kim9227

I am heading to the Canadian Rockies next week and we are driving from Calgary to Jasper and then working our way back. The disucssions here have been helpful to plan the trip and I realize the time of the year is not ideal, but I was wondering if anyone could advise on the current weather and driving conditions?

Thanks,
Kim

Cathy61

It has been snowing in most of the province the last couple of days, but the forecast is for slightly warmer temperatures next week (5 - 10 degrees C. for Edmonton). As long as there isn't a big dump of snow, the roads should be fine.

Judy_in_Calgary

I think driving conditions should be okay, as Cathy61 indicated.

You seem to be aware that it is not an "ideal" time of the year, but I'll give you some details, just in case you don't know them.

For the 3-hour drive from Lake Louise to Jasper, there will be no services. There will be no restaurants and no flush toilets. The Ice Explorer rides that take visitors up onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields in summer will not be operating. The lone gasoline station at Saskatchewan Crossing will be closed.

Also, be aware that sunset will take place around 6.30 p.m. next week. Then, on Sunday, October 29th, sunset will jump forward to around 5.20 p.m., when Daylight Savings Time stops.

I strongly recommend that you confine your driving to daylight hours.

If you are landing in Calgary on a flight that originated in the USA, assume that immigration and customs formalities will take about an hour. Assume that the drive to Jasper will take about 5.5 hours. I recommend that you also allow yourselves an hour to have a meal and fill your car with gas in Lake Louise before you continue onto the Icefields Parkway.

If you cannot accomplish all of that in daylight, I personally think it is not a smart idea to try to reach Jasper on your first night.

brookwood

According to the website for The Crossing, located where the David Thompson Highway joins the Icefields Parkway, the motel closes October 29 and the food services and gasoline will be available until early November.

The website dates were vague enough that I would call and find out exactly what will be open and when it will it will close.

There is not much in the way of services along the Parkway to begin with, and when one or two places close, not much is left.

For The crossing:
Telephone: (403) 761-7000
Fax: (403) 761 7006
Email: [email protected]

I think the Icefields Center will be closed by the time you get there.

kim9227

Thanks so much for the information - I really appreciate it. We are going to stay in Calgary the first night and then head out to Jasper the next day early to allow enough time to get there. I also appreciate know that there are no services after Lake Louise so we can plan for that. I was on weathernetwork.com and saw the webcams the snow so we are packing appropriately (at least I hope!) But I rather have the snow (I am from Chicago) the freezing temps!

Thanks again,
Kim

kim9227

Thanks so much for all of the advice. The trip was wonderful - clear blue sky for the ride from Calgary to Jasper and then snow in Lake Louise which changed the entire look of the landscape. When we hit Banff, it was cold and blustery, but we were still able to enjoy the gondala, hot springs, and squeezed in a horseback ride. There were no crowds, tons of wildlife, and great people.

Thanks,
Kim