Exploring the Canadian Rockies in Style with Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer has been on my bucket list for many years now and I was so excited to finally ticket it off my list. The experience didn’t just live up to the dream, it completely exceeded it…….From the stunningly beautiful scenery to the delicious food and friendly, knowledgeable hosts, every part of the journey was exceptional.
GoldLeaf vs SilverLeaf
I travelled in GoldLeaf and absolutely loved the whole experience. The GoldLeaf carriages have two levels, with a glass-domed upper deck which gives incredible panoramic views. The leather seats are very comfortable, spacious and also recline. Sitting back and relaxing and watching the stunning Rockies go by is a memory I will definitely remember for a long time.
Downstairs is a full dining room where we enjoyed beautiful sit down meals (breakfast and lunch on both days). There is also a spacious outdoor viewing cart downstairs which is a great place to take photos (as there no window glare) - as I love taking photos I did spend quite a lot of time out here.
SilverLeaf is also lovely, with wide picture windows and meals served at your seat. There is a very small outdoor viewing area in SilverLeaf however it only takes a couple of people at a time. Silverleaf is a great option if you after a more affordable experience, but if you can do GoldLeaf, I highly recommend it for the space, views, and dining experience.
Dining Onboard
The meals onboard the Rocky Mountaineer exceeded my expectations and were definitely one of my highlights of the trip.
Each morning started with a full cooked breakfast. The menu had plenty of options including Classic Eggs Benedict, smoked avocado toast, Lemon and Honey Buttermilk Pancakes and Rosted Red Pepper Skillet.
In each of the GoldLeaf carriages the group is split into two seatings for dining. On our first day we were in the second seating and while we waiting for our breakfast the onboard hosts brought around drinks and a light snack. The next day the groups were swapped around and we had breakfast first. The same is done for lunch time.
The lunch menu also had a wonderful selelction to choose from and included options such as Dungeness Crab Ravioli, Seared BC Alcacore Tuna, Alberta Striploin, Red Pesto and Parmesan Polenta and Crispy Skin Kuterra Steelhead.
Lunchtime ended with a choice of two desserts—I went for the Chocolate Torte on Day 1 and the Lemon Lavender Posset on Day 2. Both were delicious!
Everything was cooked fresh onboard (in the onboard galley kitchens) and paired with a great selection of local wines and cocktails (The Gin Rocky and Bailey’s hot chocolates were hits with our group). Even the gluten-free bread was amazing! I am gluten free and found they catered really well to special dietary requirements.
One detail that really stood out was on our last day our train had a late arrival into Banff. So, we wouldn’t arrive hungry and searching for food the onboard culinary team whipped up a beautiful unscheduled meal (for the entire train!).
The Onboard Service
The Rocky Mountaineer hosts really do make the journey special. They weren’t just there to serve food and drinks—they were also storytellers, guides, and wonderful dining hosts. As we travelled through each region, they shared history, pointed out places of interest, and were always happy to answer questions or help spot wildlife
The level of service from the hosts was consistently warm and attentive, and they made sure that everyone was looked after. They genuinely seemed to love what they do which definitely shows.
The Scenery
No words can truly capture the scenery. The Rockies are a breathtakingly stunning and almost magical part of the world!!
I travelled on the Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West which travels from Vancouver to Banff (with an overnight stay in Kamloops). On our journey we passed rivers, canyons, cliffs, and picture-perfect valleys. Some of the highlights of our trip included:
Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885. This marked the completion of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad (which amazingly spans all the way across Canada from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast). As we passed this spot the train slowed down to make it easier to see and also to take photos.
The Kicking Horse Pass with its iconic spiral tunnels – this really is a mind-blowing engineering accomplishment given the accuracy required and that they were built back in 1909 without today’s technology. It is quite a surreal experience travelling through the tunnels as it is completely dark and then when you finally emergy you can find yourself facing the opposite direction!
Castle Mountain – located between Banff and Lake Louise, with an elevation almost 2800m and named for its castle like appearance, this is certainly a stunning landmark.
As we gradually made our way closer to Lake Louise and our final destination of Banff (which I also absolutely loved), the mountain views became increasingly beautiful. The scenery seemed to grow more breathtaking by the hour, and it really was postcard-perfect.
Wildlife Sightings
We were so lucky with what we saw along the way. We spotted a grizzly bear, a black bear, a bald eagle, and a baby elk!! The train slows down when wildlife is spotted so everyone can get a good look and a photo if you're quick enough. Seeing a grizzly bear was very exciting and certainly another one of the highlights of my trip!
The Organisation
Every detail was so well organised. From hotel transfers to luggage handling (you don’t have to touch your bags at all), everything was seamless. The Rocky Mountaineer team are amazing and certainly make it feel so easy and stress-free. All we really had to do was sit back relax and enjoy the amazing experience.
When to travel
The Rocky Mountaineer season starts in April each year and runs through to October. The best time to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer really does depend on the kind of experience you’re after.
Spring (April to May) offers snow-capped mountains and fewer crowds, making it perfect for those who want dramatic alpine scenery and a quieter experience. It is also the start of the Wildlife spotting season with bears coming out of hibernation.
The weather at this time of year can however change from day to day and you almost need to pack for all seasons – on our trip had temperature fluctuations from -2 up to the 20’s. Vancouver was quite warm for the time of year however as we headed up higher into the Rocky Mountains you could certainly feel the temperature drop.
Summer (June to August) is the most popular season. With long daylight hours, warm weather and great wildlife spotting. The downside is it is the busiest time to travel.
Autumn (September to early October) is also beautiful time to visit the Rockies, with golden and red Autumn leaves, crisp air, and as with Spring time there are fewer tourists than in peak summer. It is also a good time for spotting wildlife as they are quite active at this time of the year as they prepare for the Winter months.
Final Thoughts
The Rocky Mountaineer was more than just a train ride—it was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget! From the breathtaking scenery to the exceptional onboard service, and even the transfer of luggage, every detail was handled with care, making it one of the most seamless and memorable journeys I’ve ever been on. It really was a wonderful way to see this spectacular part of the world in comfort and style.
If you enjoy great food, panoramic views, and the kind of travel that allows you to truly immerse yourself in your surroundings, the Rocky Mountaineer is absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.
Jennie @ Deluxe Wanderlust xx
