October 17, 2003 -- Check out this "Rail & Ski" package for this coming holiday season. It's a weeklong journey between Calgary and Vancouver (you can go either direction) on the famed Rocky Mountaineer train taking in the snow-peaked mountain scenery with a three-day break in Banff for some serious skiing. Prices start from $859 per person, based on double occupancy.
Offered by Rocky Mountain Railtours, you can depart from Calgary heading west on December 17 or December 25. Eastbound routes from Vancouver leave on December 18 and December 26.
You get a spectacular, two-day journey on the train and then three days on the slopes at resorts near Banff and Lake Louise in pristine Alberta Province. You can choose between the Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village or Lake Louise resorts staying in just one or flitting amongst the three.
There are more than 227 trails amongst the 7,500 acres in the three ski areas. Mt. Norquay Resort offers skiing and snowboarding for all competency levels on 31 tree-sheltered runs. Sunshine Village is spread over three mountain faces, with an annual natural snowfall of 30 feet. Lake Louise, the third choice, is Canada's largest ski area, they say, with 11 square miles of terrain and 106 runs.
On the train, there will be treats and gifts, holiday-themed meals, an appearance by Santa Claus, entertainment for children and musical performances. If you go for the lower-priced Redleaf service, you'll be placed in a coach car and get your meals and snacks at your seat. In the higher-end Goldleaf service, you will be in a two-level dome car, sitting upstairs and going to the lower level for your meals at regular dining tables. In either case, you spend one night en route in the town of Kamloops, so that your rail trip will be only in daylight, better enabling you to drink in the marvelous Rockies scenery.
You can get more information about the package on the company's winter website at www.winterrailtours.com (click "Select a Vacation" then "Rail and Ski"). For a free brochure or additional information, call Rocky Mountaineer Railtours at 800/665-7245.
