The Canadian Rockies is one of the most remarkable nature destinations on earth – but you don’t have to rough it in the wild to soak up the healing effects of this natural playground. Deep within the heart of the Rockies, you’ll find a harmonious blend of natural wellness and luxury that’s all about rejuvenation, relaxation, and refinement. Whether it’s soaking in bubbling mineral pools, cruising scenic lakes, or simply sipping on a cocktail as the sun sets behind snow-capped peaks of Banff and Jasper National Parks, we discover how you can experience the best of natural wellness and luxury in the Canadian Rockies with Luxury Gold. 

Experience this on: Majesty of the Rockies

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The Hotels

The Rockies are famed for its outdoor adventures, yet you’ll also find some of the most luxurious retreats in the world. In Banff, you’ll stay at Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’, set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Banff National Park. You’ll also stay at Fairmont Château Lake Louise, surrounded by the majestic Victoria Glacier, shimmering Lake Louise, and soaring mountains. In the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park, you’ll stay at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This sprawling 700-acre luxury resort, nestled along the pristine shores of Lac Beauvert, offers a truly tranquil escape. 

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All of these unique properties are centered around natural wellness and luxury. With sweeping mountain views from every angle, these properties ensure you’ll never feel disconnected from the natural world, even while enjoying world-class spas, golf courses, and gourmet dining.

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Willow Stream Mineral Pools & Spa Access

When you stay at Fairmont Banff Springs, you’ll get access to the renowned Willow Stream Mineral Pools & Spa. This peaceful alpine sanctuary is home to hot mineral pools where you can enjoy a restorative soak while breathing in the crisp mountain air and listening to the sounds of rushing waterfalls.

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Explore the stunning lakes of the Rockies

There’s something soothing about being on the water, and Banff is home to some of the most magical lakes in the world. Stroll around the mesmerising Moraine Lake, tucked beneath 10 soaring peaks in the Valley of the Ten Peaks and the Wenkchemna Glacier. Then wander around the spectacular lakeshore of Lake Louise, admiring the sparkling water, rushing waterfalls, lush forest, and towering mountains. 

Over in Jasper National Park, you’ll have the chance to cruise across the crystal waters of the glacier-fed Maligne Lake. Glide past mountains and emerald forest to Spirit Island, and marvel at this impressive display of nature’s grandeur.

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Hike through Maligne Canyon

If you like to get active to feel your best, there’s no better place than the Rockies. Your Travel Concierge will guide you on a hike through Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. You’ll cross several scenic bridges and bubbling streams, with plenty of opportunities to soak up the sights and sounds of nature. 

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Bike ride through Jasper National Park

Prefer to get on two wheels? Why not hire a bike and trail map from Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and explore one of the many scenic trails on the property. As you pedal your way through this impressive park, you’ll get to see the beautiful sights only visible from the trails.

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Play Nine Holes at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course

Tee up and unwind at the world-renowned Banff Springs Golf Course. The captivating Tunnel Mountain 9 course offers impressive views of the Rockies, so you can play nine holes of golf while immersed in beautiful nature. 

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Ride the Banff Gondola

Get a bird’s eye view of the magnificent views with a ride on the Banff Gondola. You’ll gaze over six mountain ranges as you ascend from Banff to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Once at the top, explore the Cosmic Ray Station to learn more about Canada’s first national park and wander along the boardwalk to take in the breathtaking landscapes.

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Dining

The Rockies’ sumptuous dining offers more experiences that seamlessly blend the outdoors with luxury. At Fairmont Banff Springs, you’ll enjoy a Progressive Dinner, with a variety of courses, each served in a different restaurant within the hotel. Indulge in exquisite local specialities like Alberta beef and wild game, all while admiring the mountain views. At the Fairmont Château Lake Louise, you’ll enjoy a delicious Dine-Around evening, making the most of the hotel’s finest restaurants and their mesmerizing lake views. 

You can experience all of these remarkable natural wellness and luxury experiences on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury tour. This incredible trip also includes a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service, an exploration of Vancouver, and more unforgettable experiences. 

If you’ve ever wanted to take a luxury train journey, the Rocky Mountaineer is almost certainly on your list. From the plush carriages and iconic GoldLeaf service to the 360-degree views of the unparalleled beauty of the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer is a world-renowned rail journey. Here, we’ll delve into the history books to uncover how it became North America’s most luxurious train journey – and how you can experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer.

Experience it: Majesty of the Rockies 

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Origins of the Rocky Mountaineer 

The Rocky Mountaineer made its maiden voyage in 1990, but its story goes back a little further than that. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the late 19th century connected the vast, largely unpopulated expanses of Canada and northern USA and paved the way for transcontinental passenger trains. In 1988, the Canadian government created VIA Rail and privatised all passenger rail services. 

However, the scenic routes through the Canadian Rockies were not included in VIA Rail’s portfolio. This presented an opportunity for entrepreneur Peter Armstrong, who envisioned a luxury rail service that would showcase the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and provide a unique experience for travellers from all over the world.

The inaugural Rocky Mountaineer journey took place in 1990. It was a two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff, taking in Western Canada and the Rockies. It was an immediate success, and the following year was named one of the “World’s 20 Best Rail Experiences” by The International Railway Traveler magazine.

