Canadian Rockies?

Has anyone done this trip?

We've talked about Canada for years, never been. OH has a degenerative eye condition which isn't going to improve, so we should go sooner rather than later.

But what/where? Suggestion is Canadian Rockies train journey but Trip Advisor has conflicting views on whether this is worth it, whether you'd go Rocky Mountaineer or something called VIA and whether it's all a waste of time because you don't see enough and you should drive around. OH has had to stop driving, really sad because he loves it. I don't mind driving, been doing it for more years than most of you have been alive and yes, I can parallel park, but I'm no petrol head and to me it's the most efficient means of getting from A to B. OH is however the world's worst passenger no matter who is driving.

Information out there suggests September is best month - quiet after schools go back, but before it turns cold.

We're already booked on VS1 on 15 September to spend 3 weeks with family in NJ. Maybe we should change that date and fly to the west coast a couple of weeks early, and then fly from there to EWR?

Do any of you have advice on this? Is the Rockies trip the best bit of Canada? Where should we fly to? I'd welcome thoughts.

Thank you.

VIA Rail is sort of the Canadian equivalent of British Rail.

The Rocky Mountaineer service is a private service a la the Orient Express. There is another private service Royal Canadian but I'm not sure what routes it operates.

In 1990 when I twas but a slip of a bear I did a train trip across using VIA that wonderful country and loved every minute of it.

We went east to west though. From Edmonton we took the train to Jasper - fantastic views as we approached the rockies across the prairies then after a few days there (well the train only ran every 2-3 days) we went to Vancouver but most of the trip was overnight but we still saw some spectacular sceenery. We went in late April / early May.

The timetable will have changed since then so I'd just have a look at the VIA Rail website to get an idea of timings both east to west and west to east.

I've found "the man in seat 61" to be an excellent resource for train travel in Europe, I imagine his coverage of Canada is equally as good. While I've not done the Rockies yet (it's on the bucket list) his site has some excellent info on things like which seat to pick that you might find helpful.

http://www.seat61.com/RockyMountaineer.htm

Check out prestige class on the via rail Canadian
I doubt you'll get much better
I should add I haven't any experience to comment but have done plenty of research for my trip in July from Vancouver through to Toronto

Did this a few years ago.
Flew in to Calgary and then drove to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and back to Calgary. The drive up from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway was incredible. We were there in late May and winter was still clinging on - that said the roads were all cleared and no issues driving. Whilst is was cool there was virtually no humidity so didn't feel to cold. The scenery is amazing. We saw bears, coyotes and a wolf just driving/walking around.

We then took the Rocky Mountaineer from Calgary to Vancouver in Gold Leaf (business class - breakfast, lunch and bar included). The service was fantastic and you overnight in Kamloops, included in the fare, you get given your room key on the train and they transfer you to the hotels, your checked luggage will be in your room when you arrive and you leave it in the room after and they collect it - which makes the process so much easier. The scenery is very different on each day. 1 day is traversing the Rockies and the other is following the river - not as spectacular but still good.

We went in late May ahead of joining the first of the season of Alaskan cruises in Vancouver, so the full tourist season hadn't started and it wasn't too busy. Eg the Chateau Lake Louise hotel, where we stayed, was quiet and didn't feel like we were caught up in the melee of day trippers having a sticky beak. The downside was that the lake was frozen over and we didn't see the blue.

The good thing about going the train in Calgary was that we were in the front double deck car which meant we had a view forward rather than just sideways. Not many people joined in Calgary, no more than 20 or so - majority join in Banff 100s!

Highly recommended.

We fly to Vancouver most years and have done the Van to Calgary drive three times. Haven't done the Rockies by train though. the roads are wonderful, wide and mostly quiet . We fly from Vancouver and drive east, for several reasons. Flying home from Calgary cuts an hour off the time zone difference for coming home and also the flight time, also leaving Vancouver means we have left behind the hustle and bustle and can look forward to the peace and tranquility of the mountains and rivers. A great way to finish a wonderful trip.

We have been in both in May/ June and September. My only comment would be there is more snow on the mountain tops in late Spring, which for me is part of the wonder of this part of Canada. Banff is still chilly but if the sun comes out it can feel like a UK good Summer day. September can also be warm but later in the month the chance of snow is there and the day length is of course shorter than May/June.

Obviously by self driving there is the option to stop and see sights on route. EG. Harrison Hot Springs, and at Hope if you take the Highway 3 rather than Trans Canada Route 1 you miss all the heavy lorry traffic and this route will add the opportunity to stay a few days in the Okanagan wine country. Leaving H'way 3 and heading towards Osoyoos you take the exit at Keremeos drive alongside Skaha Lake and then on to Lake Okanagan and here are the most wonderful vineyards producing excellent wines and many have first class restaurants. The weather is hotter and drier and in this part of BC and is often referred to as 'desert' so both May and September will still be hot.

Joining H'way 1 at Sicamous the drive through the valley is lovely with plenty of places to stay I would recommend though that you stay near Penticton or Summerland for the best vineyards and visitor options ; one being a Heritage steam railway called the Kettle Valley.

