Jasper Wildfire - must read

Please note, the wildfire and evacuation order in Jasper are a force majeure event beyond the control of Rocky Mountaineer and Key West Travel. We remain committed to operating train / motorcoach journeys where it is safe and possible to do so. Guests with travel insurance can contact their providers for coverage information. 

Dear Guest,

In our ongoing effort to provide you with a worry-free travel experience, we have made adjustments to our itineraries for the upcoming tours. Instead of traveling through Jasper, we will now re-route our tours through Kelowna or Salmon Arm.

Due to the recent, large-scale wildfire, conditions in certain areas of Jasper National Park are currently unsuitable for sightseeing tours. Even after the roads to and from Jasper are reopened, we expect significant road restrictions and ongoing construction, which could lead to traffic delays and limitations, ultimately affecting the quality and duration of our tours.

Most importantly, essential services in Jasper, critical for our clients’ stay and visit, have been impacted. These include:

  • Hotels
  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants
  • Stores supplying daily necessities

We believe this change will help ensure a more enjoyable and hassle-free travel experience for you. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

According to Parks Canada an initial aerial survey of the perimeter was conducted July 26, 2024 and determined the fire size to be approximately 32,000 hectares, with no significant changes over the last two days.

The Jasper Skytram Road was widened with bulldozers to create a wider control line on Whistlers Mountain to protect the community of Jasper from the increased fire activity expected on August 1, 2024. Weather forecasts indicate that dry conditions will make it easier for the wildfire to grow, making the progress now so important.

Please note the following changes to the itinerary due to wildfires and road closures in Jasper. Each tour may vary slightly:

Circle West, Western Trails, Valleys & Peaks Tour

  • Day 1: Vancouver to Kelowna / Salmon Arm
  • Day 2: Okanagan to Banff, Banff Tour: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Banff Gondola (optional) & more. 
  • Day 3: Icefield Parkway tours including Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Ice Explorer Tour (optional)

Western Classic Tour

  • Day 1: Travel from Calgary to Banff. Arrive in the afternoon, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in Banff.
  • Day 2: Discover Banff Tour:  Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel,, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Banff’s largest lake, Lake Minnewanka.
  • Day 3: Icefield Parkway tour including Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Ice Explorer Tour (optional)

The itinerary in Banff remains unaffected by the wildfires, so all planned sightseeing in Banff National Park, including visits to Lake Louise and Banff, will proceed as scheduled. You will still be staying in Banff for two nights.

For those who have already booked with us for the remainder of the 2024 season, please check your email for important updates regarding changes to your tour.

Due to the emergency situation in Jasper, it is not possible for Rocky Mountaineer to operate the Jasper portion of our Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush journeys, and we are currently modifying those itineraries. Please check your email for important updates regarding changes to your tour.

We are in the process of moving guests booked to travel on the Journey through the Clouds route to our 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.

If you were booked to travel on our Rainforest to Gold Rush route, we will continue to operate your journey with an alternate itinerary. Our intention is to continue to provide two days on the train between Vancouver and Quesnel, and a transfer between Quesnel and Lake Louise or Banff, 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.