8-Day VIA Rail Winter Train with Jasper, Lake Louise & Banff

from Vancouver to Calgary

Step back in time and board “The Canadian” winter train to Jasper through the snowy Canadian Rockies. At night, nestle into bed aboard this 50s-era train and be rocked to sleep as you travel through canyons and along riversides. This tour moves at a comfortable pace with lots of time in the National Parks for the winter activities of your choice. The perfect romantic getaway or adventure tour. Spend five total nights in the Rockies with stays in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff.

Travel Dates in 2025 & 2026

2025 Start Dates

Starting on Thursdays and occasional Sundays.

January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
November 20, 27
December 4, 11, 18, 21, 25, 28

For start dates not listed, please contact us for availability or request a quote.

2026 Start Dates

Start dates for 2026 are coming soon! If you would like to start planning your 2026 tour, please request a quote.

Travel Summary

  • Day 1: Vancouver Arrival - overnight in Vancouver
  • Day 2: Free morning in Vancouver. "The Canadian" Winter Train Departure - overnight aboard the train
  • Day 3: "The Canadian" Winter Train to Jasper. Free afternoon in Jasper - overnight in Jasper
  • Day 4: Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour - overnight in Jasper
  • Day 5: Scenic transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise. Free afternoon in Lake Louise - overnight in Lake Louise
  • Day 6: Transfer from Lake Louise to Banff - overnight in Banff
  • Day 7: Banff Tour including Banff Gondola - overnight in Banff
  • Day 8: Transfer from Banff to Calgary

Route Map

What's Included

  • 6 nights hotel accommodation
  • VIA Rail from Vancouver to Jasper, Sleeper Plus Class
  • 1 night sleeping car accommodation onboard VIA Rail train
  • Dinner and breakfast on board the train
  • Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour
  • Icefields Parkway motorcoach transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise
  • Motorcoach transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
  • Banff tour including Banff Gondola
  • Transfer from Banff to Calgary Airport
  • Independent Tour

Not Included

  • Meals, other than onboard the train
  • Gratuities/tip for hotel and transfer staff
  • Optional activities during free time
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver Arrival

Vancouver has a temperate climate that doesn’t generally get as cold as other Canadian cities. It is a lively and diverse city with no shortage of attractions to explore including; Stanley Park, Granville Island or the Vancouver Art Gallery. Spend tonight in your downtown Vancouver hotel room.

Day 2 - Free morning & Board "The Canadian" Winter Train to Jasper

Depart Vancouver aboard VIA Rail’s The Canadian train in the afternoon.

Travel through the lush Fraser Valley and along the salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River. Meals will be included on board and you are free to roam about the train as you wish. During the day you’ll pass beside river canyons and natural wonders like Hell’s Gate. By nightfall you’ve reached the interior of British Columbia and the sound of the train is rocking you to sleep. Spend tonight onboard the train in your private cabin.

Day 3 - "The Canadian" Winter Train - Arrival in Jasper

You’ll wake up to a Rocky Mountain sunrise and head to the dining car for breakfast. Mount Robson—the highest point in the Canadian Rockies— greets you on your approach to Jasper.

The charming little mountain resort town of Jasper is home for the next couple of days and you’ll have the afternoon free to ice skate, take in some mountain scenery or go skiing or snowshoeing. Spend the next two nights in your Jasper hotel room.

Day 4 - Jasper Maligne Canyon Icewalk

This tour will take you to the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park – where you will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations. You will learn about Jasper’s Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mystery of the “disappearing” Medicine Lake. Spend tonight in your Jasper hotel room.

Day 5 - Scenic transfer on the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise

Board the motorcoach as you travel southeast down the Icefields Parkway, often hailed as the most beautiful highway in Canada. You’ll travel through the natural splendor of Jasper and Banff National Parks as glaciated peaks tower breathtakingly along the roadside. The panorama of snow-capped peaks and endless mountain ridges occasionally opens up to afford a spectacular view of deep tree-covered valleys stretching to a distant horizon. Crisp blue skies offer unique and fantastic photo opportunities. Your guide will stop for a few photo opportunities at Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield and the pristine Bow Lake, before arriving in at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the night.

Day 6 - Transfer from Lake Louise to Banff

Awake to the crisp mountain air of Lake Louise and enjoy a hot breakfast at one of the fantastic restaurants that overlook the breathtaking scenery. Take a walk out on to the lake, or perhaps rent some skates and play some Pond Hockey, a time-honoured Canadian tradition. You will be transferred to Banff by motorcoach mid-day Spend the night at your Banff hotel.

Day 7 - Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola

Today you’ll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf or relaxing as you choose.

Day 8 - Transfer Banff to Calgary

Your journey continues with a two hour transfer to Calgary. Thank you for traveling with Canada Rail Vacations!

8-Day Winter Tour Pricing 2025 & 2026

2025 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

Starting on Thursdays and occasional Sundays.

Base Price Superior
Hotel Upgrade
Deluxe
Hotel Upgrade
Prestige Class Train Upgrade
January $3930 +$600 +$1369 +$1250
February $3930 +$600 +$1369 +$1250
March $3930 +$600 +$1369 +$1250
November $3962 +$600 +$1369 +$1250
December $3962 +$600 +$1369 +$1250
  • Base prices include Popular Hotels (3-Stars) and a Private Sleeper Cabin for Two.
  • Upgrade to Fairmont Hotels in the Rockies for an additional $600 per person in the Superior or Deluxe Hotel Category.
  • Upgrades to Premium Hotels (5-Stars) and Private Tours/Transfers are also available by request. Please request a quote for these rates.

2026 Pricing - Canadian Dollars

Pricing for 2026 is coming soon! If you would like to start planning your 2026 tour, please request a quote.

Pricing Details:
  • Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars and are subject to an additional 5% Canadian sales tax.
  • Prices are based on double occupancy. For single and triple sharing, please request a quote.
  • Prices are approximate and subject to change at any time.
  • To qualify for any current Specials, please request a quote.

Approximate Exchange Rates:

$1.00 CAD =

$0.72 USD

€0.67 EUR

£0.56 GBP

$1.08 AUD