The journey on The Canadian continues: excitement builds as we enter the Rockies in Alberta
The Canadian soars through the valleys, trees and peaks of the Rocky Mountains
A frozen mountain river in the Rockies
Frozen mountain lake
Valleys, lake and peaks of the Rocky Mountains
The Canadian carves a narrow path through the Rockies
Jagged peaks - the completely impressive Rockies
Passing through the Rocky Mountains
Literally passing through the Rockies - The Canadian goes though a mountain tunnel
It's quite dramatic to watch as the train glides along very narrow passages through the mountains
The Canadian passing by a mountain river near Jasper
Snow-covered mountain peaks in the Rockies
Entering Jasper National Park, long-horned mountain sheep beside the train
The Canadian stops for an hour-long pause in Jasper. That wasn't long enough for me: I got off and explored the winter mountain paradise for two days!
During its stop in Jasper, The Canadian gets its windows washed to ensure good view of the Rocky Mountains
The beautiful, historic Jasper train station right in the heart of town
Historic stone and timber-framed Jasper station
The trains have always been the life-blood of Jasper... the station and tracks completely line the edge of the main street
Inside beautiful Jasper station
I spent my first day in Jasper downhill skiing at the incredible Marmot Basin near Jasper, then the first night in luxury at the majestic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The Jasper Park Lodge is a nature retreat any time of year - but is particularly warm and impressive against the frozen winter beauty outside
It is ultimate winter relaxation to cozy up with a book by the roaring fire at Jasper Park Lodge
The winter scene from Jasper Park Lodge: skaters on Lac Beauvert with the mountains in the distance
The guest rooms stretch out in cabins along Lac Beauvert at Jasper Park Lodge
The steaming pool at Jasper Park Lodge is the ultimate way to relax after a long day of skiing - what a view!
Skating on the lakes at Jasper Park Lodge with the mountains around you is incredible
I got up after a terrific sleep at the Jasper Park Lodge to watch the sun rise over the mountains
The Maligne River near Jasper carves through the limestone making a deep canyon
The Maligne Canyon - about to start our ice walk tour
Peering down into the canyon to the frozen Maligne River at the bottom
Spent my second day in Jasper on a very unique tour: the Maligne Canyon ice walk - looking here from Maligne River towards the mountains of Jasper
The Maligne River Canyon
Mountain streams along the canyon create incredible ice walls in the winter
Ice walls along Maligne Canyon
We walked down to the base of Maligne Canyon and onto the frozen river to start our ice walk
Our guide checks the frozen Maligne River for a safe place to walk
Standing on the ice of the frozen river in Maligne Canyon
The Maligne Canyon ice walk
From the base of Maligne Canyon, the ice walls are breathtaking
The towering ice walls along Maligne Canyon
Ice towers overhead in Maligne Canyon
The Maligne Canyon ice walk
Towering ice in the Maligne Canyon
Walking back out of the Maligne Canyon along the frozen river with the towering walls of ice
On our way back to the town of Jasper after the ice walk: wildlife abounds in Jasper National Park and doesn't much care about the traffic
A long-horned sheep walks along the highway in Jasper
Long-horned mountain sheep in Jasper National Park
I spent my second night right in the town of Jasper across from the train station at Whistlers Inn - met many locals who love their town
The trans-Canada highway: main street of the beautiful, rustic mountain town of Jasper
In the heart of town across from the train station, the histroric Jasper National Park info centre
Another stone and timber building in Jasper: the Friends of Jasper National Park office
The stone and timber historic Jasper National Park info centre
The stone and timber historic Jasper National Park info centre
The stone and timber historic Jasper National Park info centre
The beautiful Jasper Firehall with the mountains behind
Jasper's picturesque post office
Across from the train station, the Whistle Stop Pub is popular for travelers making a fast stop in Jasper
The stone and timber historic Jasper National Park info centre
Not too many bears around in the winter, but you could still find some indication of their presence in Jasper - including the bear-proof garbage bins
A newer second main street in Jasper: Patricia Street. After walking through town, it was time to catch The Canadian and head to Vancouver!
I sampled the awesome micro-brew varieties and had a delicious burger at Jasper Brewing Co.