Highlights
The Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver, Seattle, Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff and, of course, the Canadian Rockies – explore western Canada’s top scenic quarters by luxury train, with various itineraries to choose from, including the legendary east-to-west route from Vancouver to Banff and, in between, the awesome Canadian Rockies. This iconic journey crosses the national park along unique spiral tunnels, so the train can ‘climb’, whilst full-length dome windows and reclining seats provide a comfortable, front-row view of the sublime scenery.
Vancouver
Wedged between mountains and the ocean, Vancouver offers the usual city attractions, such as shops, restaurants, theatres and museums, plus a large dollop of additions in a spectacular setting. Discover beautiful woodlands, oceanfront beaches and open green spaces, including Stanley Park, and for more strolls and bike rides, follow the wonderful 18 kilometre paved trail that winds around the city. Travel by cable-car to the top of Grouse Mountain for panoramic views or ferry across to Vancouver Island, an unspoilt wilderness teeming with wildlife and a paradise for outdoor activities, including whale, seal and bear-watching, kayaking, horse-riding, fishing and hiking.
Wildlife
British Columbia promises amazing wildlife in pristine environments, its showpiece being Great Bear Rainforest, with the planet’s biggest temperate rainforest, glacier-topped mountains, immense granite cliffs and zigzagging fjords. Resident creatures include marine gems such as Sea Otters, dolphins and whales, while the estuaries bring Bald Eagles and Grizzly Bears with one thing in mind – fresh salmon. With luck you’ll spot the elusive, white-coated Kermode Bear, unique to the rainforest. A hotspot for marine-life is Tofino on Vancouver Island, where Grey Whales stock-up as part of their migration to the Arctic Ocean (from March to May) and ‘resident’ Grey and Humpback Whales loiter around between June and November.
Outdoor Adventure & Ski
Canada is a natural paradise for open-air adventures and our selected resorts of Whistler, Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise all offer a brilliant line-up. Visit in autumn for hiking, biking, fishing and scenic drives through gloriously golden landscapes or in winter when the slopes transform into world-class slopes of deep-powder snow for sensational snowsports. Spring is the best time for tours of the Canadian Rockies and its jaw-dropping sights, including the Columbia Icefield, while the summer is perfect for fast-paced action – rock-climbing, summer bobsleighing, cross-country biking, 4x4 tours and white-water rafting are just a few activities to get the adrenaline pumping.
The Canadian Rockies
The UNESCO World Heritage List features the Canadian Rockies and its seven parks, including Banff and Jasper. The natural splendour is simply spellbinding, with jagged mountain peaks, glaciers and icefields, lakes and waterfalls, Alpine meadows, huge cave systems and plunging canyons.
Columbia Icefield
Straddling the British Columbia/Alberta border, this incredible glacial field is a giant, which you can tour in-depth thanks to a specially adapted vehicle. Expect to be dazzled by the show-stopping setting and keep an eye out for passing wildlife, including moose and bears.
Lake Louise
A highlight of Banff National Park, Lake Louise promises truly eye-popping scenery, the waters of the lake being an impossibly turquoise shade, especially in summer. Wrapped in a breathtaking mountain backdrop, it’s little wonder the region has captured the hearts and imaginations of writers, artists and tourists for the last hundred or so years.
Whistler
Take the stunning ‘Sea to Sky Highway’ from Vancouver for around two hours and you’ll arrive at North America’s premier ski resort, Whistler. Standout attractions include two fantastic mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, boasting over 8,000 acres of skiable slopes and some 200 marked trails, not to mention a long ski season from November to May.