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Canadian Rockies by Rail - On a Budget
Last edited Sun Jun 27, 2021, 11:43 PM - Edit history (9)
VIA Rail's Westbound Skeena, Jasper, Alberta, bound for Prince Rupert
(More pics Below)
Happy Sunday Afternoon, DU'ers! Hope everyone is keeping safe.
With news of the seemingly encouraging results of the vaccination campaigns underway in both the U.S. & Canada, and with the border presumably set to reopen in the not-too-distant future,
I thought I might share some info, pics & ideas for a trip by train through the Canadian Rockies specifically for those on a budget.
There is a relatively little-known train that runs from Jasper, Alberta in the front range of the Rockies to Prince Rupert on the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia.
The train is classified as a remote essential service and as a result it's operation is partially funded by the Government of Canada, which makes for some very affordable fares.
For a $262.40CAD total fare (131.20 per person), two people can travel on a two day journey through through the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast.
There is an overnight stop half-way at Prince George, BC where passengers can overnight in a local hotel (overnight accommodation is not included in the fare but still affordable.).
This train - VIA train #5 & 6, formerly known as "The Skeena" in the timetables - has always been known to the locals as the "Rupert Rocket".
Regardless of the moniker, the atmosphere on the train is definitely "down-home", the attendants are super friendly & courteous, and so are the people in the local online communities which this train serves. It is without a doubt one of the best train experiences I've ever had.
I'll try my best to give an idea of what travelling on this train involves and how budget-friendly it is:
To get to Jasper, AB from the U.S., you can simply drive there - or fly to Edmonton, AB and pick up a rental car at the Edmonton International Airport (we used Avis which has very affordable one-way rentals - starting at $58CAD/day for a compact when I checked today. It's about a 4 hr drive from Edmonton to Jasper)
Once in Jasper you can drop off your rental car & overnight at one of the less expensive options like the Astoria Hotel across the street from the Jasper train station. This is where we stayed & the rates start at $117CAD/night when I checked on their website today. As a bonus, virtually everything in Jasper is within walking distance (hotels, train station, rental cars, restaurants)
Because of the pandemic, the train is currently operating 1 day per week, however the normal schedule is 3 days per week. Assuming you arrived the night before, the next day after breakfast and after checking out from your hotel you then make your way to the train station. Here is VIA's current timetable, the "Skeena" is on pg 19 of 22: https://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/media/pdfs/schedules/VIARail_Timetable-Horaire.pdf
It's recommended that you purchase your ticket/boarding pass in advance from VIA Rail Canada (either by phone or online at https://www.viarail.ca ) as doing so is often more cost-effective than purchasing your ticket at the last minute. If you have any special needs or concerns you may check with the agents at the ticket counter. Otherwise simply wait for the train with boarding pass in hand.
In the summer there are two classes on the Skeena, economy & touring. In the off peak season (October-May) there is only economy class.
When I checked, the fare for two people in economy class was $262.40 CAD, grand total, two people, Jasper to Prince Rupert, 2 days on the train - taxes included. That's with a AAA discount which gives you 10% off. Add 10% if you're not a AAA member.
Once onboard the train (which departs at 12:45pm) you settle into your seat and enjoy the scenery & the journey. Seats are unreserved first come first serve. At the end of the train there is the "Park" car with a great observation dome on the second level, and the tail end 'Bullet' lounge plus the 'Mural' lounge with bar & snack bar on the lower level. Meals are served at-seat and are extra when travelling economy class and included in the fare when travelling touring class.
In the off peak season (October-May) the Park dome car is available to all classes including economy, in the summer it's reserved for touring class.
The seats in all classes are extremely spacious, have generous recline & leg rests and have huge windows.
Departing from the scenic mountain-locked resort town of Jasper, AB, the train runs along the shores of the stunningly beautiful Moose Lake, then over the continental divide through the famed Yellowhead pass with views of Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 ft, and on to Mcbride, BC with it’s elegant old Grand Trunk Pacific Station, & following the upper Fraser river before arriving at the overnight stop at Prince George, BC.
At the end of the first day you arrive in Prince George. We stayed at the Travelodge Prince George, prices start at $83 night and there's a restaurant in the hotel. Though we could have walked there, we took a cab.
The next day after checking out from your hotel you return to the train station to board the train which departs at 8 am. By this point you are well versed in the routine of the train. This next day finds the train passing along the Nechako River and beautiful Burns Lake, then on to Smithers, BC with its majestic views of Hudson Bay Mountain and Kathlyn Glacier before continuing on its way through the Coast Mountains & along the Skeena River. After a day of spectacular scenery you arrive on the Pacific Coast at Prince Rupert in the evening where a cab takes you to your hotel. We stayed at the Highliner Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre which has great views of the waterfront & harbor, and there is a restaurant in the hotel. Prices start at $103/night.
Prince Rupert has a regional airport with connecting flights to Vancouver International and a ferry terminal with service to Vancouver Island.
So without further ado, see below for some pics of a trip on the Skeena which my wife & I took in 2019.
For more pics, check out our website at https://northamericabyrail.info/a-trip-on-via-rails-skeena-jasper-ab-prince-rupert-bc/
Hope you enjoy!
Jasper VIA Rail Station
CN 4-8-2 type steam locomotive on display at Jasper VIA Station
On board the westbound Skeena meeting a CN freight, Jasper, AB
Mt Fitzwilliam, British Columbia
The westbound Skeena travelling along Moose Lake
Grizzly bear alongside the tracks
Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 12,972 ft. Summit is only visible on average 16 days per year.
Coach seating on VIA Rails Skeena
Scenic dome section in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
Mural Lounge in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
Bullet Lounge in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
By train along the Fraser River west of McBride, BC
Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies west of McBride, BC
Entering a tunnel west of McBride, BC
Onboard the Skeena - in the Rockies & along the Fraser, west of McBride, BC
View from rear of train crossing Hansard Bridge over the Fraser River
Detraining from The Skeena, after arrival at Prince George, BC, for an overnight stop
Our room at the Travelodge, Prince George, BC hotel
Back onboard The Skeena the next morning, crossing the Nechako River
Onboard the Skeena running along Fraser Lake
Lunch on the Skeena
Burns Lake, BC
"Park" car on tail end of the Skeena. Burns Lake, BC, station stop
Onboard the Skeena along Decker Lake
View from the vestibule. Onboard the westbound Skeena east of Houston, BC
Town of Houston, BC
Meet with a CN ballast train near Telkwa, BC
Passing the caboose on rear of CN ballast train
Onboard the westbound Skeena at the Smithers, BC, VIA Rail Station
Onboard the Skeena departing Smithers, BC
Hudson Bay Mountain
Kathlyn Glacier
Crossing a trestle in Bulkley Canyon at dusk
VIA Station & Ferry Terminal at Prince Rupert, BC, on the Pacific Coast
20 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
And it's good to see you posting again. It's been awhile.
My pleasure. Been busy lately, finally found some time to do another post.
Likewise good to hear from you as well!
