The Rocky Mountains By Train

The stunning Canadian Rockies are an unrivalled, inimitable destination. What better way to see them than sitting back, sipping something sparkling, as the scenery hurtles past your train window. With majestic views, luxurious comfort and gourmet food, its no small wonder then that this journey features in most must-do, top ten lists. Lasting anywhere from two days to a month, the train takes you past lakes, glaciers and limestone rocks, with stopovers at National Parks, Alpine towns, Lake Louise and Columbia Icefield to name but few.

There are several different routes depending on your destination and budget. You can make it your entire holiday or you can combine it with a more extensive tour of the country. Felix is here to give you a run down of the top sights that have earned this journey its must-see status.

Lake Louise and Banff National Park

Known as the ‘Diamond in Wilderness’ and the ‘Hiking Capital of Canada’, Lake Louise is a haven for sightseeing and recreation. There are numerous hiking tracks and some of the finest skiing spots in North America. Along the trails you’ll find glorious waterfalls and glaciers, though we think the real treat is the pure, pollution-free air of the Rocky Mountains. The beauty of Lake Louise attracts inevitable crowds of tourists, but there’s enough room to swing a grizzly up here so don’t get put off.

More importantly, you’re in Banff National Park, whose Google image search is the stuff of scenic dreams. We both know a picture’s worth a thousand words and frankly, we’ll waste no more here. Seriously, take two, go look and we’ll get back to it.

Columbia Icefield

If those blue waters haven’t got you SkyScanning for flights, then try the Columbia Icefield. Sitting on the border of Columbia and Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks, it’s the largest ice field in the Rockies. It feeds eight major glaciers, one of which is Athabasca. You can visit Athabasca in the summer months on a large snow coach, and in the winter, Columbia Icefield becomes a Mecca for ski mountaineers. Just be sure to take a guide on your ice adventure, as the place can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Jasper National Park

The gentle giant of the Rocky Mountains, Jasper offers beauty and adventure in a single package. It’s one of the oldest National Parks in Canada and also one of the largest, spreading across 1,000 kilometres. It’s full of little trails for hiking or biking, where you can spot some of the hugely diverse wildlife. There’s cougars, coyotes, wolves, moose, elk, mule deer, and topping everyone’s tick list, grizzly and black bears. If you’re lucky enough to see them, do not approach. You’ll enjoy the rest of your holiday far more with all your limbs in tact. It might seem counterproductive, but making noise as you go helps: bears are a lot less territorial and aggressive if they know you’re coming.

Yoho National Park

You might be sensing a theme here, but really the Rockies are one big National Park experience. Yoho is excellent in both name and nature, with its huge walls of sheer rock and striking waterfalls. Like Jasper, there’s plenty of wildlife, including adorable pikas (yes, the inspiration for Pikachu), moose, elk, hummingbirds and bears. The best time to see some of these is in early morning or evening. If you fancy upping the adventure, take in a rafting tour, with white and black runs to suit everyone.

Stoney Creek Bridge

The original Stoney Creek Bridge was once the tallest wooden bridge in the world. Now made of steel, it’s still a beautiful structure, but one you can only really experience from the tracks atop it. Vandalism measures have now made it nigh on impossible to reach the vista seen in photos, but it still packs an impressive punch on board, looking down at the valleys and forests below.

Whistler

If you take a packaged train tour, you will most likely set up camp in Whistler, a popular tourist destination north of Vancouver. Despite its fame, Whistler pretty small, but there’s skiing, snowboarding and golf for those who wish, along with markets, restaurants, and spas for those who wish to relax.

Quesnel

Another popular stopover on packaged tours, Quesnel is sophistication and rural charm rolled into one. This delightful town offers fly fishing, skiing, rafting, hiking, biking, golf and riding in addition to exquisite restaurants and relaxing spas. The local farmers’ market is worth visiting to tickle your tastebuds.

Travel Tips

When you book your Rocky Mountain train, you need to plan well in advance to make time for all the area has to offer. It’s important to make room for stopovers as the train track doesn’t always offer clear views through the forests and peaks. Accommodation and meals will all be covered in your package, so it’s super easy to grab your seat and simply wait for Canada to come to you.

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