Top Winter Vacation Packages Curated by Travel Experts

Snow fluttering against domed windows, hearty three-course dining car meals, and a warm private cabin to retreat to.

Winter travel falls into two categories. Some look to escape the weather, maybe on a tropical getaway complete with the most beautiful beaches and amazing sun. But others embrace the season's beauty.

We are decidedly in the second category.

If you're looking for winter vacation ideas, Canada offers world-class snow activities, charming towns and cities, and the unbeatable chance to experience VIA Rail's Snow Train, the iconic Canadian train's winter service.

Credit: Travel Alberta

Our Canadian Winter Rail Packages

When working with Canada Rail Vacations, you will work one-on-one with a Travel Designer who will shape your vacation to you. That means our itineraries and packages are flexible, designed to work with your interests.

With this level of flexibility, it goes without saying that the itineraries below are subject to change if you so desire. Whether you want to add nights, privatize tours, or have days free to explore at your leisure, your Travel Designer will tailor every trip to you.

Below are our best-selling winter vacation packages in Canada.

Each of these Canadian winter trips features at least one stunning leg by rail, letting you experience the timeless train-travel atmosphere, perfect for the winter season.

Let's begin.

Credit: VIA Rail

Winter Snow Train to the Canadian Rockies | VIA Rail

7 days | December - April | Vancouver - Jasper - Lake Louise - Banff - Calgary

A warm train ride through the cold winter is an utterly enchanting way to experience the season. From within a glass-domed viewing car, watch snowflakes flutter as you journey toward the vast, snowy mountains of the Canadian Rockies.

Credit: Destination Canada

On this winter train trip, set off early afternoon and enjoy the afternoon and evening views of the Fraser Valley and the Coastal Mountains. After a lavish 3-course meal in the dining car, head to the Skyline Car's domed viewing area to watch the winter landscapes unfold before retiring to your private cabin for the night.

Once you arrive in the Canadian Rockies, you'll tour through the mountains for six days, exploring both Banff and Jasper National Parks, the iconic Lake Louise, and the outdoor adventures found between.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Luxury Winter Rail Vacation to the Canadian Rockies

7 days | December - April | Vancouver - Jasper - Lake Louise - Banff - Calgary

Upgraded with private transfers at every step and a private tour between Jasper and Lake Louise, our Luxury Winter Rail Vacation to the Canadian Rockies will give you the most intimate experience of the mountains on a peaceful winter vacation.

Begin this weeklong tour on VIA Rail's Snow Train as winter wonderland-esque scenery rushes by your window and you glide along your journey to Jasper.

Credit: VIA Rail

Related Post: Top 27 Things to Do in Jasper in Winter

Once in the mountains, indulge in private drivers, custom tours, and some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada.

See the Icefields Parkway from the seat of a comfortable SUV on a private tour. Stay on the very tip of Lake Louise, where crystal-clear waters have been replaced by a natural ice skating rink, fire pits speckling the banks, and horse-drawn sleighs roaming the shoreline — a ride aboard is included in your journey. Explore Banff at your leisure through a variety of excursions.

With fewer crowds and the hush of heavy snow, you'll be welcomed to the most beautiful places to visit at their most serene.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Christmas in the Canadian Rockies Winter Rail Vacations | Via Rail

7 days | December - April | Vancouver - Jasper - Banff - Calgary

The holiday season is one of the best times to see the Canadian Rockies in winter.

Arrive in the mountains by rail to stunning snow-coated scenery and exciting winter activities, and spend the lead-up to Christmas exploring Jasper National Park.

On Christmas morning, wake in a cozy log cabin at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, complete with your very own Christmas tree, and enjoy the extravagantly decorated lodge.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Your Christmas Day might include gingerbread decorating, tobogganing, or fireside stories and cocoa. All will end with a decadent holiday buffet piled high with roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, and festive treats, prepared by world-class chefs.

Nostalgia is infused into every part of this vacation, whether it's the vintage sleeper train gliding through the snow, a log cabin Christmas Day, or the peace of a sleepy mountain town muffled by snow.

This package has a single departure time to align with Christmas Day. If you are looking to travel outside of this time, consider the Winter Snow Train to the Canadian Rockies.

Credit: Tourisme Montréal / Stéphan Poulin

Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors

7 days | November - April | Toronto - Montreal - Quebec City

In this package, we introduce you to Canada's European charm as you privately tour both Montreal and Quebec City, connected by business-class rail.

