Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

The best way to see Canada's Rocky Mountains is aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train. The award-winning sightseeing train has been taking visitors to the Rockies since 1990. Its GoldLeaf class, the ultimate luxury experience, is the highest tier of service on the train.

In GoldLeaf service, guests have access to a glass-dome train car with a dining area and outdoor viewing platform. When travelling in this class, you won't have to take your eyes off the perfect views. The train slows down at noteworthy landmarks and wildlife sightings, giving you time to snap photos and soak up the scenery. 

A crew of hosts and a culinary team provide you with the same level of service you would expect at a five-star restaurant. But how many restaurants have ever-changing views? On a Rocky Mountaineer journey, there is always something new to see. Snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. 

Rocky Mountaineer is a once-in-a-lifetime train experience. The impeccable onboard service is one small part of what makes it so memorable. There's also jaw-dropping scenery and exciting tours and activities. Not to mention the friendly Canadians you'll meet along the way! It all adds up to an unforgettable train vacation.

Essential Rockies by Train 

Experience the best of the Canadian Rockies in six days! Ride the famous Rocky Mountaineer train and take time to explore the town of Banff and the beauty of Lake Louise. GoldLeaf service is in the Deluxe level of this trip. 

Circle the Canadian Rockies by Train 

If you want to do two Rocky Mountaineer train journeys, this circle tour is for you. Travel along two daylight rail routes, twisting past steep peaks and awe-inspiring valleys. Spend five days on the train and discover Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Start and end your vacation in Vancouver. GoldLeaf service is in the Superior and Deluxe levels of this trip. 

Vancouver to Toronto Train Journey 

This 11-day itinerary combines two bucket-list train experiences. Travel on a cross-country sleeper train between Jasper and Toronto. Relax on the Rocky Mountaineer daylight train between Vancouver and the Rockies. See turquoise alpine lakes, jagged mountain peaks, rolling farmland, vibrant cities, and more. A fantastic tour that shows you how diverse Canada is. GoldLeaf service is in the Deluxe level of this trip. 

What’s included in Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

GoldLeaf is the highest service level on the Rocky Mountaineer train.

GoldLeaf service features: 

• Pre-assigned seating on the upper level of a bi-level glass-dome coach
• Glass-dome windows with 70% UVA and UVB protection
• Breakfast and lunch served in the lower-level dining room 
• All snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks 
• A large exclusive outdoor viewing platform 
• Engaging Rocky Mountaineer hosts who tell stories about historic sites, scenery, and wildlife 
• Up to four hosts and a culinary tea
• Luggage delivery to your accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel 

In GoldLeaf, guests travel in a bi-level glass-dome train coach. Seating is above with a dining area below. The upper level features pre-assigned reclinable seating with ample leg room. The full glass-dome windows allow you to see over the dense pine forest. Enjoy expansive 360-degree views of the mountain peaks. You can relax in your seat as you move towards your destination, and you won’t miss any of the scenery. 

The lower-level dining room is a sophisticated “restaurant on rails.” Tuck into three-course gourmet meals and try award-winning Okanagan wines. Since Rocky Mountaineer trains run during daylight, you'll have breakfast and lunch onboard. The friendly staff can cater to your cravings. Relax with a hot cup of coffee in the morning, an afternoon snack, or a chilled glass of Chardonnay. 

GoldLeaf Train Routes and Journey [with Maps]

The Rocky Mountaineer only runs between April and October to take advantage of the daylight. These views are too good to miss during the darkness of winter! The train travels slowly, at 35 miles per hour, so that wildlife isn't frightened away. You can spot bighorn sheep, black bears, grizzlies, elk, and other creatures from the train. 

Unlike other Canadian train experiences, the Rocky Mountaineer is not a sleeper service. It will stop every night at a city along the way, where you can rest in a comfortable hotel. The route is fixed so overnight stops are always for one night. Though, you can add extra nights to the start or end of your tour. You can even combine the Rocky Mountaineer with another travel experience, like an Alaskan cruise. 

There are several Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf train routes to choose from. Routes can be taken in either direction. For example, you can do Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Banff to Vancouver or Vancouver to Banff. The train travels approximately 280 miles (450 kilometres) per day. 

1. First Passage to the West  

The First Passage to the West route takes two full days and carries passengers between Vancouver and Banff. There is an overnight stop in Kamloops, a city in British Columbia's interior. The train travels through valleys, past farmland, forests, and lakes. It crosses the Continental Divide between British Columbia and Alberta. Points of interest along the way include the place where the last spike was added to the railway in 1885. Kicking Horse Canyon and Spiral Tunnels are other highlights.

2. Journey Through the Clouds 

This two-day train route is between Vancouver and Jasper. There is an overnight stop in Kamloops. The train travels along the Fraser River and past the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. It crosses the Continental Divide and takes Yellowhead Pass through the mountains. Memorable sights on this journey include Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.  

