Exploring the Canadian Rockies in Style with Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer has been on my bucket list for many years, and I was so excited to finally tick it off. The experience didn’t just live up to the dream, it completely exceeded it…From the incredible scenery to the delicious food and the friendly, knowledgeable hosts, every part of the journey was exceptional.
GoldLeaf vs SilverLeaf: What’s the Difference?
I travelled in GoldLeaf and absolutely loved the experience. The GoldLeaf carriages have two levels, with a glass-domed upper deck which gives incredible panoramic views. The leather seats are extremely comfortable, spacious and also recline. Sitting back and relaxing and watching the stunning Rockies go by is a memory I will 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: Culinary Flavours with a View
The onboard meals were exceptional and definitely one of my highlights of the trip.
Each morning started with a full cooked breakfast with plenty of options including Classic Eggs Benedict, smoked avocado toast, Lemon and Honey Buttermilk Pancakes and Rosted Red Pepper Skillet.
Lunch options included items like Dungeness Crab Ravioli, Seared BC Alcacore Tuna, Alberta Striploin, Red Pesto and Parmesan Polenta and Crispy Skin Kuterra Steelhead.
Each lunch 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!
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 Service: Friendly, warm and attentive
The Rocky Mountaineer hosts certainly make the journey special. They weren’t just there to serve food and drinks—they were storytellers, guides, and wonderful dining hosts. As we travelled through each region, they shared history, pointed out places of interest, and made sure everyone was looked after.
Every meal, snack and drink was offered with a smile (and over our 2-day journey there were lots of drinks and treats!), and they were always happy to answer questions or help spot wildlife. The level of service was consistently warm and attentive, and they genuinely seemed to love what they do.
The Scenery: The Magical Rocky Mountains
No words can truly capture the scenery. The Rockies are an absolutely 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 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).
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.
Castle Mountain – located between Banff and Lake Louise, with an elevation almost 2800m and named for its castle like appearance, this is certainly a spectacular landmark.
As we gradually moved closer to Lake Louise and our final destination of Banff (which I also thoroughly enjoyed), the mountain views became absolutely breathtaking. I remember thinking this really is a true bucket list moment, and somehow it was even more incredible than I had imagined.
Wildlife Sightings
We were so lucky with what we saw along the way—a grizzly bear, a black bear, a bald eagle, and a baby elk all made an appearance! 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 certainly another one of the highlights of my trip!
The Organisation: Seamless From Start to Finish
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 depends 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 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 a beautiful time to go, with golden fall foliage, crisp air, and as with Spring time there are fewer tourists than in peak summer.
Final Thoughts
The Rocky Mountaineer was more than just a train ride—it was a beautifully curated experience that I’ll never forget. From the breathtaking scenery to the exceptional service, every detail was handled with care, making it one of the most seamless and memorable journeys I’ve been on.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves scenic travel, appreciates slow, luxurious experiences, or simply wants to see this spectacular part of the world in comfort. It is perfect for couples, solo travellers looking for a special adventure and a wonderful way to celebrating those milestones.
If you enjoy great food, panoramic views, and the kind of travel that allows you to truly immerse in your surroundings, the Rocky Mountaineer is absolutely worth adding to your bucket list.
Jennie @ Deluxe Wanderlust xx
