BRITISH
COLUMBIA BY RAIL
by Christine Spinder
Rail travel in British Columbia is what rail
travel is meant to be – relaxing, with exhilarating landscapes,
varied terrain, social atmosphere and plenty of pampering. From
refurbished vintage to the ultimate in luxury, often combining both,
rail services in BC offer some of the greatest travel experiences in
Canada.
With a wide array of routes to choose from, trains
are one of the best ways to tour BC’s magnificent landscape.
Trains go places in BC that road vehicles simply can’t, whether
hugging cliffs that drop to the sea or winding historical passes
through the craggy Rocky Mountains.
Regular schedules and a leisurely pace encourage
exploration of many site stops, combined with Northern BC fishing,
Canadian Rockies hiking, ranch and spa resorts or winter ski and
snowboard havens.
From the Rockies to the Shore For soft
adventure, nothing beats viewing the Rockies than by train. Running
between Jasper or Banff on the east side of the Rockies, and Prince
Rupert and Vancouver on the Pacific coast, you'll be rubbing
shoulders with history. You'll follow ancient trading routes used by
aboriginal peoples, you'll cross Yellowhead pass in the Rockies,
Yoho National Park and you'll travel through the inner plain of
British Columbia and Bulkley Valley. You'll follow river valleys and
like the first European explorers that came here about 200 years
ago, you'll reach the shores of the Pacific. At every stage, you'll
discover rich Native culture and fascinating fauna and flora. Treat
yourself to a walk in unspoiled nature, even a few days of camping.
The region abounds in opportunities for outdoor and sporting types:
rock climbing, downhill and cross-country skiing, long hikes, horse
riding, mountain biking, to name a few.
Rocky Mountaineer Railtours Rocky
Mountaineer Railtours is known for their rail travel packages, with
over 40 different tours exploring Canada’s West and the Canadian
Rockies with complementing side trips, attractions and activities.
Ranging in length from three to 12 days, all include the acclaimed
Rocky Mountaineer rail journey between Vancouver, B.C. and Banff,
Jasper or Calgary, Alberta.
On the Coast side, packages like the Rail and Sail
combine a Northern BC rail tour with cruise and sail excursions out
of Prince Rupert, and Vancouver Island connectors bring travelers to
the famous Butchart Gardens outside Victoria.
Further east, the Canadian Rocky Mountains make an
impressive backdrop for a wide range of activities, including alpine
hiking and mountaineering programs, river rafting, canoeing and
wildlife viewing. The towns of Banff and Jasper are connected by the
stunning scenery of the Icefields Parkway and the emerald waters of
Lake Louise are just a few minutes away. www.rockymountaineer.com
Exploring BC’s Northern plateaus, Via Rail’s
Skeena train reaches high-altitude towns like Smithers in the
mountains and ranchland Houston. Ending in Prince Rupert, Aboriginal
carving arts are prominent, standing legends and markers of history.
The Skeena departs from Prince George, where
passengers may have already partaken of a number of outdoors
activities. Some passengers connect from BC Rail's Cariboo
Prospector from North Vancouver; others board the Skeena in Jasper,
Alberta to experience its complete 1,160 kilometres (725 miles). Up
here it’s open vistas and wildlife sightings, including moose and
bear. Everyone is in awe over one of the best views of a glacier
from a passenger train in all of Canada, the Kathlyn Glacier and
Twin Falls. http://www.viarail.ca/en.index.html
The end of the line is Prince Rupert, a seaside
town with tidy houses and churches. There are totem poles everywhere
and the Museum of Northern B.C., set in a Native longhouse, exhibits
the 10,000 years of history along this coast. You must visit Cow Bay
- once industrial and now touristy - located on the picturesque
harbour. This is the place to book a water excursion so that you can
explore some of the tree-covered islands and wilderness coastline.
The Queen Charlotte Islands, known as 'Haida Gwaii'
(islands of the people) to the Haida people, are a day's ferry ride
from Prince Rupert, and are well worth the trip. Ancient forests,
archaeological treasures, rare plant life, a few towns and a
spectacular array of bird and wildlife make the 150-island
archipelago a special place.
Another option from Prince Rupert is to take the
ferry to Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, to find
Tofino and Victoria on the southward trip.
