ROCK the ROCKIES Sightseeing & Party tour UBC, FSU, UFV & more!
ROCK the ROCKIES READING WEEK
6 days / 5 nights
February 12 – 17, 2012 – - SFU & UFV
February 19 – 24, 2012 – - UBC
This is THE ULTIMATE Rocky Mountain Winter Wonderland Tour!
** BANFF has been named the #1 Canadian travel destination by TripAdvisor!
PRICING
Student (with valid student card) & Youth (19 & under)= $499
Adult price (20+) = $549
TOUR OVERVIEW
The Rocky Mountains are an Amazing place to visit any time of the year! Each season has it’s own magic and in winter it’s snow covered mountains, frozen lakes, stunning glaciers and more. It’s everything you could imagine in a Winter Wonderland Tour with a healthy dose of PARTIES thrown in!!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- LAKE LOUISE. Visit the most famous lake in Canada and try ice skating or cross country skiing (subject to ice conditions). Or you can go for a hike around (or across!) the lake. A variety of other outdoor activities such as a horse drawn sleigh ride or dog sledding are also available – just ask your guide for details.
- BANFF. The most famous mountain village in the Canadian Rockies.
- JOHNSTON CANYON. Join us on a stunning “canyon crawl” ice hike as we explore this rugged and picturesque canyon with frozen waterfalls and photo ops galore!
- 4 NATIONAL PARKS. These include Banff, Yoho, Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke National Parks.
- BANFF HOT SPRINGS. After a long day of sightseeing, enjoy a calm relaxing soak in the famous hot springs pool.
- WELCOME to the TOUR PARTY. Join us on our first night as we head to the Rockwater Bar in Golden to dance and party with new friends.
- MIDDLE of the TOUR PARTY. Head out to Banff’s #1 nightclub for a ragin’ good time!
- END of TOUR PARTY. For the brave who dare to join us, we have our final night around a roaring campfire. Marshmallow roasts, songs, a blazing fire, dozens of new friends, ghost stories, and maybe a drink or two. This is soooo Canadian – It just doesn’t get any better!
- CAMP WEST TREK. It’s a rockin’ way to start or end your tour! Camp songs, ghost stories, a roaring fire, an authentic First Nations tepee, & life sized animal carvings all combine to make this a favourite stop!
- MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL. Part of the 3 rules of tourism – Location, Location, Location. This hotel is right in the centre of Banff within easy walking distance to all the shops, restaurants, and night clubs. (Subject to availability.)
- TWO NIGHTS in GOLDEN! This is the perfect hopping off point for a tour of the Rockies, both going and returning.
- HOCKEY in the ROCKIES. Play a game or two of ball hockey in Golden!
- INDOOR POOLS, HOT TUBS & WATERSLIDES. 2 of our 3 nights feature these amenities.
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TOUR INCLUDES
- The PERFECT MIX of amazing adventures and stunning sightseeing!
- 5 nights hotel accommodation. Price is based on 4 per room sharing 2 queen beds. Upgrades subject to availability
- 3 nights in Banff and 2 nights in Golden
- 4 MEALS – 2 continental breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Entrance to the Banff Hot Springs (don’t forget to bring a bathing suit!)
- Daily guided sightseeing through some of the most incredible scenery in the world.
- Free entrance to Banff & Golden’s best party places.
- Deluxe coach transportation – as always, getting there can be half the FUN!
- Videos, games and entertainment on the coach
- A FUN & FRIENDLY Canadian Tour Guide
- All tips and taxes
- All park fees
TOUR OPTIONS
For many of you, this is a once in a lifetime chance to visit the Canadian Rockies. Make the most of it by participating in some incredible optional activities.
- BANFF GONDOLA. Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain for incredible 360 degree views. The gondola climbs 698 m (2,292 ft) to the 2, 281 m (7,486 ft) summit of Sulphur Mountain. Fantastic views of the town of Banff, Mt. Rundle, the Bow Valley and Cascade Mountain. $30
- Ice Skating on Lake Louise (subject to ice conditions). This will be one of those times that you remember for a lifetime! 2 hour skate rental for $10.50 – book on the bus.
- Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride at Lake Louise. The ride is 45 minutes to an hour long and starts in front of the stunning Chateau Lake Louise. $30
- Dog Sled Tour. How Canadian is that?! The dogs can pull up to 375 pounds / 170 kilos. The ride is 1.5 to 2 hours long for $320. That’s $159 each when you and a friend go together. If you have 3 “lightweights”, you can add a 3rd person for only $85 more!
