North America’s First Brandauer Mountain Coaster Coming to Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is thrilled to be expanding summer operations for 2016 with the addition of North America’s very first Brandauer Mountain Coaster.

North America’s first Brandauer mountain coaster will be open to the public in the summer of 2016.

Starting at Revelation Lodge, the unique single-track coaster will travel 1.4 km and drop 279 vertical metres while speeding through ski runs, forest, and a tunnel, before ending up in the Village Plaza.

Unlike a typical roller coaster or the more common dual-rail mountain coasters, the Brandauer design features a monorail which is built close to the ground and simulates the thrill of downhill mountain biking as it travels up to 42 km/hr, with guests controlling their own speed.

“Our coasters have been a huge success in Europe, and we are excited to have the opportunity to install the first Brandauer mountain coaster in North America at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, where I believe the terrain of the lower mountain will perfectly complement our technology and create an amazing ride,” said Brandauer’s President, Josef Brandauer.

This attraction will be the newest addition to Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s exciting lineup of summer activities including Sightseeing via the Revelation Gondola, as well as Heli Adventures with Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, offering exhilarating activities including sightseeing, hiking, alpine picnics, and biking.

Peter Nielsen, Vice President of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, said this is another important step towards becoming a true four season resort.

“Revelstoke is a beautiful place in the summer and we jumped at the opportunity to bring in this unique attraction for visitors to the region,” said Nielsen. “I’m certain guests of all ages are going to have a blast speeding down the mountain, taking in unparalleled views on this one-of-a-kind coaster.”

Construction will be complete in spring 2016, and the coaster will be operational for the summer season.

An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

In partnership with Coastal Jazz, The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver is pleased to bring you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience an unforgettable evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Coastal Jazz presents a 30th anniversary banner event to bring you the highly anticipated ‘Cheek to Cheek’ Concert Tour, with two performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Monday, May 25 and Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

This one-of-a-kind offer is only available while supplies last, so be sure to book your package today!

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Monday, May 25, 2015

GOLD PACKAGE (From $799)
Price Zone 1 (Centre Orchestra/Centre Front Mezzanine/RC Front Mezzanine)

Includes:
• Deluxe overnight accommodations
• Two Price Zone 1 tickets to see Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

BRONZE PACKAGE From ($609)
Price Zone 3 (LC Orchestra/RC Orchestra/Right Dress Circle)

Includes:
• Deluxe overnight accommodations
• Two Price Zone 3 tickets to see Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

GOLD PACKAGE (From $799)
Price Zone 1 (Centre Orchestra/Centre Front Mezzanine/RC Front Mezzanine)

Includes:
• Deluxe overnight accommodations
• Two Price Zone 1 tickets to see Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

BRONZE PACKAGE (From $609)
Price Zone 3 (LC Orchestra/RC Orchestra/Right Dress Circle)

Includes:
• Deluxe overnight accommodations
• Two Price Zone 3 tickets to see Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• Complimentary self parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Terms & Conditions: Full non-refundable, pre-payment due at time of booking. Rates are based on double occupancy. Valid for the nights of May 25 and 26, 2015 only. Reservations must be booked by Sunday, May 17, 2015. Seats will be assigned at time of booking on a first come, first served basis. Subject to availability, taxes, and applicable fees. Some restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with other offers.

RED BULL COLD RUSH POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 23-26 DUE TO CURRENT BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS

Competitors scope venue before the Red Bull Cold Rush, Silverton, Colorado on March 5th, 2012. Photographer Credit: Ian Fohrman / Red Bull Content Pool

Due to unstable conditions in the backcountry, Red Bull Cold Rush will be postponed until March 23-26 when it will make its Revelstoke Mountain Resort debut.

With safety as the major priority, the decision was made by event organizers to delay the contest.

“Recent warming has impacted our venues in remote areas of the mountain over the last few days. Safety for athletes and delivering a premium, progressive ski contest are our ultimate goals for Red Bull Cold Rush. Unfortunately, current conditions will not allow for either.”  –  Scott Jewett, National Event Manager for Red Bull Canada

As a world class ski event that showcases athletes in some of the most challenging natural backcountry terrain, the contest is ultimately at the mercy of nature and unseasonably warm temperatures have made current conditions less than ideal outside of the resort’s boundaries.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is excited to welcome the athletes and the event to their mountain later in the season and are looking forward to an awesome event! See you in March Red Bull Cold Rush!

In the meantime, join us at Revelstoke Mountain Resort for epic skiing, amazing terrain, and the most snow in Canada! We are definitely still open (and you won’t regret experiencing the most vertical in North America)!

