Winter Train Rides in Canada for Christmas Markets and Snowy Mountains

Canada's Christmas markets, snowy mountains, and charming towns are at their best by rail this winter.

Summary

• There are three main winter train rides in Canada, all run by VIA Rail
• The best things to see by train in winter are the Canadian Rockies and Quebec's Christmas markets
• You can add festive and wintry experiences to your train trip, like Northern Lights viewing and a Christmas castle stay

Winter train rides encompass everything from sleeper trains to snowy mountain towns to day trips between historic stone cities with Christmas markets. And, whether you're looking for Christmas spirit or just to see Canada in all its famous 'Great White North' glory, a rail vacation in winter is a gorgeous way to experience it.

VIA Rail Canadian traveling through the Rockies | Credit: VIA Rail

What Winter Trains Are Available in Canada?

All major winter trains in Canada are all operated by VIA Rail — other than short novelty rides, they are the only trains running through winter in Canada. VIA Rail runs day and night, all year, on routes that stretch from the Atlantic coast to the Rockies to the Pacific and up into the subarctic.

We gather the best routes and activities each winter and combine them into scenic and relaxing winter rail itineraries.

In winter, we recommend three main routes:

• Montreal to Quebec City
• Vancouver to Jasper/Canadian Rockies
• Vancouver to Toronto

In particular, we recommend the Montreal to Quebec City train route to link together the best Christmas cities in Canada; we point guests towards the Vancouver to Jasper route if they're looking to see snowy mountains and the classic winter scenery Canada's famous for; and we recommend the Vancouver to Toronto route in winter to travelers looking for a quieter side of Canada and who want to see the entire country during their time here.

(Left) Corridor Train in winter and (right) Quebec City in winter | Credit: VIA Rail, Destination Quebec City / Pierre-Nic Lessard

Montreal to Quebec City | Christmas Market Train Tour

Quebec is the perfect destination for a Christmas itinerary without a car, proving you don't have to travel all the way to Europe for historic cities, twinkling decorations, or a tour of German Christmas markets.

Montreal and Quebec City are two of our favorite places to visit in Canada in Winter, with Quebec City being the number one city to visit for Christmas markets in the country. Easily connected by a 3.5-hour train trip, the two French-Canadian cities combine into one charming Christmas trip.

In our tours, we link Montreal with Quebec City on VIA Rail's Corridor route with Business Class tickets for our guests.

In Montreal, we treat travelers to a choice of private walking tours, either a food-focused exploration (perhaps our favorite in the festive season) or a history tour. In Quebec, you'll have another private city tour followed by time free to explore the famous Christmas markets spread through Old Quebec.

(Left) Riding the snow train to the Rockies and (right) Banff in winter | Credit: VIA Rail, Banff Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT) / Robert Massey

Vancouver to Jasper | Snow Train to the Canadian Rockies

The snow train to the Canadian Rockies is an absolutely stunning winter sleeper train between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Jasper in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. And when it comes to train trips in winter, Canada's snow-covered mountains always make the list.

You'll board VIA Rail's Canadian train in the early afternoon and leave Vancouver as golden hour begins to illuminate the city. You'll fall asleep alongside the Fraser River and wake up the next morning in the snowy Canadian Rockies.

This route is the closest thing to the Polar Express that Canada has to offer. You can enjoy hot cocoa in the domed Skyline car while watching snowy forests pass, indulge in decadent multi-course meals in the dining car, and don your pajamas and relax in a private cabin come bedtime.

We include time touring the Canadian Rockies in all of our Rockies winter train trips, with tailored excursions and transfers at each step of the way. But, in addition, there are a few ways we like to tailor the trip to suit different interests…

The Christmas tree in Fairmont Banff Springs | Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Christmas in the Rockies by Rail

Each year, we time a select few winter train trips around Christmas, arriving in the snowy Canadian Rockies a few days before the big day itself, and spending Christmas Day in the Fairmont Banff Springs, a magical castle in the mountains.

At Christmas time, the classic Fairmont hotel is surrounded by frozen pine forest and dressed in festive decor. Santa roams the halls, and s'mores roast on outdoor fires. On Christmas Day, you'll be treated to a grand Christmas feast in Banff Springs, letting the expert chefs cook the turkey for you and giving you even more time to celebrate with your loved ones.

