Anderson Vacations · Independent winter rail & coach journey

5 Day Mountain Moment Rail Journey

5-day winter rail and coach trip through Banff and Jasper

5 Day Mountain Moment Rail Journey, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations runs this 5-day, 4-night independent winter rail and coach journey through the Canadian Rockies, from Calgary to Edmonton by way of Banff and Jasper. After a coach transfer from Calgary, the trip opens with a snowshoeing tour to Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, then a full day ski pass at one of Banff's three ski areas: Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, or Lake Louise Ski Resort. A coach ride along the Icefields Parkway connects Banff to Jasper, where travelers choose between the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour to see frozen waterfalls and ice caves, or a day pass at Marmot Basin. The trip ends aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian' train from Jasper to Edmonton, with scenic views over the Rockies and prairies; an Edmonton city stay is suggested as an optional extra. Most stops last two nights, and the itinerary's skiing and snowshoeing make it more physically active than the operator's general low-demand rating suggests, suiting winter travelers who want snow sports alongside their rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 4 is a choice between the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour or a Marmot Basin ski pass, not both.
  • Meals are not included unless specifically mentioned in the itinerary, and taxes and tips are also excluded.
  • An Edmonton city stay at the end of the trip is only an optional add-on suggestion, not part of the base package.
  • The itinerary includes real activity, such as a full day of skiing or snowboarding and a snowshoeing excursion, more physical than the operator's general 'low physical demand' rating for the tour suggests.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Calgary to Banff. Snowshoeing Excursion to Marble Canyon

    Travel by coach from Calgary to Banff, then an introductory snowshoeing tour to Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, a 40-metre limestone gorge carved by Tokumn Creek, through forest left from the 2003 Kootenay fire.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Banff Day Ski Pass

    A full day of skiing or snowboarding at one of Banff National Park's three world-class ski areas (Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort), all within 45 minutes of town.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Travel along the famous Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper

    Travel by coach along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most scenic highways, connecting Banff and Jasper through wildlife, glaciers and pristine lakes.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Maligne Canyon Ice Walk or Marmot Basin Ski Pass

    Choice of the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour to explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations, or a day pass at Marmot Basin, 20 minutes from Jasper with 3,000 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding terrain.

  5. Day 5rail

    Jasper to Edmonton by train

    Board the 'Canadian' train from Jasper for scenic views travelling east to Edmonton; an optional Edmonton city stay add-on is suggested.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1A snowshoeing tour to Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, a 40-metre limestone gorge carved by Tokumn Creek, through forest left from the 2003 Kootenay fire.
  • Day 2A full day of skiing or snowboarding at one of Banff National Park's three ski areas: Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, or Lake Louise Ski Resort.
  • Day 3Travel the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, connecting the two national parks through wildlife, glaciers, and pristine lakes.
  • Day 4Choose between the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour to see frozen waterfalls and ice caves, or a day pass at Marmot Basin, 20 minutes from Jasper.
  • Day 5Board the 'Canadian' train from Jasper for scenic views travelling east to Edmonton.

Included

  • 4 nights comfortable hotel accommodation
  • Winter activities in Banff and Jasper as specified in the itinerary
  • Intercity travel by scheduled bus service
  • The 'Canadian' train service from Jasper to Edmonton
  • Full day Ski Pass in Banff

Not included

  • Meals unless specifically mentioned in the itinerary
  • Applicable government taxes
  • Tips and gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, but only for a single leg: the 'Canadian' train from Jasper to Edmonton on day 5.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent; Anderson Vacations lists this as an 'Independent winter rail & coach journey.'
What winter activities are included?
A full day ski pass in Banff (choice of Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, or Lake Louise Ski Resort), a snowshoeing tour to Marble Canyon, and on day 4 a choice between the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour or a Marmot Basin ski pass.
How much walking or activity is involved?
The operator rates the tour's overall physical demand as low, though the itinerary includes a full day of skiing or snowboarding and a snowshoeing excursion.
What is not included?
Meals unless specifically mentioned, government taxes, and tips and gratuities.
When does this trip run?
The itinerary is built around winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and the Icefields Parkway 'in winter glory,' pointing to a winter season departure.

Similar journeys, different answers