Competitors prepare for their runs at Red Bull Cold Rush in Silverton, Colorado on March 6th, 2012. Photographer Credit: Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool

RED BULL COLD RUSH ANNOUNCES ATHLETES & COURSE DETAILS

Sean Pettit hits the Castle Jump at Red Bull Cold Rush 2012 in Silverton, Colorado.                  Photographer Credit: Mike Arzt / Red Bull Content Pool

Invitations went out in early December to a select group of the top freeskiers around the world to meet in Revelstoke, BC for one of the biggest showdowns in the backcountry.

With Red Bull Cold Rush returning after a two year hiatus, athletes were quick to RSVP for a chance to take on a new mountain and claim a winning spot at the legendary contest. As an invitation only event, the 2015 athlete roster is stacked with some of the biggest names in the game featuring 15 male and 5 female competitors.

Being a multi-disciplinary event that fuses big mountain, cliffs, slopestyle, and touring, the competitors come from a diverse background. Athletes will be pushed well beyond their comfort zone in a contest that seeks to reward the most versatile all-around skier. Slopestyle skiers most comfortable with throwing big spins in the park will find themselves negotiating the steep alpine terrain and massive cliff drops of the upper area of Revelstoke Mountain Resort on Mount Mackenzie and traditional big mountain skiers will take on rails, kickers, and other custom built features. To help even the playing field, the contest will include a larger focus on ski touring allowing athletes to potentially recoup points lost in disciplines that are not their strong suit.

The view from the top of the Slopestyle venue for Red Bull Cold Rush 2015 in Revelstoke.         Photographer Credit: Bryan Ralph / Red Bull Content

The brand new playing field at Revelstoke Mountain Resort features one of the most all-encompassing contest sites in freestyle skiing, offering an amphitheater of powder that hosts four distinct venues each catering to one of the specific contest disciplines.

Tasked with the job of preparing the venue is veteran builder/freestyle skier Riley Leboe (Vernon, BC) who has been building jumps for as long as he can remember. Of the four contest zones, it is the slopestyle venue that Leboe gets most excited about which will feature roughly eight or nine jump and step-downs where skiers will have a choice to hit three features at the top of the venue, mid mountain, or at the bottom.

Freestyle skier Riley Leboe working on a jump at the Red Bull Cold Rush slopestyle venue.        Photographer Credit: Bryan Ralph / Red Bull Content Pool

“Athletes are going to have to nail three jumps in each line… it’s hard enough stomping one jump first try in the backcountry, so stomping three huge tricks out here is really going to show the level that freeskiing is at,” says Leboe. Beyond the built up kickers, the slopestyle course also comes equipped with some challenging natural terrain like wind lips and a step over that competitors can take advantage of, allowing them to pick their own unique lines on the slope.

Riley Leboe, Nick Leboe & Tatum Monod building the Red Bull Cold Rush Slopestyle course.    Photographer Credit: Bryan Ralph / Red Bull Content Pool

Putting this all together takes a six-man crew a full week on the mountain constructing the features entirely by hand. As a competitor in the event himself, Leboe is the perfect candidate to oversee the design of the course, ensuring it is up to the safety and skill expectations of his fellow athletes. He isn’t merely building his own personal dream park as he relies on the close input of other competitors. Athletes Dane Tudor, Chris Rubens, and Tatum Monod have already made a trip to visit Leboe on the build site. Regardless of the competitive format, the close knit group of athletes supports one another to simply ski the best they possibly can.

Here are your Red Bull Cold Rush 2015 competitors:

Male

• Bene Mayr (GER)
• Sage Cattabriga-Alosa (USA)
• Sean Pettit (CAN)
• Dane Tudor (CAN)
• Sammy Carlson (USA)
• Chris Rubens (CAN)
• Kye Petersen (CAN)
• Riley Leboe (CAN)
• Callum Pettit (CAN)
• Wiley Miller (CAN)
• Logan Pehota (CAN)
• Richard Permin (FRA)
• Johnny Collinson (USA)
• Stan Rey (SWZ)
• Joe Schuster (CAN)

Female

• Tatum Monod (CAN)
• Michelle Parker (USA)
• Ingrid Backstrom (USA)
• Grete Eliassen (USA)
• Suz Graham (USA)

Red Bull Cold Rush 2011 in Silverton, Colorado. Photographer Credit: Erik Seo / Red Bull Content Pool

 

Edmonton: The City With the Most Nicknames

Although it’s currently winter, we are dreaming of blue skies and green grass…

Whether you’re from Edmonton or not, you’ve probably uttered one of many nicknames describing Alberta’s capital: The Big E, The Chuck, Edmonchuck, The City of Champions, E-Town, Festival City, Gateway to the North, River City…

(We like to call The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton the perfect location for all your business or leisure needs.)

