The author recently had the opportunity to visit two of the flagship luxury hotels in the world, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which are located in the Banff National Park straddling the border between British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

The castle-like architecture of these classic hotels reflects the majestic peaks that enfold them, and the service and decor inside take you back to the days of an opulence rarely experienced today.

Fairmont hotels are well-known for their luxury amenities, attentive service, and full range of amenities and activities. What distinguishes them from each other, and from other luxurious properties, is their exceptional situations.

FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is located on the banks of the Bow River. The Bow Falls, easily viewed a short walk from the hotel, are a huge mass of solid ice at this time of year and will no doubt be a marvelous display of nature’s power in the warmer seasons, particularly during the spring run-off!

This dark stone building, the first wing of which was erected in 1887, is imposing despite the towering peaks that surround it!

In winter, the quiet season, there’s cross country skiing and snowshoeing right from the hotel, as well as two alpine skiing destinations within an hour’s drive. Of course, the village of Banff offers great shopping and dining opportunities at any time of year – and sales abound during the snow season!

Summer opens up many more opportunities to enjoy the wonderful outdoors: Championship golf at the Stanley Thompson-designed Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, coach tours, tennis, water sports, swimming pool including kids’ wading pool and in/outdoor hot tubs, and sightseeing from a gondola!

The hotel’s own four-lane bowling centre is open year round for hours of entertainment!

It goes without saying that a deluxe hotel such as the Fairmont Banff Springs offers the complete package for all guests: Conference facilities, meeting rooms, spa services, fitness facilities, pool and hot tub, restaurants and in-room dining, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, weddings, etc.

FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE

You’ve most likely already seen a summer photograph of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, even if you didn’t know exactly what or where it was – it must be one of the most-photographed mountain scenes in the world! The picture probably included the lake beside which the hotel is situated. It’s quite possible that you’ve thought “The colour of that water can’t be real!” The intensity of the turquoise hue varies depending on the time of year, and with the weather – but you will have to believe it’s colour when you see it for yourself!

Of course, in winter the surface of the lake freezes, giving visitors and residents alike a natural surface to skate on, or even whistle up a game of pick-up hockey! You can cross country ski and snowshoe across and around the lake, or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride! There’s an annual ice-carving contest, the entries from which remain on display on the hotel’s frontage as long as weather permits. Snowmobiling and dog sledding tours are also available.

When the ice melts off the lake, there’s a plethora of summer activities available to visitors: Canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, boat cruises, whitewater rafting, atv tours and visits to the Columbia Icefield.

Starting out as a one-storey log cabin(not in any way resembling today’s version!) “for the outdoor adventurer and alpinist”, the original Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise opened in 1890. This full-service deluxe hotel offers its guests every possible consideration and amenity with impeccable service and luscious surroundings! You’d never know you were in the depths of the Banff National Park surrounded by the wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains – unless you wanted to!

Compass Tours is proud to be associated with these distinctive Fairmont hotels, as well as their sisters, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge further north in the Jasper National Park, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort to the west in the Coast Mountains, and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver!

In honour of this relationship, we are happy to offer this flexible luxury golf vacation that includes the leading hotels and golf courses of Western Canada:

Fourteen nights’ accommodation at …

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Two Nights

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Two Nights

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort – Seven Nights

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Three Nights

… with one round of golf at each of the following courses …

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club (Thompson)

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club (Thompson)

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course (Trent Jones II)

Nicklaus North Golf Course (Nicklaus)

Whistler Golf Club (Palmer)

Big Sky Golf & CC (Cupp)

Furry Creek Golf Club (Muir Graves)

We offer this self-drive* itinerary, which includes 14 nights’ accommodation, 7 rounds of championship golf, and all applicable taxes, from C$2921 (approximately U$2832 / GBP1884 / E2085 / A$3144) per person based on twin-share.

Space in the hotels and on the golf courses is subject to availability. Car rental, fuel, park fees, gratuities and incidentals are excluded. Rates are based on low season for summer 2010, and a surcharge applies for high season. Prices in non-Canadian currency are subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations. Taxes included are those which applied in February 2010 and are subject to change without notice.

Let us know your dates, and we’ll build a custom itinerary around your schedule!

*Driving yourself gives you the flexibility to explore the area at your leisure between golf destinations … you can stop when, where, and for as long as you would like, to have a picnic, to take some photo’s, to view the local wildlife, or just to stretch your legs!

Contact us today for more information about these lovely hotels, and this flexible itinerary! We can create a luxury vacation just for you, and look forward to providing a free, no-obligation quote!

You’ll appreciate our commitment to service, our local knowledge, and our experience in creating enjoyable Canadian vacation packages – see what our clients say about us!

