New Heights Panorama Mountain Village Growing to Meet Future Demands Snow Patrol Make Tracks for the Hills – There’S a Slope at Every Turn Disc Ver
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A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD WINTER 2013/14 NEW HEIGHTS PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE GROWING TO MEET FUTURE DEMANDS SNOW PATROL MAKE TRACKS FOR THE HILLS – THERE’S A SLOPE AT EVERY TURN DISC VER CHEERY OUTLOOKWINTER TOAST THE SEASON AT THESE SLOPE-SIDE WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVALS ADVERTISING FEATURE Explore winter contents SWEEPING PANORAMA New owners are wonders in transforming B.C. ski mecca Panorama Moun- tain Resort one expansion at a time. Lake Louise 4/5 The ultimate winter getaway, can be SPICE OF WINTER found in the heart of the Rockies at You don’t have to be an avid skier or snow- The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The boarder to enjoy winter. Consider these historic hotel nestles the shores of the alternatives. famed Lake Louise and is framed by 6 the breathtaking snow-capped Rocky Mountains. The Chateau’s location provides the WHITE OUT home base for an unmatched outdoor Everywhere you look in the West — winter experience with activities including Montana and Idaho — there’s a — Travel Alberta/Anthony Redpath ranging from the serene to the ski resort beckoning. extreme. There is world-class skiing at 7 OUR BACKYARD, the three ski resorts in Banff National Park, including Lake Louise Ski Resort CELEBRATE THE SEASON Warm up to winter IS YOUR BACKYARD only moments away, Sunshine Village Cower from winter? Not likely. Here in the Ski & Snowboard Resort and Mount West, it’s just another excuse for a party. From ice fishing on northern lakes to storm watching on the West Coast, it’s This Winter, Ski & Play for Free while Norquay. Guests at the Chateau can 16 exploring the majestic beauty of Lake experience cross-country skiing, ice easy to embrace the cooler season. By Gerald Vander Pyl skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, Louise! After a long day on the slopes, snowmobile tours, ice canyon walks, or WINING ABOUT WINTER In winter Calgarians have two choices — huddle indoors in Edmonton, the Canmore Nordic Festival, Snow Days kick back and indulge in luxurious a mountain heritage guide excursion Yes you can at festivals dedicated to the grape waiting for the return of spring, or get out and enjoy. in Banff and the uniquely named Tongue on a Post Blue- during their stay. The best part is all and other heartwarming spirits. Both Alberta and British Columbia offer countless ways grass Music Festival in Lethbridge. Fairmont style at The Fairmont this is available right outside the doors 18 to welcome winter. Across the border in British Columbia, winter is a fan- Chateau Lake Louise. of the hotel. “We look at it as embracing winter, not moaning about tastic time to visit, says Janice Greenwood-Fraser with The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise it,” says Royce Chwin, chief marketing officer with Travel Destination British Columbia. PLUS: BEST OF.... is the perfect place to stay to get These are just a few of our favourite places Alberta. “If you’re going to do winter right, you’re com- While ski vacations are always popular, Greenwood- ing to Alberta, because Alberta has a great series of win- Fraser says, “there are a lot of reasons beyond skiing to the most out of a winter getaway. for backcountry lodges, winter views and Originally built as a base for outdoor ter experiences all through this province.” come into B.C. during the winter. With so many mountain enthusiasts and alpinists, the Chateau apres-skiing. Skiing and snowboarding are obvious first choices, he says. ranges we have an amazing wealth of opportunities.” today offers 554 guest rooms and 6, 16 and 19 “We have an international reputation for downhill ski- She says snowshoeing has really taken off in the last PHOTO: BANFF LAKE LOUISE TOURISM/PAUL ZIZKA TOURISM/PAUL PHOTO:LOUISE LAKE BANFF suites, up-to-date technology and ing and snowboarding at our Banff resorts, and great few years. conveniences, including a spa, and ON THE COVER: cross-country skiing, particularly at Canmore. But I don’t “It’s one of those activities that has a pretty low thresh- 36,000 square feet of meeting and Panorama Snow School; photo by Evan think people realize that there are more than 25 resorts old. It doesn’t require a lot of special skills or equipment, event space. There are numerous Mitsui; courtesy Panorama Mountain Village for downhill skiing throughout Alberta.” but it really creates access to a lot of different areas.” shops, services and dining options, Snowmobiling is another option, and Chwin says the Snowshoers can find trails for a short and gentle out- ranging from regional fare to province has many great places to