Few places on earth rival the pristine natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies, where wintry scenes of majestic snow-covered mountains transform into rushing streams, fertile forests and vast fields of alpine wildflowers upon the arrival of spring and summer. Clear skies, glacial fields, waterfalls and deep-blue lakes – these are the images of a wilderness that offers complete escape from the hectic modern world. Experience this scenic beauty aboard a luxury train and you have all the makings of an unforgettable journey.

Rocky Mountaineer’s unique deluxe glass-dome railcars traverse this region of North America while indulging guests with unparalled sevice and amenities – whether you choose GoldLeaf Service or SilverLeaf Service. En route to your destinations, enjoy gourmet meals served from a fully stocked kitchen, regional wines and beers, stories and historical tidbits provided by knowledgeable onboard hosts, as well as plenty of beverages and snacks.

Rocky Mountaineer railcars feature large picture windows on the lower dining level, while the domed upper level provides 360-degree views that wrap around the seemingly endless wilderness. This viewing area is equipped with large, comfortable seats that allow you to stand while snapping photos of the picturesque scenery. Keep your camera ready as you might see wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, bear, osprey and eagles.

Another interesting feature of Rocky Mountaineer railcars is that they do not have sleeper cars. In the evenings, guests disembark and spend the night in luxurious hotels along the way. Guests also have opportunities to experience more at almost every destination – from trekking through glaciers to helicopter touring.

FOUR UNIQUE ROUTES

Rocky Mountaineer features four distinct rail routes, with various length-of-journey options and packages. And many of these packages can be one-way journeys, round-trips or combined with others to make a Circle Journey.

Along the popular First Passage to the West route through the Canadian Rockies, the train traverses the Continental Divide. Passengers travel through the legendary Spiral Tunnels and pass by Craigellachie, the spot where the last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. This is the only passenger rail service on this historic route, celebrated for connecting Canada from East to West. Destinations along this route are Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff.

Experience Canada’s most remote and stunning vistas on the Journey through the Clouds, which follows the route of the Fraser River with its white-water rapids and dramatic landscape, passing by the Albreda Glacier and magnificent Pyramid Falls. The highlight is the majestic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Through the Clouds packages feature several options for outdoor adventure, such as sightseeing and hiking tours in Jasper, rafting on the Bow River, and canoeing on Lake Louise.

Venture through British Columbia’s coastal rainforest, Fraser Canyon, and the historic Cariboo gold rush region on the train line’s Rainforest to Gold Rush route, departing from either Vancouver or Jasper. Destinations include Whistler and Quesnel.

The newest route is the Rockies to the Red Rocks route, which launched in 2021 and is the only route in the United States.

Journey through two days of extraordinary landscapes between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado. Vast canyons, inspiring deserts, natural archways and enchanting hoodoos are just a start. Available in SilverLeaf Service, this Rocky Mountaineer rail route is filled with highlights best seen by train, including Ruby Canyon, Mount Garfield and crossing the Continental Divide. If you want to explore more, you also can book a carefully curated package, with options to start or end your journey in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.

CIRCLE JOURNEYS

For the ultimate Pacific Northwest and Canada experience, consider taking one of Rocky Mountaineer’s Circle Journeys, which are lengthier in duration and provide more opportunities to explore the region. There are four different packages to choose from, all roundtrips from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The 12-day Best of the Rockies Circle Journey provides you with the best of the Canadian Rockies that combines the Rainforest to Gold Rush and First Passage to the West routes. Journey to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper before staying overnight in Whistler – giving you plenty of time to shop, explore and relax while soaking in the magnificent sights.

The eight-day Discovery Lake Louise Circle Journey winds through the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies on two of the most popular routes – First Passage to the West and Journey through the Clouds. Enjoy stays in the stunning mountain towns of Jasper and Lake Louise. Unleash your inner explorer on an exciting Icefields Parkway adventure.

Judie Karhan is a freelance writer from California.

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Thinking of planning a trip? Get in touch with an AAA travel agent or visit AAA.com/ExperienceRockyMountaineer.