Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journey

The luxuriously appointed, privately owned "Rocky Mountaineer" runs between Calgary (or Jasper) and Vancouver. Leaving Calgary, the rich Alberta oil town with its modern skyline, the train heads westward on the historic Canadian Pacific line, to be abruptly confronted by the soaring mountain wall of the Rockies. At Canmore, providing the weather is good, there is a fine view of the snow-capped "Three Sisters". Soon afterwards the popular winter (arid summer) resort of Banff is reached.

Other highlights on this mountainous section with peaks up to 3600 m (11,815 ft) are Lake Louise, the Kicking Horse Pass, the two famous spiral tunnels, and the Rogers Pass through the Selkirk Mountains with its two long tunnels - the 9 km (51/2 mi.) Connaught Tunnel, completed in 1916, and the almost 15 km (91/2 mi.) Mount McDonald Tunnel and magnificent 94 m (308 ft)-high Stoney Creek Bridge. The next lap of the journey is across the dry, warm Kamloops basin, enjoying an almost Mediterranean feel, and through the rugged gorges of the Thompson and Friseur rivers to Yale. The final 100 km (60 mi.) follows the well-cultivated Fraser valley to Vancouver.

The Jasper-bound section of the "Rocky Mountaineer" takes the route north from Kamloops into the Rockies, passing Mount Robson on its way to and from Jasper.
There are a variety of package options ranging from two days to two weeks or more. Longer trips are often combined with a cruise to offer a "rail and cruise vacation". Rail excursions can also include the destination of Whistler.