Explore: Canadian Rockies Train Trips

3. Rainforest to Gold Rush 

This route between North Vancouver and Jasper spans three days. Overnight stops are in Whistler and Quesnel. The train travels along the Sea to Sky corridor, past Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Then, it heads into northern British Columbia before entering the Rocky Mountain Trench. Here, steep mountains surround you. This route is full of dramatic scenery and Gold Rush history.  

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf vs SilverLeaf Service

Which is the best option for your Canadian train trip? To help you decide which service level is perfect for you, here’s a quick comparison between GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf.

Both Silverleaf and GoldLeaf service include: 

• complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 
• entertaining commentary 
• baggage handling in Kamloops and Quesnel 

For more information on the differences between GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf, read our local travel expert's firsthand account of Rocky Mountaineer.

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Seating Plan

In GoldLeaf, your seat is on the upper level of the bi-level glass-dome train car. Seats are reclinable and can turn 180 degrees, so families or groups of four can face each other. There are 72 seats in each GoldLeaf car, with two on each side of the aisle, so a total of four seats in each row. The lower-level dining room can seat 36 people at a time, so meals are served in two sessions. A spiral staircase connects the two levels and there is a lift for those guests with mobility concerns.

Your seat is pre-assigned and listed on your boarding pass, which is given to you by Rocky Mountaineer when you check in. You will have the same seat for all days you are on the Rocky Mountaineer train. 

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Menu

Imagine gliding through Canada's most stunning landscapes in the sophisticated dining room. Tuck into a fresh fillet of B.C. salmon and have a glass of crisp Okanagan white wine. As you enjoy your meal, listen to stories of the early settlers who traveled this route many years ago.  

The award-winning chefs onboard the Rocky Mountaineer make it feel like you are dining in a high-end restaurant. All meals are served in the exclusive GoldLeaf dining room on your dome coach, where you can relax, socialize and watch the wilderness go by. 

The seasonal menu features ingredients sourced from the regions you'll travel through — from fresh B.C. Salmon to Alberta beef and more. 

Start your day with a hot cup of coffee and a fresh breakfast. Enjoy a classic eggs benedict, smoked salmon avocado toast, or freshly baked pastries and seasonal fruits. 

Lunch is a three-course culinary feast with delicious B.C. wines. Mains could include chicken paillard, beef shank ragout, or a Moroccan cauliflower bowl. Don't forget to leave room for the chef's daily dessert creation. 

The menu varies by rail route and day. The dishes listed above are from Rocky Mountaineer's sample menus and should give you an idea of what to expect. Rocky Mountaineer can cater to dietary requirements and allergies with advance notice. 

GoldLeaf Sample Menu – Breakfast

Starter:

• Seasonal fruit creation and freshly baked pastry

Choice of Main:

• Classic Eggs Benedict
• BC Farmer Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Skillet
• Lemon and Honey Buttermilk Pancakes
• Boursin Cheese and Chive Scramble
• Raspberry and Banana Smoothie Bowl
• Smokes Salmon Avocado Toast

GoldLeaf Sample Menu – Lunch

Starter:

• Smoked Pacific Albacore Tuna, poached prawns, pickled vegetables, local cracker, eggplant bruschetta, fresh horseradish

Choice of Main:

• Crispy Skin Lois Lake Steelhead
• Chickpea and Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Nourish Bowl
• Alberta Striploin Steak
• Roasted Shuswap Pork Tenderloin
• Seared King Oyster Mushroom
• Dungeness Crab Ravioli

Choice of Dessert:

• Berries and Cream
• Lemon Lavender Posset

Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Dress Code

Plan to dress "smart casual" onboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Although the meals are superb, the atmosphere is generally informal. 

The key to dressing for this trip is layers, layers, layers. The temperature fluctuates throughout the day, and you'll travel through various climate regions. The weather can be cool when you're high in the Rockies, yet several degrees warmer as you pass through a desert region in the interior of B.C. Wearing several light layers (that you can remove or add as needed) will ensure you are comfortable for the entire journey. 

You might need a sweater or a light jacket even while on the train — just in case you find the air conditioning to be a little bit too chilly. You'll also want to bring sunglasses and a hat for those sunny day excursions or sightseeing in the glass dome car. 

Comfortable, flat-soled shoes are recommended for the spiral staircase up to the glass dome observation car and the natural movement of the train. (Also, you might want to take a hiking excursion during the trip!) 

Remember that you will not have access to your checked luggage once you're on the train, so you must pack everything you need for the journey in your carry-on baggage. 

About Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Hotels

As the Rocky Mountaineer is not a sleeper train, you will disembark each night and stay at a hotel. 

At Canadian Train Vacations, we will plan all your hotels for your holiday in Canada. We will listen to your preferences and requirements and find the perfect hotels for you. Typically, we pair GoldLeaf on the Rocky Mountaineer with four- or five-star hotels. These properties often have fantastic restaurants, high-end amenities, and views of nearby scenery.

An exception to the above is the Rocky Mountaineer stopover destinations. In Kamloops and Quesnel, the hotels are moderate two- or three-star properties. Accommodation in these locations is assigned to guests by Rocky Mountaineer directly.