It’s not just the rail world’s lack of airport security, cattle-car ambience and gut-wrenching turbulence, but also its sense of pomp and circumstance, its Old World civility. Stations are often grand old edifices where smartly uniformed porters will lug your overweight luggage and station staff might even lend a hand as you step up into your car.

Then there’s the “All aboard!” call that never fails to set off an anticipatory flutter of my heart, even if it’s a recorded call to action.

And it was just so as I boarded the Rocky Mountaineer in the bleary-eyed dawn in Vancouver’s East End. As the whistle sounded and my carriage lurched ever so slightly, the staff lined up rail-side in a waving honor guard. A steward arrived with a much-needed pot of fresh coffee. Eco-friendly, with a place to stretch my legs and real food – sign me up to the rails anytime.

Rocky Mountain Railtours, the largest passenger rail service in North America, crisscrosses British Columbia on four luxury routes. I had recently traveled from Vancouver to Whistler on their Whistler Mountaineer, a day trip up Howe Sound and back complete with baby bear sightings. Scenery-ogling was accompanied by an open bar from 8 a.m., a full gourmet breakfast and high tea on the way back.

The Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff is RMR’s signature trip – it’s also the only passenger service provider on that route – and because it is lauded as one of the world’s great rail rides by National Geographic and others, I was keen to jump on board. From the Rockies to the Pacific is the historic final leg of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s 3,000-mile transcontinental route from Montreal to Vancouver, following in the footsteps and paddle strokes of early explorers and opening Canada’s west in the late 1800s.

Read full story >>> SeattlePI.com

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

A meal on the Rocky Mountaineer train is truly an experience like none other.

The coach alone can rival many of the city’s finest restaurants in terms of elegance, grace, comfort and style. The bi-level glass domed coach offers stunning panoramic views from the upper level and an intimate dining room setting.

Onboard Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service, guests are treated to three-course a la carte meals, complete with white linen tablecloths and napkins, polished silverware and fresh cut flowers on the main level. It’s more like a five-star fine dining restaurant on wheels.

Menus feature a selection of local cuisine -from prime Alberta beef and famed west coast wild salmon, to pork tenderloin with onion compote -accompanied by award-winning wines from the renowned Okanagan Valley.

At the helm of the moving kitchen is French-born Frederic Couton. The executive chef trained at some of the most exclusive Michelin Star restaurants, honing his culinary skills in the kitchens of the Hilton Paris and Geneva.

His culinary skills then took him to other five-star restaurants in Montreal, Bangkok and Vancouver. Prior to joining Vancouver’s prestigious Cannery Seafood Restaurant in 1996, Couton held the position of executive chef at the esteemed British Columbia Club.

Over the years, Couton has amassed many international awards in culinary competitions at home and abroad. His latest achievement is a cookbook masterpiece published in 2006 outlining his outstanding creations as executive chef of The Cannery Seafood Restaurant.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/life/Dining+Rocky+Mountaineer+magnificent/3071871/story.html#ixzz0pcLkcz1D

Continue Reading >>> The Province

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Under the banner of a new name, the Whistler Mountaineer steamed its way to a near capacity opening weekend as it launched its summer season on May 14.

That “near capacity” weekend could be a sign of good things to come this summer for the re-branded “Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Climb.”

“The weekend was outstanding,” said Ian Robertson, executive director, corporate communications and public affairs for Rocky Mountaineer Vacations.

“It’s a strong indication that we’re starting to see a rebound in the tourism sector.

“I think we’re hoping for a slight increase over last year and, given that the tourism economy is still recovering, if we could continue to grow our business on this particular route we’d be very satisfied with that.”

Despite last year’s overall dip in the tourism sector that saw the industry decline anywhere from 20 to 40 per cent, the Whistler route stayed strong. Its 2009 numbers were on par with its 2008 numbers, whereas the more renowned Rocky Mountaineer numbers declined in the realm of 20 per cent. The Rocky Mountaineer runs between Vancouver and Alberta.

“I think that was an indication of residents vacationing closer to home,” said Robertson.

At the same time, guests from 59 countries around the world have travelled the Whistler route.