One thing that cannot be denied is the mass amounts of amazing festivals that Edmonton holds every year. With the beginning of festival season upon us, we are very excited for all the festivities that will ensue this year!

Festival	Date
Ice on Whyte	January 23 to February 1
Opera NUOVA’s Vocal Arts Festival	March 2015
Improvaganza	June 17-27
Edmonton International Jazz Festival	June 19-29
The Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival	June 19-21
Freewill Shakespeare Festival	June 23 to July 19
The Works Art and Design Festival	June 25 to July 7
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival	July 3-12
A Taste of Edmonton	July 16-25
Edmonton’s K-Days	July 17-26
Interstellar Rodeo	July 24-26
Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival	July 31 to August 2
Servus Heritage Festival	August 1-3
Rock’n August	August 4-8
Edmonton Folk Fest	August 6-9
Cariwest – Edmonton’s Caribbean Arts Festival	August 7-9
Edmonton Fringe Festival	August 13-23
Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival	August 14-16
Edmonton Blues Festival	August 14-16
Symphony Under the Sky	August 28-31
Edmonton International Film Festival	October 1-10
LitFest	October 15-25
Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival	TBA
Pure Speculation	TBA

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The lobby of The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton

Visiting Edmonton this year for one of their amazing festivals? We have the perfect deal for you at The Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton.

Exclusive Savour Sutton Offer
Our exclusive Savour Sutton promotion features savings of up to 40% off our standard room rates PLUS impressive value-added extras.

Featuring great rates and your choice of two of the following hotel benefits:

Complimentary Guest Room Upgraded Wi-Fi
(5 MEGS vs. Standard 1.5 MEGS)
This package allows you to stay connected to friends, family, or the office while away from home.

Guaranteed Early Check-In & Late Check-Out*
Make the most of your stay with an early check-in of 12:00pm and a late check-out of 2:00pm.

Complimentary Self-Parking
Cars stay free! A value of $26.

Complimentary In-Room Movie
Be captivated by the latest Hollywood films in the comfort of your luxurious guest room. Enjoy two in-room movies per night.

Package also includes:
• Complimentary use of pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room
• Accumulate Sutton Prestige membership points
• Sutton Shopper program, offering savings of up to 30% at participating retailers

For more information, click here.

Girls Do Ski – Start the Year with an Epic Adventure

Calling all ladies! Ready to start the year with an epic adventure? Join Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing for an amazing weekend full of powder, laughter, and memories that will leave you wanting more. Don’t miss out on the best winter camp you could ever wish for.

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Written by Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing

There’s this feeling that goes hand in hand with the experience of enjoying a favourite pastime with a group of friends – it’s a pretty amazing combination of freedom and joy. But when that group of friends consists of all guys or all gals, it transforms into something truly special. The term ‘let loose’ sums it up pretty well. There’s a feeling that you can do anything and push the limits of what you thought was possible just by being part of a group of like-minded individuals. We LOVE this feeling. So much so that we’ve teamed up with Girls Do Ski again this winter to bring back one of our favourite events of the season, our Girls Do Ski heli-ski weekend.

We got in touch with Katie Marti, Media Relations at Girls Do Ski, to hear her thoughts on this event: “Heli-skiing is the ultimate freeski adventure, so, naturally, this is one of our most anticipated camps of the season. All of our guests have skied resorts before and some have even toured around in the backcountry, but very few have had the opportunity to spend a day heli-skiing – much less with an entire crew of super supportive, incredible women. It’s bucket list material. This year, we’ve also added an extra day to the program, so that guests have a chance to acclimatize and do a bit of on-mountain prep at Revelstoke Mountain Resort before heading out in the heli with Selkirk Tangiers on Day Two. We’re stoked because we truly believe the full weekend experience will allow ladies more time to connect with our coaches and will leave everyone feeling confident and enthusiastic for the season ahead.”

Meghan Tabor from Revelstoke Tourism recounted her experiences from last season in her blogpost, and summed it up best: “…What I’ll never forget is the smiles on those Girls Day Out campers after conquering their heli-day. Exhaustion began to set in, but spirits remained high right up until the very last turn. As the chopper lowered us back down into the clouds, thoughts were on Mt. Begbie brew and après – to relive the moments that will inevitably last for a lifetime. I know it’s a day I’ll never forget.”

