below.

Rocky Mountaineer's Coastal Passage Route
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
Rocky Mountaineer Train, Morant's Curve
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 ["Loonie"]
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.

Source: Rocky Mountain Holidays

Win 2 tickets onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train

To celebrate Canada’s upcoming birthday, Rocky Mountain Holidays and Rocky Mountaineer are giving away 2 FREE dome service tickets onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, return, between Vancouver and Whistler. Currently at time of this post, the odds of winning are 1 in 22!

Entering is easy as 1, 2, 3!

1) Follow @HolidaysCanada on Twitter

2) Retweet (RT) this tweet by June 30th 2013 to enter

3) Winner randomly selected and announced on Canada’s Birthday, July 1st 2013

This is Rocky Mountain Holiday’s second Rocky Mountaineer giveaway over the past couple of months.

Good luck 🙂

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!

Kid Rock and Orianthi to Raise the Saddledome

Exclusive Insider News:
Kid Rock and Orianthi to Raise the Pengrowth Saddledome Roof [in Calgary]

Kid Rock and his outstanding Twisted Brown Trucker Band will electrify the concert goers July 16 during the 2010 edition of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, began his music career at the age of 11. Since the release of his first album in 1990, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, he has sold 22 million records worldwide. His 2007 album, Rock n Roll Jesus, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Opening act, Orianthi a singer-songwriter-musician who’s skyrocketing up the rock charts. Her hit single, According to You, out of her album Believe, reached #2 on the American Top 40 for the week of March 29.

Tickets are priced at $73 to $41.50 (plus applicable ticket fees) and include admission to Stampede Park on the day of the concert.

Kid Rock and Orianthi are presented by Stampede Concerts Inc., CJAY92, the Calgary Sun and Global Calgary.

Source: Calgary Stampede

Exclusive ticket presale runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. MST, Wednesday, April 14. We will post the exclusive password next week as soon as it becomes available.

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.

Blue Ticket – Calgary Flames V Colorado Avalanche

We have just ONE BLUE ticket left for the NHL Flames game at the Saddledome, Calgary – Calgary Flames against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday February 26 2008. The price is just $165 including tax and transportation from Banff and Canmore.

We also have some Green and Black seating available. For more information just click on the above title link.

Whistler Ice Hockey Tours

This season we are now offering Ice Hockey Tours so see the Vancouver Canucks play at GM Place in Vancouver.

vancouver canucks

The Ice Hockey Tours leave from Whistler and Squamish throughout the season and there is limited availability. Book early to avoid disappointment!

To book or enquire about Whistler Ice Hockey Tours or Banff Ice Hockey Tours, please visit rocky-peak Holidays and click on the Ice Hockey Tours link at the bottom of their page.

Banff Ice Hockey Tours

An NHL Ice Hockey Tour from Banff to Calgary to see the Calgary Flames is one tour out of Banff not to be missed! Ice Hockey is a real Canadian passion!

Not a sports fan? Not a problem! The whole game is an awesome experience of pure entertainment with pumping music to get you in the mood and an incredible atmosphere. This is real fun for all the family! You really don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a NHL Ice Hockey game!

If you want to learn more about the game rules of hockey, let the onboard hockey guide tell you as much as you need to know! From Banff, the time to the famed Saddledome in Calgary is about 1.5 hours away. Enough time to quiz the guide! Most games start at 8pm, so usually the departure time is about 4pm from Banff.

The Calgary Flames never disappoint! When they score, you can feel the heat of the flames from the fire which shoots up in the centre of the arena. Keep an eye out for the maskot who bangs his drum and gets the crowds going!

Support the Flames in the Calgary Saddledome and enjoy every action-packed moment! If you are not an ice hockey fan, after this tour you will certainly want to go back for more!

For more information or to book, visit rocky-peak Holidays and click on their Ice Hockey Tours link at the bottom of their page.

GO FLAMES GO!