Continue reading: By Alison Taylor, Pique News Magazine

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

“With the excitement of the 2010 Games, we’re reminded of the enormous commitment it takes to succeed as a competitive athlete,” said Hubert Wat, VP, Marketing of Rocky Mountaineer. “We hope our support will help Tori realize her dream to become a world-class athlete and represent Canada at the highest level.”

Rocky Mountaineer is committed to its sustainable development mandate to contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of the regions along its rail routes. Rocky Mountaineer has invested $15,000 to Growing Champions over a three year period. The funding will help offset Tori’s expenses for frequent travel and the cost of high-performance equipment and training facilities’ fees.

“The funding from Rocky Mountaineer will enable me to keep growing as an athlete and assist me in achieving my ultimate sporting goals,” said Tori Spence. “This investment will help me gain the experience, training and coaching required to qualify for the 2010 and 2011 Junior World Championships and I could not be more thrilled.”

Recent first-place finishes have been exciting for 17 year-old Tori, who has spent the last six years competing in both Short-Track and Long-Track Speed Skating. She finished first in the 2009 North American Speed Skating Championships (3,000m category) in Calgary and first in the 2009 BC Long Track Championships in Richmond. Tori’s short term goal is to make the Long Track Junior Worlds Team for the 3,000m distance in the next two years. Then, she would love to qualify for the national team and represent Canada in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Games.

>>> continue reading

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Sandy Best with the The Lake Louise Ski Area says the our provincial government turned down an offer to run a train like this because of the costs. “At the end of the day, all of the world’s media and decision makers for travel are getting on an Albertan train to ride to a B.C. venue. And after they have enjoyed Whistler don’t get me wrong, its a killer mountain – awesome – can’t take away what they are doing, but the first thing they see in the morning and the last thing they see at night is Alberta.”

He also has been promoting tourism every step of the way. “The president of Mexicana Airlines is onboard. I would have to cut my right leg off, sell my children, do something insane, just to get 15 minutes with him. Here he is on the train, he is enjoying the scenery, Alberta food, Alberta hospitality; I get a chance to get to know him.”

Despite this, Best says the government of Alberta was criticized for spending the money to run this $7 million luxury train. For more information, take a look here.

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Cindy Ady, minister of tourism, parks and recreation, said Tuesday that the money the province spent on the three-year promotional campaign will be more than recouped through new business and tourism deals for Alberta.

Ady estimated the Olympic campaign would bring in about $70 million in business and tourism deals over the next two to three years.

Her department spent $6 million, including the cost of renting the Rocky Mountaineer train to run between Vancouver and Whistler adorned with logos advertising Alberta.

Around 2,800 people rode the train, including influential tour operators and travel writers, said Ady.

“The rights to the train cost us $4 million, and because we sold into private industry on several of the cars and were able to generate even more business for the province of Alberta, we netted back 50 per cent of the cost of the train,” Ady said. “So, the train cost the Alberta taxpayers $2 million.”

The Mountaineer will remain painted with Alberta logos for the rest of this year’s tourist season.

The Department of Culture and Community Spirit spent another $8 million to help Alberta artists take part in the Cultural Olympiad and perform at Alberta House, the provincial pavilion built to showcase the province at the Games.

“Alberta’s vibrant culture was showcased through the Cultural Olympiad and other arts programming connected to the Games,” said Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett.

The province said Alberta House and Alberta Plaza each attracted thousands of visitors, who came to see free concerts and other performances.

Read more: CBC News

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

James Terry, the rail tour company’s executive vice-president and chief operations officer, will discuss the change this evening in a presentation to the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association’s AGM. The meeting takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Plaza Heritage Hotel, 405 Victoria St.

Instead of simultaneous departures from Calgary and Vancouver arriving in Kamloops at the same time, the company will stagger departures. This means Rocky Mountaineer trains will be pulling into Kamloops six consecutive days a week, excluding Saturdays, instead of three times a week.

“Obviously we’re marketing and selling like crazy to get back to where we were prior to last year’s challenges,” Terry said. “We see better opportunities for growth.”

Although visitor numbers won’t necessarily change overall, the experience should be enhanced with only half the passengers arriving at the same time, he noted.