Watch the video from last year’s winter camp to get a taste of what it’s all about.

We’re flying with this package on January 10 & 11, 2015, with Saturday January 10 happening on the slopes of Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Sunday January 11 heading into the hills with our STHS Bell 205 helicopter. For more details and information on how to book, click here: http://rvls.tk/1xIuUup.

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2015 Girls Do Ski Itinerary

Friday night – January 9th
• 6:30pm: Orientation and overview of weekend agenda

Saturday – January 10th
• 8:30am: Meet at gondola with Girls Do Ski coaches for epic morning ski time
• Lunch
• Epic afternoon ski time
• Dinner

Sunday – January 11th
• Breakfast/Yoga
• Safety training
• HELI-SKIING ALL DAY LONG
• Après ski
• Prizes!

This amazing weekend includes:

• 2 nights accommodation
• 2 days coaching
• 1 day lift ticket at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
• Lunch at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (La Baguette)
• Professional photography
• 2 day Salomon demo ski rental
• Saturday evening dinner
• UNLIMITED runs included on the heli-ski day (4 runs guaranteed)
• ACMG or UIAGM guide services
• Yoga with Diana Newson
• Avalanche transceiver and related safety gear rental
• Comprehensive transceiver training plus backcountry and helicopter safety briefing
• Full breakfast, gourmet lunch in the mountains, and après-ski snacks included on your heli-day

We love you mom!

What would we be without our mothers? Mothers are the glue that holds a family together and the fine-tuned engine that keeps a family humming along smoothly. Mothers work a double shift between their “career jobs” and their “home jobs” — juggling their additional roles of family chauffeur, mediator in settling disputes over the remote control, food and beverage engineer, interior decorator, and academic counsellor, to name a few.

To honour the hard work that mothers give the world, some of our guests wrote us to share their love.

 

My Hands

Submitted by Donna Sawmill. She received this poem from her daughter last year.

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small.
And always leave my fingertips
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I’m growing
I’ll be grown someday.
And all those tiny handprints
Will simply fade away.
So here’s a final handprint
Just so you can recall.
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

 

Written by Sandra Weibley

“My mother’s greatest gift is her unconditional love and her dedication. She has given up her career as an architect in order to take care of my brother, my father, and I. If I ever feel in need of her advice or a shoulder to cry on, she will always be on the other line. I have a mother who believes in me and who always wants the best for her family. A true lovely Latin mom, with fierce dance moves and even fiercer cooking. I love you mom.”

Written by Diana Linkloy

“My mother’s greatest gift is her selfless devotion to her family. She works hard to take care of four children, and still manages to look beautiful every day! She is such an inspiration.”

 

Submitted by Coral Klassen. She received this tribute from her son Jackson this year.

 

Written by Stephanie Slymourg

“Being a mother means blooming into wonderful, amazing people we couldn’t have become without first appreciating the landscape of raising our own children.
It means flowing with the seasons and accepting and embracing the changes as they smack us in the face like the hearty wind of a storm. Being a mother means simply letting the world wash over you, but not losing an ounce of your strength. It means allowing the hardships to shape you and smooth you out like a piece of sea glass destined to topple onto the shore with a shimmer and shine so beautiful you can’t help but pick it up and put it in your pocket.”

 

From all of us at The Sutton Place Hotels, Happy Mother’s Day to mothers all over the world. Thank you for your love.

Extreme Luxury and The Ultimate Valentine’s Package Equals Perfect Romance

While women are running around trying to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, men too are looking to find a cute and sweet gift for their beloved.

Finding Valentine’s Day gifts shouldn’t be a difficult task because really, most women just want a thoughtful, meaningful gift and maybe some flowers. (and a nice dinner and dessert!) See? Easy!

But if you really have no idea what to get your loved one for V-Day, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

There’s never been an easier way to say “I love you” than with The Sutton Place Hotels’ ‘Once In A Lifetime’ Package. Forget the heart-shaped box filled with chocolates. This package contains Dom Pérignon, a Maserati, and a $100,000 shopping spree at Holt Renfrew.  What’s not to love?

