Canadian Pacific Railway Trips

This route was not easy to build. Railway workers had to face many hardships, including forest fires, grizzly bears and huge swathes of seemingly-impenetrable forests.

Several elegant hotels, including Banff Springs Hotel and the Jasper Park Lodge, were built along the route of the railway in the late 19th and early 20th century in order to promote tourism.

The railway played an important part in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885, as it allowed soldiers to get from Ontario and Quebec to the Prairies in only 10 days.

The railway was also to thank for the discovery of natural gas in Alberta. It was found when construction crews were digging a well to obtain water for the steam locomotives in Alderson, Alberta in 1886.

Canada's growth was guided by these steel tracks laid nearly a century and a half ago.

• 1871: British Columbia enters Confederation and requests that a transcontinental railway be built. It would not be cheap, but Prime Minister John A. Macdonald sees the value in connecting the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
• 1873: Production is stalled after Alexander Mackenzie takes power. He believes that the railway is a waste of money, but BC threatens to succeed if it's not built.
• 1873-1878: This period of time is known as the "Battle of the Routes" - as there were many arguments over what the best route would be through the mountainous terrain of Alberta and British Columbia.
• 1878: John A. Macdonald is back in power and the Canadian Pacific Railway is now a top priority for the country.
• 1882: William Van Horne is appointed as the leader of the CPR project. He would complete the project in only 5 years — much faster than originally planned.
• 1885: The historic Last Spike was driven by Donald Smith, completing this massive cross-country construction project.

Built in 1888, the Banff Springs hotel was one of the grand railway hotels that really put the Canadian Rockies on the map as a tourist destination. The elegant building, which has the grandeur of a castle, is located just above Bow Falls and is only a short walk away from the resort town of Banff.

Banff Springs Golf Course: This luxury golf course is set within one of the most spectacular locations in the world. It was designed by the famous Canadian architect Stanley Thompson to exist in harmony with the natural contours of the mountains. It can be difficult to concentrate on the game with such dazzling views of snow-capped peaks all around you.

Dining: It has several excellent dining options, including the 1888 Chop House, the Bow Valley Grill and the Waldhaus Restaurant — all with incredible views.

Luxury amenities:

• A fitness center with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
• Massage services, ideal for post-hiking sore muscles.
• Tennis courts, bowling, a skating rink, ski storage and a games room.
• Coffee makers, hair dryers and stunning views in every room.

The elegant Jasper Park Lodge opened in 1922, as a challenger to the Banff Springs Hotel. It has hosted many celebrities — including Marilyn Monroe and Bing Crosby — and is also well-loved by the Royal Family. It was visited by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939 and also Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 2005.

Jasper Park Golf Course: Stanley Thompson also designed the stunning Jasper Park Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole par 71 course that meanders alongside glacial lakes through a wildlife corridor where elk and caribou roam. It's considered Canada's #1 Golf Resort and it's definitely a must-play course for any golf enthusiast.

Dining: There are several restaurants on site, including the Moose's Nook Chophouse, Oka Sushi and ORSO Trattoria - as well as the nearby golf course.

Luxury amenities:

• The Fairmont Jasper Park Spa, where you can get fully rejuvenated.
• A ski shuttle to take you straight to the slopes.
• An outdoor pool, perfect for those hot summer days.
• An arcade and game room.
• Ice skating, mountain biking, horse riding, snowshoeing and other activities on site.