The ultimate natural high!
ARE you looking for adventure? It doesn’t come much bigger and bolder than a journey through the Canadian Rockies. You’ll find snow-capped peaks, rugged canyons and wild rivers.
There are three awesome ways to discover the Rockies: by motorhome, where you can let your inner adventurer shine through; as an epic road trip, staying in luxury hotels along the way; or for the ultimate experience, take a journey through glaciertipped peaks on the Rocky Mountaineer train, pressing your face and camera to the window as you look out for grizzly bears, moose and eagles.
MOTORHOME EXPLORER
RENT a motorhome – or an RV, as Canadians call them – and you could roam freely through the mind-boggling majesty of the Rockies, spending the night at scenic campsites.
Touch down in booming Calgary, which flashes its cowboy traditions during the annual bootstomping Stampede in July.
Then drive your RV to Kananaskis, Alberta’s playground, and wake up to incredible mountain views and days spent hiking, biking, horse-riding or white-water rafting.
Not too far ahead lies super-scenic Banff, where snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers, waterfalls, sweeping vistas and a thriving cafe culture await.
Here you can ride a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to survey the rugged grandeur of six mountain ranges. Go rafting, or take a boat or trail ride, before bathing in hot springs.
And the turquoise jewel at the Rockies’ heart – Lake Louise – is an absolute must-see. It’s the most photographed spot in Canada, circled by finely chiselled mountains.
The road to friendly Jasper is one of Canada’s most scenic routes, offering epic views including the Columbia Icefield and the glaciers of Athabasca, where you can take a trip on an impressive Ice Explorer vehicle.
Wind your way onwards to historic Victoria, which recently hosted a joyous Royal tour by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and later to the bright lights of Vancouver.
ROAD TRIP
WITH a fly-drive trip in a hired car of your choice, you can discover even more of western Canada’s hidden gems, stopping wherever you like.
Savour the view from some of the world’s most famous mountain routes – the Icefields Parkway, the Badlands Trail or the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
You’ll be equipped with a map and a guidebook that sets out each day’s itinerary and the distance you need to cover between hotels.
The motorhome route already detailed is a good choice. But you could divert to the Cariboo Gold Rush town of Gold Bridge to see mine ruins and ghost towns left behind by settlers.
Head to vibrant Whistler to ride the stunning Peak 2 Peak 360 Experience – a glass-bottom gondola taking you to the rooftop of the world. Then it’s onwards to Vancouver Island, where you might pre-book a whale and porpoise-watching tour.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
CALGARY can also be your touchdown point for the pure mountain magic of the Rocky Mountaineer, with a transfer to the luxury train at Lake Louise.
The Rocky Mountaineer allows you to see one of the world’s great wildernesses in considerable luxury, with drinks and sumptuous meals served by attentive hosts, who offer five-star service and captivating commentaries as you roll over high bridges and past brilliant blue mountain lakes in panoramic coaches.
Listen to the gurgling rush of greenblue water racing through narrow canyons below and smell the pine and spruce forest from open-air viewing areas, as the Rocky Mountaineer slows to let you feast on the unfolding scenery. Wildlife abounds – you might even spy grizzlies foraging on open slopes, or golden eagles soaring above.
The completion of this spectacular stretch of mountain track more than a century ago changed Canada for ever. With intoxicating sights at every turn, it’s a trip that might change your life, too.