Edmonton … VIA Rail Canada in partnership with Marmot Basin and Jasper, is proud to announce a new seasonal departure from Edmonton to Jasper featuring VIA’s Panorama (fully-domed) observation cars. For 15 weeks, from January 12, 2007 to April 22, 2007, skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts can ignore the weatherman’s stormy predictions; leave the winter driving up to VIA and travel care-free from Jasper to Edmonton in comfort and safety.

Travellers can make the best of both worlds combining a trip on VIA’s Snow Train Express with the award-winning Snow Train, (The Canadian) National Champion 2000 Best Winter Product (Win with Winter in Canada) as voted by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The schedule is designed for a weekend getaway to unwind after the bustling tempo of the holiday season.

”VIA is pleased to partner with Marmot Basin and Jasper to bring our customers, skiers and snow lovers a travelling experience they’ll never forget,” said Joe Volk, VIA’s Senior Director, International Sales. ”This new service is the perfect travel companion for enjoying the best of winter without the stress or worry about driving conditions or fatigue following a full day of activities in the great outdoors. And travelling in VIA’s Panorama dome cars on the Snow Train Express you’re free to participate in après-ski socializing with family and friends, while enjoying a winter wonderland outside your window.”

”Jasper has so much to offer as a winter destination and now with our partnership with VIA, it’s easier than ever to get here. All indications are for an excellent ski season, and the staff at Marmot Basin is eager to share our mountain with its 84 runs and 3,000 vertical feet,” said Dave Gibson, President, Marmot Basin.

To book the Snow Train Express, please contact rocky-peak Holidays.

Source: CNW Group (15/11/06), & the web editors of TravelAlberta.com

Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort

BANFF, Alberta, Canada – Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort had stellar snow conditions on the weekend allowing the ski resorts to kick start their seasons on a high note.

Mount Norquay was the first resort to open in Canada this year. The resort started running its Cascade Chair on November 1st for the first time in Norquay’s history. The resort was set to open on December 8 as in previous years, but superb snow conditions facilitated an early opening date.

On Friday, November 10, Sunshine Village opened for the ski season attracting a record number of skiers. With 33 cm of snowfall in the past three days, Sunshine Village has seven out of 12 lifts and almost half of their runs open. Thanks to another hit of new snow in the past 24 hrs and mainly sunny skies, today will be a great day to warm up the ski and snowboard legs for this season. With a base of 82 cm, Sunshine Village should not have to wait much longer to open the whole mountain.

On November 11, Lake Louise Mountain resort kicked off the season after having received 77 cm of new snow this week. The resort was able to open the Summit Platter and Top of the World 6-Pack Chair, marking the earliest summit opening in years. Currently, Lake Louise has five lifts running with skiing from the summit to base and has just received another blast of snow. With the Men’s and Women’s World Cup races just around the corner, the ski world will have some great conditions to celebrate when they get to Lake Louise.

With a weather forecast that continues to be on the minuses for the next week, the ski season in Banff and Lake Louise is shaping up to be another outstanding one.

Source: Ski Banff – Lake Louise – Sunshine, news release, (15/11/06) & the web editors of TravelAlberta.com

Jasper, AB – Marmot Basin ski area will open for the season on Friday, November 17, 2006, the earliest the Jasper mountain ski area has ever opened in recorded history.

A combination of steady early season snowfall, along with machine-made snow produced by Marmot’s new state-of-the-art snowmaking system, has covered the ski area top to bottom in a layer of snow that will allow Marmot to open 5 ski lifts and dozens of runs on opening day.

Marmot has received 23 cm of new snow over the past 5 days and a total of 73 cm of natural snow has fallen so far this season.

There have been a number of significant improvements at Marmot Basin over the past four years ever since a new group of shareholders purchased the ski area. A new Magic Carpet ski lift was installed in the learning area, new terrain was opened in the Eagle Ridge area, the rental shop was completely rebuilt featuring the newest and most advanced ski and snowboard equipment, there have been renovations to the chalets and on-mountain restaurants, new grooming equipment, including a new winch cat, has been purchased and most recently, the new 2 million dollar state-of-the-art snowmaking system was installed on the lower slopes of the mountain.

The early opening of Marmot Basin, combined with good early season snow conditions, are sure to attract skiers and boarders to head to Jasper well before the holiday season.

Snowphone: (780) 488-5909
Source: Marmot Basin Ski area

Environment Canada’s Official Weather Warnings:

Snowfall Warning for Banff National Park has ended
3:16 PM MST Sunday 29 October 2006

Snowfall warning for Kananaskis – Canmore continued
3:16 PM MST Sunday 29 October 2006

Snow is expected to this evening for the above regions.

The weather disturbance that has brought heavy snow to much of Alberta will gradually move out of the province tonight. A further 5 centimetres of snow is possible for areas south of Canmore before the system pulls away later this evening. In the northerly flow behind this system scattered flurries can be expected to continue across south Alberta but little accumulation is expected.

For more information, please click HERE

Travel within Canada and to the U.S. (see conditions below):
– Book with rocky-peak Holidays by October 18, 2006
– Travel until December 16, 2006
– Canadian destinations save on Tues/ Wed/ Sat travel
– U.S. destinations: No travel day restrictions apply

CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) announced on Monday that the Visitor GST Rebate Program will be eliminated. GST (Goods, Services Tax – 6%) rebate applications will no longer be accepted effective April 1st, 2007. You must submit your applications by this date.

What does this mean to non-Canadian residents?

You will no longer be able to claim 6% off your accommodation or 3% off your vacation package (if accommodation is a main component) when you leave Canada.

If you book your holiday before April 1st, 2007, for travel before this date, you will be able to claim back the visitor rebate – saving you 3% or 6% off the price of your holiday.

More information on the current visitor tax rebate program: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4031/README.html

For application for the tax rebate: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/README.html