Passage to Peaks: A Canadian Rockies Journey of Scenic Splendor, Wildlife, and Fairmont Luxury.
Exclusive Offer
Experience our limited-time route, Passage to the Peaks and elevate your Canadian Rockies experience with exclusive resort credits at select Fairmont Hotels & Resorts:
*This offer is exclusive to Passage to the Peaks Fairmont Exclusive Packages and cannot be apploed to any other packages or hotel stays.
Details
- Receive a $200 CAD resort credit upon check-in at select a Fairmont properties when you book an elgible Passage to the Peaks Fairmont exclusive package
- Offer valid only at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Banff Springs. Credits are property-specific and may only be redeemed at their respective locations
- Credit is applicable toward resort-owned experienes, including dining, spa treatments, recreational activities, and retail purchases within the property
- Offer applicable only to new bookings created on or after January 15, 2026
- For limited time, combine with our Explore in 2026 Offer for additional savings.
Prepare for one of Canada’s most extraordinary journeys – where rail meets wilderness, and the peaks are the protagonist.
In 2026, Rocky Mountaineer unveils its exclusive Passage to the Peaks route, a two-day all-daylight rail voyage between the iconic towns of Banff and Jasper, revealing the Canadian Rockies in a way few travellers experience – from panoramic domed windows, with every twist and crest more breathtaking than the last.
From Fairmont Banff Springs to the Rails: Day One Begins
Your journey begins against the dramatic backdrop of Banff National Park — ancient glaciers, emerald forests and sky-piercing peaks that tell the story of millions of years. Here, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” guests settle into a realm where old-world grandeur meets modern luxury. Hikes at sunrise, wildlife watching along the Bow River, and world-class dining prepare you for a trip that begins in elegance and adventure.
Stepping aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, you’re greeted by attentive hosts and sweeping vistas unfolding through panoramic windows. The rail cars glide slowly through the Yellowhead Pass, an historic mountain corridor carved through time, with the Continental Divide rising like cathedral spires along the horizon.
All-Daylight Scenic Masterpiece: Peaks, Waterfalls & Wildlife
Onboard, the journey’s rhythm is dictated not by schedules, but by moments — slow, awe-filled, and framed by glass.
Dramatic Landscapes & Geological Wonders
Soft breakfasts and local wines accompany marvels such as:
- Mount Robson towering as British Columbia’s highest peak, nearly 13,000 feet above sea level, a sentinel of snow and stone.
- Pyramid Falls, a thunderous cascade that seems suspended in alpine air.
- The sprawling Rocky Mountain ranges, carved with valleys that criss-cross rivers and ancient glacial lakes.
Wildlife is ever-present. Keep binoculars ready: elk graze on verdant meadows, mountain goats crest rocky ledges, and eagles ride updrafts over shimmering rivers. Parks Canada protects some of North America’s richest biodiversity here, visible from both the train and stops along the route.
Overnight in the Wilderness: Kamloops Comfort
Day one culminates in the welcoming town of Kamloops, British Columbia, where a cozy, restorative evening sets the stage for day two’s further immersion into the Rockies.
Destination Jasper: Wilderness and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Day two brings the crescendo — arrival into Jasper National Park, the largest protected area in the Canadian Rockies. Vast, wild, and resonant with the sounds of nature, Jasper is a sanctuary of lakes, glaciers, and wildlife.
Nestled on the shores of serene Lac Beauvert amidst towering pines, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge feels like a world apart. Rustic elegance meets wilderness intimacy: canoeing at dawn, wildlife sightings along meandering trails, and evenings by the fire under a tapestry of stars.
Beyond the lodge, explore:
- Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake — sculpted by millennia of water and ice.
- Skyline Trail views — where mountain goats and marmots appear like sentinels of stone.
- Spotting grizzly bears, elk, and moose alongside shimmering lake edges.
What makes Passage to the Peaks Unforgettable
This is more than a train route — it’s a sensorial expedition through some of the most untrammeled landscapes on Earth:
- All-Daylight Scenic Travel – Unlike typical overnight trains, Passage to the Peaks travels wholly in daylight so every moment is a window into a new vista.
- Spectacular Geology & Iconic Sights– Snow-capped summits and dense evergreen forests. Historic railway feats carved through Kicking Horse Canyon and the Continental Divide.
- Wildlife Encounters – From bears to elk and mountain goats, this corridor is as vibrant with life as it is with rock and ice.
- Unmatched Stays Before and After – Immersive rail travel paired with iconic alpine luxury — at Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge — makes the journey as memorable on land as on rails.
How to Experience It
Passage to the Peaks is a limited-edition offering in 2026, available on select departures with options for overnight extensions in both Banff and Jasper, and some itineraries with intermediate stays at Lake Louise. Whether you choose a 5-night classic, a longer circle journey with added national park experiences or a bespoke multi-day expedition, this route delivers unparalleled access to the soul of the Canadian Rockies
Best Time to Travel the Canadian Rockies by Train: Mid-June to Mid-July
The best time to experience Passage to the Peaks is mid-June to mid-July, when the Canadian Rockies are at their most scenic and immersive. During this early-summer window, snow-capped peaks contrast beautifully with emerald valleys, alpine lakes are fully thawed, and waterfalls run at peak volume from glacial melt. Wildlife activity is high, with frequent sightings of elk, moose, bears, and mountain goats along the route. Long daylight hours enhance the all-daylight rail journey and allow for relaxed exploration in Banff and Jasper before peak summer crowds arrive, making this period ideal for travellers seeking exceptional scenery, wildlife, and a more refined luxury experience.
Why This Journey Matters
In a world driven by speed and checklists, Passage to the Peaks is an invitation to slow down — to travel with intention, presence, and wonder. This is a journey that rewards those who value depth over distance, and moments over milestones.
It allows you to:
- Witness the Canadian Rockies in their most intimate moods, as light shifts across snow-dusted peaks and shadows move quietly through ancient valleys.
- Encounter wildlife on nature’s terms, unhurried and unscripted, as elk graze, eagles soar, and rivers carry on as they have for millennia.
- Feel a deeper connection to landscapes that have shaped stories, cultures, and journeys long before our own.
And throughout it all — from the effortless elegance of all-daylight rail travel to restorative stays at Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge — every detail is designed to linger. Not just in photographs, but in memory. This is not simply a trip you take; it is a story you carry with you, long after the mountains fade from view.
Looking to Add to Your Trip?
End your journey on a high note. A few extra nights at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, or Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection is the perfect way to slow down, soak it all in, and experience Canada at its most iconic. Learn More.
