Our U.K. ski site, SkiHolidaysCanada.co.uk is now twittering (or tweeting!). Stay up-to-date with us at http://twitter.com/holidayscanada !
Long-Term Whistler Rental
We have a long-term lease available for a one-bedroom unit in Whistler starting November 1 2009. It is located in the Marquise building with ski-in/ski-out close by.
If you are interested, please contact rocky-peak Ski Holidays.
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!
Canmore to Lake Louise Trail Approved
Exciting news for locals and visitors!!
Outdoor enthusiasts will soon have a stunning nature trail to explore in Alberta that runs from Canmore to Lake Louise.
The federal government announced Tuesday [May 19] that $6.75 million will be spent on building a new paved path through Banff National Park for hikers, cyclists and in-line skaters.
The Legacy Trail will run 26 kilometres from Canmore to the Bow Valley Parkway just west of the Banff town site, along the Trans-Canada Highway between the road and wildlife fence. The path will then join up with Highway 1A to Lake Louise.
Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice, who was at the Banff announcement, called the trail an environmentally friendly way to link the mountain towns.
The trail still needs to pass an environmental assessment, but work could begin this summer and finish in time for Banff’s125th anniversary in the fall of 2010.
People who live in area say they’re pleased the project that’s been in works for years is going ahead. Local groups hope it will bring more tourists to the region.
Source: cbc.ca
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.
? 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
Grizzly Bear Future
Photo Credit: rocky-peak Holidays Ltd.
Grizzly expert to speak at Canmore High School Feb. 26
By Rob Alexander Source: Rocky Mountain Outlook
Bow Valley residents will have the opportunity to learn about the fate and future of grizzly bears in Alberta from one of Canada’s top grizzly bear researchers.
Gordon Stenhouse, program lead of the Foothills Model Forest Grizzly Bear Research Program, will present Grizzly Bear Research and Science in Alberta at the Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre, Thursday (Feb. 26) at 7 p.m.
Bow Valley WildSmart education program director Kim Titchener said Stenhouse plans to discuss the results of the decade-long research grizzly bear research program and how those results apply to grizzly bear conservation throughout Alberta.
“This one is so pertinent, it’s one of the main reasons why people even visit the valley and that’s one of the unique reasons about living here. It’s one of the few communities that coexist with wildlife and grizzly bears,” Titchener said Tuesday.
The Foothills Model Forest Grizzly Bear Research Program was initiated in 1999. It grew to become one of the largest and most comprehensive bear research programs in North America.
Stenhouse, who has researched polar bears, caribou, musk oxen, moose, Dall sheep, peregrine falcons, wolves and Arctic-nesting geese, has been with the Foothills Research Institute since 1998. He is on secondment from Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife and is an adjunct professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Stenhouse is also the past chairman of the Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Team.
The current population estimate of grizzlies in Alberta, based on Stenhouse’s DNA work, suggests the province is home to less than 500 grizzly bears, which were listed as a threatened species in 2002. At that time, the population was believed to include 1,000 individuals.
“The committee on endangered wildlife is saying the grizzly bear is a threatened species and that is a hard thing to swallow as an Albertan, to think that we might not have grizzlies living here in the future,” Titchener said.
The Province last year extended a moratorium on the grizzly bear hunt to this year, pending the results of a population survey. Before the moratorium, hunters killed an average of 14 bears a year.
Grizzly bear conservation is a political issue, Titchener said, with hunters disputing Stenhouse’s DNA population estimate.
“Everyone doesn’t necessarily agree with the management tactics or what the future management of bears are, but we all agree that we want bears on the landscape.” She said it is a starting point to finding a way for all of the different voices to work together to keep grizzly bears from disappearing from Alberta.
Stenhouse will also be able to answers questions on what the Province is planning to do next to further grizzly bear conservation.
Ski Panorama – 49 Hour SALE!
Panorama Mountain Resort is having a REALLY LARGE sale and we don’t want you to miss out as it is for just a short time!
From 8 pm February 8 to 9 pm February 10 2009, Panorama will present their first ever 49 Hour Sale! Please note these times are Mountain Standard time (GMT-7 hours)
Any condo, any day $49 per person per night!*
These are the best prices Panorama has ever offered, and you can only get them for 49 short hours. They have even included family day!
Contact rocky-peak Ski Holidays to book!
Here is the small print:
*Price includes lodging only. $49 per person, per night based on two (2) adults sharing a Studio or 1-bedroom condo, or four (4) adults sharing a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom condo. Available for new bookings made between 8pm Mountain Standard Time on February 8, 2009 and 9pm Mountain Standard Time on February 10, 2009. A two (2) night minimum stay applies. Subject to availability. Conditions may apply to all packages and programs. Rates subject to change or cancellation without notice. All facilities and programs subject to seasonality and change without notice.
Rocky Mountain Holidays
We are pleased to introduce our updated RockyMountainHolidays.com website. We have made the site simpler to navigate through to help you plan your Rocky Mountain Holiday with us.
This website provides detailed information on the following Canadian locations:
- Banff Information
- Canmore Information
- Lake Louise Information
- Jasper Information
- Kicking Horse Information
- Fernie Information
- Kimberley Information
- Whistler Information
- Vancouver Information
- Calgary Information
In addition, we also provide summarised details on the services we offer:
- Ski Holidays Canada – Our discounted packages include: ski accommodation, lift passes, lessons, transfers, ski rentals and tours.
- Summer Holidays Canada – Let us plan your Rocky Mountain Holiday itinerary for you. We are a one-stop shop and will save you time and money.
- Train Holidays Canada – Travel across Canada on one of our train holidays with VIA rail.
- Rocky Mountaineer Holidays – This day-time only train will maximise your viewing experience.
- Motorcoach Holidays Canada – Relax and let someone else do the driving. Enjoy the views out of the big picture windows.
- Private SUV Holidays – Let our certified guide take you on a private tour.
- Self-Drive Holidays Canada – We do all the planning, you do the driving. Experience the freedom of driving yourself!
- Tours Canada – There are many day tours to add to your Rocky Mountain Holiday package, check out the selection!
- Cruise Holidays Alaska – A cruise of just 7-days out of Vancouver allows you to cruise up to Alaska through the inside passage.
We hope you enjoy our new website and please do not hesitate to contact us through Rocky Mountain Holidays to help plan your holiday in Canada, anytime of the year!
Any feedback on our site you may have can be posted here. Thanks for reading!
Koalas at Calgary Zoo
The Koalas are coming to the Calgary Zoo!
The Calgary Zoo is getting closer to the Koala visit which is due to open to the public February 6, 2009.
Two males Bundaru and Mundooie are there until mid-September 2009 on loan from the San Diego Zoo. The Calgary Zoo is contributing to conservation work in Australia as part of the San Diego Zoo Koala Education and Conservation Loan Program. Overall, koalas are a protected species, but the eucalyptus trees they need for food are not. The biggest threat to koalas is loss of habitat.
Planned Zoo Programs include breakfast with the Koalas and Elite Eat – Koalas!
For more information visit Calgary Zoo’s website.