In Montreal, explore the city's culinary culture as you try delicious food on a private food tour designed for a warm winter. Then, board the Corridor train, the service between Montreal and Quebec City, in business class. Enjoy over 3 hours of scenic views as you travel through winter landscapes.

While both cities offer stunning snowy streets, charming stone architecture, and a multitude of activities, Quebec City is the best city in Canada to visit in winter.

Credit: GouvQc / Ghyslene Lablack

Quebec City's narrow cobblestone streets are strung with twinkling fairy lights and dotted with snow-covered Christmas trees. Small squares hide traditional Christmas markets and ice rinks. And the famous Dufferin Terrace Toboggan Slide opens for the season, like it has since 1884.

While here, explore Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on an included private walking tour to learn its centuries-old history. Wander Dufferin Terrace's boardwalk, and the Quebec City German Christmas Market's five different locations across the city, each strung with decorations and lined with twinkling lights.

Credit: VIA Rail

Trans Canada Winter Rail Vacation | Toronto to Vancouver

12 days | December - April | Toronto - Jasper - Lake Louise - Banff - Jasper - Vancouver

One of the joys of Canada's cross-country rail is that it can be taken during summer or winter. In winter, this means sweeping views of snowy fields, frozen lakes, and icy forests pass your windows for days on end.

In this tour, you'll spend 4 days onboard VIA Rail's Snow Train, enjoying nostalgic comforts that make 'slow travel' as luxurious as it is.

Credit: VIA Rail

Warming three-course meals are served daily atop white tablecloth tables in the dining car. Steaming hot cocoa can be found in the domed viewing car. And a private cabin with a blanket-laden bed awaits each night, ready for the train's sway to rock you to sleep.

Related Post: Train Across Canada: How to Plan the Journey of a Lifetime

Pause your journey in Jasper to spend 6 days touring the snow-capped Canadian Rockies.

Spot elk, sheep, mountain goats, and moose — all of which can be seen throughout the winter — along with a few more elusive animals on a wildlife tour. And enjoy the outdoor winter activities that define the mountains.

Step back onboard the Snow Train to complete the final leg of your journey across Canada.

Credit: Canada Rail Vacations

Book a Winter Vacation in Canada

Let us introduce you to the icons and the hidden gems of Canada in winter.

Contact a Travel Designer to begin planning your winter escape. Or, subscribe to our newsletter for seasonal inspiration, packages, and featured offers.

FAQs

Where should I go on a winter vacation?

Our favorite destinations in Canada for a winter vacation are the Canadian Rockies and Quebec.

If you're looking for skiing, outdoor activities, and exciting experiences, the Canadian Rockies are the ideal place to visit. But if you're looking for charming winter cities, Quebec City and Montreal will suit you best.

Why take the snow train in Canada?

A winter train in Canada gives you access to unparalleled views of the Canadian wilderness. You'll travel far beyond where roads and people go. As a result, you'll see untouched landscapes coated in fresh snow, timid animals in their natural habitats, and frozen waterfalls all from an undeniably cozy onboard cabin or viewing car.

On a more practical note, taking a train in Canada in winter means you can access remote destinations like the Canadian Rockies — including all the winter activities they offer — without needing to drive. That means you can still travel here without worrying about winter road conditions. And, once you've arrived, we will arrange transfers and tours to help you explore further, leaving the driving to the locals who know it best.

What should I pack for a winter trip to Canada?

While Canada is a beautiful winter destination, we can't deny that it is cold. But as long as you pack for the season, exploring the colder months is still comfortable and pleasant.

It is important to pack layers to keep you warm in cold weather. Base layers made of Merino wool or synthetic fibers will insulate you best A toque (hat), scarf, and gloves, along with some warm wool socks and some waterproof (read: snow-proof) boots, would be wise to bring.

You'll find mild temperatures on the West Coast in Vancouver, but from the Coast Mountains eastward, winter in Canada means cold.

Our itineraries feature ample opportunities for indoor activities, be it food tours, lakeside afternoon tea, motorcoach wildlife tours, or your time onboard the sleeper train. So if you want to see the enchanting snow-covered landscapes, but aren't as drawn to experiencing its weather, talk to your Travel Designer and they will arrange for you to enjoy it your way.

What month is best for a winter vacation in Canada?

The best winter month to go to Canada is either December or January. This is when the snow has begun to settle, and winter activities are in full swing.

In much of Canada, the winter season lasts into March and April, so if you are travelling in early spring, be prepared for frozen lakes, cool temperatures, and snow.