Western Canada Roadtrip! - suggestions & info
Discussion
http://www.bcbeer.ca/brewery.aspx is a starter for consideration... Howe Sound in Squamish is good
if your in to your mountain bikes then visit corsa cycles again in Squamish.
I mentioned Capillano suspension bridge they make a lot of money from tourists but you have lynncanyon near by thats *free* so that makes it worth a visit. both over on the north shore. Traffic is a b
h though and you need to allow time Vancouver rebelled against the freeway movement so the down town core is freeway free the main high way from the south stops shy of the city and you have Hwy 1 that runs from horseshoe through west and north vancouver and skirts the east side and then out the fraser valley. they spent a lot on upgrading that road but as said the lack of good roads can make exploring time consuming. Like america canada is huge. heading to calgary can take a few days and your on the road plenty of good places to see. Harrison Hot springs was neat Id say vancouver and the immediate area is good and you wouldnt need to be going far - whistler is very outdoorsy and nice to spend time at some good high end hotels chasing the summer holidaymakers with good deals. the centre is very pedestrian friendly with loads of resturants and cafes....almost a euro feel about it.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Whistler
No crossover to the states - sticking to BC then there are indeed a few places worth going to visit.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-t...
if your in to your mountain bikes then visit corsa cycles again in Squamish.
I mentioned Capillano suspension bridge they make a lot of money from tourists but you have lynncanyon near by thats *free* so that makes it worth a visit. both over on the north shore. Traffic is a b
h though and you need to allow time Vancouver rebelled against the freeway movement so the down town core is freeway free the main high way from the south stops shy of the city and you have Hwy 1 that runs from horseshoe through west and north vancouver and skirts the east side and then out the fraser valley. they spent a lot on upgrading that road but as said the lack of good roads can make exploring time consuming. Like america canada is huge. heading to calgary can take a few days and your on the road plenty of good places to see. Harrison Hot springs was neat Id say vancouver and the immediate area is good and you wouldnt need to be going far - whistler is very outdoorsy and nice to spend time at some good high end hotels chasing the summer holidaymakers with good deals. the centre is very pedestrian friendly with loads of resturants and cafes....almost a euro feel about it.http://wikitravel.org/en/Whistler
No crossover to the states - sticking to BC then there are indeed a few places worth going to visit.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-t...
ruggedscotty said:
if your in to your mountain bikes then visit corsa cycles again in Squamish.
I am indeed into mountain biking... the temptation on this trip is huge, but I don't think my wife would be very happy if I spent half the holiday in whistler/squamish on a bike...I'll just have to book biking trip out to Whistler next summer! Really want to do one of those heli/float-plane trips!
Thanks for the other tips... added to the research list
anybody have any experience of bear-watching day-trips in the area?
looking at things like this:
http://www.whistlerdiscoverytours.com/breakfast_wi...
looking at things like this:
http://www.whistlerdiscoverytours.com/breakfast_wi...
Pierscoe1 said:
anybody have any experience of bear-watching day-trips in the area?
looking at things like this:
http://www.whistlerdiscoverytours.com/breakfast_wi...
Yes - although not that outfit. Michael Allen in Whistler is the go to man. His trips are usually early morning or early evening. Very good and worthwhile. I remember we were sufficiently close to a large female that you could hear it breathing and chewing. looking at things like this:
http://www.whistlerdiscoverytours.com/breakfast_wi...
You can get lucky and spot bears from the gondola, or even around the valley. We've encountered them on the bike paths a couple of times and once I was blissfully unaware of one close by whilst I was unloading the shopping. However, we've also had three week trips and seen none. The incidence of bears in the valley has a lot to do with the weather and how plentiful the berry crop is is the hill - some years they have to come down low and some years they don't. If you want to tick the box, a tour is the way to go.
Pierscoe1 said:
geordieracer said:
scrap Vancouver Island if you only have two weeks and go Vancouver - Calgary.
excellent. thanks for the pointers.We tried to squeeze in west and east Canada in 2 weeks (in laws near Toronto...) back in 2010, and it was too much...but we did prefer the west coast.
Ref. Vancouver Island / Victoria - I'd definitely keep it on the list, ideally with a 1-night stop. We did a day-trip there on the ferry to do a 1/2 day whale watching trip (used Eagle Wing, highly recommended). Saw various orca and a grey-with-calf while we were out there...they also didn't clockwatch on the trip duration, so much so that it was dusk when we got back and I broke a few speed limits getting back to the ferry!
