Alberta has reserved a luxury train during the Vancouver Olympics as part of a $7- million marketing plan meant to woo tourists and business executives.
The province has exclusively booked the Rocky Mountaineer for runs between Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., between Feb 12 and 28. Read the full story
This year, skip the Christmas sweater and give them a unique gift they’ll really remember - a stunning rail journey between Vancouver and Whistler.
Until January 5, 2010, BC and Washington Residents pay only $109 per adult round trip when booking four or more guests. Read the full story
The province of Alberta is full steam ahead in its preparations for the 2010 Games.
In addition to renting six luxury dome cars on the Rocky Mountaineer to shuttle guests between Vancouver and Whistler, the province will also have a home base in each location for its guests.
And so the clubhouse of the Whistler Golf Club will be transformed into a mini Alberta House of sorts - a business/hospitality centre where guests of Alberta can gather after a day in Whistler before getting back on the train and enjoying a five-course meal on the way to back to Vancouver.
“It’s a VIP experience,” said Russ Tynan, executive director of Alberta’s Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat, created over one year ago. “That’s what we’ve touted it to be. It’s about business development.
“This is about businesses and colleagues needing to connect with the right people and establishing long-term relationships, and how better to do that than… attending a world class celebration in a great place.”
Tynan explained that the province readily jumped on board with plans for 2010 after an official invitation from B.C. and Olympic organizers. The invitation was extended across Canada.
Alberta, however, has the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics under its belt and understands what kind of benefits can come from being a part of 2010.
“We’ve been fortunate,” said Tynan. “We were given the opportunity 20 some odd years ago to host the Olympics and we understand how the world’s attention will shift and so we know that invitation we got is pretty magical and pretty special and so we’re not going waste it.”
The province has committed $6.6 million in new funds for the program. Other funding will come from existing programs.
The world will know the province is at the Games as the train will be wrapped in messaging with the name “Alberta” as it travels through Sea to Sky country.
The top of the line Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service dome cars and lounge cars will be used for the occasion.
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By Alison Taylor, Pique Newsmagazine, >>> continue reading
Limited time offer: Book by 25th September 2009
This fantastic offer allows you to sit back and relax and experience one of Canada’s most exciting three-hour rail journey – the Whistler Mountaineer – a breathtaking train trip between North Vancouver and Whistler in Glacier Dome.
Until 25th September, 2009, book a Rocky Mountaineer two-day rail journey or vacation package, and receive a round-trip journey onboard the Whistler Mountaineer train for FREE, plus a CA$50 Rocky Mountaineer souvenir credit.
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WHISTLER, British Columbia — As I ride to the top of Whistler Mountain in a gondola, I see mountain bikers stirring up dust clouds beneath me. To my left, a zip-liner streaks past me between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
Not far away — though out of my sight range — I know skiers are plying their summer sport on Blackcomb’s glacier, and below me, golfers are enjoying what many, including Golf Digest, say are the best courses in Canada. (The bears think so, too; they often show up on the fairways).
This little mountain town is a perpetual motion machine. But the most popular sport, by the numbers, is the one I’m practicing: rubber-necking. Whatever brings you to Whistler, you’ll wind up gaping at the mountains, trees and rivers.
That’s what makes the Whistler Mountaineer the perfect way to get to the village. The train trip takes three hours, when you can drive it in about two, but who wants to be concentrating on curves instead of the landscape? So my husband and I booked the Mountaineer for the trip up and, a day later, back.
As the trip starts, one of our car’s two guides pours mimosas so we can toast our trip. We’re then served breakfast: fresh fruit, a cheese omelet, Canadian bacon, potatoes, coffee and juice. Thus stoked, we stare out the window.
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By Helen Anders, statesman.com, >>> continue reading
WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER GIVES CANADA’S HOTTEST MUSIC STARS A ROCKIN’ RIDE ON THE RAILS
~ 2009 JUNO Awards Gift Bag includes Whistler Mountaineer ticket between Vancouver and Whistler, BC ~
Vancouver, British Columbia (February 26, 2009) – Canadian music fans could find themselves seated next to the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Simple Plan and Nickelback onboard the Whistler Mountaineer this season. The three-hour train trip between Vancouver and Whistler is one of a few BC items to be included in this year’s coveted JUNO Awards Gift Bag, given exclusively to the show’s host, presenters and performers. The 2009 JUNO Awards event is held in Vancouver, BC on Sunday, March 29, 2009 and the “swag” bag contains a return train trip for two onboard the Whistler Mountaineer Glacier Dome, valued at $600.
It is rock star treatment all the way with the Whistler Mountaineer, which travels along BC’s famous Sea to Sky Corridor between Vancouver and Whistler. The journey begins on the red carpet and continues with a morning mimosa and the ultimate in personalized service in the exclusive Glacier Dome. For an up close view of the stunning waterfalls, sparkling Pacific waters and snow-capped mountain peaks, musicians and fans alike can visit the train’s open air Heritage Observation Car. Canadian music stars also hear fascinating commentary of the region and are served a hot gourmet breakfast and scrumptious afternoon tea.
The 2009 JUNO Awards, Canada’s preeminent music awards show will air on CTV on Sunday, March 29, 2009 from General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC. The show will be hosted by Russell Peters and will feature a star-studded line up of artists who will perform, including Sarah McLachlan, City and Colour, Nickelback and Simple Plan.
The Whistler Mountaineer is owned and operated by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations and has been in service since 2006. In addition to the four spectacular rail routes that travel through British Columbia and Alberta, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations also offers unique Canadian vacation packages. Since its inception in 1990, the company has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and has hosted over one million guests onboard. In 2007, the Rocky Mountaineer train was honoured with a World Travel Award as “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” for the third consecutive and named by National Geographic as one of the “World’s Greatest Trip.”
Contact:
Nancy Dery
Media Relations & Communications Specialist
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations
(604) 606-8419
ndery@rockymountaineer.com
www.rockymountaineer.com
For more information, images and story ideas visit: www.whistlermountaineer.com
Source Link: News Bureau/media