Today Whistler Mountain threw its hat into the ring saying that it, too, would be opening runs off three of its higher-elevation lifts, Franz’s, Emerald and Big Red, this Saturday! Blackcomb will open as scheduled, on November 26th.

Yesterday’s photo’s, taken on Whistler!

Good snowfall all over the province has all the resorts gearing up for a great ski and snowboard season … the excitement is palpable!

If you can’t head up this weekend, remember that there are lots of early bird deals and special offers still available – but many expire after November 14th, so don’t delay!

For more information about visiting these and other premium British Columbia, Canada, ski and snowboard holiday destinations, please visit Compass Tours‘ websites:

Whistler

Sun Peaks

Panorama

Revelstoke

Benefit from our years of mountain resort experience, commitment to service, and reasonable rates!

Contact us today so that we can create your dream vacation!

Early Snow!

Most offers expire in mid-November, so there are just a couple of weeks left to cash in:

Whistler, North America’s #1 winter vacation destination and host of several events at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics & Paralympics, has lots of accommodation specials for you to consider, as well as great discounts on lift tickets and rental equipment!

Another leading Canadian mountain holiday resort is Sun Peaks, located near Kamloops in British Columbia’s interior. Special offers include big discounts on lift tickets and a variety of accommodation deals!

Panorama Mountain Village, in the powder-rich Columbia-Kootenay region of south eastern B.C., is where you’ll get a free night if you book early to stay for five nights or longer. This is a great family resort with plenty of excitement for grown-ups – and all accommodations ski in/ski out or just steps from a lift base.

Entering its third season of operation, Revelstoke boasts North America’s highest lift-serviced vertical along with epic powder conditions! Perfect for people who just want great skiing – whether you ride the lifts, or opt to treat yourself to world-class heli-skiing and cat-skiing!

Compass Tours is proud to represent these winter vacation destinations!

We have the experience, superior service and local knowledge you can rely on!

Contact us today so that we can help you get the best deals of the year!

Canada’s premier winter vacation destination, Whistler, will be hosting several events:

The Whistler Sliding centre will host both men’s and women’s bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events.

The Alpine Skiing events will be on Whistler’s Creekside: Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Combined, for men and women.

And Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park will host the men’s and women’s Nordic events of Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, and Ski Jumping.

Whistler is opening its doors to the world (not just Olympians!) this winter, and is extending all sorts of special offers and discount deals to encourage you to visit!

There will be times when there’s limited access to a small number of amenities, though, and you should be prepared to find the resort’s village area with its activities, restaurants, spas, galleries, and boutiques, busier than usual leading up to and during the event dates in February and March.

Of course, the British Columbia mountains have several other superb ski resorts that would make great alternatives:

Sun Peaks – located less than an hour’s drive from Kamloops, with its international airport, or a half-day drive from Vancouver, Sun Peaks is one of Canada’s largest ski resorts so it has something for everyone!

Panorama – with easy access from Calgary, Panorama Mountain Village in the Columbia Kootenay region of B.C. (just west of the Rockies), is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets with every accommodation either ski in/ski out, or just steps from a lift base!

Revelstoke – already world-famous as a heli-skiing and cat-skiing destination (to say nothing of its reputation for a huge reliable, reservoir of champagne powder snow!), Revelstoke Mountain Resort will be entering its third year of lift-accessed skiing and snowboarding this season, boasting North America’s largest vertical!

Compass Tours is proud to represent these four fantastic Canadian mountain holiday destinations and encourages you to contact us to find out more about them!

We can help you narrow down which resort will best suit your needs and expectations – we offer reasonable rates, superior service, and local knowledge!

Be sure to check out our Special Offers – and take advantage of discounts and deals to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke this winter!

We understand how challenging it is for staff to find accommodation, and resort homeowners seeking tenants, and help you make the connection as easily and affordably as possible!

Staff Housing Network is unique in that we ONLY publish classified ads for resort staff looking for a place to live, and ads for second-homeowners wanting seasonal or longterm tenants!

Staff Housing Network is based in British Columbia, Canada, and it is going worldwide! This is where you can advertise your holiday home, or your need of a place to rent, anywhere in the world from Australia and Austria through Mexico and New Zealand to Yemen and Zambia!

Use Staff Housing Network exactly like you’d use the classified section of your local newspaper … and get a lot more exposure for a lot less!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at live@staffhousingnetwork.com. We’d be happy to assist!

WATCH FOR OUR INTRODUCTORY OFFER:

30 DAYS FOR THE PRICE OF 14

IF YOUR AD IS PLACED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 30, 2009!

Just as an appetizer, there are some great offers on lift tickets for early reservations:

Ski for 3 or 4 days and get 5% off your ticket price, ski for 5-9 days and save 10%, or ski for 10 or more days for a 20% discount!

Ski for 5 or more days, and children under 19 ski for free!