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Full steam ahead

The Rocky Mountaineer continue to upgrade and expand its fleet and in 1995, introduced the luxurious GoldLeaf cars. They quickly became the most popular way to experience the Rocky Mountaineer thanks to its exclusive outdoor viewing platform and gourmet meals prepared on board.

In 1996, the Rocky Mountaineer started setting records, becoming the longest passenger train in Canadian history, with 37 cars. Just three years later, in 1999, it broke the record again with 41 cars. 

In 2002, it welcomed its 500,000th guest and six years later, its one-millionth. Since then the Rocky Mountaineer has carried over two million passengers. The Rocky Mountaineer celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015, having grown to be the largest privately owned luxury train company in the world.

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Global recognition

The accolades kept on coming over the years. The Rocky Mountaineer has won the prestigious “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” eight times at the World Travel Awards. Conde Nast Traveler listed it as one of the “Top 5 trains in the world”, and BBC named it as one of the “50 Things To Do Before You Die”. National Geographic named it one of the “World’s Greatest Trips” and one of the “Top 10 North American Train Trips”. They’ve been frequently honored as one of The International Railway Traveler’s “10 Best Rail Experiences in the World”.

The Rocky Mountaineer was also Lonely Planet’s Winner of Best Sustainable Train for 2021 and won Tourism British Columbia’s “Foresight Sustainability Award” for leadership and advocacy of sustainable tourism. In an effort to reduce its environmental impact, the Rocky Mountaineer uses locomotives powered by biodiesel fuel, a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel.

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The Rocky Mountaineer experience 

The routes

You can still take the very first Rocky Mountaineer route today. Known as the First Passage to the West, it’s the most historic route, traversing along from Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise. 

The Rocky Mountaineer has three other routes, including Journey Through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush, which takes you from Vancouver to Jasper through the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park. From the beautiful mountain scenery to the remarkable wildlife, these are breathtaking journeys. For something a little different, you can also take the Rockies To The Red Rocks journey from Moab to Denver, with vast canyons, red sandstone, and enchanting deserts as your backdrop. 

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The views

They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, and this expression really comes to life on the Rocky Mountaineer. As you board the carriage each morning, you’re in no rush to reach your destination, because every passenger knows you’re about to witness something extraordinary. When you travel through the Rockies, you’ll see dazzling glaciers, snowy mountains, glittering lakes, and soaring canyons. 

You’ll pass through the iconic Spiral Tunnels, chug along the Kicking Horse River, and cross the Great Continental Divide. From Roger’s Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, Kamloops and Lake Louise, to Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was planted into the ground, this rail journey is nature and history entwined. 

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You can even spot the renowned wildlife of the Rockies in their natural habitats, such as bears, elk, moose, mountain goats, and eagles soaring overhead. The train’s onboard hosts will also call out and let you know when they spot any animals.

This is one journey where you don’t have to worry about taking in everything at high speed. The train regularly slows down to a rolling speed to ensure every guest can soak up every spectacular angle and snap some wonderful photos.

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The luxury carriages

The train’s custom-designed, bi-level, glass-domed observation cars offer passengers 360-degree views of the spectacular scenery. You’ll feel completely immersed in the majestic mountains, lush forests, and rushing rivers from the comfort of your seat.

The premium GoldLeaf Service offers passengers a luxurious travel experience, with bi-level railcars featuring dining rooms on the lower level and observation lounges on the upper level. For a more intimate experience, you can step outside on the large outdoor viewing platform, exclusive to GoldLeaf passengers. 

While inside, you’ll enjoy five-star comfort and style, with wide plush seats and impeccable service. The warm and welcoming hosts bring the train journey to life. They’re extremely knowledgeable and will share the history and stories about the region. The hosts are also happy to answer all your questions as you roll through the gorgeous landscapes. 

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The dining

The Rocky Mountaineer is truly a feast for the senses. If you can tear yourself away from the views, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals and menus created by award-winning chefs Jean Pierre Guerin and Frédéric Couton. GoldLeaf passengers dine in an exclusive lower-level room with sweeping views. 

The mouthwatering meals infuse fresh, local ingredients, such as Alberta beef short ribs, B.C. steelhead salmon fillets, Fraser Valley chicken, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Meals are complemented with local beer and wine including an Okanagan Valley Merlot. Your hosts will also serve complimentary snacks and beverages between meal times. You’ll even be pleasantly surprised throughout the trip with plates of freshly-baked cookies or glasses of wine. 

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The stops

The Rocky Mountaineer is unique in that it exclusively operates during daylight hours. This ensures passengers can fully appreciate the stunning landscapes along the route. Guests spend nights in luxury hotels at various stops along the journey and the exceptional service extends to these stops. As the train pulls into the station at the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel, with your luggage brought directly to your room.

How to experience the Rocky Mountaineer

Experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury tour. You’ll journey from Jasper to Vancouver aboard the remarkable Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. Soak up the unobstructed views from your glass-domed windows and outdoor viewing platform. Hear the stories of the Rockies and enjoy gourmet meals with locally-sourced ingredients and paired wines. From the mountains and wildlife to the plush carriages and gourmet dining, you’ll find out why the Rocky Mountaineer is North America’s most iconic and luxurious train journey.