WOW! We returned from the Olympics last week and had the most AMAZING time. We managed to pack a lot of excitement into the few days we were there! The experience of simply being at the centre of all the Olympic activity was truly overwhelming. We were fortunate to meet many people from all over the world, and couldn’t help but get completely swept up in Canadian pride!

It’s hard to pick out highlights from our trip since the whole thing was so much fun, but I know we all thoroughly enjoyed attending a medal ceremony one night at BC place!  Watching Maelle Ricker accept the gold medal for Snowboard Cross, and hearing the Canadian anthem being sung by everyone in the building was an emotional moment for us all!  And as if that wasn’t enough excitement… following the medal ceremony we found ourselves on the floor just metres away from Alberta’s own Paul Brandt as he performed his hit songs for the crowd. What an experience!

This was a truly magical trip, and we are all so grateful to have been granted the opportunity to go! The only thing that could possibly top it is the STAMPEDE! Only 131 days away…

GO CANADA GO!

Katie

Our last day at the Olympics was a another early start for the Alberta Train.   Today we had Bob Thompson, vice chairman of the board from the Calgary Stampede join us on the train and make some connections of his own.   On the way back to Vancouver Bob met Steve Podborski, ” Crazy Canuck” and successful ski athlete, a legend to many.

We again enjoyed a great day in Whistler and bought endless Olympic souvenirs and items, I know I will enjoy for many months to come.  When we returned to Vancouver on our last evening there we wanted to take as much in before the flight home.  Alberta house was packed as the Stereos were playing on stage and captured the many fans and passer bys.

We finished off the night by watching the firework display and looking forward to our next big event and fireworks….the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

While the Stampede is still 80 days away, this was a great way to get ready for Calgary’s celebration in July.

We boarded the Sunday train at the early hour of 6:00 a.m to head to Whistler today. While we were unaware of who would be on the train we knew another good day was ahead. Dr. David Chalack, President and Chairman of the board for the Calgary Stampede joined us on the train today, and did some PR work of his own. In the morning, he met everyone on the train and even captured some media attention of his own.

Once we arrived in Whistler we were able to take in the sites and sounds as it gets busier and busier as each day of the the Olympics goes by. We saw many characters and local celebrities including Peter Mansbridge. In the afternoon before we boarded the train we stopped to check out the Sam Roberts Band perform on the Whistler Live stage, which reminded me of the Coca Cola Stage at Stampede Park. People sitting on the grass minutes before the concert to ensure that they have a great spot. The show was great and was a nice finish to our day in Whister. 

Heading back on the Alberta train today was fun as the Tim Hus was playing, and in true western Style, Dr. Chalack got every one on the train going by two stepping with me on board train car 4.  It is definitely challenging to two step aboard a moving train!

By: Killa Burkinshaw

The Calgary Home and Garden Show and WHL hockey highlight the week ahead at Stampede Park. Details on these events and more, after the jump.

(more…)

We have just returned home from our trip to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. I have one word to describe our experience…..UNFORGETTABLE!!!! In three days we had the opportunity to visit the Canada Pavilion, enjoy Alberta beef at the Alberta House, ride the Travel Alberta train, tour Olympic Village in Whistler, attend the Medal Ceremonies in B.C. Place and wander around downtown Vancouver to soak up the exhilarating atmosphere. The trip flew by but it left us with many amazing memories.

Besides riding the Alberta Train, which I think was a highlight for all of us girls, my favorite part of the experience was the feeling of pride that filled Vancouver. We were in the Canada Pavilion when Maelle Ricker won Canada’s second gold medal and the place erupted with cheering and excitement. Everywhere we went people were chanting “Go Canada Go” and wearing our national colors with pride. Robson Square was alive with enthusiasm at all hours. It was like being back on the Red Mile when the Flames were in the Stanley Cup Finals, this time on a world scale. People from all over the world have come to celebrate their athletes and Vancouver gave them a thrilling welcome.

Our trip to the Olympics is now the highlight of my year so far. Thanks Vancouver.

Congratulations to all of our talented athletes, we are so proud of you.

Reach for the stars!

Janelle

Another early morning today, with a 5:00 am start in order to board the Alberta Train from Vancouver to Whistler.  Met incredible people on the Alberta Train today from our German friends as well as many other travel partners and media.

We also got to witness our first Olympic event today.  The women’s super G.  The course was tough and 15 skiers were not able to finish the track.  Even though a couple of Canadian skiers were in that number, it was still incredible to watch Brydon and Ruben ski.  It was a tight race between the top three and kept me curious right until the end.

Once the event was over we walked down the hill very carefully in our cowboy boots as it was a bit slippery.  We were able to enjoy lunch on an outdoor patio at the winter Olympics and explore Whistler village.

In Whistler, the streets were very busy and everyone had a statement to make.  Whether it was the Aussies, the Americans or the Cowgirls we all had a story to tell.

Ty and Kurt flew out this morning and ended their Olympic journey for the week.  As Ty heads out to Ottawa for a Bull Riding  competition, I take a less challenging journey to the streets of Vancouver to explore the festivities it has to offer.  As the weekend approaches the streets are much busier and it reminds me of Stampede Park’s buzz and excitment.  Families with little ones getting photos with living statues, and couple enjoying breakfast and coffees on the street. 

While the remaining time we have at the Olympics will be spent in Whistler, Vancouver will still offer a taste of Alberta with the variety of statues on the street.