Anyway, the day-trip wasn't enough - as mentioned above Victoria looks like a lovely place, and if you want to do the sea kayaking you might want to add a second night to the trip. Ferry crossing very pretty too...
Otherwise we stayed in Jasper, Banff and Vancouver itself - Vancouver is a really nice big-ish city, but isn't cheap. Banff is tourist central but quite cool. Jasper is smaller and feels more 'out in the mountains' - had deer cross the main road through town a few times in broad daylight there. You can just about visit all the lakes and sights on the highway between the Jasper and Banff in a trip out from either location, so you don't need to book accommodation in-between.
Can highly recommend Emerald Lake - beautiful place (plus google burgess shale first), and Moraine Lake shouldn't be missed. Lake Louise also worth a little time, as is the gondola.
As far as what to do, if you like walking you could spend days doing nothing but, each day in a different-feeling location.
Anyway, photos here:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48052912@N05/sets/72...
PS - car hire - we ended up with a Volvo S40 ex-Vancouver Airport, rtn Calgary Airport. Much nicer drive than the eminently forgettable Maxima (Altima?) we had from Toronto...think we organised car hire through Canadian Affair as we booked in- and out- flights from different airports, so needed one-way hire.
havoc said:
Another road-trip Piers? Lucky man...
We tried to squeeze in west and east Canada in 2 weeks (in laws near Toronto...) back in 2010, and it was too much...but we did prefer the west coast.
Yup We tried to squeeze in west and east Canada in 2 weeks (in laws near Toronto...) back in 2010, and it was too much...but we did prefer the west coast.
So many amazing places to see... so little time.
Some great photos there, and thanks for all the tips. Got 'em noted down in the scrapbook.
so flights booked, and just about to sort the car....
So far, I have just a preliminary itinerary, as something to base a few things off, and shift days around etc etc... each line is one day:
Fly In
City Sightseeing Full Day Vancouver
Ferry > Vic. Island (am) + sightseeing
Whale watching trip (am) + sightseeing
Vic. > Nanaimo, ferry to Horseshoe Bay, drive to Whistler
Bear Watching (am) + sightseeing
Whistler > Kelowna
Kelowna > Clearwater (am)
Clearwater > Jasper (am) + sightseeing
Hiking / Kayaking / Sightseeing in Jasper
Jasper > Banff (inc stop-offs along Glacier Highway)
Hiking / Kayaking / Sightseeing in Banff
Banff > Calgary
SPARE DAY
Fly Out
Any nights people would do, or defininitely not do out of those?
I'm not sure about the route from Whistler to Jasper (which way has more/less to see, etc etc)... need to do more reading here.
So far, I have just a preliminary itinerary, as something to base a few things off, and shift days around etc etc... each line is one day:
Fly In
City Sightseeing Full Day Vancouver
Ferry > Vic. Island (am) + sightseeing
Whale watching trip (am) + sightseeing
Vic. > Nanaimo, ferry to Horseshoe Bay, drive to Whistler
Bear Watching (am) + sightseeing
Whistler > Kelowna
Kelowna > Clearwater (am)
Clearwater > Jasper (am) + sightseeing
Hiking / Kayaking / Sightseeing in Jasper
Jasper > Banff (inc stop-offs along Glacier Highway)
Hiking / Kayaking / Sightseeing in Banff
Banff > Calgary
SPARE DAY
Fly Out
Any nights people would do, or defininitely not do out of those?
I'm not sure about the route from Whistler to Jasper (which way has more/less to see, etc etc)... need to do more reading here.
Comments:
I'd take my spare day and spend it in Whistler.
Also, isn't Kelowna a bit out of your way? Maybe look at driving north from Whistler through Pemberton/Lilloet to Clearwater, and then press on to Jasper. Potentially that could free up another day.
Personally, I'd aim to leave Banff the day you fly out of Calgary (assuming you have a pm or later flight), grab a meal in Calgary and otherwise skip it. I've never found Calgary's charms especially seductive.
I'd take my spare day and spend it in Whistler.
Also, isn't Kelowna a bit out of your way? Maybe look at driving north from Whistler through Pemberton/Lilloet to Clearwater, and then press on to Jasper. Potentially that could free up another day.
Personally, I'd aim to leave Banff the day you fly out of Calgary (assuming you have a pm or later flight), grab a meal in Calgary and otherwise skip it. I've never found Calgary's charms especially seductive.
