Canadian Sky Specialist Team embark on a Rocky Mountaineer journey

Kevin and Brendan, two of our Canada travel experts, went on a trip around western Canada to familiarise themselves with the region and experience the famous Rocky Mountaineer first-hand. Read on to hear the story of their epic trip!

 
“We started our Banff adventure with the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, a must-do! The free shuttle from Banff Avenue made getting there easy, and the views from the top were breathtaking. There’s a boardwalk with stunning panoramas and interactive exhibits for kids. Pro tip: if you want to eat at the summit restaurant, pre-book as it gets busy.

We found Banff really easy to explore on foot, and visited the Cascade of Time Gardens, a beautifully maintained park with great photo ops. In the afternoon, we took the $10 shuttle to Moraine Lake (private cars aren’t allowed access these days) - the lakes vibrant blue waters with the mountains behind were absolutely magical.

We then did the full-day Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour. Starting early, we stopped at stunning Bow Lake before driving along possibly the most beautiful road in the world. We headed to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk a glass-floored lookout with jaw-dropping views. Lunch at the glacier base was surprisingly good, and the adventure continued with a ride on massive Icefield buggies up to the glacier itself. Even in summer, it’s chilly up there, so pack layers.

 
And now to the highlight of our trip – a two-day journey on board Rocky Mountaineer. There was an easy transfer from our hotel at 7am, boarding the train at 8am, ready to experience GoldLeaf Service - the most luxurious way to travel through the Canadian Rockies.

Once boarded, we settled into our glass-dome coach, a stunning two-level car designed to maximize panoramic views of the spectacular landscapes. Our reclining heated seats were really comfortable with lots of legroom to stretch out and relax.

As the train departed, we were warmly greeted by our dedicated host, who remained with us throughout the entire 2-day journey, offering great insights into the region’s history, geography, and wildlife. A bit after departure, we went through to the lower-level dining room, where we were treated to a lovely breakfast.

There were free-flowing premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day, which made appreciating the amazing scenery of mountains, lakes and waterfalls all the more enjoyable! There’s an outdoor viewing platform which was great for taking photos and getting some fresh air.

We overnighted in Kamloops, arriving about 8pm with the luggage already delivered to the hotel, so it was great just to have a bite to eat then bed ready for another day.

The next morning, we reboarded Rocky Mountaineer and continued toward Vancouver. We traversed the dramatic landscapes of Fraser Canyon, seeing the impressive rapids of Hell’s Gate before moving into the green valleys and coastal rainforests of British Columbia.

By mid-afternoon, we arrived in Vancouver, bringing our relaxing, luxurious journey through the Rockies to a close. There really is no better way to see this spectacular part of the world!”