Go rest high on Pilot Mountain

RICK MACDONNELL, SnowSeekers Inc.

SnowSeekers visited Banff's famed Johnston Canyon  two weeks ago , and the had the pleasure of being guided through the Canyon by Anick Cadieux, a guide with Discover Banff Tours. If you plan on taking a trip to Johnston Canyon in the future, I'd suggest you book a guide. This was my second visit to the Canyon--my first with a guide--and my experience was markedly better with Anick by my side.

There's a remarkable amount of history surrounding the Canyon, and during the three-hour trek we learned a lot of it. One remark, in particular, caught my ear.

In 1927, the log teahouse at the base of the Canyon was purchased by Walter and Marguerite Camp. This began a rich history of Rocky Mountain lodging in Banff. Since then, Johnston Canyon has become one of the top hikes in Canada (literally, at 4710 feet above sea level).

Walter Camp is something of a legend in Banff, a town treasure and a man who treasured his town. Before he passed away, he asked that his ashes be spread on top of Pilot Mountain--the one mountain that can be seen from both Banff and Lake Louise. Even after his death Walter wanted to watch over his beloved town, which he did. Marguerite had his ashes placed on the mountain via helicopter. And when Marguerite passed on, her ashes were laid there as well.


This was just one of a dozen or more anecdotes. I had expected to be impressed by the beauty of the Canyon, but I had no idea its history was so rich and interesting. Do yourself a favour and take a tour. You'll learn a little something, and come away with one hell of a photo album.


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For full stories and videos on Western Canada's winter destinations, visit www.snowseekers.ca and friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Maximize your winter vacation with SnowSeekers Go-Guides

On January 14th, SnowSeekers officially launched 12 Go-Guides for the iPhone. These digital tour guides--downloadable as iPhone applications--give you all the latest and greatest information about 12 of Western Canada's greatest resorts, right on your phone.

Each app includes:

• a complete overview of the mountain and all available activities
• a digital trail map
• local dining and accommodation listings
• an RSS feed with daily snow reports
• tips from locals on where to ski, drink, and eat
• a full listing of town hotspots, with event details
• a GPS locator that tells you where you are in relation to your place of interest
• phone numbers, web links, and google maps of all shops, restaurants, accommodations, transportation, and off-hill attractions

Everyone wants to leave a resort knowing that they had the best time possible. Knowing what activities and amenities are available goes a long way to maximizing your winter vacation.

For prices, a list of titles, and other info, visit www.snowseekers.ca/iphone.

For full stories on Western Canada's winter destinations, visit snowseekers.ca and friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Delirium Dive is Now Open

Delirium Dive is back in business.

The ultimate in big mountain experiences got the green light from Sunshine’s snow safety team and is open for the season. It’s the earliest opening in the Dive’s 10-year history.

“This is what extreme skiers and riders wait for all year,” says Doug Firby, associate director of communications at Sunshine Village. “The fact that we’re able to open the Dive so early in the season is proof of how much snow there is at Sunshine Village right now.”

Big mountain riders know that an influential Australian newspaper last year named the Dive one of the top 10 off-piste runs in the world. That’s because, with 600 acres and 2,000 vertical feet, this in-bound terrain is enough to make its expert skiers and riders, well, delirious.

SnowSeekers first turns of the season!

check it out! we got our first turns in with the cameras at Sunshine Village in Banff. It was a great day, having some fun with the cameras, shredding some gnar.

SnowSeekers first of many go-guides submitted to Apple

Yesterday was a big day in SnowSeekers world.  We made our first of many submissions to our friends at Apple with our SnowSeekers Go-Guides.  Launching Dec 15, 2009 SnowSeekers is stoked to announce a world first- Go-Guides for your iPhone and Blackberry....

Here is the outline we sent into Apple:

Heading into any winter resort can be a daunting experience especially when you consider something the size of Whistler - consistently ranked as the number 1 ski resort in North America (13 years running by Skiing Magazine - October 2009).  Unlock the best of Whistler by having the latest and greatest information from the resort right on your iPhone.  Over 40 years of industry expertise has gone into the construction of these SnowSeekers Go-Guides.

Considering between the two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb - that there are well over 200 runs and that the village of Whistler includes dozens of bars, restaurants and shopping options, this app will provide you with all the information you need to maximize your winter vacation.  Not knowing where to eat, where to ski and what to do while in town is a challenge for any skier or snowboarder, whether it’s your first or tenth visit to the destination.  Leave Whistler having the best time possible, pick up a the Whistler SnowSeekers Go-Guide today.

This app includes:

      STILL TOP SECRET!!! but things like GPS locator technology, digital trail maps and daily snow reports are all in there, plus lots of other exciting features.

This digital guide book was crafted by the ski and snowboard industry experts at SnowSeekers™ Inc.  Recently recognized by the Canadian Government as one of Canada’s most innovative companies these SnowSeekers™ Go-Guides are part of a cross platform Western Canadian based new media company which brings its audience the best of the best from the winter destinations throughout Alberta and BC via a TV series, a e-newsmagazine website @ www.snowseekers.ca and a series of SnowSeekers™ Go-Guides including Whistler, Fernie, Banff and many others found here in iTunes.

Upon the start of the Whistler SnowSeekers™ Go-Guide you will be welcomed by a short video introducing Whistler and all its potentials.  After this short movie a table of contents allows you to further your areas of interest with chapters on:

-The Mountain

-Dining, Après and Nightlife

-Accommodations

-Off-Hill Attractions/Events

-Transportation

-Shopping

-Deals & Coupons

and within each section you’ll find those tips from the locals to deliver you the “inside edge” to what Whistler has to offer.

13 titles are coming including Mount Washington/Comox, Whistler, Vancouver (Cypress/Grouse/Seymour), Sun Peaks, Big White, SilverStar, Revelstoke, Golden/Kicking Horse, Red Mountain/Rossland, Fernie, Kimberley, Banff (Sunshine/Lake Louise/Norquay) and Jasper/Marmot Basin.  They will retail for only $1.99 per title and will be available soon off the iTunes and BlakcBerry apps stores.

For more info drop us a line at info@snowseekers.ca

Languages:

English

Requirements:

Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch

Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later

Data connection

The Way's with Westjet

Not that this should come off as a commercial.

but I am pretty stoked on this westjet care-ante- if you get snowed in you get to stay another night and ski the next day- with westjet picking up the tab for the overnight....

www.westjet.com

now you just have to explain it to the boss - label it a "call in well" day......