Source: Kamloops Daily News

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

The province has exclusively booked the Rocky Mountaineer for runs between Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., between Feb 12 and 28.

“We see this as one of the hottest tickets at the Olympics,” said Tourism Minister Cindy Ady.

“I haven’t run across anyone who hasn’t said, ‘What a great idea. What a good way to promote the province.’ Because it’s not here in Alberta, it’s out in Vancouver, right? And so you’ve got to do different things in order to get the attention that you want.”

Although official Olympic buses will be running back and forth from Whistler, Alberta will have the only train running between the two Olympic sites. The train will be “more or less shrink wrapped in the Alberta flag” and will have promotional materials throughout, she said.

To help cover the cost of the deal, provincial officials also plan to rent out space on the Alberta Train to corporations wanting to treat customers.

The Alberta government won’t provide a breakdown on how its $7-million Olympics marketing budget will be spent, but besides the train, the province is hosting a pavilion in downtown Vancouver on the busy corner of Robson and Beatty streets called Alberta House.

The facility will have a public plaza featuring artists and performances, as well as interactive screens to share information about the province with Olympic visitors.

“The other provinces all have houses as well; we just think ours is particularly well positioned and that the train will give us attention in our worldwide markets, where we have some almost $5-billion worth of tourism industry that has also been struggling,” she said.

“The Olympics is not probably going to come back to Canada for another 22 years. This is Canada’s Games. The world is going to be looking at us. This opportunity doesn’t fall in your lap every day.”

Source: CBC News >>> continue reading

Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Until January 5, 2010, BC and Washington Residents pay only $109 per adult round trip when booking four or more guests.

Whistler Dome Service attendantEnjoy the breathtaking scenery between Vancouver and Whistler, hosts of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, all in the comfort and stress-free environment of the train. During your three-hour trip you’ll journey from the coastal city of Vancouver, through scenic Howe Sound and the spectacular Cheakamus Canyon, across a trestle bridge, past the jagged snow-capped peaks of the Tantalus Mountains and by an old extinct volcano, before finally arriving in the mountain landscape of world-renowned Whistler Village.

>>> BC Residents click here

>>> Washington State Residents click here

Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Rocky Mountaineer is gearing up to celebrate 20 successful years in business and will relaunch its brand, strengthening its position as one of the world’s best travel experiences. Consistently committed to innovation and excellence, Rocky Mountaineer’s new logo and branding will be implemented throughout the entire company, starting with the recently released 2010 brochure and newly launched, user-friendly website. The elegant gold logo and train design better reflects the exceptional and world-class onboard experience, while the new route names depict the unique scenery and highlights found along Rocky Mountaineer’s four different rail journeys.

“As a company, we continually strive to create the very best travel experience for our guests, always setting the bar higher and higher,” says Hubert Wat, Vice President, Marketing of Rocky Mountaineer. “With our 20th year upon us, we wanted to freshen up our look and create a brand identity that better represents our company, solidifying our product as an iconic travel experience.”

The newly introduced route names tell a story about each distinct rail journey, appealing to the tastes of a wide variety of travellers. Whether its main highlights are historical landmarks, rugged undiscovered wilderness or majestic mountain ranges, each route has a unique charm.

True to its new name, this route retraces the historic Canadian Pacific Railway, famous for uniting the country and connecting British Columbia to Canada 125 years ago. First Passage to the West is Rocky Mountaineer’s flagship route and continues to be the most popular with visitors from around the world. Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels, an engineering masterpiece and Craigellachie, which is the location of the last spike on Canada’s transcontinental rail line.

With the top usually covered in clouds, Mount Robson, the most prominent mountain in the Canadian Rockies, is the highlight of this route. On a clear day, lucky guests may get a glimpse of the very top! Travellers also experience scenic valleys, the Coast Mountain Range and the Fraser Canyon with its spectacular raging white water and dramatic landscape.

Launched in 2006, Rocky Mountaineer’s newest rail journey travels through pristine and rarely seen wilderness. With some of the most breathtaking and varied scenery, this route is known for its dramatic transformations from coastal rainforest to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon and over the ranchlands of the Cariboo Gold Rush region.

Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies