by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:17 PM ET, Fri November 9, 2018
Winter is a popular time to travel without the crowds, and hitting the rails and taking the scenic route is an ideal option when booking a vacation
Here are the five rail vacations that will spice up your winter.
Hurricane Turn Train, Alaska Railroad
The Hurricane Turn Train runs the first Thursday of each month between October and May. The train will transport travelers to and from Anchorage north to Wasilla, Talkeetna and the flagstop area south of Hurricane Gulch.
The winter Hurricane Turn Train is also a good option for a day trip from Anchorage, with passengers having the ability to spend a day exploring Talkeetna or enjoy a full day of winter landscapes by rail.
Grand Canyon Getaway, Amtrak Vacations
Visiting the Grand Canyon is an incredible trip any time of the year, but Amtrak Vacations is offering the chance to visit the natural monument this winter. The package includes a trip with the Grand Canyon Railway, three nights of hotel accommodations, roundtrip service in coach, a Grand Canyon Freedom Tour and two included meals.
Travelers also have the chance to add a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon to their itinerary.
Banff & Jasper - Winter Magic, Vacations By Rail
Vacations By Rail is offering travelers the chance to explore the Canadian winter wonderlands of Banff and Jasper through nature hikes and guided tours that provide great views of wilderness and wildlife.
The vacation includes a trip onboard VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus Cabin, seven nights of hotel accommodations, a Johnston Canyon Icewalk, a Banff Wildlife Tour, a Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour and a Maligne Canyon Icewalk.
Aurora Winter Train, Alaska Railroad
For travelers who want to experience Alaska, the Aurora Winter Train travels weekends between Anchorage and Fairbanks, making the 12-hour journey on Saturday and the return trip on Sunday, as well as select mid-week departures in December, February and March.
Passengers will be able to enjoy Alaska's backcountry from the comfort of a warm railcar, complete with comfortable seats, large picture windows and onboard dining. The schedule is ideal for a weekend getaway to Talkeetna to enjoy skiing and the famed Talkeetna Roadhouse.
Rockies Rail Winter Wonderland, Canadian Train Vacations
The nine-day, eight-night Canadian Train Vacations adventure will transport passengers from Vancouver to several winter wonderland destinations in the Rockies, including Jasper, Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary.
Guests traveling on the VIA Rail trains will be able to enjoy the Canadian Rockies in the winter, accommodations at unique resort town hotels, wildlife spotting and other activities, including dog sledding, ice walks and sightseeing.
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