What to Know About Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys

For the traveler who understands that attending to their vacation spot will be half the enjoyable, the Rocky Mountaineer prepare makes for a really perfect trip. Whereas the corporate’s extremely curated itineraries take passengers to a number of unbelievable locations all through the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer is greater than only a mode of transportation or a scenic rail route. These multiday journeys are all about delivering a luxurious expertise each on and off the prepare—one thing I found once I tried one of many routes myself.

Between the attractive landscapes rolling by exterior the panoramic home windows, the animated storytelling of the onboard hosts, and the scrumptious meals, lengthy days on the Rocky Mountaineer appear to fly by. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential find out about this distinctive North American prepare expertise.

Rocky Mountaineer Routes

Rocky Mountaineer provides three normal routes, starting from two to 3 days. For vacationers having bother selecting only one itinerary, there’s additionally the choice to e-book a circle journey that mixes two routes for a four- or five-day journey. Restricted-time routes are additionally typically obtainable.

First Passage to the West

This two-day journey begins in Vancouver. Arrive a couple of days early to discover the many things to do on this stunning coastal metropolis earlier than hopping on the Rocky Mountaineer. The primary day on board begins early. The prepare makes its method by means of Fraser Valley, with views of majestic mountains, inexperienced forests, and raging rivers. After a full day on the prepare, you’ll arrive within the riverfront city of Kamloops. Stretch your legs with a stroll by the river, discover the artwork galleries and museums, or take part in one in all many outside actions. On day two, the prepare continues its journey east, passing by mountains and an idyllic lake. The enduring views of Fortress Mountain would be the spotlight of this present day earlier than the prepare reaches its closing vacation spot in Banff. Passengers disembark in Banff and the journey can simply proceed from there with visits to Banff Nationwide Park, together with the postcard-ready Lake Louise.

Journey By means of the Clouds

This two-day itinerary begins with an identical route because the prepare departs from Vancouver and stops in Kamloops for the evening. On day two, nonetheless, the prepare heads northeast to Jasper. The pure magnificence alongside this route is plentiful, with passengers catching views of the Blue River, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson, the tallest peak within the Canadian Rockies. Passengers disembark within the charming mountain city of Jasper, which provides quick access to Jasper Nationwide Park.

Rainforest to Gold Rush

Rocky Mountaineer’s solely three-day itinerary takes passengers on a unique, however equally picturesque, route from Vancouver to Jasper. Day one begins with the prepare making its method round Horseshoe Bay and the attractive fjords of Howe Sound earlier than buying and selling the water-filled vistas for the Coast Mountains. The day ends with an in a single day keep in Whistler, the place you’ll positively wish to take a journey on the Peak 2 Peak gondola for the most effective views of this mountainous area. On day two, passengers will see a very completely different sort of Canadian panorama because the prepare passes by means of extra arid surroundings, together with canyons the place prospectors as soon as looked for gold, after which stops for the evening within the small metropolis of Quesnel. Day three brings passengers to the ultimate cease in Jasper after one other full day aboard the prepare, admiring the world’s mountains, lakes, and rivers.

Rockies to the Crimson Rocks on Canyon Spirit

Rocky Mountaineer debuted its first route in the US within the fall of 2021; now, that itinerary has develop into Canyon Spirit, a sibling rail expertise. Though the title is completely different, the route remains to be the identical—touring from Denver to Moab, Utah, with an in a single day cease in Glenwood Springs, Colorado—however now with an non-compulsory route extension to Salt Lake Metropolis. Canyon Spirit is a part of the Armstrong Collective, which incorporates Rocky Mountaineer, so the extent of service, eating, and facilities stays stellar.

I launched into this route when it was operated by Rocky Mountaineer, spending a few days in Denver earlier than boarding the prepare. On day one, we left the town skyline behind and immersed ourselves within the Colorado Rockies, crossing the Continental Divide and chopping by means of the spectacular 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel. By nightfall, we had been in Glenwood Springs, the place a go to to the world’s largest mineral sizzling spring pool is a should. The subsequent day, we continued our journey west, buying and selling the Rockies for the distinctive crimson rocks of the Southwest, together with unbelievable views of Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon. By noon, we had been in Moab, the proper house base for exploring Arches and Canyonlands nationwide parks.

Rocky Mountaineer Lessons of Service

When you’ve determined in your route, it’s time to decide on which degree of service you’d like on board. For all friends, the Rocky Mountaineer expertise features a cozy seat with loads of legroom, picture-perfect views exterior the expansive home windows, drinks and meals, and top-notch leisure from the hosts who regale friends with their wonderful storytelling concerning the area you’re touring by means of.

The every day schedule for every itinerary varies, however the prepare solely travels throughout daylight to make sure that passengers don’t miss any inch of the jaw-dropping panorama. The Rocky Mountaineer expertise contains resort stays within the cities and cities the place the prepare stops for the evening, with quite a lot of choices for various budgets. There’s loads of time to benefit from the locations at every cease, and it’s extremely really useful that friends prolong their keep earlier than and after the journey. Rocky Mountaineer even provides full trip packages that embody excursions and journey extensions.

Whereas the Rocky Mountaineer actually offers a top-notch expertise for all friends, there are key variations value noting as you select which onboard service degree is best for you.

GoldLeaf

GoldLeaf is the top-tier service degree that Rocky Mountaineer provides, and it’s simple to inform it aside from SilverLeaf as a result of the coach has two ranges. On the primary flooring, friends will discover a eating room with giant panoramic home windows that permit them to soak up the views whereas having fun with meals ready on board by the chef. There’s additionally a big outside platform so passengers can admire the surroundings within the recent air. Passengers will spend most of their time within the consolation of their assigned seats on the second flooring, the place dome-shaped home windows permit for almost unobstructed views. 

SilverLeaf

The SilverLeaf coach is on the underside flooring. Company on this degree will get pleasure from their meals (ready earlier than departure and warmed up on board) from comfy seats, whereas additionally admiring the landscapes exterior the massive panoramic home windows. For passengers on this coach, there’s a small outside viewing space, the place one to 2 folks at a time can stand and peek exterior an open window.

“When trying to assist potential friends determine between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf, I try to paint an image of two nice—however completely different—ranges of service,” stated Danny Becker, enterprise growth supervisor for Rocky Mountaineer. “I describe our SilverLeaf expertise as a single-level railcar with stunning giant image home windows, nice meals and storytelling, and ample room between the seats. When describing our GoldLeaf expertise, I attempt to current a picture of true luxurious with plush leather-based heated seats, a totally domed railcar with most viewing capability, an extra onboard host for enhanced service and extra frequent storytelling, and made-to-order delicacies with world-class presentation and style.”

Nevertheless, Becker added, “You actually can’t go improper whether or not you select SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, each are high-quality, all-inclusive ranges of service.”

Canyon Spirit Signature and Premier Experiences

Passengers on Canyon Spirit for the Rockies to the Crimson Rocks route can select between two tiers of service. In contrast to the Rocky Mountaineer, Canyon Spirit trains do not have a second degree for the reason that railway passes by means of a number of tunnels. The all-inclusive Signature Expertise comes with cozy, preassigned seats, outsized domed home windows for panorama viewing, Southwestern-inspired delicacies, and drinks. The Premier improve kicks issues up a notch, with entry to an unique lounge automotive, a personal outside viewing space, and elevated eating and host service.