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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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.

The Torch hits the slopes

By Jim Barr, SnowSeekers Inc.

Over the past two days, the Olympic Torch has been carried to some pretty stellar places and now, it’s been carried through the Canadian Rockies and into some pretty spectacular spaces.  Twenty-two years ago the Government of Alberta helped to open up Nakiska as part of the 1988 Olympics, an outstanding ski resort tucked away in Kananaskis country – it was the site yesterday of Olympic history, which incorporated a collection of up-an-upcoming athletes. The folks from Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, the owners of Nakiska, put on a great celebration

The return of the Olympic Flame to Nakiska was a triumphant one that included skiers from the Nakiska Ski Team. It was pretty cool to see them rip the slopes as they made their way down towards the Flame.  Over at Sunshine, the celebrations continued with the addition of a lasting 2010 legacy here in Banff.  Whistler Blackcomb has installed a temporary chair that will take people from the base of Creekside up to the finish line for the downhill events.  Afterwards, it will have a permanent home at Sunshine Village.

“Sunshine has played host too many Olympic athletes who have trained here. With the installation of this chair, we help to continue that legacy,” said Sunshine’s president, Ralph Scurfield. “It was a partnership with Whistler Blackcomb that said, ‘OK, we will get the chair if you guys buy it once we are finished with it,’” said Scurfield, in a special celebration that welcomed the Olympic Flame to the slopes of Sunshine this morning.

Sunshine has been known to be an environmentally friendly ski destination, having received multiple awards for its environmental efforts. The resort welcomes the new chair in May where it will replace the Strawberry chair, helping to enhance the visitor’s experience. For more on the new installation and for all the exciting details on Sunshine please click here.

Just up the road, a big party was happening on the slopes Lake Louise Ski Area – owner Charlie Locke dawned his chariot (a snow cat with a pretty impressive set up on the back so he could stand and wave at the crowds) to take the flame up the slopes of Louise. The folks at Louise had constructed a pretty stellar ski jump outfitted with the Olympic rings to welcome the Torch in style. Ski jumpers, a solid ski run with a collection of ski instructors and a crowd of admirers were all a part of the action.

There were more than a few spectacular ice sculptures too, all in celebration for the Ice Magic events that are taking place this weekend at Lake Louise Village.

Make sure to catch the Travel Alberta Olympic Torch Relay videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/TravelAlbertaCanada

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

More terrain for Big White and Sunshine Village

British Columbia's Big White Resort now has 18 runs open as of Nov. 21 while Alberta's Sunshine Village announced the opening of Goat's Eye and the terrain park today. Sunshine now has all three mountains open, giving skiers and riders a tonne of options to play on.
Ready for a preview of the Olympics? Make sure to head to Alberta's Lake Louise Ski Area for the Louise World Cup which kicks off with the men's alpine events Saturday, Nov. 28 followed by the ladies Dec. 4. The races are part of Banff's WinterStart Festival – a kick off to the ski season and Christmas.

For more on these resorts and many others in Alberta and British Columbia, visit www.snowseekers.ca

Lake Louise Opens up all lifts this weekend!!!!

Get Ready for a really powder filled weekend at Lake Louise as ALL LIFTS OPEN THIS WEEKEND!!


Thanks to abundant natural snowfall during the first three weeks of November, the Lake Louise Ski Area is pleased to announce that all nine lifts at the popular Banff National Park ski resort will be operational for the upcoming November 21-22 weekend.

With 30cms of new snow during the past week and a settled upper mountain snow base of 87cms, both the Larch and Ptarmigan Chairs will be opening for the season at 9 am on Friday, November 20.

“This is truly an exceptional start to the ski and snowboarding season,” confirms Lake Louise Ski Area Marketing Director John Ross. “With all nine lifts in operation, skiers and snowboarders will be able to explore all four mountain faces and enjoy over 60 different runs at Lake Louise. The weather forecast is also calling for continued snowfall, so conditions throughout the mountain will only get better.”

Although ski conditions are exceptional for mid-November, skiers and snowboarders should still exercise caution as plenty of natural hazards still exist throughout the mountain. Please be aware and ski with care!

For more on the Lake please click here

And only 3 More Sleeps Till Lake Louise!

Lake Louise Opens Friday, November 6

Lake Louise, Alberta: Lake Louise, Canada’s Favourite Ski Area, will officially open for the season on Friday, November 6 thanks to Mother Nature and one of the most sophisticated snowmaking systems in the world.

Skiers and snowboarders will be able to experience those first delightful turns of the season from the top of Glacier Express Chair down three runs: Bald Eagle, Wiwaxy, and Easy Street.  These runs descend 1,450 vertical feet over their 3 kilometer length.  More runs and lifts should be open by the following weekend, and most of the mountain following one or two more good snowfalls.

All amenities at the full-service base area will be open, including food and beverage facilities, retail, rental and repair shops, the daycare and ski school.

“We’re extremely excited about being the first major ski area in Canada to open” says Lake Louise Marketing Director John Ross. “Because we are one of the few ski areas in the world that can offer superior early season snow, the World Cup circuit will once again start at Lake Louise on the weekend of November 28^th prior to moving to the U.S. and Europe.  This winter will also be jam packed with various other exciting events such as the Canadian Powder 8 Championships, The Olympic Torch relay, and various other races, festivals, and snowboard events”.

Lake Louise is also reaffirming its commitment to offering a superior terrain park and is pleased to welcome back Jeff Patterson who is world-famous for his designs. Offering a unique and exceptional variety of rails, boxes, jumps and other special features, small portions of the park will be ready, already, by Friday.

Reduced lift ticket prices will be in effect for opening weekend. Adults can ski or ride for $38, seniors (>65) and youths (13-17) for $26.40 and children (6-12) $12.50. Louise Card holders will receive a $10 discount and do not have to use their first day free.

And of corse, for more information visit the Lake Louise section of http://www.snowseekers.ca/story.php?loc=2&dest=10