The Best Winter Train Trips in Canada

Embarking on a VIA Rail journey through a glistening winter wonderland, there's truly nothing that compares to experiencing winter in Canada. Elevate your journey's coziness with a private sleeper cabin on the train and indulge in impeccable and the iconic Fairmont properties across the country. Let this adventure weave into an enchanting memory you'll hold dear.

Explore four of our bestselling packages for winter train escapes in Canada and contact us at sales@canadabydesign.com or 1 (800) 217 0973 to transform it into reality.

All Aboard VIA Rail

While in the summer both VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer are running, in winter VIA Rail is the only train that operates. Luckily, VIA Rail is the one that runs the length of the country and has cozy sleeping berths onboard. By night, your Sleeper Plus Class ticket turns your private cabin with sofa chair into a cozy bunk-style bed, complete with baggage space, a window, private washroom and access to a shower down the hall. You'll even have your own door that locks, so it's really like a tiny hotel room on a train.

Also, as part of your ticket, you'll have access to wine tastings, presentations, and musical acts on certain departures, plus access to lounges and cars with glass ceilings for optimal sightseeing. Meals will be served at set times in the dining car, complete with classic white linen-laid tables. Menus offer a three-course selection of mouthwatering dishes that change daily, and all food is prepared by a Chef on the train. By the time you arrive at your destination, you'll already have had an adventure. But delicious cuisine, awe-inspiring scenery and cozy accommodations are just the beginning! Read on for where to stay throughout the rest of your trip, plus details on our favorite winter train vacations in Canada.

Welcome to Luxury

Those wonderful words are what we all wish to hear while traveling through Canada. If you choose to book our deluxe-grade hotels, you will in fact stay at these beautiful properties on any of the below trips – complete with their castle-like structures, grand ballrooms, gourmet restaurants, soothing spas and finely-appointed guest rooms and suites.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

In the heart of the Canadian Rockies on a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge embodies the peace, tranquility and natural beauty that make the surrounding peaks so famous. A village of heritage log cabins connected by picturesque paths, guests can experience a truly authentic Canadian getaway complete with wildlife sightings, views of Lac Beauvert and that signature Fairmont service. In winter, the lake freezes over, and guests can skate across it, go tobogganing, take a sleigh ride or head off on snowmobiles or dog sled.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Located in the heart of Banff National Park and within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an iconic sight towering over Lake Louise itself. While in winter the lake is frozen, it offers the perfect space for activities like snowshoeing and skating or festivals like the annual Ice Magical Festival each January, where talented carvers create sculptures of ice. From the grand entrance resplendent with chandelier and the sound of live music playing gently in the background, the elegance of this grand dame is all around you.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

An icon amid the picturesque town of Banff, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – otherwise known as 'Canada's Castle in the Rockies' – is so much more than just striking architecturally. Here, guests can wander through grand hallways to spacious suites and quiet corners, discovering various restaurants, ballrooms, shops, and the spa as they go. Worthy of a special mention is the secret lounge and cocktail bar hidden behind a bookcase in the Rundle Bar. This hidden Sidecar lounge provides an intimate dining experience for something extra special.

Fairmont Royal York Hotel

Discover a winter oasis at The Fairmont Royal York in the heart of Toronto. Embrace the city's vibrant energy while enjoying luxurious comfort. Experience the magic of winter with nearby attractions like Nathan Phillips Square's ice skating, exploring the Distillery District's holiday markets, and savoring cozy moments at the hotel's elegant lounges. Create cherished winter memories against the backdrop of Toronto's urban charm.

1. Trans Canada Winter Train Adventure

Explore Canada from coast to coast on this incredible 12-day trans-Canada winter train adventure. Beginning in Vancouver, you’ll board VIA Rail for the overnight rail journey to Jasper. Arriving to the snowy Rocky Mountains, you’ll have your choice of tours in both Jasper and Banff, plus a helicopter snowshoe adventure to the ice bubbles at Abraham Lake. Enjoying a private transfer from Banff to Lake Louise, soak up the beauty of your surroundings on a magical evening sleigh ride. Returning to Jasper you’ll board VIA Rail for the rest of the route to Toronto, passing through the prairies and great plains of Canada.