sled, including near ing, or create a backcountry expedition. Package includes accommodation, traditional afternoon tea. Guests will Whitecourt, northwest of Edmonton. Snowmobiling is another great way to enjoy the wilds SKI AND PLAY 2 tri-area lift tickets daily - OR- a enjoy impeccable service that ensures Other activities include dog sledding near Lake Louise, Can- in B.C. Greenwood-Fraser suggests newcomers to the a stay at The Fairmont Chateau Lake more and Banff; snow tubing; ice fishing on lakes renowned sport try a guided half-day or day-long trip with a tour $100 daily resort credit to be used Discover Winter Louise is nothing short of memorable. for the sport such as Slave Lake, Cold Lake, or Calling Lake; or company, while more experienced sledders can stay at FOR FREE towards dining, spa, or resort activities is a special publication of Also available is Fairmont Gold, “for those with no fear of heights, there’s ice climbing.” backcountry lodges that cater specifically to them. at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise which is the pinnacle of the exclusive the Calgary Herald Then there are more exotic winter experiences, such as Thanks to milder weather, winter in B.C. can include STARTING FROM lifestyle hotel experience. Publication Date: Oct. 26, 2013 walking through an icy frozen river canyon, such as John- many un-winterlike activities such as golfing, bike riding, To explore more ski packages This season, stay close to home and Project co-ordinator: Jennifer Worley ston Canyon near Banff or Maligne Canyon near Jasper. beachcombing and surfing on Vancouver Island. Another and to book, please visit: explore the winter wonders of our own 403-235-7119 “You can take a great walk through the ice canyon at unique opportunity is storm watching along the west fairmont.com/lakelouise backyard at The Fairmont Chateau [email protected] Johnston, then actually hop on a trail and snowshoe a coast of Vancouver Island. * Lake Louise. For more information, trail all the way up to an area known as the Ink Pots. It’s “Some of these fantastic rainstorms come in off the Pacific, $339 or call 1 800 441 1414 including winter get-away packages, absolutely a stunning piece of landscape,” Chwin says. and you can be staying in a cozy lodge or cabin on the beach go to Fairmont.com/LakeLouise or call Winter festivals can also help take the chill off. There’s and watching those storms roll in,” says Greenwood-Fraser. * The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Ski & Play for Free package is based on double occupancy in a Fairmont room. 1-800-441-1414. everything from city-based events such as Ice on Whyte “It’s really quite amazing.” Subject to availability at time of booking. A one night non-refundable deposit required at the time of booking. Discover Winter | 2013/14 3 2013_Discover_Magazine-CH.indd 1 10/7/2013 5:45:31 PM One of the goals set early on was to become the best family- focused“ resort in Canada within five years. We’re three years into that now and are well on our way. It’s a beautiful autumn day and Rick Jensen with Panorama Mountain Village is providing a tour of ” developments taking place on the mountain, located 18 kilometres west of Invermere, B.C. Having driven high up the ski slopes, Jensen stops at a landing to point out construction underway on additional snowmaking, and the planned alignment of a new chairlift to be installed next summer in time for the 2014-15 ski season. From the viewpoint he outlines the location of a new residential development on the mountain called Trappers Ridge that is moving ahead with an initial phase of single- family homes. Jensen, who recently stepped away from his post as CEO and president to head up Panorama’s Trappers Ridge development, is enthusiastic about what is taking place at the resort during a time when many are scaling back plans or putting things on hold after the recession. As the most visible of the group of local owners that bought Panorama in 2010 from Intrawest, Jensen says they are committed to investing in the future of the resort — to the tune of almost $12 million over the next two years. Jensen says with the ski industry flat, you have to build and compete to gain market share. HIGHER “That’s why it’s so exciting to be part of the creation and growth of a world-class resort.” Rick Jensen, a member of the Panorama ownership group. Sitting down to chat in the clubhouse at Greywolf Golf — Gerald Vander Pyl photo Course, also located in the mountain village, where outside a new clubhouse is under construction, Jensen talks more Then a decision some in the ski industry may view as about the philosophy of the ownership group. risky was made to move ahead with major on-mountain “One of the goals set early on was to become the best improvements, including the chairlift and development of family-focused resort in Canada within five years.