Fantastic lodging discounts are out there, too:

At the luxurious Delta Sun Peaks Resort, a very early booking will net you free breakfast every day, or take every third night free! Regular reservations will get seven nights for the price of six, two free nights if you stay for 12, pay for 11 and stay for 14, or stay for a 21 nights with of them 6 free!

The lovely Delta Residences encourage you to book before the end of July for your week-long stay with a Friday arrival by offering two free nights! Otherwise, long-stay incentives are 10 nights for the price of 8, pay for 11 and stay 14 nights, or stay 3 weeks and get 6 free nights!

At the centrally-located Hearthstone Lodge, you get 10% off for booking early. Book any time and get the fifth night free, or pay for 8 and stay for ten. For a 14 night stay, you’ll pay for just 11 nights. And for 28 nights, you get 6 free! These two offers can be combined so book early for the discount AND get the free nights!

At the ever-popular Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge, there’s a 10% discount for early reservations! Plus, if you stay 7 or more nights, a free scheduled shuttle service between Vancouver or Whistler, and Sun Peaks!

At the quality collection of privately owned condo’s, townhomes and chalets managed by Sun Peaks Accommodation, book any time to get 7 nights for the price of 6, or three free nights if you stay for two weeks!

The Sun Peaks Lodge, located in the heart of the village, will give you a free breakfast every day if you book early! Otherwise, you can stay 7 nights for the price of 6, or get two free nights when you stay for two weeks!

Please visit our Sun Peaks winter special offers page for details of these offers.

Or you can just contact us so that we can figure out which will best suit your needs!

Compass Tours offers reasonable rates in Sun Peaks, Whistler, Panorama and Revelstoke, while you benefit from our great service, local knowledge and extensive experience, as our happy clients confirm!

2009 marks the 142nd anniversary of the confederation of the four original provinces, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec), under the British North America Act, into an independent nation called Canada.

All over the country, from the smallest villages to the sprawling cities, and in gatherings of proud Canadians all over the world, you can expect to see scenes like this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA!

Thinking of visiting western Canada?

Compass Tours offers reasonably priced custom Canadian mountain holiday packages to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke!

Experience, local knowledge, great service – read what our clients have to say about us, and about these fantastic destinations!

Contact us today for more information!

Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Panorama, all offer a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, including world class downhill and cross-country mountain biking, hiking, and water sports like kayaking and white water rafting on local rivers and lakes.

Of course, you don’t have to be an outdoor activity fanatic to appreciate what the mountains have to offer … there’s nothing like a few days in the fresh air to rejuvenate the soul!

The golfers among you already know that the superb courses of Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Panorama, have been open for play for some weeks. The golf courses are recovering well from the affects of winter – they’re greening up nicely, and are waiting for you to get up here to take up the challenge!

Contact Compass Tours for more information and book your summer mountain getaway now!

Thinking about ski holidays already? See our winter travel deals in Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama, and Revelstoke!

Despite the warmer days, and the fact that the golf courses of Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke have been open for a couple of weeks already, chilly nights mean that frost delays will be part of your day for a couple of weeks yet!

]]> http://canadian-mountain-holidays.com/spring-in-the-mountains-2/feed/ 0 http://canadian-mountain-holidays.com/whti-passport-requirement-deadline-approaches/ http://canadian-mountain-holidays.com/whti-passport-requirement-deadline-approaches/#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:59:04 +0000 Tanya http://canadian-mountain-holidays.com/?p=143 Although the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was set up by, and applies to, people entering the USA, it has an impact on many Canadian visitors, a large number of which travel to Canada from, or via, the USA.

In just 10 weeks, the WHTI enters its next phase. That is, everyone (including American and Canadian citizens) entering the USA, whether by air, land or sea (whether they’re just transitting the US, are visiting, or returning to that country), must present a valid passport upon entry. Children under 16 years of age who are US citizens may present either their birth certificate, or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate, or citizenship card.

US citizens who intend leaving the USA on vacation or business, and returning after June 1, 2009, should apply for their passports now – it currently takes about four weeks for a passport to be issued, assuming there are no delays due to missing information.

It was recently revealed that about 75% of adult Canadians already have valid passports, an unprecendented level of documentation. The same, however, can apparently not be said for our southern neighbours who, despite frequent travel to Canada, are not properly prepared for the WHTI deadline.

There is no indication from the US government that this deadline will be extended, so a rush on American passport offices can be expected over the next few weeks.

Visitors to Canada should ensure that they have the correct travel documentation and, if necessary, a visa.

Compass Tours creates reasonably-priced package holidays to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke, in the western province of British Columbia.

Our clients loved their Canadian mountain holidays – read what they have to say!

Please contact us for more information! We’d be happy to answer your questions and put a free custom quote together for you!