CityGuide.ca/ROCKIES - Canadian Rockies City Guide

Dream Skiing - Snowboarding on Mount Robson: Robson HeliMagic

Posted by Marc

mount robson

It's hard to imagine how a mountain with so much presence could still be regarded by many adventure seekers and ski buffs as a 'best kept secret'. Yet despite boasting the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson has only recently been gaining widespread attraction.

One such company that is helping bring the best of Mount Robson to ski and hiking enthusiasts is Robson HeliMagic. They offer a highly personalized adventure travel experience that differs from other larger-scale group-focused tour operators.

"Our philosophy is 'smaller is better'," says Christine Dolbec, manager at RHM. "We want to avoid the 'factory skiing' mentality, so our guests can enjoy the experience without pressure."

With 1500 square kilometres of wide alpine bowls, steep faces and classic glades, an average up to seven metres annual snowfall and only two guides per group with smaller groups, Robson HeliMagic appears heavily focused on fostering a true mountain experience.

Some rates: 1 day: $769 - 3 days: $3655 - 7 days: $8438 Bookings are now open for the 2010-2011 Winter ski season. Ski and snowboarders should book early to reserve the prime winter slots. Learn more: Robson HeliMagic on CityGuide.

image juanamarie33

TAGS: Adventure, Alberta, Canada, Heliskiing, Helicopter, Hiking, Jasper, Mount Robson, Mountain, Rockies, Skiing, Travel, Winter
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Banff National Park Nearing 125th Anniversary Milestone

Posted by Marc

banff national park

On June 23rd Banff National Park will turn 125. Established in 1885 as the first member of the National Park system in Canada. Banff National Park spans 6,641 square kilometres and continues to boast some of the most beautiful terrain, glaciers, ice fields, forest, and alpine landscapes on Earth.

icefields parkway banff

Banff National Park hosts over 5 million annual visitors. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic roadways in the world and it runs from Lake Louise to Jasper National Park.

Banff National Park on Video.ca

The Banff Springs Hotel opened for business on June 1, 1888 just a few short years after Banff National Park was established.

Christmas at the Banff Springs on Video.ca

On June 23rd, 2010 light some candles for Canada's first, most recognized and most visited National Park.

image Alaskan Dude
image ltdan

TAGS: 125, Anniversary, Banff, Banff National Park, Birthday, Heritage Site, Milestone
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Canmore, Alberta Featured in New York Times

Posted by Marc

canmore alberta

Canmore was one of Canada's best kept secrets until the 1988 Calgary Olympics put Alberta and all of its nooks and crannies on the world stage. Perhaps even more so than Calgary itself, Canmore has been transformed by that event and much of the growth and global awareness of Canmore's beauty is a direct result of that Olympic moment.

While the Olympic torch has come and gone, Canmore's flame continues to burn brighter with each passing year, and now the New York Times is the latest publication to focus on this beautiful and peaceful mountain town.

Historically, those who yearned to own a second home in the area looked to Banff. Federal legislation restricts residence in the town of Banff, which is officially part of the national park, to those who can prove “need to reside.” Canmore, about 17 miles away, would have been the obvious next choice, but it was too small and too poor to attract interest. Then, in 1988, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Calgary, and Canmore, about 65 miles west, hosted the Nordic events. Today, the population is 17,572, about three times the number before the Games.

About a third of Canmore’s residents are second-home owners. The town, which stretches along the Bow River, offers access to some of the most spectacular alpine, foothill and valley scenery in the world. It is minutes from five major ski areas. And it is surrounded by the front range of the Canadian Rockies.

Whether it is hiking, skiing or watching a sunrise or sunset, Canmore has activity and natural beauty that is world-class. Here's a great video of a time-lapse sunrise over the The Three Sisters mountain range.

If hiking is your thing, a stunning 5-hour hike to the summit of one of the Sisters is an incredible way to spend a day.

via Still Glowing From the Olympic Flame
image I, Timmy

TAGS: Alberta, Canmore, Destination, Features, Mountains
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Calgary's Closest Mountain - Nakiska Opens To Public

Posted by Marc

nakiska alberta ski

The 2008-09 public ski season at Nakiska has officially begun. Located just 80 kilometers from Calgary, Nakiska is one of the most beautiful and accessible ski resorts in the Canadian rockies. Nestled on the face of Mount Allan, Nakiska boasts 28 trails with 6 operating chairlifts to take you up and down quickly with minimal crowds and wait times.

The operators of the Nakiska resort 'Resorts of the Canadian Rockies' who are also the owners of other successful Rockies resorts Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Fernie, Kimberley, Mont Sainte Anne and Stoneham have been hard at work improving the Nakiska resort in every way. Nakiska has always been a haven for great ski conditions, but this year things should be even better thanks to new pumps and equipment which has increased snowmaking capacity by 33%. More improvements have also been made to the main Daylodge, including a new deck, roof, washrooms and floors. The Finish Line Lounge, located on the upper level, has been completely re-furbished. New racks and computer kiosks in the rental shop will help guests retrieve their equipment and get up on the mountain faster, and Nakiska’s new “North Axe” meeting space caters to groups of up to 50 people.

