ÿþ<html> <head> <link rel=stylesheet href="../styles.css" TYPE="text/css" > </head> <body> <h2>Aurora Borealis Viewing Tour</h2> <table width=100%> <tr> <td width=50%><img width=100% src=../pic/image001.jpg></td> <td width=50%><img width=100% src=../pic/image002.jpg></td> </tr> <tr> <td width=50%><img width=100% src=../pic/image003.jpg></td> <td width=50%><img width=100% src=../pic/image004.jpg></td> </tr> </table> <!--h3>The Fort McMurray Advantage</h3> <p>An attractive young city with a population of about 90,000 people, Fort McMurray is nestled between the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. Located 435 km northeast of Edmonton (Alberta's capital city), Fort. McMurray is famous for the largest oil sands formation on earth and blessed with superb Aurora activity due to its favourable location under the Auroral Oval. <p>The Fort McMurray Airport, a one hour and 10 minute flight from Edmonton, provides access to two major airlines (with several daily flights from Edmonton) and several smaller ones. A well maintained highway connects Edmonton with Fort McMurray (4.5 hr. drive). As prosperous and modern community, Fort McMurray has all of the services and conveniences of a larger urban centre, while being on the doorstep of the nature, with the Northern Lights above and the Athabasca Oilsands below. The multicultural environment of the city is enhanced by several nearby Aboriginal communities. <p>The per capita income of Fort McMurray is among the highest in Canada and attracts people from all over the world. Major expansions and investments of the Oilsands are under way. Presently Fort McMurray produces 25% of Canada's oil demand, while also contributing to the USA demand for oil. Strip mining is done on a massive scale, while the extracted bitumen (to be upgraded into oil) is separated from the sand via hot water and steam. Reclamation of mined areas are taking place on an ongoing basis to restore nature to its original state. New "in situ" recovery techniques are being introduced for extracting deeply buried bitumen deposits, such as Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD). <p>Dr.Gordon Rostoker, well-known Aurora researcher at the University of Alberta, states that "Fort McMurray lies within the southern portion of the zone of maximum auroral occurrence during the night-time hours". Being under the auroral oval allows for good opportunities to see the Auroras, depending only on the presence of darkness and clear skies. Statistics from Environment Canada indicate that Fort McMurray has the same number or more clear nights during the Aurora viewing season (September to April) as any known competing Canadian destination. Fort McMurray has the distinct advantage over other Canadian destinations of a higher mean temperature, as well as both air and road access. <p>Alta-Can's Aurora tours incorporate several of the hi-lights of this magical northern terrain. The nighttime activities include instruction by an Astronomer in constellation photography, education in the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis, solar searching with a powerful telescope and viewing of the Northern Lights. During the days guests have the options to participate in dogsledding and snowshoeing, to get in touch with Aboriginal culture and way-of-life, to spend time in nature experiencing survival techniques of the north, to enjoy downhill skiing, as well as to tour the Oilsands. <p>Nature has blessed Ft. McMurray with the wonder of the Aurora Borealis, the massive resources of the Oil Sands and the beauty of Canada's wilderness, while man has created a comfortable environment for human habitation. Alta-Can Aurora Tours gives its guests the opportunity to enjoy this area and to share in a unique Canadian experience. --> The tour is <em>4 days</em> long. <h3>Basic Aurora Itinerary</h3> <dl> <dt>Day 1: <dd><ul> <li>arrive at the Ft. McMurray airport, transfer to Sawridge Inn, check in, followed by Welcome Dinner,&nbsp;<b>(See&nbsp;Note&nbsp;1)</b> including orientation, Aurora slide show, and instruction in aurora photography by our professional photographer.&nbsp;<b>(See&nbsp;Note&nbsp;2)</b> <br><b>Note 1.</b> The Welcome Dinner might be on either the first or second night depending on the flight schedule. <br><b>Note 2.</b> The Aurora slide show might be at the viewing site. <li>transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing <!--and Constellation identification with Astronomer , use of mobile telescope, hands-on assistance in photography by professional photographer, Boreal Forest information session and walk, plus other activities while waiting for the Aurora to appear --> <li>transfer back to hotel, overnight stay </ul> <dt>Day 2: <dd><ul> <li>full free day until evening <li>transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing <!