We've made a deposit for a September '26 trip to the Canadian Rockies. The trip is nine nights but only two days via the train. We start in Vancouver and end in Calgary so most of the trip is via motor coach. We've signed on with American Classic Tours. Not sure how I feel about a mostly bus trip.

If any of you folks have done this trip, let me know your thoughts on it.

Thanks.

Never done the trip, but the Canadian Rockies are beautiful.

In Oct 2009, I drove from Houston to Alaska and several days were in the Canadian Rockies. It was the famous Alcan Hwy so compared to your trip it's further north in BC and continuing into Yukon. It was beautiful.

2014 to 2016, I lived in Calgary so it was only an hour to the Canadian Rockies (e.g. Canmore and Banff). Weather is pretty variable in September at lower elevations (e.g. could be summer, could be fall, could be winter), but likely wintry at higher elevations.

That part of Canada is beautiful. Did it a couple of times on a motorcycle..

Looked into this trip. No way I'm doing the bus rides, different hotels, etc.

I used to live in the Canmore area. You so t regret the trip. That stretch of the Rockies is pretty spectacular.

Following, as we are also considering a similar trip in 2026 or 2027.

I did this trip in 2015, we took our mother on this trip for her 80th birthday. It was a good trip! We went the "Gold" so had a more comfortable car to ride in, there is a dining car and bar for the Gold's.
Lake Louise was my wife's favorite, but all the stops were really nice, it just went by too fast. We really like how they take the luggage ahead of us in a truck and have it waiting for us in our hotel rooms. Food was good too. We didn't discover the bar car until 2 days before the end of the trip!
One thing that was shocking was the pine-beetle devastation on whole mountain sides. I'm sure this is still quite visible, but I'm also sure there is new growth. We have some of that here in Colorado too, but it was many times larger up in Canada. The train slows so you can see wildlife like bears and moose.
The difference in comfort between Silver and Gold was Silver sat in seats like airlines with a tray table to eat at. We had more comfy seats and a dining car. I thought the entire trip was totally worth it! Hope you have fun! That's a little early for the trees turning.....which is sad because that would be stunning.

I have read something about this kind of package deal trip. Interested as well. Someday, we will.


Have been to Canmore, Banff and Jasper 2x. But in our RV. Beautiful place to visit.

If I were really going to live it up, spoil my wife of 54 years and me, I would go by train but stay in the spectacular hotels that are/were owned by the Canadian Railway. We’ve gone through Banff three times and could never afford to stay in the Chateau Lake Louise.
Alaska is overall the most spectacular place, but the most breathtaking area of North America that I’ve seen is the Canadian Rockies, specifically Banff and Lake Louise.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
If I were really going to live it up, spoil my wife of 54 years and me, I would go by train but stay in the spectacular hotels that are/were owned by the Canadian Railway.

The Rocky Mountaineer trip I went on in 2015 included the Lake Louise hotel for 1 night. My wife still wants to return.....but for more than 1 night! Check out the package deals.....

Canadian here.

I did not do this specific trip with that train, but one with the same route, in the opposite direction (East to West).

IMHO, the train thing is a waste of opportunities; you stop where the train stops. For how long the train stops etc.

My point is: car/rv is the way to do it.

Do not miss: Banff and surroundings, Lake Minewanka, Lake Louise and -especially- Moraine Lake.

DO NOT MISS MORAINE LAKE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. It’s by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, and it’s not even close.

The road from Lake Louise to Jasper (northbound) is called “Icefields Parkway”. Very, VERY pretty.

Jasper is less touristy than Banff (and was recently burned down - or at least a good chunk of it), but it warrants a visit, because of the trails surrounding Jasper.

Alberta is God’s country. I hope we split from Canada, which is our ball and chain.

If anyone wants more details, feel free to send me a message.