Winter in the Rockies

With more than 2,700 miles of pure Canadian splendor ahead, your journey begins today in Vancouver. This oceanside gem is situated on Canada's West Coast, nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by coastal rainforest. The seasons are mild here, offering a gentle introduction to wintertime in Canada.

As you arrive, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel, and then the remainder of the day is yours to get to know this unique city. Spend your free time exploring one of the many parks, such as the famous Stanley Park, or venture to one of the eclectic local neighborhoods, such as Gastown or Chinatown. The city's restaurants offer flavors to suit every taste when it comes time for dinner. Overnight Vancouver.

Please note: If you wish to see more of Vancouver, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights or sightseeing options.

The morning is yours to have breakfast locally and wrap up any sightseeing you may wish to accomplish in Vancouver. Later, make your own way to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, where your train, VIA Rail's Canadian, awaits boarding.

Arrive at the rail station approximately one hour before boarding, and head to the priority check-in area for Sleeper Plus passengers. Once on this classic overnight train, settle into your semi-private berth, and watch as the show of changing scenery begins.

All of your meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included during your time on the Canadian, and as a Sleeper Plus traveler, you also enjoy use of the Skyline Car. Furthermore, the Park Car's facilities are available during specified hours. Enjoy dinner in the Dining Car this evening as the city lights fade into the distance and the snowy scenery of Western Canada comes into view. Overnight train.

• Dinner

Waking on the Canadian, the views are markedly different than those of last night. Look out over towering peaks cloaked in snow, thick evergreen forests and brilliantly hued bodies of water that so define the Canadian Rockies. You could soak up these wonders from your berth's picture window or enjoy the changing scenery from the Dining Car while having breakfast.

The train follows winding mountain tracks through tunnels and across bridges, with postcard-worthy vistas awaiting around each bend. The Canadian arrives in Jasper around midday, and it is here that you disembark and transfer to your hotel. Check in for the first of two nights, and then you are free to start to discover this resort town.

Jasper is a beautiful enigma - one of the most important towns for miles around and a popular destination for visitors to the Rockies, yet it retains a calm, small-town feel. Charming buildings filled with shops and enticing restaurants line the streets, giving you plenty to explore during your free time. Overnight Jasper.

• Breakfast

Setting out with a local guide this morning, get to know Jasper National Park on a wildlife discovery tour. Your excursion reveals the diversity surrounding Jasper as you head to some of the most scenic and wildlife-rich regions throughout the park.

Should you wish to explore the Jasper region another way, you could instead book one of the following optional excursions available at a supplement: Jasper Downtown Foodie Tour - Soak up the history and flavors of Jasper on a short walking tour downtown. Spend three hours visiting four restaurants, enjoying hand-picked dishes with an alcoholic beverage at each.

Maligne Valley & Pleckaitis Canyon Icewalk - Travel deep into the Maligne Valley on a guided excursion featuring a stop at Medicine Lake and a walk along the ice at the bottom of one of Jasper's deepest accessible canyons.

With a free afternoon and evening after your tour, you can continue exploring Jasper or enjoy the shops and restaurants downtown. Overnight Jasper.

Please note: If you want to explore on multiple excursions, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Jasper.

Leaving Jasper this morning, a scenic drive takes you to another spectacular corner of the Rockies, Lake Louise. The route traces the world-famous Icefields Parkway and offers an unforgettable perspective on the winter landscape as the coach weaves past icy lakes, shrouded mountain peaks, expansive glaciers, and hushed, remote forests.

Eventually, a scene right out of a fairytale emerges as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise comes into view. This historic, castle-like hotel sits on the eastern shore of Lake Louise. With the Victoria Glacier on the opposite side of the lake and a frame of craggy peaks, this is a truly magical setting.

Upon checking into the hotel, the remainder of the day is free to enjoy the amenities here or head out into nature. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing excursions are available for booking on site, as are horse-drawn sleigh rides (all payable locally). Overnight Lake Louise.

Even more beautiful scenery lies ahead today as you continue to your final destination in the Canadian Rockies, Banff. This resort town sits within Banff National Park, the most popular park in the region, and is a place where culture and amenities collide with truly magnificent nature.

Upon checking into your hotel for two nights, the remainder of the day is yours to discover Banff. Downtown is filled with unique shops and art galleries, and there are museums, such as the Whyte, that tell the story of this region. For a dose of relaxation amidst the snow globe scenery, you might like to take a dip in the healing waters of Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Banff is an emerging foodie destination in Canada, and this evening, you can delve into its culinary options. Restaurants serve a range of cuisines, from wild game and local trout to casual bar fare. Overnight Banff.

Today, the sheer magnitude and beauty of Banff National Park are on display as you step aboard the Banff Gondola. The glass-enclosed carriages offer panoramic views over the surrounding mountains, forests and lakes as you climb to the summit building at the top of Sulphur Mountain in eight short minutes. After returning to the mountain's base, the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Alternatively, you could choose an optional tour available at a supplement:

Banff Highlights & Wildlife Tour - Alongside a guide, take the backroads deeper into Banff National Park. Your route reveals some of the best-kept secrets in the Rockies and takes you to some of the most prolific wildlife-viewing areas.

Icefields Parkway & Ice Bubbles of Abraham Lake Tour - Witness Abraham Lake's frozen ice bubbles, snowshoe to Peyto Lake and uncover a local's perspective on the Icefields Parkway on this unique tour that includes lunch. Overnight Banff.

Please note: If you want to explore on multiple excursions, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Banff.

Icy scenery and snow-clad wonders paved the way to exceptional adventures in the Canadian Rockies on this winter tour. You explored the wildlife of Jasper, stayed at a castle-like hotel on the shores of Lake Louise and saw Banff from above on the Banff Gondola. Complete with optional excursions and plenty of free time to explore these spellbinding destinations your way, this journey has been truly memorable.

Your vacation comes to a close today as you depart the Rockies, bound for Calgary's airport. The included transfer accommodates flights departing after 1:00 p.m.

If you are not ready to depart this spectacular region just yet, speak with a Rail Specialist about extending your stay in Canada.