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- Rocky Mountain ski resorts set to open 10 November
- New winter WestJet flights from Gatwick
- Moose Hotel’s first winter season
4th October 2016: Winter is coming in Alberta, home to the Canadian Rockies, with the first snowfall already dumped. Banff National Park’s three ski resorts – Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village, offering 334 runs set across a combined terrain of almost 8,000 acres, are set to open from 10 November, so visitors can take advantage of the dry ‘champagne’ powder in a few short weeks time. Along the stunning Icefields Parkway, Marmot Basin, set in Jasper National Park, with 86 trails covering 1,675 acres, is scheduled to open on 11 November. Here’s what’s new this winter in the sunniest province in Canada:
NEW CALGARY FLIGHTS GIVE EASIER ACCESS TO THE ROCKIES
For the first time this winter, WestJet will operate a year-round direct flight from London Gatwick to the gateway of the Rockies, Calgary, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) offering greater accessibility for UK travellers planning a ski holiday in Alberta. This new route is in addition to existing direct services offered by Air Canada, Air Transat and British Airways throughout the winter as well as non-direct flights with Icelandair and KLM, which offer regional departures via Reykjavik and Amsterdam. Travel time to Banff from Calgary is just an hour and a half (90 miles).
GET THERE: Ski Safari (01273 224060 / www.skisafari.com) has an eight-night ski holiday staying at the 3* Mount Royal Hotel in Banff from £759 per person on B&B basis. Departing on 21 January 2017, the price includes direct return WestJet flights from London Heathrow to Calgary, plus transfers from the airport and a shuttle service to the slopes. Based on two adults travelling and sharing accommodation. Book by 30 December 2016.
FIRST WINTER SEASON FOR THE MOOSE HOTEL & SUITES
The Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff National Park, Alberta, is open for its first winter season. The unique four-star property from the Banff Lodging Company is the first new hotel to open in Banff National Park in nine years. Featuring 174 air-conditioned rooms of one or two bedroom suites offering modern mountain elegance with a moose character painted in each room. Located steps from the heart of downtown Banff, the hotel has been designed to maximize the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, with a Rooftop Health Club that has two spectacular outdoor hot pools and a cosy sauna cabin, as well as a bright indoor swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to unwind and après following a day on the slopes.
GET THERE: Ski Solutions (020 7471 7700 / www.skisolutions.com) has a seven-night ski holiday staying at the Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff from £935 per person on a room only basis. Departing on 21 January 2017, the price includes return Air Canada flights from London Heathrow to Calgary, a free ticket to Banff Upper Hot Springs with any lift pass purchased, as well as transfers. Based on two adults travelling and sharing accommodation. Book by 15 November 2016.
APRES SKI GETS HOTTER
The Tri-Area Lift Ticket for the SkiBig3 resorts in Alberta (covering Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Village) now gains visitors free admission to the historic Banff Hot Springs. In 1883, three railway workers discovered a natural hot spring that ultimately brought rise to the founding of Banff National Park. In the early years, travellers lured by the healing minerals of the hot springs journeyed to the area via the Canadian Pacific Railway. Nowadays visitors can soak up these benefits after a day on the slopes. With the purchase of a 3+ day lift ticket, skiers and riders receive complimentary access to these famed Banff Hot Springs this winter.
FREE ACCESS TO BANFF AND JASPER NATIONAL PARKS
All National Parks in Canada will offer free admission to visitors throughout 2017, so it’s a great time to take advantage of added value for money. Banff National Park, Canada’s first National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site and Jasper National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, are the perfect destinations to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday this winter. Home to unparalleled mountain scenery in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies, with wide open slopes and champagne powder, there’s never been a better time to visit.
GET THERE: Frontier Travel (0208 776 8709 / www.frontier-travel.co.uk) has seven nights at the three-star Banff Caribou Lodge in Banff National Park from £995 per person. The price includes room only accommodation in a superior room, return Air Canada flights from London Heathrow to Calgary, airport transfers and local rep services for two adults travelling and sharing accommodation. Book by 31 October 2016.
For more information on Alberta, visit www.travelalberta.com/uk
For more information on SkiBig3 visit www.SkiBig3.com
For more information on Marmot Basin visit www.skimarmot.com
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