Ski clubs now have a place to call their own throughout the season, as the new Mapmaker Race Centre is a dedicated racing run available for clubs and teams to train all season long. Nakiska is the preferred pre-season homebase for ski teams from Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, France and more, thanks to its world-class facilities, snow and dedicated race track.

If you haven't been to Nakiska yet, this is definitely a good year to check it out! Visit www.skinakiska.com for ski condition updates and applicable rates. Check out this video taken from the top of the Silver Chair at Nakiska.

image felixion
via press release

TAGS: Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Mountain, Nakiska, Resort, Ski, Vacation, Winter
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How WildSmart Are You?

Posted by Sonya Procenko

I'm super excited by the next How WildSmart Are You? Speakers Series event in the Alberta Rockies. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jay Honeyman will talk about aversive conditioning on grizzly bears in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. For more than 20 years, he has worked in the field of bear-human conflict in Canada and the US.

When: Monday, December 8/08, 7 pm
Where: Canmore Collegiate High School Theatre, Canmore
Information: Visit WildSmart online.

Image courtesy of CTC

TAGS: Bearhuman Conflict, Bow Valley Wildsmart, Canada, Canmore Collegiate School Theatre, Grizzly Bears, Information, Jay Honeyman, Outdoors, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, United States, Wilderness, Wildlife, Wildlife Conflict Specialist, Wildsmart
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Super Sunday in the Columbia Valley

Posted by Sonya Procenko

If you're in the Columbia Valley this weekend, swing by Invermere for Super Sunday, November 30/08. The downtown social event will feature merchant specials, hay rides and St. Nick.

For more information, go online. or call 250-342-2844.

TAGS: Bc, British Columbia, Christmas, Columbia Valley, Hay Rides, Invermere, Sales, Seasonal, Shopping, St Nick, Super Sunday
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Verde Day Spa, Canmore

Posted by Sonya Procenko

I'm an organic girl so I love Verde Day Spa in Canmore. It's a green spa which features all-natural manicure, pedicure, facials, massages and other treatments and organic products.

If you're looking for Christmas gift ideas, the spa sells gift certificates and organic products from Eminence Spa Care.

Check out Verde Day Spa online.

Image courtesy of www.freephoto1.com

TAGS: Alberta, Beauty, Canmore, Christmas, Facials, Gift Certificates, Gift Ideas, Health, Manicure, Massages, Natural, Organic, Pedicure, Products, Shopping, Skin Care, Things To Do In The Canadian Rockies, Verde Day Spa, Wellness, Wraps
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Let it Snow in Fernie

Posted by Sonya Procenko

The holiday light-up events in the Rockies are lovely, community spirited events. I'm hoping to go to
Let it Snow - Downtown Light-Up on December 5/08 in Fernie, BC.

Highlights will include Skate/Swim with Santa at the Aquatic Centre; Snow/Skate competition at Skateboard Park, Christmas music and carolling; kids Christmas craft activities and photos at the Art Station and Window display voting.

For more information, Go Online or Call 250-423-6868.

TAGS: Aquatic Centre, Art Station, Bc, Carolling, Christmas, Christmas Crafts, Downtown Light Up, Fernie, Holidays, Let It Snow, Music, Photos, Santa, Seasonal, Skate, Skateboard Park, Snow, Swim, Things To Do In The Rockies, Window Displays
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Twisted Basil Organic

Posted by Sonya Procenko

Fancy shopping for organic food in the Rockies? There's Twisted Basil Organic Market & Deli on Fridays in Canmore, Alberta. The organic food includes produce, quiches, dips, salsas, fruit pies, baking, cookies and salad.

When: Fridays, 11 am-3 pm
Where: St. Michael's Hall, 709 - 7 Street, Canmore. Online order and delivery available.
Information: Go online or Call 1-877-932-6727.

Image courtesy of www.freephoto1.com

TAGS: Alberta, Baking, Canmore, Cookies, Dips, Food, Fruit Pies, Groceries, Online Ordering, Organic, Produce, Quiches, Salad, Salsas, Shopping, Stmichaels Hall, Twisted Basil Organic Market And Deli
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An Evening of International Shorts, December 1/08

Posted by Sonya Procenko

I can't wait to experience An Evening of International Shorts coming up at The Banff Centre, December 1/08. The Reel Time Film Screening event will feature international short films in comedy, drama, animation and experimental genres.

When: Monday, December 1/08, 7 pm
Where: Margaret Greenham Theatre, The Banff Centre
Cost: $12
Tickets: Call to reserve at the Banff Box Office at 403-762-6301 or 1-800-413-8368. Cash at the door.
Information: Visit The Banff Centre online.

Image courtesy of Banff Lake Louise Tourism

TAGS: Alberta, An Evening Of International Shorts, Animation, Arts, Banff, Comedy, Culture, Drama, Experimental, Film, Margaret Greenham Theatre, Movies, The Banff Centre, Things To Do In Banff
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