What to pack for a Rocky Mountaineer holiday

If you love an adventure and the great outdoors, then just imagine experiencing the Rockies on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer.

We’ve created a guide to help you answer the most common questions and queries you might have before going on this popular holiday in Canada.

What will the weather be like?

There is a variety of weather and temperatures you will experience in the Rocky Mountains and this not only differs in location, but the drop from day to night can be extreme.

Departure dates for this trip run between May and September, meaning that though the weather will fluctuate, it will not drop to the freezing temperatures that Canadian winters are known for. In Lake Louise, where Rocky Mountaineer departs, the temperatures you can expect to experience, according to Info Banff, are as follows:

• May – highs of 12.8°C, lows of -1.7°C
• June – highs of 17.2°C, lows of 2.1°C
• July – highs of 20.1°C, lows of 3.6°C
• August – highs of 20.4°C, lows of 3.1°C
• September – highs of 14.3°C, lows of -0.8°C

What should I pack?

It can be really easy to over pack, but here we try to give you a helping hand by advising you the essentials to pack.

The essentials

• Passports, travel documents and ESTA visa
• Hiking boots
• Trainers
• Jeans/comfortable trousers for walking
• Jumpers and t-shirts for walking
• T-shirts, long sleeved tops and light layers
• Fleece/warm coat
• Gloves & woolly hat
• Casual and smarter clothes for the train
• Underwear
• Toiletries
• Camera

What to pack for the train

Most guests wear casual dress on Rocky Mountaineer, so you’ll need to pack some comfortable clothes to spend the day sitting on the train. Rocky Mountaineer’s service includes all your baggage handling, making sure that your main suitcase is waiting for you in your next hotel when you arrive. This makes things a lot simpler, and means you only have to take on the train the things that you’ll need for the day. There’ll be time to change in your hotel before the evening meal if you wish.

Nicole Ford from the Rocky Mountaineer recommends some things you should pack, “Our guests’ main luggage is collected from their departure point and sent on ahead to their hotels, so while travelling on-board Rocky Mountaineer, we recommend bringing only what you need for the day of travel – layers, camera, medications and other essentials.

“We recommend guests bring your cameras, phone or tablets on-board with you, so you can capture the incredible scenery along the way.

“Temperatures can vary quite significantly, depending on the rail route, time of day and season, so we suggest guests wear comfortable layers and bring a light jacket or sweater. It is also a good idea to wear flat-soled shoes with grip due to the natural movement of the train.

“We often see guests with binoculars and nature books, too, so they can try to identify the birds or trees they see from the train.

The question of dress

Another common question that we often hear is “What should I wear?”

The Rocky Mountaineer train journey is often seen as the ultimate luxury. While this is true in terms of service and experience, it is a common misconception when it comes to dress. A spokesperson from the Rocky Mountaineer, said, “We do not have a dress code on-board the train. As long as you are comfortable for your journey, we advise guests resort to casual!”

Awesome attractions

The views on Rocky Mountaineer

Carol Perehudoff, a travel writer who runs the Wandering Carol blog, says the best part of going on Rocky Mountaineer were the stunning views.

She says, “My favourite aspect of this luxury train is the ever-changing panorama that spreads out before you: waterfalls, mountains and river valleys. It simply cannot be beat. You can read more about Rocky Mountaineer Scenic Train Routes on my travel blog.”

The meals

Rocky Mountaineer is renowned for serving some incredible food and this went down well with Carol Perehudoff.

She adds, “The food focuses on Western Canada's fantastic culinary landscape with an inventive twist. Think Alberta beef short ribs, Fraser Valley chicken and sockeye salmon.”

Nicole Ford from Rocky Mountaineer agrees, “In addition to the items listed above, guests should also bring a large appetite on-board as you will be incredibly well fed on the train. Our talented chefs prepare amazing food that is inspired by the regions the train passes through. From fresh salmon and Alberta beef to local berries and vegetables, the on-board meals showcase the best of Western Canada cuisine.”

The comfortable seats

Rocky Mountaineer is the epitome of comfort and this is highlighted by many as their favourite part of the train journey.

Rocky Mountaineer says, “One of the best parts of a Rocky Mountaineer journey is relaxing into the comfortable seats and watching the amazing scenery pass by. With the oversized domed windows, guests have an almost 360-degree view of vast landscapes that include lush rainforest, turquoise rivers, emerald lakes and snow-capped mountain peaks. And with little to do but experience the incredible scenery from the comfort of this luxurious train, guests can relax, reconnect with their travel partners and enjoy the company of other guests they meet on-board.”

Vancouver

Before a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer you will be able to spend some time in Vancouver and for many people this is one of the attractions of the trip.

Dayna Miller, Tourism Vancouver’s Director of Sales, Leisure Travel, says, “Surrounded by spectacular mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a sophisticated cosmopolitan city perched on the edge of nature.

“Spending time in Vancouver is a perfect way to complement an Alaska cruise vacation or Rocky Mountaineer train trip, and the city offers a blend of outdoor adventure and urban experiences.

“Nature lovers can cycle the seawall around Stanley Park, kayak in False Creek, or take an exhilarating walk across the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge. Visitors can also feel the pulse of city life in Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods: taste your way through Granville Island’s buzzing Public Market, shop in hip Yaletown, explore ancient Chinatown, or meander the cobblestone streets of historic Gastown. There is truly something for everyone in Vancouver.”

Book your Rocky Mountaineer holiday today

Hopefully this guide has given you an idea of what to expect and how you can prepare for a Rocky Mountaineer holiday. Why not book a rail holiday with Canadian Affair today.

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