The drive from Vancouver to Penticton is 4 to 5 hours and there is a good rest point midway at Manning Provincial Park. Stops for gas and toilets are few so stopping here is highly recommended. It is also a lovely park .

The drive from Penticton to Banff / Lake Louise area is between 6 - 7 hours. so a stop at Revelstoke or similar for a night is also a possibility . We do the drive in one and it is one of the most lovely drives and can be taken at an easy pace to enjoy the scenery. Once in Banff the Icefield Parkway is a must do and is a great way to spend a day. We turn around at the Athabasca Glacier as the most scenic part of the drive is up to there from Banff.. we have gone up to Jasper, but that is a long drive there and back in day.

All the roads are excellent, wide and the only busy part is leaving Vancouver and driving through Kelowna but the signage is good and drivers are courteous and don't drive as fast as in the UK.

hope this gives you an insight into how a self drive option may work. We have never paid a 'one way drop off' fee for the car rental so shop around if some want to charge.

We went in 2007. Flew in to Calgary and drove West to Vancouver and Vancouver Island via Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise. It was a fantastic trip, and one we intend to repeat.

I am sure the train trips are lovely but we saw so much of interest, wildlife especially, by stopping at ad hoc place s en route, we would choose to drive again next time.

The Rockies were undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of the world I have ever seen.

Hi Chrissy,

We have just got back from the second stage of our Canada/USA road trip. We did the first part two years ago, flew into Vancouver went in the middle of June, stayed a couple of nights. Rented a house for four days in Clearwater, then onto Jasper for six days which turned into ten as it was when they had the flooding in Calgary so could not get there, (hence part two now).

We managed to do all the Icefields Parkway twice, down to Lake Louise and back again the scenery is out of this world and we got a different perspective going back the other way. Hubby did all the driving and notched up nearly 3,000 miles, it was very exhausting but very worthwhile. We saw some amazing lakes and got off the beaten track by doing some hikes (getting bitten to death by mossies) We even made it to the top of Whistlers Mountain.We would have liked to have done the Rocky Mountaineer but it was beyond our price category and hubby prefers to drive himself.

We have just done the Banff-Calgary bit good but not as good as the ice fields Parkway, We always try and take the scenic routes off the main highways. If there is anything you want to know/ask just pm me, regards Linda

Did this by car with VS when they did Vancouver, in September 2013.

We flew into Vancouver, stayed a few days, got bus up to Whistler for a day trip. Then we rented a car, drove through to stop at Salmon Arm overnight, then drove through into Lake Louise, stopping at the Fairmont on the lake. Then we drove up to the icefields, stopping on the way (a few stopping points), but decided Jasper was too far in our timescales. We drove back to Banff for a few days, did Sulphur mountain etc, then drove to Calgary. Stayed with a friend overnight, and then got the plane down to Victoria, did a few days there, whale watched then got the whale boat back to Vancouver before flying back...

We looked the Rockie Mountaineer, but even at the basic class it was very expensive. About 800 pounds per person one way (the currency weakness may not have helped). I know there's a night in the hotel included, and the basic class is not that bad, but if looking at the silver or gold you are definitely talking 1.5 and 3K for a one way journey. Our car hire, hotels at Salmon Arm, Fairmont at Lake Louise were all covered by the same as what would cost one of us one way.

I think the train might go over peaks, but frankly the views on the way were wonderful anyway from the car. We were once stuck in a traffic jam for an hour, and its not the worst place in the world for that to happen...

A note about routes for the car. The main tourist route of the icefields goes north south between Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper. That takes about 5 hours drive one way. You can go from Vancouver to Jasper and down to Banff, but I believe the views on the way into Jasper aren't as good as going into the southern way.

Via rail goes from Edmonton through Jasper, and is cheaper but normal rail company. Rockie Mountaineer is a tourist company and seems to be only one going Vancouver -> Banff -> Calgary.

If it was really rich, I'd probably do the train. However, the money went on Upper...

Thank you everyone for all this information, just what I need and so helpful and detailed. I am so grateful to you all for taking the time and giving me such a lot of help with the drive/train options.

I did a similar journey many years ago when I was working in Canada. Flew into Vancouver, then to Vancouver Island. Drove back along the Trans-Canada to Jasper and Banff. Then into Calgary in time for the Stampede. Then flew home from Calgary.

One thing, and you probably know this, but it is worth repeating - look at the scale of any maps, particularly road maps. It's a big country!

nope, but it's on my bucket list - hopefully tie in with snowboarding in Whistler.
I would also like to attempt the 2 week train ride that can take you all the way to Singapore (however, it takes about 2 weeks!)

I have seen train photos where they have panoramic carriages for viewing. not sure how practical they are as the seating looks weird.

depending on which way you intend to travel why not drive one way and take the via rail train back ? i must say i would do the train before driving as it is just so relaxing and beautiful, but the drive also is fabulous, the town of kamloops is a must see, i used to live in calgary and vancouver and looking back i kind of took for granted how stunningly beautiful it is until i was on this side of the pond for several years and then returned, but however you choose to get around i can assure you its going to be unforgettable, have a fab time.