Rocky Mountaineer cancels select Jasper rail journeys over wildfires
As a result of the wildfires currently present in Jasper, Alta., Canadian rail operator Rocky Mountaineer has made the difficult decision to suspend its journeys operating to and from the region.
“Given these devastating circumstances, we are unable to continue our rail journeys to or from Jasper for the foreseeable future. Our team is moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact to guest itineraries in this developing situation. We ask guests to please be patient as we address departures in sequential order,” the company wrote in a statement.
“The safety of our guests, team members, and communities is always our priority. We remain committed to operating train journeys where it is safe and possible to do so.”
Cancelled departures
The following Rocky Mountaineer itineraries have been cancelled until further notice:
JOURNEY THROUGH THE CLOUDS
Rocky Mountaineer is currently in the process of moving guests booked to travel on the Journey through the Clouds route to its First Passage to the West route. This change in itinerary will have guests travelling between Vancouver and the towns of Lake Louise and Banff, which are in Banff National Park. These towns are more than 230-285 kilometres (140-175 miles) from the Jasper townsite and not under threat of active wildfire.
Guests booked to travel on the following departures can expect to receive details from their travel advisor with information on your travels:
- July 25: Jasper to Vancouver
- July 26: Vancouver to Jasper
- July 28: Jasper to Vancouver
- July 30: Vancouver to Jasper
RAINFOREST TO GOLD RUSH
Rocky Mountaineer is developing an alternative itinerary for guests booked to travel on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route, intending to continue with two days on the train between Vancouver, Whistler, and Quesnel.
If you were booked to travel on the following departures, the company will continue to operate your journey with an alternate itinerary. Rocky Mountaineer reps have already reached out to you or your travel professional with information on your travels.
- July 27: Vancouver to Jasper
- July 30: Jasper to Vancouver
The company will continue to update the itineraries for upcoming departures of Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush Clouds and reach out to those guests as quickly as possible.
Unaffected routes
The following routes from Rocky Mountaineer remain unaffected by the Jasper wildfires, and are operating as usual:
FIRST PASSAGE TO THE WEST
The First Passage to the West route is operating as scheduled. This route travels between Vancouver and the towns of Lake Louise and Banff, which are in Banff National Park. These towns are more than 230-285 kilometres (140-175 miles) away from the Jasper townsite and not under threat of active wildfire.
Guests are advised that there may be some reduced visibility of scenery and outdoor air quality along the route due to smoke from wildfires. In areas where the air quality is affected, the health authorities recommend you reduce your exposure by staying indoors where there is air conditioning and avoid strenuous or prolonged activities outside, especially if you have underlying medical conditions. The train, the motorcoaches to and from the hotel, and most hotel rooms and restaurants will have air conditioning.
ROCKIES TO THE RED ROCKS
The Rockies to the Red Rocks route is operating as scheduled. This route travels between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah in the Southwest United States.
For the most up-to-date information, visit www.rockymountaineer.com/travel-updates.
