Canadian Mountain Holidays

One of the most challenging mountain bike races in North America, the TransRockies, got underway in Panorama Mountain Village this morning!

Just after 11am, about 500 bikers in two-person teams set off for a seven-day trek through the Kootenay Rockies of south eastern British Columbia, Canada. The cyclists will ride from Panorama to Fernie, where the race is scheduled to end on Saturday, August 16th.

The TransRockies was the brainchild of Heinrich Albrecht and Chester Fabricius, creators of the European TransAlp Challenge, which was first run in the 80’s. Albrecht and Fabricius wanted to start a similar race in North America. The inaugural TransRockies was held in 2002, and has been held every year since.

The route usually covers about 600 kilometers (over 370 miles) of mountainous terrain, over 7 days, with around 12,000m (over 13,000 yards) of climbing. The route varies every year, and regularly has to be changed at the last minute due to forest fires, or the threat of fire.

Panorama Mountain Village is a Canadian mountain holiday destination located about four hours’ drive south west of Calgary. Offering a wide variety of activities during the summer, including world class golf, and excellent skiing in the winter months, Panorama is a well-kept secret! The village is very well designed, with all accommodations centrally located and with excellent lift access in winter - there are few places that cannot be classed as ski in/ski out!

Compass Tours creates reasonably priced custom holiday packages to Panorama, as well as Whistler and Sun Peaks, for its clients.

If you’re thinking of visiting the mountains of beautiful British Columbia, don’t hesitate to ask us for a free quote - there’s no obligation!

While western Canada enjoys the last days of summer, our thoughts are already turning to the coming winter! Sun Peaks has several new things to offer visitors this snow season - here are some of them:

The Kookaburra Lodge has been under construction since May 2008, and is on schedule to welcome its first guests during winter 08/09. Located across from the Sun Peaks Sports Centre, with easy pedestrian access to the main village with its lift bases, restaurants, activities, and shopping, this building offers comfortable apartment-style accommodation for visitors in one-, two-, three-, four-bedroom units, some with lock-off studios, above ground level commercial space.

The Delta Residences wing of the Delta Sun Peaks Resort, which opened last winter, will again welcome guests to its lovely one- and two-bedroom suites. High-end finishing, like plasma screen tv’s and hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the full kitchens, make this a favourite place to stay!

On the ground floor of the Residences building, the Bluebird Market has 3500 square feet of grocery essentials stocked for the convenience of Sun Peaks visitors.

There will be some news stores and services, too: Elevation high performance rental shop, 5 Forty deli and cafe, Subculture bistro, Studio 578 (a hair salon), Alpine Blossoms (florist - pre-bookings only), Alpine Images (in a new location with a larger gallery), and the liquor store at its new location in the Delta Residences building.

Also to be introduced this winter are two new Piston Bully Snow Cats, for precision grooming on the slopes!

Compass Tours is proud to offer reasonably-priced custom Sun Peaks holiday packages - read what our clients have to say!

Ask us to create a quote for your next Sun Peaks vacation - its free, and there’s no obligation!

Don’t forget, we also work in Whistler and Panorama!