Sales Manager

Spencer has been with Canada Rail Vacations for over 7 years and is our most experienced Vacation Planner. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario (which is just south of Toronto) Spencer also has extensive experience in the golf industry.

Prior to Canada Rail Vacations he worked at world-class golf courses for 5 years including Greywolf and Kananaskis. He’s played just about every major golf course in Western Canada and is your go to guy for questions about our Golf Tours and the Toronto area.

On his days off and his free time, you can most likely find him on the golf course. If he’s not on the links, you can most likely find him on an adventure in the mountains in Canmore, Kananaskis, Banff or Panorama. The days spent in the city, you can find him exploring downtown Calgary and enjoying local food, restaurants and live music.

Spencer’s favourite tour is our Rockies Gold Rush Golf tour as it provides the opportunity to place some of the top golf courses in Western Canada. Should you need an extra playing partner for your round of golf, or have any local dining questions, please reach out to Spencer. He will be happy to assist you with any questions about your journey to Canada.

Product Manager

Dalton has been with Canada Rail Vacations for more than 6 and a half years. He is originally from Toronto, Ontario where he completed a diploma in Tourism Management. Following college, Dalton moved out west to the Rockies for a summer job in Kamloops, British Columbia, and hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, he has lived all over Canada with his two favorite stops along the way being a summer in the remote mountain town of Jasper, Alberta, and a year on Canada’s east coast in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dalton has traveled in many different styles, including a study abroad in France where he had the opportunity to spend a couple of months traveling all over Europe, as well as six months traveling the coast of Australia in a camper van. He has done multiple road trips across Canada and the United States, spent plenty of time on beaches throughout the Caribbean, and has now been on five of our train trips throughout Canada and the US.

In his time off he can be found on the golf course or hanging out with his dog.

Dalton’s favorite trip is our Eastern Canada by Rail tour as it provides a homecoming trip where he can stop and see his friends and family in each city along the way.

Business Operations Manager

Born and (mostly) raised in Calgary, Whitney has found her way back home after spending over 6 years living in Vancouver. While not much of a hiker, she’s had the opportunity to explore some of the beauty Western Canada has to offer – a favorite being the stunning drive between Calgary and the West Coast.

Whitney has spent some time travelling internationally, having visited Seoul, done some road tripping through the Central/Pacific U.S., and enjoyed some gorgeous beaches in Mexico and Cuba. Over the last few years, she’s been more interested in vacationing in Canada, where Sechelt and Kelowna are top of the list. Taking the Rocky Mountaineer has been a lifelong dream, and she was so excited to be on her first train in 2022.

Whitney’s favorite trip is our new Rockies to the Red Rocks route between Denver and Moab as it offers a different perspective of the Rocky Mountains from the comfort of the Rocky Mountaineer before transitioning to the unique landscapes of Utah’s National Parks where the rock formations provide some great, easy hiking trails that will make you feel like a kid on the jungle-gym again.

When she’s not working, Whitney is busy cuddling with her pup, Bailey, watching scary movies, and making art. She’s very passionate about her friends and family, making connections with new people, and helping others accomplish their goals.

Vacation Planner

Sebastian is originally from Bogota, Colombia but has been living in Canada for the past 10 years. Upon completing his degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sebastian decided to leave South America and come to Canada in order to improve his English by living abroad. After a few years of studying in Vancouver, working in Banff, and completing a post-graduate program in Toronto he knew he was in it for the long run.

Sebastian has lived in the Rocky Mountains for over 5 years, and the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place contributed greatly to his appreciation for adventure and natural surroundings. He moved to Calgary two years ago in order to stay close to the mountains and has loved it ever since. Apart from his extensive Canadian travels, he has explored some places in South America, including Argentina and Brazil, and has even road-tripped through Montana, Washington, and Florida in the USA.

His other hobbies include reading, playing guitar, working out, snowboarding and climbing.

Sebastian’s favourite tour is the Train Lover’s Dream as it includes two unique train routes with time to explore Jasper and see friends in Banff.

Vacation Planner

Nikki is another true Calgarian on the Canada Rail Vacations team! After having lived most of her life here, she ventured off in 2016 to Vancouver so she could experience the West Coast, where she discovered her love of the ocean, marine wildlife, and fresh coastal air. Aside from exploring British Columbia, Nikki has driven across Canada, travelled overseas to Thailand, and made her way around New York City (which has now made the top of the list as her favourite place she’s been). There’s no shortage of places she wants to see, but her number one priority is getting to Greece.

With over 15 years in Hospitality, Nikki loves connecting with people, sharing stories, and making new friends. She has a passion for creating the perfect experience for all our guests, and if you’re ever looking for great restaurants or activities to check out in Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal – don’t be afraid to ask, she’ll point you in the right direction!

Trying new foods, cooking at home, watching documentaries, and spending time with her friends and family are just a few of her favourite things!

Having now been on the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver, Denver to Moab, and on VIA Rail from Vancouver to Jasper, she’s always looking for the next adventure which she hopes will be the West Coast Expedition so she can explore the remote parts of Canada that few people ever get to see.

