Best Winter Train Trips in Canada

Canada is even more beautiful in the ice and snow — there's a certain magic to winter in this country. Imagine gliding through the frozen landscape on a snow train in Canada. Brilliant-white mountain peaks are framed by deep-blue skies. Icy forests of spruce and aspen line the tracks, providing the perfect backdrop for winter train rides.

When the train stops, you can enjoy sleigh-rides, snowshoeing or simply relaxing by a crackling fire in your lodge. Canada has many things to see and do, from shopping in Toronto or Montreal to taking a guided tour of a glacier at the Columbia Icefield. 

At Canadian Train Vacations, our travel experts use their insider knowledge to create custom winter train vacations for every traveller. Whether you want to relax and enjoy some cozy solitude or experience pulse-pounding outdoor adventures, we can put together a personalized itinerary that suits your every need. Best of all, we can help you find the best add-on excursions, ensuring your trip is everything you dreamed it would be. Discover more in our guide to Winter train trips.

Rockies Rail Winter Wonderland 

Step aboard one of the best snow trains in Canada for a 9-day journey from Vancouver to Banff. You'll see snow-covered evergreens, white-capped mountain peaks and frozen lakes, all from the comfort of your seat. You can even personalize your itinerary by adding a day of skiing or a guided Northern Lights viewing experience. 

Miles covered on train: 333 

Days on train: 1 day 

Nights on train: 1 night 

Trans Canada by Rail in Winter 

When it comes to Christmas trains, Canada has some of the best travel options—including the Trans Canada by Rail in Winter package. After traveling through the Coast and Cariboo Mountains on a sleeper train, you'll step into the winter wonderland of Jasper. Customize your trip with a private tour of Icefields Parkway. After exploring the Canadian Rockies in Winter, you’ll get back on the sleeper train to travel across the Prairies to Toronto.  

Miles covered on train: 2,762 

Days on train: 4 days 

Nights on train: 4 nights 

Canadian Cross Country Journey in Winter 

Experience a sleeper train journey across Canada in the Winter, travelling from Vancouver to Toronto. Enjoy the snowy landscapes as they transform from the towering Rockies to the expanse of the prairies. Visit some of Canada’s most iconic places, including the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and Stanley Park. Add on to your trip with an excursion to Victoria to see the famous Butchart Gardens, beautiful in every season.  

Miles covered on train: 2,762 

Days on train: 4 days 

Nights on train: 4 nights 

Canadian Winter Train Experiences

Sleeper Train 

VIA Rail has sleeper trains on two of its routes: The Canadian and the Ocean train. The Canadian runs between Vancouver and Toronto, while the Ocean train connects Montreal with Halifax. Some of these trains have panoramic viewing cars, giving you a bird's-eye view of Canada's winter beauty. Ice, snow and animals wearing their winter coats are just a few of the things you'll see along the way. 

Winter Snow Train

VIA Rail also has several routes that make it easier to attend one of the many festivals and other special events that take place in Canada during the winter months. You'll never forget your first glimpse of frozen Niagara falls, sparkling in the sun and creating mini rainbows as the light reflects off the ice. The Quebec Winter Carnival is also a can't-miss event.

Celebrate Winter in Canada

• Canada comes alive at this time of year with festivals dedicated to celebrating the magic of the snowy season. 
• Carnaval du Quebec: Watch the lights twinkle on the ice palace, dance to live music, see the elaborate floats in the night parade, and cheer on the Ice Canoe Race. 
• Winterlude: One of the biggest events in Ottawa, this is a joyous, bombastic celebration that includes live music, dancing, and an ice-carving competition. 
• Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival: Every year expert chainsaw-wielding ice carvers gather to hew shimmering works of art from towering 300lb blocks of solid ice. 
• World Ski & Snowboard Festival: The best skiers and snowboarders come from all over the world to compete in this 10 day festival in the alpine village of Whistler, BC. 

Activities for Your Winter Trip

• Rather than hide from the snow and cold, Canadians embrace it by making the frozen wilderness their chilly playground. 
• Dog Sledding: Glide swiftly across a frozen lake or through a silent, snow-laden forest pulled by a team of strong, beautiful huskies. 
• Snowshoeing: It's so much easier to explore the remote winter backcountry when you can step nimbly across even the deepest drifts. 
• Ice Skating: Go for a spin on Lake Louise or wind through the heart of downtown Ottawa on the frozen Rideau Canal. 
• Hot Springs: Ease yourself slowly into the steamy, sulphur-scented waters of Banff Hot Springs and let your muscles completely relax. 
• Maple Taffy Making: A quintessential Quebec treat, maple taffy is made with real French Canadian maple syrup, drizzled into a bank of fresh snow. 

Winter Train Pictures

These stunning photos offer just a glimpse of what Canada has to offer travellers during the winter season. 

Winter Weather in Canada

The winter weather in Canada is actually not as cold as you might think. Here's a quick look at the climate in three regions with very different environments. Looking for a snowy wonderland? You can always count on plenty of snow in the Maritimes, the Prairies and the Rocky Mountains.

Winter in the Rocky Mountains 

Temperatures in the Rockies can drop to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). However, due to the dryness of the air, even extreme temperatures feel bearable. The average temperature in Banff National Park during the winter months is around -12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit). Plus, as long as you are bundled up in boots, a scarf and a toque (that's Canadian for "woolly hat"), you'll be just fine. After all, the locals say, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Keep in mind the weather can change quickly. 

Winter in Quebec 

The winters in Quebec are freezing and snowy, but that doesn't stop the locals from celebrating with a full calendar of festivals. The coldest months of the year are January and February, when up to 30 inches of snow cover can fall. Weather in Quebec is wetter than on the prairies, which means more storms and a damp kind of cold. Bring a water-and-windproof outer layer and make sure you schedule time in your day to warm up inside by a fire. 

Winter in the Prairies

Compared to the wet cold and blustery winds of the Maritimes, the climate in the Canadian prairies is very dry—so even as the thermometer dips to low temperatures it doesn't feel as cold. Plus, on many winter days in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the sun will still be out and shining, warming the air and making the newly fallen snow sparkle. One thing to watch out for is that the dry winter air can wreak havoc on your skin. Bring plenty of lip balm and moisturizing lotion.