What to Know About Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys
"A luxury scenic train operator offers multi-day rail journeys across the Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest that are designed as much around the onboard experience as the destinations; for the traveler who understands that getting to their destination can be half the fun, this train makes for an ideal vacation. The experience emphasizes panoramic and dome-shaped windows, comfy seats with plenty of legroom, animated storytelling from onboard hosts, curated entertainment, and delicious meals, plus hotel stays at overnight stops, optional excursion packages, and travel only during daylight hours so passengers don’t miss any inch of the jaw-dropping landscape. Routes range from two- to three-day itineraries (with the option to combine two routes into a four- or five-day circle journey): First Passage to the West (Vancouver → Kamloops → Banff) moves through Fraser Valley, green forests and rivers, with iconic views of Castle Mountain and access to Banff National Park and Lake Louise; Journey Through the Clouds (Vancouver → Kamloops → Jasper) highlights the Blue River, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson; Rainforest to Gold Rush (Vancouver → Whistler → Quesnel → Jasper) begins around Horseshoe Bay and Howe Sound, includes an overnight in Whistler (where the Peak-2-Peak gondola is recommended) and then traverses arid gold-rush–era canyons en route to Jasper; Rockies to the Red Rocks (Denver → Glenwood Springs → Moab) crosses the Continental Divide and the 6.3-mile Moffat Tunnel, includes a Glenwood Springs overnight (where visiting the world's largest mineral hot spring pool is a must), and trades high Rockies for red‑rock vistas such as Mount Garfield and Ruby Canyon before arriving in Moab for Arches and Canyonlands. Service levels are distinct: GoldLeaf is a two-level luxury coach with a first-floor dining room with large panoramic windows, a large outdoor platform, second-floor seating with dome-shaped windows and plush heated leather seats, and made-to-order cuisine with elevated presentation; SilverLeaf is a single-level coach with large picture windows, meals prepared before departure and warmed onboard, comfortable seats, and a small outdoor viewing area (one to two people at a time); and because tunnels preclude the usual two-level GoldLeaf coach on the Rockies‑to‑the‑Red‑Rocks route, SilverLeaf Plus is offered, which pairs SilverLeaf seating/meal service with a small standing-only viewing area plus a separate lounge car where passengers can relax and grab a drink at the bar. "When attempting to help prospective guests decide between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf, I try and paint a picture of two great — but different — levels of service," "I describe our SilverLeaf experience as a single-level railcar with beautiful large picture windows, great food and storytelling, and ample room between the seats. When describing our GoldLeaf experience, I try to present an image of true luxury with plush leather heated seats, a fully domed railcar with maximum viewing ability, an additional onboard host for enhanced service and more frequent storytelling, and made-to-order cuisine with world-class presentation and taste," said Danny Becker, senior manager of sales development. "You really can’t go wrong whether you choose SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, both are high-quality, all-inclusive levels of service," Becker added." - Jessica Poitevien Jessica Poitevien Jessica Poitevien is an international storyteller and regular contributor to Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
