VIA Rail & Rockies: 6-Day Vancouver to Jasper, Banff and Columbia Icefield Tour
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5–6 days
Fitness Level
A reasonable base fitness level for short hikes and stairs; most days are low-impact travel with a few 1–3 hour walks.
Overview
From Vancouver’s salt spray to the blue-white edge of the Columbia Icefield, this 6-day VIA Rail plus bus tour compresses the Canadian Rockies into one vivid itinerary—long train rides, glacier steps, and short hikes to legendary viewpoints.
VIA Rail & Rockies: 6-Day Vancouver to Jasper, Banff and Columbia Icefield Tour
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The train doors slide shut in Vancouver as salt air and city noise recede. You settle into a window seat and watch the coast fall away, then the landscape tighten—first foothills, then a serrated skyline of granite and snow. By morning the VIA Rail runs under a different sky: sharper light, thinner air, mountains that seem to grow as you approach Jasper. This tour strings the Rockies into a compact, moving narrative—19 hours on rails into Jasper, then a bus that follows the Icefields Parkway, stopping at Moraine and Lake Louise, Peyto and the Columbia Icefield, and finally the gondola and hot springs of Banff.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Beat the parking rush
Arrive at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise before 8:30 AM when access and parking are easiest; consider shuttle options if arriving later.
Layer for alpine swings
Temperatures at higher pullouts and glaciers can be 5–15°C colder than town—pack a breathable insulating layer and a waterproof shell.
Book glacier and gondola add-ons early
Columbia Icefield snowcoach tours and Banff Gondola tickets sell out in summer—reserve in advance to guarantee slots.
Respect wildlife distances
Keep at least 100 metres from bears and wolves, and never approach elk or bighorn sheep—use zoom lenses for close photos.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Elk
- Mountain goat
History
The route follows traditional Indigenous travel corridors across what became Banff and Jasper National Parks; Banff was Canada’s first national park, established in 1885 after railway-driven tourism grew.
Conservation
Parks Canada manages carrying capacity: some lakes and trails have seasonal vehicle limits and timed access—stay on trails and pack out waste to protect fragile alpine ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Banff
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof hardshell jacket
Protects against mountain rain and sudden winds at higher elevations.
Sturdy hiking shoes (ankle support)
Good traction and support for canyon catwalks and rocky viewpoints.
Insulating mid-layer (fleece/down)
Helps manage temperature changes from valleys to glacier viewpoints.
Binoculars and camera with zoom lens
Great for spotting wildlife on slopes and capturing distant glaciers.