This trip includes:

• Sleeping berth onboard VIA Rail for 4 nights
• 7 nights hotel accommodation
• Transfer between rail depot and hotel in Jasper
• Choice of 1 of 4 Excursions in Jasper
• Jasper to Banff private tour with Ice Bubbles Adventure & picnic
• Choice of 1 of 3 Excursions in Banff
• Private transfer Banff to Lake Louise
• Sleigh ride at Lake Louise
• Private transfer Lake Louise to Jasper
• Meals as per itinerary
• National Park fees

2. Winter Escapades | Canadian Rockies Winter Train

This 8-day itinerary is one of our most magical Canadian Rockies winter train trips through the snow-covered mountains of Western Canada. Imagine climbing aboard a train in Vancouver, sharing a glass of wine with fellow travelers and being lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the train as snow falls outside. Waking to a Rockies winter wonderland for 7 days of adventure, you'll have your choice of tours in Jasper and Banff from exploring Maligne Canyon, wildlife viewing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, or taking an Ice walk through Johnston Canyon.

This trip includes:

• Sleeping berth onboard VIA Rail for 1 night
• 6 nights hotel accommodation
• Transfer between rail depot and hotel in Jasper
• Choice of 1 of 3 Excursions in Jasper
• Scheduled express coach between Jasper & Lake Louise
• Sleigh ride at Lake Louise
• Scheduled express coach between Lake Louise & Banff
• Choice of 1 of 3 Excursions in Banff
• Scheduled express coach between Banff & Calgary
• Meals as per itinerary
• National Park fees

3. Christmas in the Canadian Rockies | Winter Train Vacation

Our 7-day Christmas in the Canadian Rockies Winter Train Vacation is everything you love about the holidays, all rolled up into one festive and fun-filled vacation. Stay at Canada's ‘Castle in the Rockies’, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and enjoy a delicious Christmas feast prepared by the hotel chefs. Embark on a guided Ice walk together through a frozen canyon, snowshoe through a sparkling landscape at Paint Pots, watch for wildlife like moose, elk and bighorn sheep and cozy up on a horse drawn sleigh ride. The memories made on this holiday are sure to last through the ages!

This trip includes:

• Sleeping berth onboard VIA Rail for 1 night
• 5 nights hotel accommodation
• Transfer between rail depot and hotel in Jasper
• Scheduled express coach between Jasper & Banff
• Choice of 1 of 4 Excursions in Jasper
• Choice of 1 of 3 Excursions in Banff
• Discover Lake Louise Tour
• Sleigh ride at Lake Louise
• Christmas Dinner on the 25th
• Scheduled express coach between Banff & Calgary
• Meals as per itinerary
• National Park fees

4. Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors

Embark on a journey through winter's enchantment with our Montreal & Quebec City by Rail: Winter Splendors package. Immerse yourself in the charm of two iconic Canadian cities as they come alive in the snow. From the dynamic energy of Montreal to the timeless allure of Quebec City's UNESCO heritage, this package marries historic beauty with the magic of the season. Experience cozy train travel, explore cobblestone streets, and indulge in culinary delights amidst a winter backdrop.

This trip includes:

• Hotel accommodation including provincial taxes for 4 nights
• Business class rail travel Toronto to Montreal (lunch included)
• Montreal | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions
• Private Old Montreal Culinary Walking Tour | Duration 3 Hours
• Private Walking Tour of Old Montreal East & West | Duration 3 Hours
• Business rail travel Montreal to Quebec City (lunch included)
• Private Walking Tour of Quebec City | Duration 2 1/2 Hours
• Meals as per itinerary

Feeling inspired?

Get in touch with one of our travel designers to book one of the above packages or to customize your dream winter train trip in Canada. Want to stay in touch? Subscribe to our newsletter + follow us on Instagram and Facebook for exclusive deals, trip ideas and more.