This Mountainous Journey Was Named the Best Winter Train Route in the World

"The train departs from Vancouver and heads east toward the Rockies, a mountain range known for its rugged, ice-capped peaks and glacier-fed lakes. Along the way, the train passes through dense forests and narrow river canyons. After one night on the train, you arrive in Jasper, a mountain town set within a national park of the same name. Jasper National Park is home to the shrinking Athabasca Glacier, which can be easily visited, along with beautiful (likely frozen) alpine lakes."

"The route ends in Jasper, but most tour companies continue the journey by coach on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful winter drives in the world. The parkway connects Jasper with Lake Louise and Banff, two sibling towns set within Banff National Park, Canada's oldest and most storied national park. In addition to visiting the turquoise, glacier-fed Lake Louise, which is surrounded by high peaks, you can hike the Johnston Canyon Icewalk or enjoy the light show from the Banff Gondola."

"In its ranking, JRPass gave the train a score of 8.94 out of 10, calling the route an "unrivaled showcase of Canada's majestic winter landscapes.""

JR Pass analyzed Tripadvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags, and snowfall data to rank winter train routes worldwide and placed the Canadian Rockies Snow Train first. The train departs Vancouver, travels east through dense forests, narrow river canyons and toward rugged, ice-capped Rockies before arriving in Jasper after one night. Jasper National Park offers access to the shrinking Athabasca Glacier, frozen alpine lakes, and is the world's second-largest International Dark Sky Preserve. Most tours continue by coach along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Banff for glacier views, Johnston Canyon Icewalk, and Banff Gondola, then conclude in Calgary. JR Pass scored the route 8.94 out of 10.

Read at Travel + Leisure