The ‘Once In A Lifetime’ Package was designed to showcase everything passionate that Valentine’s Day has to offer and is available for a mere $500,000. The romance begins right away with door-to-door limo service. Upon arrival at the hotel, the lovers will be whisked away to the Presidential Suite, where they will be served a bottle of Dom Pérignon and hors d’oeuvres. As the couple relaxes with their bubbly, a white-gloved butler will ensure their glasses are never empty and will proceed to serve the couple for the next 24 hours. A six-course candlelit dinner with paired premium wines will then be prepared by a Private Chef in a private dining room. But the romance does not end when dinner does. In the morning, a champagne breakfast will be served in bed while the couple lounges in their personalized monogrammed Frette terry robes. A helicopter will then take the couple on a private scenic tour of the city that is sure to leave them breathless. To complement the hotel experience, the package keeps giving:  a private $100,000 Holt Renfrew shopping spree, a personalized Maserati, $50,000 worth of diamonds and fine jewelry, weekly couple’s massages, and fresh flowers delivered weekly to the couple’s home.

What more could you ask for?

Your Perfect Home Away From Home

Located in The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver, La Grande Résidence is the perfect combination of the comforts of home and the convenience of hotel services. With comfortable furnishings, state-of-the-art amenities, and a focus on quality service, you may be far from home, but it doesn’t have to feel that way! Many stay with us for weeks or months (even years) at a time and we do our best to make these furnished suites feel more like a home than a hotel room.

Our 164 magnificent one and two bedroom suites are completely furnished in a modern, charming French décor. All suites include a spacious balcony and impressive kitchen equipped with Miele appliances complete with stunning white marble countertops. Full hotel services such as the business centre, parking, concierge, housekeeping, and room service are available at your fingertips. This really is luxury living at its finest.

However, we know that it’s not actually home. Here are just a few ideas that you might want to consider to really make the space your own.

1. Bloom Where You are Planted

A potted plant or fresh cut flowers can really brighten your stay. Easy to find year-round in Vancouver, they are in instant pick-me-up in any room.

2. Warm Fuzzies

Your favourite slippers or throw blanket will keep you cozy and the soft familiar textures can be comforting, especially in the cooler weather.

3. Essentials

Does your home always smell like baking, the ocean, like a forest? Scent is a powerful sense and a couple drops of your favourite essential oil blend can be comforting and relaxing.

4. The Ties that Bind

Your loved ones may be miles away, but a framed photograph or two might be just the thing to keep them close while adding your own personal touch to the décor. Also, don’t forget to download Skype before you leave.

Everyone has their own routine when they travel. Here is what a few of our guests have done to feel more at home when they are away:

“I bring my e-reader and make sure I have lots of books to read.” — David Goldberg

“I bring my favourite shampoo, ALL my toiletries, and my house coat.” — Susan Lowter

“I always have granola and yogurt in the room. It’s how I start my day, no matter where I am.” — Anna Samsony

If there is every anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable, do not hesitate to ask the concierge!

SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR Comes to Revelstoke

The Revelstoke stop of the SWATCH FREERIDE WORLD TOUR BY THE NORTH FACE® (FWT), which was originally scheduled for December 18, 2013, has now been moved to March 10, 2014. Although Revelstoke Mountain Resort is open for the season with great early season conditions, the competition venue known as ‘Mac Daddy’ face is in the backcountry outside of the resort, and is not yet suitable for the event.

“FWT was excited by the opportunity to start our season with a December event when the enthusiasm for winter is rising. We also recognized the timing was subject to variables associated with early season conditions,” said Adam Comey, FWT Americas general manager. “First and foremost, FWT is committed to providing a safe and quality environment for our athletes. The new dates in March offer great benefits for the competition moving forward. Revelstoke continues to be one of the most favourite stops of fans and athletes alike, and we look forward to returning in March.”

“Revelstoke Mountain Resort has phenomenal early season conditions, the best we’ve seen since the resort first opened in 2007,” said Ashley Tait, director of sales and marketing at RMR. “However, the FWT venue is outside the resort boundary in backcountry terrain, on a spectacular north-facing slope that must be skied only in optimal conditions.  Currently, the avalanche rating is listed as ‘considerable’ for this area. To ensure we are providing a safe venue for competitors and staff, more time is needed to allow the snowpack to settle out and mature, along with ideal weather conditions. In the meantime, come enjoy the incredible skiing and riding our resort has to offer-now or during the FWT in March.”

The 2014 Freeride World Tour season will now open in Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Italy (Jan. 18), with men’s ski and snowboard competition. The Freeride World Tour will then continue with both men’s and women’s ski and snowboard competition at Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France (Jan. 25), Fieberbrunn Kitzbüheler Alpen, Austria (Feb. 1), Kirkwood, United States of America (March 1), Revelstoke, Canada(March 10) and the SWATCH XTREME VERBIER BY THE NORTH FACE®, Switzerland (March 22).