Follow the Winter Olympic torch to Banff National Park

On February 12, 2010, an exciting international sporting event — the “Winter Olympics and Paralympics” — will ignite Canada, infusing the entire world’s energy into this northern nation. As the Winter Olympics enter the countdown phase, Banff National Park has prepared a series of unique celebratory activities, including the torch lighting ceremony, music events, and ice sculpture competitions. A string of activities will bring vibrant energy to Canada.

Starting on January 20, Banff National Park will host five consecutive days of celebration events. The first to kick off is the “Torch Lighting Ceremony,” where Karen Percy-Lowe, a Canadian skier born in Banff, Alberta, will carry the torch to Central Park in Banff for the lighting ceremony, marking the official start of the festivities. The evening event that follows will feature performances by a renowned quartet, a Canadian tenor, and the Latin jazz band Bomba, with the music event completely free of charge.

On January 21, the torch will arrive in the Lake Louise area. The first stop is by the shores of Lake Louise, with the backdrop of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the magnificent Victoria Glacier. This year, special Olympic-themed ice sculptures have been prepared to add significant meaning to the celebration. The second stop is at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, where the torch will be placed on a sleigh-like vehicle and make its way across the largest and most scenic ski resort in Canada. This will be followed by the Torchlight Dinner & Ski event, which promises surprises and enjoyment unlike any other.

On January 22, the 16th annual Lake Louise International Ice Carving Competition will grandly commence, with this year’s theme focused on using ice sculptures to convey the essence of “Podium Bound.” Twelve international teams from Canada, the United States, Europe, and New Zealand will challenge themselves to carve 7-foot-tall ice artworks from 300-pound blocks of ice within just four hours. Some participants will head to Vancouver in February to create exclusive ice sculptures for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The three-day Lake Louise International Ice Carving Competition will include presentations by master ice carvers on the art of sculpting, as well as one-hour speed-carving contests.

In addition to welcoming the Winter Olympics, Alberta, Canada, is also offering numerous travel deals. These include the reopening of the Art Gallery of Alberta on January 31 at Sir Winston Churchill Square, where the public can claim free tickets to join in the celebration; starting February 5, the “Dinosaurs Alive!” exhibition featuring the revival of dinosaurs will be displayed in the prehistoric exhibition area of the Calgary Zoo, with a 30% discount available for advance ticket bookings. Meanwhile, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a special “Discover 25 Years” exhibition, showcasing 25 of the museum’s most famous creatures. The Marmot Basin ski resort in Jasper National Park has also completed the longest high-speed chairlift in the Alberta Rocky Mountains this year. With these new experiences, visitors are invited to discover a different side of Canada.

Calgary Zoo: http://www.calgaryzoo.org
Royal Tyrrell Museum: http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com
Marmot Basin Ski Resort: http://www.skimarmot.com
Alberta Tourism, Canada: www.TravelAlberta.com

Read more: Sapporo Winter Sports Museum (provided by Tripass Attractions)