kerriejjames

We are heading to Vancouver in Dec 14, wanting to visit Lake Louis and Banff in Jan 2015, any way we can do this, I see trains don't run at this time. We could fly to Calgary and then how do we get to Lake Louis? I know its a short drive but over this time, is it too dangerous to do this, will roads be open? how long to drive over this winter period? considering we are from nz, so driving on other side of road etc. Any other ways to visiting these areas. please help me out here.

Southam

I'm surprised to hear www.viarail.ca offers no passenger service in the winter. Of course, even in the summer the trains are limited.
No drive in the mountains is short if the weather is crazy. But I will let those with immediate experience advise you on the practicalities since I live in the flattest part of Canada, three time zones away.
What I do know is that in the winter the emphasis is on skiing, of all the various sorts. The train won't get you to Lake Louise (note the feminine spelling) any time of the year. Handling a car is the only source of freedom (true in much of Canada in all 12 months.) We sure like our New Zealand cousins, though.

leuk2

I would never consider driving Van to lake Louise in Jan., unless you are an experienced winter driver. Fly to Calgary, I am sure there are shuttles to Banff, lake Louise.

dottyp

Hi, kerriejjames,

We were in this area last October, and it was beautiful. We didn't drive (also from NZ), but caught a bus from Calgary (we flew there from Toronto) to Jasper for 2 nights, then a Brewster's bus back to Banff for 5 nights Check Brewsters and Sundog Tours for transport from Calgary to Banff.
Wouldn't recommend driving at this time of the year in an unknown country.
Dot

snowgirls

http://www.brewster.ca/ The experts at tour travel out there.

tomfuller

I just did a test booking on ViaRail for Tuesday Jan. 6 from Vancouver to Jasper with a return trip starting Jan. 16 (Friday). The Canadian only runs 3 days per week.
On Jan 6 the train leaves Vancouver at 2030= 8:30PM. It arrives Wednesday at 1600=4PM.
The return Friday Jan 16 westbound is scheduled at 1430 but could easily be delayed by that part of the journey because the train came all the way from Toronto. The schedule does have some padding in it so you might make it back to Vancouver around the scheduled time of 0942 (20 hours 12 min).
The Brewster counter is in the east half of the train station if you look at the weather and decide not to rent a car.
The round trip fare for 2 if you buy early enough is $554.40CAD.