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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter

Toronto to Vancouver by VIA Rail via winter Jasper Rockies

Illustration of Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter

Railbookers' Classic Canada and Canadian Rockies in Winter is a 10-day independent rail vacation that crosses Canada from Toronto to Vancouver by VIA Rail. Day 1 in Toronto includes admission to the CN Tower before three nights aboard VIA Rail crossing the prairies to the Canadian Rockies. Arriving in Jasper, a scenic mountain town, Day 6 brings a guided Winter Wildlife Discovery tour seeking elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose, and Day 7 is a Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour to the bottom of the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, exploring frozen waterfalls and ice caves, a tour that runs through March 30th each season. Day 8 boards VIA Rail's the Canadian again for the run to Vancouver, with dinner served as the train passes Moose Lake and the peaks of Mt. Robson. The trip ends with a free day in Vancouver, including admission to FlyOver Canada. Riding in Economy class throughout, this suits winter travelers who want guided wildlife and ice experiences bundled with a long-distance rail crossing.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list offers 18 accommodation options across tiers and cities, described as choices rather than consecutive stays, from Toronto's Fairmont Royal York to Jasper's Forest Park Hotel; the final property depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour is stated to end March 30th, so it may not be available on later winter departures.
  • The operator publishes no specific departure dates in the available materials beyond the Icewalk tour's March 30th cutoff; confirm current departures with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Toronto

    Your Journey Begins in Toronto

    Welcome to Toronto, Canada's most populous city! Use your included admission to the CN Tower.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Board VIA Rail for your journey across Canada.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your journey across Canada on VIA Rail traveling through the prairies to the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Continue your journey across Canada on VIA Rail traveling through the Prairies to the Canadian Rockies.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Welcome to Jasper, a scenic mountain town nestled in the Canadian Rockies.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Today, a Winter Wildlife Discovery tour of Jasper National park is included. Your knowledgeable guide will seek out all of the park's most iconic wildlife, you may see Elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose and more! You'll also learn about the history, geology, and ecology of the area.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Enjoy a truly unique experience today with your Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour. You'll be taken to the bottom of Maligne Canyon, the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, where you will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Jasper to Vancouver

    Relax at your hotel in the morning or visit some of the local shops and cafes before departing for Vancouver. Board VIA Rail's the Canadian to continue your journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Enjoy dinner as the train whisks you past Moose Lake and the peaks of Mt. Robson and the Monashee Mountains.

  9. Day 9overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Arrive in Vancouver this morning and the rest of the day is yours to explore the city! Be sure to visit Canada Place where you'll have admission to FlyOver Canada, an ultimate flying sensation experience of Canada's beautiful vistas.

  10. Day 10

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Admission to Toronto's CN Tower.
  • Day 6A guided Winter Wildlife Discovery tour of Jasper National Park, seeking out elk, deer, sheep, coyotes, and moose.
  • Day 7A Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour to the bottom of the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, exploring frozen waterfalls and ice caves.
  • Day 8Dinner aboard VIA Rail's the Canadian as the train passes Moose Lake and the peaks of Mt. Robson and the Monashee Mountains.
  • Day 9Admission to FlyOver Canada at Vancouver's Canada Place, a flying-sensation experience of Canada's landscapes.

Included

  • 5 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 4 nights' aboard VIA Rail
  • One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations from Toronto to Jasper; Jasper to Vancouver

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. One-way VIA Rail in Economy accommodations is included from Toronto to Jasper and from Jasper to Vancouver, with 4 nights spent onboard.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Two guided tours are included in Jasper (Winter Wildlife Discovery and the Maligne Canyon Icewalk); other days, including the arrival in Vancouver, are self-guided.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
Admission to Toronto's CN Tower, a Winter Wildlife Discovery tour and a Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour in Jasper, dinner aboard the train from Jasper to Vancouver, and admission to FlyOver Canada in Vancouver.
When does the Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour run?
The evidence states it ends March 30th, so it is only available on winter departures up to that date.
Where do you stay?
5 hotel nights across Toronto, Jasper, and Vancouver, plus 4 nights aboard VIA Rail; 18 accommodation options are offered across tiers and cities.

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