Scenic Rail

RockyMountaineer

Bi-level glass-dome coaches reveal the Canadian Rockies in panoramic glory. Routes through Banff, Jasper, and Whistler — with Michelin-inspired cuisine and outdoor viewing platforms.

1,600m

Elevation

1990

Founded

Routes

GoldLeaf

Service

What Makes It Special

Glass-Dome Coaches

Rocky Mountaineer's signature bi-level glass-dome coaches are custom-designed by Colorado-based railcar manufacturer Colorado Railcar Manufacturing. The upper level features panoramic windows that extend into the ceiling, providing 180-degree views of the passing wilderness. The custom-designed seats are heated, recline, and rotate for optimal viewing. The coaches are designed with a raised floor to maximize sightlines above the track level. The First Passage to the West and Journey Through the Clouds routes feature the GoldLeaf Service coaches with full glass-domes and an outdoor viewing platform.

Legendary Routes

The First Passage to the West runs from Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise via Kamloops, tracing the original Canadian Pacific Railway route through the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon. The Journey Through the Clouds runs from Vancouver to Jasper via Kamloops, crossing the Continental Divide at Yellowhead Pass. The Rainforest to Gold Rush runs from Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler and Quesnel, combining coastal rainforest, alpine scenery, and gold rush history. The Rockies to the Red Rocks runs from Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado — the only US route.

Gourmet Cuisine at Altitude

Rocky Mountaineer's culinary program is overseen by Executive Chef Jean Pierre Guerin, a Michelin-starred chef. The GoldLeaf Service includes breakfast and lunch in the lower-level dining car, with menus inspired by the regions the train passes through — Pacific salmon, Alberta beef, local cheeses, and British Columbia wines. The SilverLeaf Service includes meals served at your seat. All food is prepared fresh onboard by a team of chefs in a dedicated kitchen car. Special dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.

No Sleepers — The Views Are Too Good

Rocky Mountaineer operates only during daylight hours, with overnight stops in hotels in Kamloops, Quesnel, or Glenwood Springs. This is a deliberate choice — the views are too spectacular to miss, and sleeping cars would limit the window size. The overnight hotel stays are included in the package and are typically four-star properties. The daytime-only schedule means you never miss a mountain, glacier, or waterfall. The train averages 30-40 mph, slow enough for photography and wildlife spotting.

Signature Routes

Classic2 days

First Passage to the West

Vancouver-Banff

Scenic2 days

Journey Through the Clouds

Vancouver-Jasper

Extended3 days

Rainforest to Gold Rush

Vancouver-Jasper

USA2 days

Rockies to the Red Rocks

Moab-Denver

"It\'s not about the destination. It\'s about the journey between the destinations."

— Rocky Mountaineer Philosophy

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