Vacation Planner

Helene is originally from France and has been living in Canada since 2018 and has always been passionate about travel. At the age of 16 she was an exchange student in Vermont, USA, which further strengthened her interest in exploring the world. Since then, she has been on many Canadian adventures and spent several months on the road exploring all that Canada has to offer. She has driven across our country from Ontario to Vancouver Island and has experienced the Rockies on the overnight VIA Rail train called, “The Canadian”. She has visited all of the hotels we work with in Western Canada.

After falling in love with the Canadian Rocky Mountains, she decided to pursue a career in the travel industry and settle in Calgary. She is a graduate of tourism with a college diploma. Helene is excited to share her knowledge and travel experiences to help plan your vacation and share her love for our country. Helene is fluent in French and English.

Helene’s favourite tour is the Rockies Relaxer as it provides an extended amount of time in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff where she has free time to do some hiking.

Vacation Planner

Darren joins us from the UK and has been living in Canada since 2021. He was inspired to join our team after completing a trip across Canada and the USA in summer 2022.  He has ridden the overnight VIA Rail train through the Rockies and has visited all of the hotels we work with in Western Canada. He’s already experienced more of our country than many Canadians.

Before coming to Canada, Darren worked a series of administrative jobs across different industries whilst also travelling Europe, Asia, and Australia. His combination of travel experience and passion for the tourism industry makes him an excellent source of travel knowledge. As Darren has previously lived and worked in Banff, his knowledge of the Rocky Mountains can really help our guests plan their tours in Canada’s National Parks.

In his spare time, Darren enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, and passionately following his favourite football team Chelsea FC. Any chance he gets to escape from the city you will most likely find him hiking in the Rockies or snowboarding in Banff or Lake Louise. If you wish to speak to him about travel, music, or football (soccer to us), Darren is a great and interesting source of information.

Darren’s favourite tour is the Rockies Winter Wonderland as it includes free time in the Rockies for winter activities like snowboarding.

Vacation Planner

An avid traveler, Ivana takes every available opportunity to voyage and discover the world. Born in Belgrade, Serbia, she has spent most of her career exploring Europe and sailing European rivers before eventually immigrating to Canada. Now a permanent resident, she is ecstatic to call Calgary her new home.

After completing her degree in Tourism and Hospitality, her first stop was Martha’s Vineyard, where she spent her summer working in Edgartown’s historic Harbourview Hotel. After returning to Europe, she further pursued her passion for travel. Visiting the Swiss Alps and making cheese, navigating through the canals of Amsterdam, and sipping coffee while enjoying the views of the Middle Rhine castles was only the beginning! A true globally experienced traveler, she has also spent time in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Her newest passion is the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and she looks forward to showcasing its beauty to the world. In her time off, she can be found enjoying nature, hiking and trying out new sports, like snowshoeing.

Ivana’s favorite tour is The Canadian Adventurer as it includes exploring the Rockies and all the must-see highlights.

Vacation Planner

Growing up in northern Saskatchewan, cold weather was always a part of everyday life, and through various winter sports including hockey, curling and snowboarding, Michaels adoration of frigid climates and brisk mornings only grew stronger. After moving to Jasper and spending a couple seasons as a freestyle snowboard coach at Marmot Basin, he has since followed his love of winter action sports all around Western Canada. From the fast groomers in the Canadian Rockies to the champagne powder of the Okanagan, and even the sticky slopes of the Pacific Coast mountains, Michael found a new home in the west and never looked back. Now living in Calgary full-time, he plans to take advantage of the central location to explore even more of what Western Canadian resorts and destinations have to offer. He cherishes every aspect of Canadian culture and can usually be found spending time with friends and family.

From the best après ski spots to perfect summer soiree venues, Michael has done it all and can’t wait to share his local knowledge to make your time with us the very best it can be.

Michael’s favorite tour is the The Rockies Circle Train Adventurer as it passes through various Canadian world class winter destinations.

Administrative Coordinator

Sarah grew up in small-town Alberta and has called Calgary home since 2013. She has road-tripped all over Western Canada, and her favourite travel destinations include exploring beautiful southern British Columbia, camping in Northern Alberta, and tasting local brews at every small-town craft brewery she comes across! Internationally she has spent time in Italy and the Caribbean and has a mile-long bucket list of future travel dreams.

Studying both Hospitality and Tourism Management and Marketing in school, Sarah has found a love for helping guests have the best experience possible, anything from recommending top-notch dishes at unique restaurants or local attractions off the beaten path that are sure to make a trip extra memorable.

Sarah’s favorite tour is the Rockies Essentials as the highlights of the tour include a ride on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer and an overnight stay at the iconic Chateau Lake Louise.

In her free time, you will most likely find Sarah behind her pottery wheel, camping, or checking out new restaurants and live music in the city.

Tour Guide

After travelling the world for years, Julian met his wife Jen and decided to settle near Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There, he worked as lead guide and sales manager with a leading travel company showcasing Canada, to the Spanish market. Julián started his journey with Canada Rail Vacations as our guide in 2013. He is one of the most knowledgeable guides in Canada and his “on the ground” experience helps make our clients’ trips even smoother.

Originally from Spain, he was raised between Madrid and the little ski town of Jaca in the Pyrenees. In his personal time, he is skiing every possible powder run he can find.

Julian has travelled to every region in Canada and our country never gets boring but his favourite part of our trips is the Victoria Add On because it can be included on any one of our tours that include Vancouver and offers everyone the opportunity to explore Vancouver Island, which is where he currently calls home.