Greg66 said:
Comments:
I'd take my spare day and spend it in Whistler.
Also, isn't Kelowna a bit out of your way? Maybe look at driving north from Whistler through Pemberton/Lilloet to Clearwater, and then press on to Jasper. Potentially that could free up another day.
Personally, I'd aim to leave Banff the day you fly out of Calgary (assuming you have a pm or later flight), grab a meal in Calgary and otherwise skip it. I've never found Calgary's charms especially seductive.
thanks for the input.I'd take my spare day and spend it in Whistler.
Also, isn't Kelowna a bit out of your way? Maybe look at driving north from Whistler through Pemberton/Lilloet to Clearwater, and then press on to Jasper. Potentially that could free up another day.
Personally, I'd aim to leave Banff the day you fly out of Calgary (assuming you have a pm or later flight), grab a meal in Calgary and otherwise skip it. I've never found Calgary's charms especially seductive.
why Whistler for the extra day? just a favourite place over jasper/banff/vancouver/etc?
Kelowna is out of the way, yes... the (very vague) idea was for the potential to visit a bit of the Okanagan wine-growing area (that, and everybody says Revelstoke isn't worth visiting)... but maybe it's the best place to optimise and use that day elsewhere.
good to know re Calgary.
I'm biased, because we have a place there and so spend a lot of time there, but there is a lot to do if you want to - hiking in the mountains, mountain biking, biking on the valley trails, road biking, hanging out/picnicking at the lakes, kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, zip lining, drinking a beer int he village and watching the world go by - it's as active or as chilled as you want to make it in summer.
The Rockies are without doubt a lot more visually spectacular, and some of the trips you can do to lakes around Lake Louise are eye popping. We've some some trekking at Banff, but I'm afraid it was a while ago and I don't remember a lot more about Banff has to offer.
The Rockies are without doubt a lot more visually spectacular, and some of the trips you can do to lakes around Lake Louise are eye popping. We've some some trekking at Banff, but I'm afraid it was a while ago and I don't remember a lot more about Banff has to offer.
I'd second the above - add the extra day to the Jasper area - it feels less-developed than Banff, it's worth getting up the mountain for the views and the snowball fights, and you can bias your stop-offs down the highway to be further south then if you've seen all of the northern area...
You don't have a lot of time , but on Vancouver Island Pacific Rim National Park is worth a detour (Tofino/Ucluelet) for the beaches and general scenery. Great place for sea kayaking and whale watching, it's about 2.5 hours across the other side of the island from Nanaimo.
Further North up the island is Telegraph Cove where you can also do whale watching, bear watching and sea kayaking. Bear trips are more expensive but you'll see grizzlies (much more impressive) as well as black bears.
Telegraph cove
Whales
Bears
Revelstoke town itself isn't great but well located for scenery (as are most places on the way across).
Over the other side, Calgary's not great but surrounded by decent scenery (paticularly to the South and West) and the Stampede is a very interesting experience. An hour and a half or so North-East is Drumheller with the excellent dinosaur museum and hoodoo scenery.
2.5-3 hours South of Calgary by the US border is Waterton Park, great scenery and likely to be a lot less busy than the better known parks. There's a boat trip and walk there which takes you across the US border where you can have a goat stamped in your passport
Have done the drive from Vancouver to Calgary a few times now, it's generally about 10-12 hours on the road.
Further North up the island is Telegraph Cove where you can also do whale watching, bear watching and sea kayaking. Bear trips are more expensive but you'll see grizzlies (much more impressive) as well as black bears.
Telegraph cove
Whales
Bears
Revelstoke town itself isn't great but well located for scenery (as are most places on the way across).
Over the other side, Calgary's not great but surrounded by decent scenery (paticularly to the South and West) and the Stampede is a very interesting experience. An hour and a half or so North-East is Drumheller with the excellent dinosaur museum and hoodoo scenery.
2.5-3 hours South of Calgary by the US border is Waterton Park, great scenery and likely to be a lot less busy than the better known parks. There's a boat trip and walk there which takes you across the US border where you can have a goat stamped in your passport
Have done the drive from Vancouver to Calgary a few times now, it's generally about 10-12 hours on the road.
excellent tips! Thanks.
So far I'm looking at:
2 Nights Vancouver
2 Nights Victoria
1 Night Hope (after driving from Vic > Nanaimo, ferry, Horseshoe > Hope, for example)
1 Night Revelstoke
4 Nights Jasper
4 Nights Banff
Do you guys think it'd be better to add a night to Victoria Island, and just get the ferry back to Vancouver (rather than Horseshoe) and do a big drive to Revelstoke in one day?
