ITINERARY

Day 1 & 2 – Begin your Vacation – Arrive in Vancouver
The cool, crisp air in Vancouver invigorates you as you start your winter rail trip. Vancouver’s relatively mild weather is a great introduction to a Canadian winter, but look to the north and you see what you’ve been dreaming of. Vancouver’s coastal mountains stand before you, covered in pure white snow. The big city attractions, right next to the beauty of nature, are just outside the window of your warm, guided tour. As you shop along Robson Street you learn a new word: toque. Wear the ultimate Canadian winter accessory with pride when you travel to the Canadian Rockies.

Day 3 – Into the Rockies – Vancouver to Jasper on VIA Rail’s Canadian
A cozy and comfortable cabin awaits you on the Canadian train, with bench seats that make up into a bed at night. A large picture window completes your overnight home on Canada’s rails. A panoramic dome car - where you can relax, unwind, and see the sights all around you - is only a short walk from your cabin. Tasty meals are served in an elegant yet casual dining car and chatting over a drink with fellow travelers makes the evening end too quickly. You climb into your warm bed and are rocked off to sleep by the clickety-click of timeless tracks as you travel across Canada by train.

Day 4 – Winter Wonderland – Arrive in Jasper
You awake to trees blanketed in fresh snow - with green branches just peeking through - as your Canada train trip nears the Canadian Rockies. The sun is shining on the pure white snow as you arrive in the mountain town of Jasper. Step off the train and breathe deeply - the fresh mountain air invigorates you. You look to your left and see a downtown gas station with a snow covered mountain standing proudly in the distance behind it. Jasper is summed up in that one view. It’s a town with all the modern touches, but the splendor of the Canadian Rockies is never out of your thoughts.

Day 5 – Travel the Icefields Parkway – Jasper to Lake Louise
Welcome the morning by boarding a luxury motorcoach and relaxing in comfort as you head south along the Icefields Parkway. You’re traveling along one of the most scenic highways in the world, so wipe the sleep from your eyes quickly! You are traveling down the spine of the Canadian Rockies and you make full use of your picture window by keeping an eye on the sights. This scenery is just a warm up for the sight that greets you in Lake Louise. Picture a mountain lake, frozen over for the season. The sun glints off the ice as skaters glide across the lake’s surface, with the surrounding mountains providing a background worthy of any postcard. This is Lake Louise – a scene like no other.

Day 6 – The Southern Rockies – Lake Louise to Banff
Feel the mountains’ timeless embrace as you arrive at the last stop on your Canadian Rockies train vacation. Banff is the liveliest of the mountain towns on your Canadian holiday and the energy on Banff Avenue is contagious. Quaint shops are interspersed with chain stores, and the scent of homemade maple fudge wafts out of sweet shops. After your laid back night at Lake Louise, the lively atmosphere in Banff is exhilarating.

Day 7 – Explore the Rockies – Canyon Icewalk
With strap on ice shoes and a walking pole provided by your friendly guide, you take to the Johnstone Canyon for the walk of a lifetime. Learn the history behind native rock art and feel a kinship with the mountains as your guide explains the mysteries behind these giants of geology. See how nature adjusts to the seasons as you gaze up at the icefalls. The fast flowing waterfalls of summer freeze in their tracks over the winter – crane your neck higher and you may even see ice climbers scaling the frozen falls!

Day 8 – Far too Soon – Departure from Calgary
Your Canadian winter rail trip ends today as your luxury motorcoach travels through the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and arrives at the Calgary airport in time for you flight home.

return to top

2008-09 Package Start Dates

This trip starts in Vancouver on the following Fridays, Sundays & Wednesdays:
Dec 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31
Jan 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
Feb 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27
Mar 1, 4, 6, 8

And from Calgary on the following Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Dec 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31
Jan 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
Feb 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27
Mar 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25

Options & Upgrades
• For a romantic experience, select the ‘Romance by Rail’ upgrade and enjoy the intimacy of a private suite on the train. Fresh Flowers, chocolate, sparkling wine and breakfast in bed are just a few of the perks
• Optional winter activities, including skiing (downhill and cross-country), dogsledding and sleigh rides
• Extra nights in the Vancouver or the Rockies

Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing a room
• Triple, quad and child prices also available

Includes
• 6 nights hotel accommodation
• Overnight accommodation aboard VIA Rail's Canadian train
• Silver & Blue Class - use of dome car & lounge seating
• Meals onboard VIA Rail's Canadian train (dinner & breakfast)
• Vancouver Sightseeing Tour
• Ice Walk in Johnstone Canyon
• Banff 45 minute sleigh ride
• Private transfer from Vancouver hotel to rail station
• Motor-coach transfers from Jasper to Lake Louise, Lake Louise to Banff, and Banff to Calgary Airport

Not Included
• Meals & activities unless otherwise mentioned
• Airfare
• Gratuities
• Airport transfer in Vancouver
• GST
• Trip Cancellation Insurance

return to top