--and Constellation identification with Astronomer, use of mobile telescope, hands-on assistance in photography by professional photographer, Boreal Forest information session and walk, plus other activities while waiting for the Aurora to appear --> <li>transfer back to hotel, overnight stay </ul> <dt>Day 3: <dd><ul> <li>full free day until evening <li>transfer to private viewing site (15 minutes form hotel), heated building with flush toilets, hot drinks and snacks; Aurora viewing <!--and Constellation identification with Astronomer, use of mobile telescope, hands-on assistance in photography by professional photographer, Boreal Forest information session and walk, plus other activities while waiting for the Aurora to appear--> <li>transfer back to hotel, overnight stay </ul> <dt>Day 4: <dd><ul> <li>morning departure from Ft.McMurray </ul></dl> <h3>What is included</h3> <ul> <li>3 nights at Sawridge Inn <li>Welcome Dinner (3-course meal) with orientation<!--, Aurora slide show, instruction in Aurora photography--> <li>3 nights of Aurora watching, transfers, private viewing site, comfortable warming-up building with indoor toilets, snacks with hot drinks <li><!--astronomer with telescope, sky tours, information photographer instructing and assisting guests in Aurora photography-->Aurora slide show, instructing and assisting guests in Aurora photography by photographer/astronomer. <li>many activities while waiting for the Aurora to appear, i.e. Deep Sky Objects slide show, Boreal Forest information session, Boreal Forest mid-night walk, mini rocket launch, games, sky tours etc. ;All or none of the activities might be included, depending on the Aurora and the weather. <li>guide(s) at all times <li>Ft. McMurray Airport/hotel transfers <li>The GST is included. </ul> <h3>Options</h3> <h4>1. Oilsands/City Shopping Tour</h4> <ul> <li>visit the Oilsands Discovery Centre for a video, demonstration and viewing tour to learn more about the oilsands. Drive to an oilsand mined area, view large equipment used in the mining process, visit the Bison paddock to view these magnificant animals, return to the City for a drive through and shopping (approx. 4 hrs) <li>guide/s, transfers are included </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum <h4>2. Wilderness Experience Tour</h4> <ul> <li>2.5 km walk along nature trail, learn about the Beavers, the fauna and flora of the area, identify animal foot prints, learn how to snare small animals, how to build a survival shelter, how to make a fire, tea and roasting marsh-mallows. This will introduce you to winter survival in Northern Alberta (approx. 2.5 hrs) <li>guide/s, transfers are included </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum <h4>3. Dream Catcher Making</h4> <ul> <li>The Dream Catcher is a native craft used to assure peaceful sleep and a good life. Guests are instructed to make their own Dream Catchers (approx. 1.5 hrs) <li>guide/s </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 minimum <h4>4. Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding</h4> <ul> <p>This is a <em>self-guided</em> option. <li>enjoy downhill skiing or snowboarding at Vista Ridge Ski Resort with ski lodge, fast food outlet, lounge, 4 well-groomed runs and modern ski lift (approx. 4 hrs) <li>skis, poles, boots and transfers included (or snowboard, boots and transfers) </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum <h4>5. Tubing</h4> <ul> <p> This is a <em>self-guided</em> option. <li>specialized tubing course with up-hill towing mechanism for maximum enjoyment for all ages (approx. 4 hrs) </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum <h4>6. Curling</h4> <ul> <li>Curling is a cultural tradition in Canada. As an Olympic sport, its populatily has soared with TV converage. Trying your hand at this sport is not only a lot of fun, but it also creates a new respect for the skills involved. (approx. 2.5 hrs) <li>all the equipments, guide/s, transfers are included </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 8 persons minimum <h4>7. Fall Colours and Sunset Photography Tour</h4> <ul> <p>This option is <em>seasonal</em> <li>drive to scenic sites to photograph the changing colours of the leafs and spectacular sunsets with professional photographer (approx. 3 hrs) <li>guide/s, transfers </ul> <p>PARTICIPANTS: 6 persons minimum <h3>Notes about all our tours and options</h3> <ol> <li>changes in Options might occur due to weather conditions. <li>option tours depend on availability. </ol> <h3>Checklist</h3> <ul> <li>ski suit, several layers of warm clothing, toque, mitts, boot (protective clothing available for rent in Ft. McMurray; includes suit, boots and mitts) <li>day pack for extra clothing, camera, personal belongings <li>sunscreen, sunglasses, swim suit (hot tub and pool at hotel) <li>for Aurora photography bring 35 mm SLR manual camera, ISO 400 or 800 film, tripod and cable release. Digital cameras are fine, providing they can be manually operated (professional photographer on staff to assist) </ul> <h3>Rates</h3> Please contact sales@altacan.ab.ca or phone 780.452-5187.