The Canadian Rockies is a destination that's on many travellers' bucket list. It's also one of our best-selling trips. And for good reason.
This is a place of unrivalled awe and beauty. It's the kind of place that takes you far from the hustle and bustle of daily routine and makes you appreciate Mother Nature's splendour. Dense, mist-veiled trembling pine forests, staggering mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and sweeping views that would humble even the most discerning traveller. It's not only an outdoor wonderland and a landscape photographer's dream, it's a land of enchantment.
Everyone remembers the first time they set their eyes on Lake Louise, rode to the top of Sulphur Mountain, or walked along the Athabasca Glacier. In this edition of Journeys From A Rail Insider, our Business Development Manager, Kyle Smith, surely remembers his VIA Rail journey into the province of Alberta's seemingly infinite wilderness. Last October, he had the opportunity to travel there and experience what so many of our customers get to - the unforgettable draw of the Canadian Rockies.
Railbookers: Tell us about the experience on board the train through the Canadian Rockies.
Kyle: My trip onboard VIA Rail was truly spectacular. The train itself is elegant, comfortable, and luxurious. I boarded the train at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. For my overnight to Jasper, I stayed in a Cabin for two. What I loved most about the Cabin is the onboard amenities—towels, hygiene products, and a nice robe with slippers. My meals in the "European elegant" Dining Car were also included on the train, which I found to be five-star.
The scenery I saw on my trip was absolutely stunning! The Canadian Rockies is one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The route from Vancouver to Jasper is filled with crystal clear lakes, beautiful waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. The route is also remote, which would make seeing this magical place by car quite difficult. The Via Rail train rides nice and smooth through the terrain and gave me an up-close, personal experience with the natural beauty of Canada. The timing of the train from Vancouver to Jasper is perfect. The train deliberately departs Vancouver at night, that way, the following day you are in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and can see the beautiful sights during daylight hours.
I found the onboard experience to be truly relaxing. It was like a holiday on the way to my holiday destination. When I boarded the train, I was served a cocktail to celebrate the beginning of the train journey. The following day, I had breakfast and lunch in the Dining Car and was able to sit and meet new people and hear about their travel endeavours. I also spent most of the day in the Observation Car, which had panoramic windows so I could take in the scenery. Even from the train, the Canadian Rockies has the ability to render you speechless.
What was the best part of your trip to the Canadian Rockies?
Although Vancouver, Jasper, and Calgary were all stunning destinations, seeing Lake Louise takes the prize! Now I know why it is the most popular place in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen! I've had the pleasure of travelling quite a bit throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, but when I think about scenic destinations, Lake Louise always comes to mind first. It is a peaceful location, and it felt surreal to actually be there.
What season did you travel? What was the weather like?
I travelled in October, which is technically winter in Canada. It was very cold with lots of snow. However, it was still an unforgettable trip. The snow is so fresh and sparkles during the daytime.
What are three things you feel our customers would love about this trip?
ONE: The first thing that comes to mind is the onboard experience on the train. VIA Rail is very classy. I personally felt like I was travelling in Europe while seeing some of the most remote landscapes from the comfort of my seat.
TWO: They will love the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. I don't see how anyone could not fall in love with this place. Then, there's the cities of Vancouver and Calgary, which are definitely a couple of Western Canada's gems.
THREE: We offer accommodations at some of the finest hotels in the region, which are conveniently located near the train stations and popular destinations.
Do you have any tips or advice to offer customers considering taking this rail journey?
I would recommend our customers pack light for this kind of trip. I had to handle my own luggage while travelling, which was not a big deal, but wished I had not packed so many things. I would also recommend arranging pre/post nights in each city. VIA Rail only departs Vancouver a few days per week, so arriving the day before a departure will guarantee that they won't miss their train. Our customers should call their local travel agent to arrange their rail holiday. Travel agents have plenty of experience booking complicated trips and can arrange all the components of a customer's travel needs. With that said, booking a trip a minimum of 10 months in advance is best so that they can lock in the lowest price on our packages and to ensure availability onboard VIA Rail.
Is there anything you wish you'd known before journeying through the Canadian Rockies?
That October is truly considered winter. I knew it was going to be a little snowy and cold, but I was surprised by just how much snow was already on the ground. If a customer is visiting this late in the year, they better be prepared for snow!
From your experience not only as a Railbookers employee but also as a first-time traveller to the Canadian Rockies, what stood out to you about the overall experience of a Railbookers holiday?
What stood out the most was how customer-focused Railbookers is when putting together the Canadian Rockies packages. All of my hotels were conveniently located in close proximity to train stations and major tourist attractions. Not once did I have to go out of my way to enjoy sightseeing. For example, while in Vancouver, I had a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to explore the city. Since my hotel was around the corner from the first stop, all I had to do was take a short two-minute walk to get on the bus. So easy! I was also impressed with the quality of the four-star properties in each destination. Many people believe that tour operators only use cheap hotels to increase their profit margins. While that may be true for some operators, that's certainly not the case with Railbookers.
Here are some more top holiday picks from our Rail Insider, Kyle Smith:
Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound
Trans-Canada Rockies Adventure with Rocky Mountaineer
Circle of the Canadian Rockies
Ultimate Canada Coast to Coast
