Canada and the Rocky Mountaineer October 2023
The excitement was palpable as we congregated under the departure board. A group of us, off to Canada to experience the Rocky Mountaineer and immerse ourselves in the wonderous scenery of the the Canadian Wilderness .
On arrival in Vancouver we hit the ground running, meeting our wonderful APT guide and driver who would be hosting us for the week. We were whisked off to Grouse Mountain where we were treated to breakfast with the bears. The Skyride Gondola ride up was certainly scenic, gliding through the clouds to the top of the mountain, where our Canadian inspired breakfast buffet awaited.
After breakfast it was off to meet the two resident Grizzly bears Grinder and Coola and have a wander around the park. So much to see and do! Lumberjack and Birds in motion shows, zip lines, ropes courses, disc golf, hiking trails, chairlifts, ranger talks and kid’s adventure play areas waiting to be explored. In winter it transforms to a ski resort for the locals.
From Grouse Mountain it was off for a city tour. Unfortunately there are certain areas around the city to avoid (Chinatown being the main area) due to homelessness, despite this the city is vibrant and welcoming. Stanley Park offers may opportunities to get out into nature with cycling and walking tracks as well as many interesting sites to visit. On conclusion of our tour, we checked into the Fairmont Waterfront hotel for a well deserved sleep!
Many “pinch yourself “ moments were to follow with two days on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Lake Louise. Of course the scenery was majestic as we traversed valleys, canyons and desert on by our way to the first stop in Kamloops. We travelled in Silver Leaf which was fabulous with all our needs being attended to by the wonderful hosts. Commentary along the way ensured we learnt of the historic value of the area as well as interesting facts about the region.Meals were superb onboard and alcohol included with a good range of local and imported products to choose from.
Second day on Rocky we were treated to Gold Class so we could fully experience both. This was certainly an upgrade, think of Premium Economy to Business Class. Fully domed carriages, larger seats with heaters, a separate dining area, enhanced choice of meals and beverages. Definitely worth every cent, however the steep staircase from upper to lower deck could prove problematic for some. An elevator was provided for clients with accessibility issues.
The trip from Kamloops to Lake Louise was definitely the more scenic as we climbed into the Rocky Mountains proper, skirting the many rivers that traversed the area. Traveling over bridges snd through tunnels, most notably the Spiral Tunnels on our way Westward. This is definitely where the domed carriage came to the fore, being able to really appreciate the grandeur of the mountains surrounding us.
We made great time on this leg with minimal delays which allowed us to head to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise earlier than expected. We checked in and had time to enjoy the views before preparing for dinner.
This hotel is another “must see/stay” and certainly lived up to its reputation. We had Lake view rooms which gave us a brilliant vantage point and saw the new rooms which are currently being rolled out through the resort. They are amazing snd will certainly lift the experience of stay there. Lounges, bars and patios ensure there is plenty of space for guests to relax and the addition a new spa area to be completed in May 2025 will elevate this resort to an even higher level of luxury.
After a brisk walk around the lake in the morning with a spattering of fresh snow on the peaks, we proceeded to Moraine Lake. Undeniably the most scenic vista so far. The mist lifted as we drove up, and with a fresh dusting of snow overnight, the lake glowed a brilliant blue. Words cannot fully express how beautiful this area is. It is impossible to take a bad photo and you simply must take time away from photos and videos to simply sit and appreciate the majesty surrounding you.
From Moraine Lake we ventured into Banff and on to the gondola where a quick 8 minute ride whisked us up to the top of the hill for picturesque views over Banff and the surrounding ranges. Simply stunning!
On to check in to our home for the next 2 nights at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel our "Castle in the Rockies" where we were wined and dined in style. We were made to feel so special, this truly is the trip of a lifetime and I am so grateful! The hotel is simply gorgeous and the rooms were large and well appointed. We loved the Rundle bar here as well, the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and unwind after a busy day.
Blue Skies greeted us in the morning and we were whisked off for our helicopter adventure. How amazing to soar over the jagged peaks, so pristine and pure. Truly a bucket list activity and one not to be missed. We also visited other local attractions such as Johnston’s canyon, Two Jack and Miniwanka Lakes before we were let loose on downtown Banff to shop and dine. The Park distillery Restaurant was certainly a favourite for it's declicious food and locally breawed gin and vodka.
From Banff we proceeded via the Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The Glacier and Athabasca Canyon that we visited were supurb and we were in need of a good rest when we finally arrived in Jasper. The Lodge here is very different, spread over a large area wth log cabin accommodations and spacious rooms. This was not a hotel stay, catering more to families and those wanting more space. We shared the surrounds with large Elk, Moose, Geese and ground squirrels. It was lovely to be back in nature and was the place to sit around the open fire with an evening beverage, contemplating the day.
It was on the drive to Sun Peaks that we encountered our first wild Black bear, foraging on the side of the road. He was huge and very invested in finding tasty morsels to help fatten up prior to his hibernation. We were enthralled! A stop via Maligne Canyon before we cruised at Blue River Safari. Unfortunately we had no further animal sightings, however we did have an amazing lunch! Definitely worth a visit. Onwards to Sun Peaks
This is a faboulus ski area jsut out of Kamloops and while it was off season, it provided us with a glimpse of the activities on offer during the summer break. Hiking, mountain biking and relaxing being the main ones. The Sun Peaks Grand was a lovely hotel and we had one of our best meals here. Worth visiting in the ski season for sure!
Whistler was our home for the next night and what an absolute Gem it is. I have been here before in the Winter, but experiencing it in the Fall was simply gorgeous. The place was buzzing with mountain bikers, day trippers up from Vancouver and people just wanting to get into the fresh mountain air. It was wonderful, with so many restaurants and shops, so much to see and do! We stayed at the Westin Resort and Spa which was absolutely gorgeous and I will certainly be back!
Last day saw us depart Whistler for our trip back to Vancouver and flight home. Before we bid adeiu, we had a tour of the Capilano Suspension Bridge park. It was certainly a highlight and well worth the visit. Free shuttles can take tourists there and to Grouse Mountain from downtown Vancouver.
This was certainly a trip where I could not stop pinching myself. It is Bucket List for sure and I am so grateful to APT touring and Travelmarvel for hosting. I am blessed!