Day 1 – Vancouver to Whistler / Sleigh Ride & Fondue Dinner
Depart from Airport or Downtown Vancouver for motor coach transport to Whistler.
Take some time and enjoy the many attractions of the Whistler Village, its shops, galleries and restaurants.
This evening, you will transfer (on own) to The Chalet at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club. This magical evening under the stars begins with a hot beverage as you gather around the outdoor fire pit. Tuck yourself in the blanketed warmth of your cutter sleigh as gentle Clydesdale-Percheron horse’s tour effortlessly through the pristine wilderness. Surrounded by the silent snow-filled valley and majestic peaks of Whistler’s mountains, this 30-minute sleigh ride is simply the beginning to an enchanted evening. Returning to The Chalet, a crackling log fire awaits and a delicious 3-course Fondue dinner including Cheese and Chinois (broth based) Fondue served with beef tenderloin, prawns and salmon. Be sure to save room for the warm apple strudel dessert!
Note: The Sleigh Ride & Fondue Dinner operates from Early December to the end of March – weather permitting. If it is not operating, it will be removed from your package)
Moderate: Delta Whistler Village Suites – Delta room
Superior: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Fairmont room
Deluxe: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 – Choice of Zip trek or Tree trek Eco tour
Today you have your choice of activity. For the adventurous soul participate in the Zip trek Eco tour, for the less adventurous take the Tree trek Eco tour and enjoy the amazing views along a canopy walk.
Zip trek Eco Tour (2.5 hours)
Experience the exhilaration of flying as you glide along steel zip lines suspended high above the breathtaking frozen river that divides Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Zip trek Eco tours provides a discovery of mountain ecology that combines adventure with environmental education. Guided tours include five incredible zip line rides that gain progressively in height and length with the longest spanning over 1100ft. The zip lines are joined by a network of ground based boardwalks and trails, and by aerial stairways and bridges at heights of over eighty feet in the snow-covered tree canopy!
Tree trek Eco tour (1.5 hours)
A Tree Trek Eco tour follows trails and aerial stairways up to suspension bridges over 18 stories above frozen Fitzsimmons Creek between Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains. Imagine viewing wilderness and wildlife from platforms built high in the treetops. A spectacular tour leading from the forest floor to the upper reaches of the snow-covered tree canopy. Take in the breathtaking views while learning about our Coastal Temperate Rainforest and Whistler's efforts to maintain a naturally sustainable ecosystem. (For ages 6 and older. Infants carried in baby packs are permitted)
Moderate: Delta Whistler Village Suites – Delta room
Superior: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Fairmont room
Deluxe: Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 3 – Whistler to Vancouver / VIA Rail – Vancouver to Jasper
This morning is at leisure to explore Whistler on your own. This afternoon you will be met by your own private driver/guide who will transfer you in a luxury Suburban to Vancouver and the Pacific Central Train Station.
Tonight, you will travel aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian', and experience a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private room. The train will take you through the Fraser Valley & Canyon areas. By nightfall you will be lulled to sleep by the peaceful movement of the train.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a "Romance by Rail" Suite
Day 4 – Arrival in Jasper / Evening Moonlight Maligne Canyon Ice walk
This morning you will wake up on the train just as you are entering the snow covered majestic Rocky Mountains. As you are riding the rails, you will view frozen mountain lakes and glaciers. You will also pass Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Late afternoon the train will arrive in Jasper National Park. Upon arrival you will transfer (on own) to your hotel for check-in.
This evening you will embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. Enjoy a guided hike during the night time, through the frozen ice falls and ice caves of Maligne Canyon. You actually walk on the frozen floor of the canyon, stopping for photos of the Queen of Maligne and Angel Icefalls. It's a whole different world down there, especially in the moonlight! Definitely a unique Jasper experience!
Note: The Maligne Canyon Ice walk operates from mid-December to the first week of April - weather permitting. If the ice walk is not operating, it will be removed from the package.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Fireplace room
Day 5 - Jasper to Lake Louise Winter Tour
The tour from Jasper will take you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snow covered peaks and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Jasper and Banff. Departing Jasper you will head southwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Follow the Athabasca River to the frozen Athabasca Falls, where the waters of the river cascade to the valley floor. From here the Parkway ascends to Tangle Ridge and a stop is made at the Columbia Icefields to view the Athabasca Glacier. Next, descend the Big Hill and stop for the photos at the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before arriving at stunning Lake Louise. Upon arrival in Lake Louise, you will check into your hotel. Experience the magic of this spectacular winter wonderland setting.
Moderate: Overnight Deer Lodge – Heritage King
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lakeview room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Fairmont Gold Lakeview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 – Transfer to Banff
In the late morning, you will depart Lake Louise and transfer by regular scheduled motor coach to Banff. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the shops and attractions of this beautiful alpine resort
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 – Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
Today you will take part in a very interesting winter adventure with a trip to Johnston Canyon for an Ice Walk. The trip to the canyon travels along the Bow Valley Parkway directly through wildlife corridors and prime wildlife habitat. Hike on steel walkways built into the canyon walls that give an airy view of the canyon below. Along the way you'll follow the path of the water that began carving the canyon 8000 years ago. The highlight of the tour, and turn around point, is the frozen upper falls of Johnston Canyon. The end of the trail is a great spot for a hot chocolate break including a Canadian favourite, Maple Cookies! (Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mitts and warm boots)
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 8 – Banff to Calgary Airport
Today you will depart Banff and transfer by regular scheduled air porter to the Calgary International Airport and your flight departure home
Package Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- Sleigh Ride & Fondue Dinner including hot drink during sleigh ride, gourmet 3 course fondue dinner and live entertainment (NOTE: Sleigh Ride operates from approximately December to March weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Choice of Zip trek or Tree trek Guided Eco tour
- Evening Moonlight Maligne Canyon Icewalk (NOTE: Icewalk operates from approximately mid December to the first week of April weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Jasper and Lake Louise Winter Tour
- Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
- Transfers by scheduled motor coach between Vancouver International Airport and Whistler hotel
- Private luxury SUV transfer between Whistler hotel to Pacific Central Train Station including gratuity
- Motor coach transfers between Lake Louise and Banff & Banff and Calgary Airport
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
Package Does Not Include:
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchase from your Vacation Specialist)