service Dome Cars which provide 360-degree panoramic views as well as a full-service dining lounge and rear observation platform.
These are in addition to recently upgraded standard-class cars under the new RedLeaf service brand, with improved decor, on-board attendant commentary and superior food. Passengers in this class are served at their airline-style seat.
Two more bi-level Dome cars will be delivered next month, bringing the total to six, and next year’s schedule sees the summer operating period extended from April 18 to October 20. This brings the number of departures up to 148 from 134 this year.
But the Rocky Mountaineer is not just a luxury train journey – and that’s another reason for its popularity. It has amassed a wide range of land packages which can be built into the trip during the summer season.
It is now experimenting with winter add-ons in December that include resort skiing and other winter sports activities, wildlife excursions, soft adventure, gourmet tours and city stays which can all be combined on east and westbound routes.
Director of sales Europe, Sarah Jones, said: “Some 20 different itineraries can now be wrapped around extended two-day winter trips departing in December and ranging from one to 16 nights. We are targeting UK agents through the Canada travel specialists.”
An example includes a five-night/six-day Sun Peaks Ski Circle tour. It begins with a coach transfer from Calgary to Banff and overnight, followed by the Rocky Mountaineer train to Kamloops for two-days’ skiing at Sun Peaks and three overnights. Clients board the return train to Banff where the final overnight is taken before road transfer back to Calgary.
Prices for the December 19 departure start at £490. This includes five-night’ stays, two days on the train (RedLeaf service), two-day ski pass and transfers.
All Canada Travel and Holidays has added just the two-day rail trip in December from £225 one way (RedLeaf) to £890 for a round-trip (GoldLeaf) based on two sharing.
THE growing British passion for Canadian rail travel has resulted in a rapid increase in sales of the Rocky Mountaineer Railtours product.
UK business for the largest privately owned passenger rail operator in North America now accounts for 25% of its annual turnover and Britain is now the top overseas market.
More than 30 UK operators now feature the company’s scenic two-day Rockies train journey between Vancouver, Jasper, Banff and Calgary from early May to mid-October.
Key selling points have not only been the spectacular mountain scenery, with an overnight hotel stop en route, but also the rolling stock.
This includes the GoldLeaf service Dome Cars which provide 360-degree panoramic views as well as a full-service dining lounge and rear observation platform.
These are in addition to recently upgraded standard-class cars under the new RedLeaf service brand, with improved decor, on-board attendant commentary and superior food. Passengers in this class are served at their airline-style seat.
Two more bi-level Dome cars will be delivered next month, bringing the total to six, and next year’s schedule sees the summer operating period extended from April 18 to October 20. This brings the number of departures up to 148 from 134 this year.
But the Rocky Mountaineer is not just a luxury train journey – and that’s another reason for its popularity. It has amassed a wide range of land packages which can be built into the trip during the summer season.
It is now experimenting with winter add-ons in December that include resort skiing and other winter sports activities, wildlife excursions, soft adventure, gourmet tours and city stays which can all be combined on east and westbound routes.
Director of sales Europe, Sarah Jones, said: “Some 20 different itineraries can now be wrapped around extended two-day winter trips departing in December and ranging from one to 16 nights. We are targeting UK agents through the Canada travel specialists.”
An example includes a five-night/six-day Sun Peaks Ski Circle tour. It begins with a coach transfer from Calgary to Banff and overnight, followed by the Rocky Mountaineer train to Kamloops for two-days’ skiing at Sun Peaks and three overnights. Clients board the return train to Banff where the final overnight is taken before road transfer back to Calgary.
Prices for the December 19 departure start at £490. This includes five-night’ stays, two days on the train (RedLeaf service), two-day ski pass and transfers.
All Canada Travel and Holidays has added just the two-day rail trip in December from £225 one way (RedLeaf) to £890 for a round-trip (GoldLeaf) based on two sharing.
Canada’s most popular resorts: Inghams – Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, Tremblant and Fernie; First Choice – Banff, Lake Louise, Whistler, Jasper and Tremblant; Neilson – Banff, Lake Louise, Whistler, Tremblant, and Jasper; Ski Independence – Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, Tremblant and Jasper; Thomson – Banff, Lake Louise, Whistler and Jasper.
New product: Inghams has added the resort of Kimberley with prices from £344; First Choice and Neilson have introduced Canmore, near Banff, with prices from £529 and £429 respectively; Ski Independence has added Ferne, Sun Peaks and Big White from £579, £619 and £609 respectively. Prices are for one week including flights and accommodation.
Getting there: charters or scheduled flights. Journey time is around 10hrs to the west coast and 7hrs to the east coast.
Best for boarders: Neilson – Jasper; Ski Independence and Thomson – Whistler; Crystal – Lake Louise.
Best for beginners: First Choice, Crystal and Ski Independence – Tremblant; Neilson – Lake Louise.
Best for advanced: First Choice, Ski Independence, Thomson, Crystal and Neilson – Whistler.
Best for kids: First Choice and Thomson – Banff; Neilson and Crystal – Tremblant; Ski Independence – Whistler.
Best for partygoers: First Choice and Thomson – Whistler; Neilson, Crystal and Ski Independence – Banff.
Sample operator view: “It’s a cracking year for Canada as it represents such good value for money, with high-quality accommodation and a terrific variety of skiing. For warmer weather and good ski runs you can ski at Whistler, for a big town atmosphere and variety of slopes you can ski at Banff and then in the east you have Tremblant which is good for beginners as it has some great teachers. Complaints are rare.”
First Choice marketing director Adrian Harwood.
For more details: Canadian Tourist Office; tel: 020-7930 8540; fax: 020-7389 1149; Web site: www.canadatourism.com