Strong season for Rocky Mountaineer
For the last two months Canada’s newest tourist train, the Whistler Mountaineer has been rolling along the sea-to-sky corridor from Vancouver to Whistler. Rocky Mountaineer Railtours has also added another route—the two-day Whistler-to-Jasper trip (the Fraser Discovery Route) and the results of both have already exceeded expectations.
According to media reports, appealing to Whistler’s youth chic could be part of their success, as it moves away from the ageing demographic of their existing clients.
The Whistler Mountaineer is expected to attract 36,000 passengers between May and October this season. But it has already drawn 40,000, while the Fraser Discovery, which was expected to draw 3,600 passengers this year, has already attracted 3,200.
“The feedback has been tremendous and everyone has been telling us we have a hit with these two new routes,” Rocky Mountaineer representative Michelle Dunn told the Vancouver Sun newspaper.
The Whistler Mountaineer offers a new perspective on some of the most spectacular vistas of Canada’s British Columbia province. There’s also a la carte dining and side journeys to soaring mountains and glacier-fed lakes.
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The train itself consists of two Glacier Domes and the Heritage Observation Car, while two 1950s-style Coast Classic coaches that have large picture windows and plenty of legroom.
There is also an overnight stay in Kamloops, where passengers experience a buffet dinner and a show based on the escapades of the notorious train robber, Billy Miner.
The new Fraser Discovery service includes an overnight stay in Quesnel. The train also weaves 1,034 kilometres through the Cariboo and Chilcotin ranges of British Columbia to Jasper.
“We are extremely proud of our past achievements and intend to build on these successes in 2006,” says James Terry, COO of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations.
“With the launch of our two new scenic routes, which connect in a network with our existing routes, we are able to continue to offer our guests the most spectacular train trips and vacations in the world.”
The company has also put packages together for the Whistler Mountaineer, where travellers can combine the three-hour train ride with a number of activities.
This includes utilising spas in Whistler, gondola rides, bungee jumping, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) rides and float plane flights. While the “Whistler Zipline Adventure” features boardwalks, ziplines and canopy walks.
The company has been honoured with the prestigious
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2005 World Travel Award as, “World’s Leading Travel Experience By Train.”
The Vancouver - Banff, GoldLeaf Service is also featuring again this year in this
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