Our Plane left Calgary Tuesday morning and dropped us in Vancouver and none of us realized our lives were about to change. The 2010 Winter Olympics, who would have thought that I would be seeing up close the excitement of the games. Wednesday was dedicated to Alberta and coined “Alberta Day”. Up at 4 a.m. Savahanne, Katie, Janelle and I found ourselves aboard the Alberta Train, departing at 6:15 a.m. for Whistler. The train which is the Rocky Mountaineer, was taken over by Travel Alberta for the Olympics. Aboard the train we had the privilege of meeting and visiting with many new people and media from around the world. After chatting we were escorted downstairs to the dining car, where we enjoyed an amazing breakfast. We were fast approaching Whistler, but are train trip was not complete without a little country music up close and personal. Aaron Lines, one of Canada’s best loved country music stars was aboard the train and performed a small intimate concert for us. The concert was a definite highlight of the trip.

Whistler was finally upon us and we spent the day walking around the village meeting Olympic fans from all over the world and spreading some western Canadian flare. We had a lot of photo opportunities with so many great people. Did I mention the sun came out for us? It turned out to be a beautiful day. To complete our trip, we had the luxury of heading back to Vancouver on the train. A big thanks goes out to the Alberta train team and Travel Alberta for making our trip to Whistler absolutely amazing. Thank you!!

All Aboard the Alberta Train, Yahoo!!!

Until next time, dream big and anything is possible

Kirstie

Alberta Day events came to a close for our team when we attended the Medal ceremony at B.C. place.  We had a lot to be excited about.  Maelle Ricker was to receive a gold medal and the ceremony was to be followed up with a performance by Paul Brandt. 

Being in BC Place with over 20,000 Canadian was an emotional and exhilarating feeling when Ricker, a Canadian snowboard cross racer stepped up on the podium to receive gold.  

Following the ceremonies was a fitting performance by Paul Brandt to close off Alberta Day.  With thousands of cowboy hats in this Vancouver crowd, the scene was ready for a great show.

And so it was, Paul Brandt’s great performance got our Royalty singing and even our cowboys foot tapping to the show.  The show came to fitting close with Brandt’s Alberta Bound.

Harry the Horse and Calgary Stampede volunteers where also working hard in Vancouver spreading the Calgary spirit.

In partnership with the great staff at Canada Pavilion, Tourism Calgary, Travel Alberta and Winsport Canada, 2500 hats were distributed to people visiting the Canada Pavilion starting at noon.  Among the volunteers was Alderman Joe Connelly with his Stampede and Alberta spirit.

This was a popular event and the hats were gone quickly.  An added bonus for Harry the Horse and the hat receipts was that the Canadian Men’s luge team was on site signing those hats.

Today is Alberta Day and the Calgary Stampede was sure to make Alberta proud. 

In partnership with Travel Alberta we had another early day on the train; The Stampede Queen and Princess and the Indian Princess joined Ty and Kurt today to represent the Calgary Stampede on the train to Whistler.  Today, Harry the Horse waved everyone off as the train left the station.

The train is a beautiful ride to Whistler that allowed us to meet with several media and ensure they knew the Alberta story.  Once we in Whistler, the boys took in the sport events and ladies and I headed to Whistler village.   

Whistler Village was incredible and the royalty had so many great photos with great people from across the globe.  In the image below you can see a proud German couple and their Olympic Spirit at the Winter games.

This morning, Kurt and Ty were picked up at 5:00 a.m for a 6 a.m departure on the Alberta Train up to Whistler.  It reminded Kurt of Stampede time when they get up at the crack of dawn to exercise the chuckwagon horses.  They enjoyed a luge event and met lots of media from around the world.

This afternoon, we got to join Harry the Horse at the Canada Pavilion and meet Miga and Quachi for the first time.  With true western hospitality Harry presented both of them with the symbolic white cowboy hat of Calgary.  We had some great photos with the Stampede Royalty in the Canada Pavilion with the Olympic mascots and many visitors from around the world.  

Tonight we had dinner at Alberta House where we met the Mayor of Calgary and other personalities including the Chair of the Canadian Tourism Commission.  As the crowds began to line the streets of Vancouver after the hockey game and medal ceremonies, we decided to take in some excitement and join the crowds along Robson and the streets of Vancouver.

Come help us celebrate Alberta Day on Wednesday at the Canada Pavilion and get your very own cowboy hat starting at noon.

I arrived at the Vancouver airport with Ty Eliott, professional bull rider and Kurt Bensmiller, chuckwagon driver, to a surprisingly calm but busy airport at 2:30 p.m.  The excitement started to kick in once we started heading towards the core of the Olympic action in Vancouver.  A great first day that was topped off with a meeting of  Olympic Gold medalist, Alexandre Bilodeau and silver medalist Jennifer Heil.

Join us tomorrow Tuesday February 16, 2010 at the Canada Pavilion at 3:00 p.m. for a meet and greet with the Royalty and see Harry meet the mascots of the Winter games.

Olympic Spirit

The wait is finally over and we are heading to Vancouver tomorrow morning! The world has gathered on Canada’s West coast to celebrate our elite athletes and I am looking forward to being at the heart of the excitement. The next three days will be packed with events  and I am ready to hit the streets of Vancouver with my umbrella in hand. Wednesday is Alberta Day and we will be aboard the Travel Alberta train to Whistler spreading some western hospitality. I know this will be a trip that I will remember forever.

Congratulations to Alexandre Bilodeau on Canada’s first gold medal on home soil!!! Go Canada Go!!!

Cheers,

Janelle

By: Reginald Tiangha

Winefest, World of Wheels, and Monster Jam highlight the week ahead at Stampede Park. Details on these events and more after the jump.

(more…)