(6hrs from Van. ferry terminal to Revelstoke... LONG day, plus the ferry crossing (how long is that?))
So far I'm looking at:
2 Nights Vancouver
2 Nights Victoria
1 Night Hope (after driving from Vic > Nanaimo, ferry, Horseshoe > Hope, for example)
1 Night Revelstoke
4 Nights Jasper
4 Nights Banff
Do you guys think it'd be better to add a night to Victoria Island, and just get the ferry back to Vancouver (rather than Horseshoe) and do a big drive to Revelstoke in one day?
(6hrs from Van. ferry terminal to Revelstoke... LONG day, plus the ferry crossing (how long is that?))
Both the Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen ferries are sub 2 hours. Horseshoe Bay is more convenient for Whistler, probably not a lot of difference if you're heading for Hope along Highway 1. Tsawwassen is probably the more scenic trip as the ferry passes through the Gulf Islands en route.
Hope is where the first Rambo film was shot and sort of where the mountain scenery starts when heading East. Excellent white-water rafting and kayaking on the Thompson and Fraser rivers near Lytton. It's a couple of hours drive from Vancouver.
Nanaimo's probably not worth a trip on its own, only if the ferry is more convenient from there or you've been elsewhere on the island.
If you're travelling at a popular time such as summer and holiday weekends you should consider reserving the ferry. We've waited 4 ferries in the past when we didn't bother.
Hope is where the first Rambo film was shot and sort of where the mountain scenery starts when heading East. Excellent white-water rafting and kayaking on the Thompson and Fraser rivers near Lytton. It's a couple of hours drive from Vancouver.
Nanaimo's probably not worth a trip on its own, only if the ferry is more convenient from there or you've been elsewhere on the island.
If you're travelling at a popular time such as summer and holiday weekends you should consider reserving the ferry. We've waited 4 ferries in the past when we didn't bother.
I would second that Horseshoebay is much easier for Whistler but the route is not as scenic - less likely to see Orcas - Tsawwassen, the other terminal is right on the US border but you come into Duke Point close to Victoria which is nicer than Nanaimo
Its true that you can / do see black bears on the side of the roads but we did a ranger tour at 6pm last summer from Whistler and we got some great sights, including cubs and a lot of other wildlife.
Would recommend the second night in Whistler, its just as busy in the summer with the mountain bikers as it is in the winter with the skiers and boarders - we arrived at 10.00 on day 1 and left at 4pm the following day and didn't have time to go back for our second free trip on the peak 2 peak but still had a great time.
Its true that you can / do see black bears on the side of the roads but we did a ranger tour at 6pm last summer from Whistler and we got some great sights, including cubs and a lot of other wildlife.
Would recommend the second night in Whistler, its just as busy in the summer with the mountain bikers as it is in the winter with the skiers and boarders - we arrived at 10.00 on day 1 and left at 4pm the following day and didn't have time to go back for our second free trip on the peak 2 peak but still had a great time.
Jonathanbr said:
I would second that Horseshoebay is much easier for Whistler but the route is not as scenic - less likely to see Orcas - Tsawwassen, the other terminal is right on the US border but you come into Duke Point close to Victoria which is nicer than Nanaimo
Its true that you can / do see black bears on the side of the roads but we did a ranger tour at 6pm last summer from Whistler and we got some great sights, including cubs and a lot of other wildlife.
Would recommend the second night in Whistler, its just as busy in the summer with the mountain bikers as it is in the winter with the skiers and boarders - we arrived at 10.00 on day 1 and left at 4pm the following day and didn't have time to go back for our second free trip on the peak 2 peak but still had a great time.
The Tsawwassen ferry sails to both Duke Point and Swartz Bay. Duke Point is the 2nd Nanaimo port. Swartz Bay is the one that is close to Victoria and the ferry passes between the Southern Gulf Islands. Its true that you can / do see black bears on the side of the roads but we did a ranger tour at 6pm last summer from Whistler and we got some great sights, including cubs and a lot of other wildlife.
Would recommend the second night in Whistler, its just as busy in the summer with the mountain bikers as it is in the winter with the skiers and boarders - we arrived at 10.00 on day 1 and left at 4pm the following day and didn't have time to go back for our second free trip on the peak 2 peak but still had a great time.
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