Travel Agent - June 23, 2008 - (Page TA-32) DESTINATIONS CANADA PHOTO BY ADRIENNE ONOFRI WINTER IN THE ROCKIES BY ADRIENNE ONOFRI PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TO THE CANADIAN ROCKIES IN SUMMER will speak—still awestruck—about the lustrous aquamarine of Lake Louise and how it perfectly reflects the mountains. For many, that image is their most indelible memory from an extremely memorable place. Although the lake is frozen in winter, the blankets of white make this gorgeous destination that much more ambient, so keep this in mind when you jump-start planning a snowy vacation for your clients this winter. You don’t even have to ski to enjoy this cold climate. I learned as much when I spent several days in Alberta this past winter. Although I never put on skis, I still returned telling tales of sporting amid the snow and peaks. Non32 | TravelAgent June 23, 2008 skiers—or skiers on a day off from the slopes— can partake in such activities as snowbiking, dogsledding, ice hiking and snowshoeing during the Alberta winter. I stayed at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (www.fair montfamous.com). For a little history lesson, these were two of the earliest properties opened by Canadian Pacific when the transcontinental railway started building accommodations in the late 1800s for passengers who traveled to farther-flung stops on its routes. These hotels are entwined in history with tourism to the Canadian Rockies. Their guiding vision is expressed in the famous words of CP president William Cornelius Van Horne: “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists.” A Room With a View And that scenery is inescapable (not that you’d want it any other way), even if you book clients in rooms not classified as “view.” At Chateau Lake Louise, view means facing the lake; at Banff Springs, it refers to rooms on the valley side. But in both properties, mountains are visible from pretty much any accommodation your client chooses. When it’s time for socializing, each hotel has a lounge with massive picture windows looking out on the prime views. The best rooms to book in either hotel are the Deluxe View rooms, which are luxurious and very spacious—you could fit in a rollaway bed for kids and not overcrowd the room. With their classy decor, abundant space and full range of upscale amenities, Deluxe http://www.fairmontfamous.com http://www.fairmontfamous.com
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