Iconic train through the Rocky Mountains

Sarah Appleton 16 January 2019
Travelling in style on the BA Dreamliner in Club Class I settle back to enjoy a glass of champagne and the amazing space of both the cabin and the seating - of course I must take advantage of both the three-course a la carte menu and the fully lie flat beds too, before landing into snowy Calgary.

The gateway to the Rockies we don’t stay long but as we say, ‘we are here for a good time not a long time’ so we still manage to pack in breakfast at the zoo (not usually an advocate for zoos but this one has great conservation programmes and an amazing penguin exhibition) and the animals were loving the early snow fall. Rouge then hosted us for a fantastic tasting lunch, much of their produce is home grown in their garden and the staff have nothing but passion for the restaurant. The best laughs of the day to be found trying out our skills on the luge at the Olympic park Winsport. After an action-packed day we depart for Banff, best of all, it is still snowing, and this is causing a lot of excitement within the group.

Banff is a fabulous little town, a great centralised high street with restaurants, bars and souvenir shops galore with the Rocky Mountains as the back drop. I have been here in the Summer and the Winter and I am always pleased to come back, it is such a lovely area to visit.

A day trip around the lakes and mountains in this area has always been on my list to do and it didn’t disappoint. This is an absolute must do whilst in Banff, and what a spectacular month to visit, completely picture perfect with snowflakes falling. Travelling out of season has its advantages as we arrive at Lake Louise and are one of only several groups at this iconic spot. This means plenty of opportunity to take in the scenery and capture the perfect shot of the lake and all its magic.

Emerald Lake has been one of my hidden gem recommendations for so long and I realise this is perhaps my most favourite lake along the Rockies. Whilst Lake Louise is a gorgeous turquoise blue (that no matter how hard you try can still never be captured fully through the camera lens) Emerald lake is as you would expect a crisp green. I feel so lucky as blue skies and bright sunshine means the lakes are like glass and the reflections are mirrored, just spectacular.

The next day we board the Rocky Mountaineer for our two-day ‘First Passage to the West’ experience. We are lucky enough to be travelling in Gold Leaf service, which is the Ultimate in comfort in a dual level dome carriage. Departing Banff with snow on the ground, and dawn just breaking through, we sit back in our reclining leather chairs watching the sun rise through the dome windows.

Meals are a relaxed and informal, yet 5* experience down below in the dining carriage. A simply fabulous a la carte menu for breakfast and lunch and the food is to die for. The carriage is beautifully laid out and, should you wish, a great opportunity to socialise with the other guests many of whom are very well travelled. You need not miss a second of the iconic scenery as the dining car also has huge panoramic windows, if only you could dine like this every day!

Travelling in Gold Leaf there is also an outside vestibule for you to take in the fresh air and the ever-changing scenery. After leaving the snowy mountains behind, the more West we travel the more autumnal the colours become. Despite the initial chill this fast became another favourite part of the train for me, feeling the wind on your face, taking in the amazing scenery whilst feeling like you are the luckiest people in the world to experience this.

The entire time you are onboard the staff prioritise you and your enjoyment for the trip and go above and beyond. It’s not always the case that weather is on your side but getting to experience snow, followed by blue skies and sun, for the entire journey has us all in great spirits. Two days later we are waved into Vancouver station by the local Rocky Mountaineer staff, I just love how welcoming the whole experience is from start to finish. With its incredible staff, amazing food, comfortable surroundings, interesting fellow guests and some of the best scenery going this is one trip that’s going to be hard to beat.

Staying at The Fairmont waterfront in Vancouver perfectly ended what was ultimately for me one of my most favourite trips ever. A beautiful idyllic location perfectly situated on the water, in view of the seaplanes landing and taking off. The last day is spent exploring the city, from gorging valleys and big wood trees at Capilano suspension bridge, a foodie tour on Granville island and an amazing ‘Fly-over’ experience of Canada to end the day, and indeed the whole trip, on a high!