- Lake Louise lift ticket – $80 (18 and older) / $65 (13 – 17)
- Rental packages - Skis, boots, poles OR Snowboard and boots – $35. ** Must be booked no later than 48 hours before departure
- Ski or Snowboard Lesson – 1.5 hours – $42. ** Must be booked no later than 48 hours before departure
- Lift, Lesson & Rental Package – $140. ** Must be booked no later than 48 hours before departure
- Jacket Rental – $10 / day
- Room Upgrades (base price is 4 per room sharing 2 queen beds). Note that upgrades are subject to availability.
- 3 per room add $40 per person
- 2 per room or private bed in a room with 3, add $110
- Private room add $330
TOUR DATES
February 12 – 17, 2012 – - SFU & UFV
February 19 – 24, 2012 – - UBC
TOUR ITINERARY
** NOTE – winter driving conditions can make a big difference on timings. Safety is our #1 concern so, when driving through the mountains in winter the rule is – you get there when you get there.
Day 1 – Vancouver to Golden. Welcome to the Tour Party.
7:15 am - Meet at the corner of Seymour St. and Cordova St. opposite the Waterfront Skytrain & Seabus Station.
Please check with our office re. additional pickups at UBC, SFU, and UFV – info@westtrek.com
The fun begins as you leave Vancouver. Your Guide reviews some of the highlights of the tour plus gives you details on all you need to know in order to take full advantage of your time in the Rockies. We have special on board activities to help break the ice and let you get to know your new friends and fellow adventurers.
Rest stop in the Hope area.
Lunch break in Kamloops
Pass through Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks.
7:30 pm – Arrive in Golden.
Welcome to the Tour PARTY at Camp West Trek with Christmas Carols.
Day 2 – Golden to Banff. Lake Louise & Hot Springs
- Breakfast at the hotel (included)
- Enjoy a breathtakingly scenic drive through Yoho National Park.
- Lake Louise for ice skating (depending on ice conditions), walk around the lake, horse drawn sleigh ride (optional).
- Check in to our Banff Hotel
- In the evening we head up to the Banff Upper Hot Springs for a relaxing soak (included)
Day 3 – Banff tour, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Gondola. Aurora Nightclub – Middle of the Tour Party
- Banff tour includes stops at Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, and the Cave and Basin.
- Join in a Canyon Crawl at Johnston Canyon. 2 amazing waterfalls and lots of slippery fun!
- Head out to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, for more awesome scenery.
- Head to the to of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola to watch the sunset or just enjoy the spectacular views! (Optional)
- In the evening we head out to Banff’s most popular nightclub for a party night. Note that the drinking age in Alberta is 18, not 19 like in Vancouver.
Day 4 – Ski Louise or Free time
- For the skiers or snowboarders in the group, we head up to Lake Louise for a day on the slopes.
- The rest of the group has free time to explore Banff or try one of a host of other activities available through the Banff Activity Centre.
- We dance the night away at the Aurora Nightclub!
Day 5 – Banff to Golden. End of Tour Party at The Rockwater
- The morning is free in Banff to visit any sights you may have missed. You have the option to join our guide for a hike to Sundance Canyon.
- In the afternoon we head back to Golden.
- Dinner included.
- In the evening we head to The Rockwater for an End of Tour Party. We’re back in BC so you need to be 19 and older.
Day 6 – Golden to Vancouver
- Breakfast at the hotel included.
- Back to Vancouver via Kamloops and the Coquihalla Highway.
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TOUR ACCOMMODATIONS
West Treks Rocky Mountain properties are clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. Check out the links below for a closer look:
Mount Royal Hotel, Banff, Alberta – www.mountroyalhotel.com
Sportsman Lodge, Golden, BC – www.sportsmanlodge.ca
Location, Location, Location – Before booking your Rocky Mountain tour, it’s important to check out the hotels for the amenities they offer and where they are located. This is where many budget tour operators save money by booking less expensive hotels in out of the way locations. Your satisfaction is our priority!
TOUR NOTES
What to bring:
- Swimming suit for the Indoor Pools and the Banff Hot Springs
- Proof of medical insurance
- Government Photo ID (passport) & Student ID
- Good walking shoes or hiking boots
- Night club attire for Banff
- Really warm jacket, hat, and gloves. We suggest that you bring several layers of clothing so that you can adjust to the various mountain temperaturs.
Policies:
- We recommend paying at least 30 days before departure to avoid disappointment.
- The tour is NON-REFUNDABLE within 14 days of departure.
- NO REFUND if you fail to show up at the meeting spot on time.
- A small bus may be used for smaller groups.
