VANCOUVER - Venturing through the picturesque Canadian Rockies, VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train to Jasper takes passengers on a classically romantic rail journey. The wintertime version of VIA's flagship Canadian service, the Snow Train ushers riders from Toronto and Vancouver to the resort town of Jasper, Alberta, treating passengers to awe-inspiring snow-covered landscapes en route.
Travellers can make the best of both worlds by combining a trip on VIA's Snow Train with the new seasonal weekend departureSnow Train Express between Edmonton and Jasper. The late Friday afternoon departure from Edmonton and return trip on Sunday afternoon is ideal for a weekend ski getaway to Jasper, where conditions are off to an excellent start.
The Snow Train to Jasper features VIA Rail's Silver & Blue Class service, offering premium accommodations with modern conveniences, from shower access to private and semi-private sleeping compartments with cozy duvets, plump pillows, thick towels and a shower kit. Meals, which are included in the price of Silver & Blue Class tickets, are served in the polished yet casual dining car with an ambiance that, combined with the spectacular views from the wide windows, evokes the classic romance of travel by train. Enjoy a traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs and hearty favorites such as salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches for lunch. Delicious regional cuisine is the fare for dinner, with menu items such as Manitoba Pork Loin, Pan-Seared Arctic Char and Blackened Pacific Halibut. Choose from a selection of wines and spirits available for purchase, to complement your evening meal.
A signature feature of Silver & Blue Class is the domed observation Park Car, which provides passengers with 360-degree views to help take in Canada's natural splendor. Two lounges are located within the train's tail-end car. The Bullet Lounge and the Mural Lounge -- so named for its collection of Canadian art -- are ideal spots for a refreshing cocktail, a nightcap under the stars or friendly conversation with fellow passengers. The Skyline dome car features books, videos and board games.
A remote mountain town of just over 5,000 in the largest national park in the Rockies, Jasper offers all the conveniences of a premier tourism destination. Visitors can choose from a range of accommodations and winter activities from "ice walks" through Maligne Canyon, cross-country skiing over a frozen lake, steering a cadre of dogs through the snow or simply strolling through Jasper's quaint downtown area. These and more are easily arranged through the area's many activity operators.
Booking VIA Rail's Snow Train to Jasper
Vacations that feature the Snow Train to Jasper are available by logging on to www.viarail.ca/snowtrain, VIA Rail Canada's travel packages website. The website allows travellers to choose from a variety of tour operators throughout North America that offer rail and hotel accommodations and, often, meals and activities as well. For complete tour programs showcasing the Snow Train to Jasper, select "Canadian" from the drop-down menu in the "VIA Rail Trains Featured" section. This provides access to dozens of Snow Train packages offered by tour operators.
For additional information on the Snow Train to Jasper, travellers can also visit www.snowtraintojasper.com. Following are a sampling of Snow Train to Jasper packages:
Classic Winter Rockies Rail Getaway - Cartan Tours 7-day/6-night Vancouver-to-Jasper Snow Train package. Trip highlights include the picturesque journey aboard VIA Rail's Silver & Blue Class, luxurious accommodations at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and opportunity to partake in winter outdoor activities. Snow Train packages are available now through March 27, For more information call 1-800-422-7826 or visit www.cartantours.com.
Canada's Rocky Mountain Winter Adventure - Discover the pristine beauty of the Rocky Mountains and Jasper with John Steel Rail Tours. Originating in Toronto, this 5-day/4-night trip allows travellers to experience outdoor adventures in Jasper's Marmot Basin including snowmobiling, ice-fishing, snowboarding and snow shoeing. Combining air and rail, vacationers travel in VIA's premium Silver & Blue Class, and can choose to upgrade to VIA's Romance by Rail accommodations, which combines two double bedrooms into one spacious suite. For more information or to book this trip, call 1-800-988-5887 or visit www.johnsteel.com.
About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national passenger rail service, VIA Rail connects the entire world to the West's vibrant tourism industry. With more than 700 employees in Western Canada, VIA is dedicated to improving the quality of passenger service. From Northern Manitoba, across the prairies, to British Columbia's Pacific Rim, VIA serves more than 100 stations. VIA continues to develop, market and deliver services to meet the needs of Western Canadians, in partnership with people, communities and businesses served by passenger rail. For further, please call 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-842-7245), visit VIA's website www.viarail.ca or contact your travel agent.
