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.)