Rocky Mountaineer: A Ride Through the Canadian Rockies [Part 1]

The Rocky Mountaineer is the ultimate rail vacation through the Canadian Rockies. Traveling from Vancouver to Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper (and vice versa), the options for customization are endless. One thing is guaranteed, though, a rail vacation through the Canadian Rockies will be an unforgettable experience!
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**Routes**
The Rocky Mountaineer train travels on three routes through the Canadian Rockies, all of which start or end in Vancouver.
The First Passage to the West
Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise with an overnight in Kamloops. Highlights include Hell’s Gate, Cisco Crossing, Castle Mountain, Mount Rundle and Craigellachie, where the last spike marked the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway line.
Journey Through the Clouds
Vancouver to Jasper with an overnight in Kamloops. Highlights along this route include Hell’s Gate, Cisco Crossing, Yellowhead Pass, Moose Lake, Mount Robson and the famous Pyramid Falls.
Rainforest to Gold Rush
Vancouver to Jasper with an overnight in both Whistler and Quesnel. This route travels farther north than the other two, with highlights including Howe Sound, Anderson and Seton Lakes, Moose Lake, Painted Chasm and Mount Robson.
**Service Levels**
The Rocky Mountaineer train offers two different service levels: GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf.
The GoldLeaf car on the Rocky Mountaineer train features a bi-level domed car with seating above and a private dining area below. GoldLeaf passengers also are accompanied by four hosts onboard the train, a full culinary team, and stay in premium hotels along the route. The GoldLeaf car on the train also features a large private outdoor viewing platform at the rear of the train.
The SilverLeaf car is a single level domed car with meals served at your seat. Although the food is excellent, the menu items are more limited. The SilverLeaf car onboard the train also has a smaller viewing platform and the hotels are a slight step lower than GoldLeaf
**When to Go**
The Rocky Mountaineer train operates between late April and early October.
*Start of the Season: April and May
The start of the season is perfect for wildlife lovers, as animals will be waking from hibernation and are active scavenging for food. Warmer temperatures mean higher water levels from melting ice, and rivers and waterfalls will be at their fullest
*Summer: June, July, and August
Summer is the most popular time of year and prices on the train are historically higher during this period. These are the longest and warmest months in the Canadian Rockies, you can expect daylight until 11:30 PM! Baby animals are born during the summer months and the striking differences in the landscape are even more pronounced.
*Fall: September and October
Cooler temperatures settle in and the salmon begin to spawn. However, nothing beats the first colors of autumn as you travel through the beautiful Canadian landscape!