The Northern Lights at a resort in the Yukon | Credit: Northern Lights Resort and Spa

Winter Train and Northern Lights

Before your winter train ride, we'll whisk you up north to Whitehorse in the Yukon, one of the best destinations to see the Northern Lights in Canada. Here, we treat you to nightly Northern Lights viewing and your choice of winter experience, be it ice fishing and snowshoeing, dogsledding, or a wildlife tour and hot spa pairing.

After your time in Northern Canada, you'll travel back to Vancouver and catch the Canadian — the snow train to the Rockies — and ride to Jasper to begin your mountain exploration.

Sunrise over the prairies on the Canadian train | Credit: VIA Rail

Vancouver - Toronto | Trans Canada Train Trip

A winter train across Canada means stunning snow-capped Canadian Rockies, catching late sunrises over the snowy prairies, and easy access from Western Canada to the historic Christmas Markets in Eastern Canada.

The full trans-Canada train is the second-longest route in the world, and connects Vancouver on the West Coast with Toronto in the east. Once you're beyond the Canadian Rockies (on day two of the eastbound journey), the train is often quieter, giving you access to a far more intimate train trip.

Wine tasting on the Canadian | Credit: VIA Rail

Across the full route, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the onboard activities hosted daily in the lounge cars — wine tasting, educational talks, and perhaps some seasonal specials like Christmas movie nights that rotate each day you're on the train.

But the real highlight is the winter views from the train. In winter, you'll be passing endless snowy landscapes, with a good chance of snow cover from the Canadian Rockies to Toronto after late November. You might even get the chance to see the Northern Lights from the train. We recommend relaxing in the Skyline dome car after dark once you're in the prairies, where light pollution is minimal.

The Canadian train in winter is our favorite route to link winter destination hubs like the Rockies and Quebec City. From Toronto, train-hopping to Quebec City is made easy with the Corridor train route. For help coordinating this trip extension, reach out to a Travel Designer.

The snow train arriving in the Rockies | Credit: VIA Rail

Which Winter Train Ride Is Right for You?

Each of these routes suits different travelers best. When you work with us at Canada By Design, you'll be paired with a Travel Designer who will help you find the route best matched with you. But if you're looking to get a head start, we've broken it down for you.

Choose the Montreal to Quebec City winter train if:

• You want a short winter train ride paired with Canada's best winter cities
• You're planning an early-December holiday trip
• You'd rather explore historic streets and cozy cafes than snowy mountains

Choose the Vancouver–Rockies winter train if:

• You want to see the Canadian Rockies in winter
• You're planning a vacation around Christmas Day itself
• You're excited to sleep on the train, but don't want to spend multiple nights onboard

Choose the trans-Canada winter train if:

• You want the complete, cross-country Canadian rail experience
• You're looking for a quieter way to experience Canadian train travel
• This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and you want to see as much of the country as possible

The Canada By Design team on the Canadian in winter | Credit: Canada By Design

Book Your Winter Train Trip

Working with Canada By Design to book a winter train trip means you'll get one-on-one support from your Travel Designer beginning to end; a personalized winter rail itinerary with activities, hotels, and transport included; and on-the-ground support while you travel. Connect with one of our Travel Designers to begin crafting your Canada winter train journey. If you're not ready to book your trip, subscribe to our newsletter for more curated packages from across Canada, all directly in your inbox.

FAQs

Can you take a train in Canada in winter?

Yes, you can take multiple different trains in Canada in winter. The main ones are the Canadian train, the Ocean train, and the Corridor route. However, in winter, we mostly recommend the Canadian train and Corridor route for the best views and activities.

Will you see snow on the train in Canada in winter?

It's likely that you'll see snow if you're taking a train in Canada in winter. Snow is most likely in the Canadian Rockies, the prairies, and the Canadian Shield if you're traveling between November and March. However, we can't guarantee snow on any part of any specific journey.

Can you take Rocky Mountaineer in winter?

No, Rocky Mountaineer does not run in winter. Instead, if you're looking to take a winter train to the Rockies, you should take VIA Rail's Canadian train between Vancouver and Jasper.

Are there any winter train trips near Vancouver?

Yes, there are a couple of winter train trips near Vancouver. The main one is the Canadian, which takes two days to reach the Canadian Rockies or four days to reach Toronto. Other than that, there is a small novelty ride called the North Pole Express, a 1-hour train ride geared towards families in Squamish, an hour north of Vancouver.

Are there any winter train trips near Quebec City?

Yes, you can take VIA Rail's Corridor trains from Quebec City to neighboring cities like Montreal or Toronto in winter. We recommend the ride to Montreal to combine two historic cities on one vacation.

Feature Image Credit: VIA Rail