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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Eight-day winter rail journey through Canadian Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary

Illustration of Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Vacations By Rail's Winter in the Canadian Rockies is an eight-day self-guided tour that pairs one overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian with stays in four Fairmont luxury hotels across Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. The journey begins in Vancouver with a night at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, followed by an overnight train journey to Jasper National Park in a private Sleeper Plus bedroom. From Jasper, scenic winter transfers take you to Lake Louise, where you can ride a horse-drawn sleigh beneath Victoria Glacier and see the Château's annual ice castle, and then to Banff, where the Fairmont Banff Springs spa and hot springs await. Days at Jasper and Banff are your own to explore shops, restaurants, and optional winter activities such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, and guided frozen canyon tours. The operator arranges all transport and accommodations, leaving you free to move at your own pace through snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Days 5, 6, and 8 involve transfers by car rather than train; confirm winter road conditions with the operator before booking.
  • The package is self-guided: no escorted group activities or daily briefings once you leave the train.
  • Flights to and from Canada are not included in the from-price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrive Vancouver

    Transfer on your own to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, one of Vancouver's most beautiful hotels.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train (VIA Rail's Canadian)

    VIA Rail Vancouver to Jasper

    Make your own way to the VIA Rail station for departure on VIA Rail's Canadian, settling into a private bedroom that converts from a sitting room by day to upper and lower berths by night, with Sleeper Plus meals and lounge/dome access.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Enroute to Jasper

    Wake to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies arriving in Jasper; staff from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge meet you at the station and transfer you to the Lodge.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper at Leisure

    At leisure to enjoy the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, skate on Lac Beauvert, cross-country ski, or take a guided tour of the frozen Maligne Canyon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    A scenic winter drive to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, overlooking the frozen lake, Victoria Glacier and the Chateau's annual ice castle; horse-drawn sleigh rides available.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff

    A short drive to the Fairmont Banff Springs, the 'Castle of the Rockies', home to the Banff Springs Spa.

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff

    Banff at Leisure

    Explore Banff's shops, boutiques and restaurants, or visit the natural Banff Hot Springs.

  8. Day 8

    Banff/Calgary/Home

    Transfers to Calgary Airport are included for flights scheduled after 11:00 AM.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Vancouver aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus bedroom that converts to upper and lower berths; access the train's observation dome to watch the Rockies emerge.
  • Day 3Arrive in Jasper at dawn and transfer to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, set in Canada's largest Rocky Mountain park.
  • Day 4Optional guided tour of the frozen Maligne Canyon or ice skating on Lac Beauvert at the Fairmont lodge.
  • Day 5Scenic winter drive to Lake Louise overlooks the frozen lake and Victoria Glacier; visit the Château's annual ice castle and ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Included

  • Six nights deluxe accommodations
  • One overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus class including private bedroom accommodations between Vancouver and Jasper
  • Scenic transfers from Jasper to Lake Louise, Lake Louise to Banff, and Banff to Calgary Airport
  • Meals onboard the train

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. One overnight aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in a private Sleeper Plus bedroom from Vancouver to Jasper, including meals on the train, lounge access, and the observation car.
Is this tour escorted or self-guided?
Self-guided. You travel on your own following a planned itinerary; Vacations By Rail arranges hotels, the train, and transfers, but daily activities and exploration are at your own pace.
What hotels are included?
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (1 night), Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (2 nights), Fairmont Château Lake Louise (1 night), and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (2 nights).
What is included in the price?
Six nights deluxe accommodations, one overnight on VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus class, meals aboard the train, and scenic transfers from Jasper to Lake Louise, Lake Louise to Banff, and Banff to Calgary Airport.
What winter activities are available?
Jasper and Banff have optional activities including cross-country skiing, ice skating on Lac Beauvert, a guided tour of frozen Maligne Canyon, horse-drawn sleigh rides at Lake Louise, and visits to the Banff Hot Springs.
When does this tour run?
During the winter season; confirm specific departure dates with Vacations By Rail.

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