Question on Winter Driving from Seattle to Banff
Jan 10th, 2005, 09:27 PM
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Question on Winter Driving from Seattle to Banff
My friends and I have made plans to visit and ski Banff at the end of February. Also wanting to see Seattle, we've decided to fly into that city, stay the night, and then drive up to Banff the next day. However, some of our party have since heard that driving from Seattle to Banff may be dangerous/inadvisable during the winter. We know that the drive from Seattle to Banff is much longer (11+ hours) than the drive from Calgary to Banff (2 hours or so), but is it much more hazardous? Also, we're planning to rent a minivan; would we need to make sure it has chains or snowtires? Any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated. P.S.: At least some of our party would really like to see Seattle; that's why we didn't plan on flying into Calgary in the first place.
Jan 11th, 2005, 05:08 AM
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>>>>>>have since heard that driving from Seattle to Banff may be dangerous/inadvisable during the winter<<<<<<
Yes, that's right IMO.
>>>>>>We know that the drive from Seattle to Banff is much longer (11+ hours) than the drive from Calgary to Banff (2 hours or so), but is it much more hazardous?<<<<<<
Yes.
>>>>>>Also, we're planning to rent a minivan; would we need to make sure it has chains or snowtires?<<<<<<
Our vehicles have all-season radials.
It sometimes happens that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police -- but their horses will be conspicuous by their absence) shut the #1 Hwy because of heavy snow falls, rock slides, whatever. It does sometimes happen that motorists are delayed by 24 hours or more till the road is re-opened. Even if traffic is allowed on the highway, it sometimes does happen that road conditions turn the nominal 11 hour drive turns into an 18 hour drive.
Also keep in mind that there are fewer daylight hours in winter than there are in summer.
And of course, if you are held up, you might be sitting in the cold.
Calgary is in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Less snow on this side than on the British Columbia side. Also there are not the tricky mountain passes between here and Banff that there are in British Columbia. Put it this way, the highway authorities have not felt the need to build snow sheds (long stretches of roof that protect the road from avalanches) on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.
If you insist on doing the drive, you would be wise to read these websites and follow their instructions:
http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/info_pro/sel...driv_e.asp#kit
http://www.canadianrockies.net/howto...rivingfaq.html
>>>>>>At least some of our party would really like to see Seattle; that's why we didn't plan on flying into Calgary in the first place.<<<<<<
You say you're planning to spend ONE NIGHT in Seattle. How much of it are you going to see in return for the extra trouble of the drive from Seattle to Banff?
Yes, that's right IMO.
>>>>>>We know that the drive from Seattle to Banff is much longer (11+ hours) than the drive from Calgary to Banff (2 hours or so), but is it much more hazardous?<<<<<<
Yes.
>>>>>>Also, we're planning to rent a minivan; would we need to make sure it has chains or snowtires?<<<<<<
Our vehicles have all-season radials.
It sometimes happens that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police -- but their horses will be conspicuous by their absence) shut the #1 Hwy because of heavy snow falls, rock slides, whatever. It does sometimes happen that motorists are delayed by 24 hours or more till the road is re-opened. Even if traffic is allowed on the highway, it sometimes does happen that road conditions turn the nominal 11 hour drive turns into an 18 hour drive.
Also keep in mind that there are fewer daylight hours in winter than there are in summer.
And of course, if you are held up, you might be sitting in the cold.
Calgary is in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Less snow on this side than on the British Columbia side. Also there are not the tricky mountain passes between here and Banff that there are in British Columbia. Put it this way, the highway authorities have not felt the need to build snow sheds (long stretches of roof that protect the road from avalanches) on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.
If you insist on doing the drive, you would be wise to read these websites and follow their instructions:
http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/info_pro/sel...driv_e.asp#kit
http://www.canadianrockies.net/howto...rivingfaq.html
>>>>>>At least some of our party would really like to see Seattle; that's why we didn't plan on flying into Calgary in the first place.<<<<<<
You say you're planning to spend ONE NIGHT in Seattle. How much of it are you going to see in return for the extra trouble of the drive from Seattle to Banff?
Jan 11th, 2005, 07:54 AM
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the above post has some great information.
i could understand your planning this route if you were spending several days in seattle but one night! save it for another trip and fly into calgary. or, if your heart is set on seattle, consider skiing whistler instead.
IF you are use to winter driving then i would not hesitate driving the route between seattle and banff. you just need to be flexible. as mentioned, your schedule should not be so tight that you are forced to drive in undesirable conditions. people drive through these mountains all year long and it can be absolutly beautiful in winter. for the most part, the roads are kept in very good condition. but, if a blizzard hits, you need to sit tight for several hours after so they have time to clear the roads. have fun.
i could understand your planning this route if you were spending several days in seattle but one night! save it for another trip and fly into calgary. or, if your heart is set on seattle, consider skiing whistler instead.
IF you are use to winter driving then i would not hesitate driving the route between seattle and banff. you just need to be flexible. as mentioned, your schedule should not be so tight that you are forced to drive in undesirable conditions. people drive through these mountains all year long and it can be absolutly beautiful in winter. for the most part, the roads are kept in very good condition. but, if a blizzard hits, you need to sit tight for several hours after so they have time to clear the roads. have fun.
Jan 11th, 2005, 04:13 PM
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Just to add to the excellent info provided by July and ltt - keep in mind that the Trans Canada (highway #1) from Kamloops to Banff is mostly two lane undivided (I'm assuming that you will be driving Seattle-Vancouver-Kamloops-Banff), and it winds through some very mountainous terrain, which, as Judy mentioned, required the building of avalanche sheds (and in February-March the conditions are prime for avalanches).
On the other hand, the Trans Canada #1 between Calgary and Banff is four lane divided highway - a very easy one hour drive through the rolling foothills to the eastern edge of the Rockies, and is usually fairly clear and dry even in winter. We have driven that stretch in all-season radials frequently in every month of winter with no problems - once even during a blizzard (I can't even remember what snow tires look like!! - and I live in Edmonton - north of Calgary).
Note that by the end of February there could be some wonderful "spring skiing conditions" - lots of sun, melting snow in the valleys etc. (on the other hand, it could still be in a deep freeze - you just never know :-? ). And since the end of February is only three weeks away from the spring equinox, you will have daylight approaching 11 hours a day.
A direct flight from Seattle to Calgary is around 1.5 hours flying time - it would definitely save you time - it's worth considering.
On the other hand, the Trans Canada #1 between Calgary and Banff is four lane divided highway - a very easy one hour drive through the rolling foothills to the eastern edge of the Rockies, and is usually fairly clear and dry even in winter. We have driven that stretch in all-season radials frequently in every month of winter with no problems - once even during a blizzard (I can't even remember what snow tires look like!! - and I live in Edmonton - north of Calgary).
Note that by the end of February there could be some wonderful "spring skiing conditions" - lots of sun, melting snow in the valleys etc. (on the other hand, it could still be in a deep freeze - you just never know :-? ). And since the end of February is only three weeks away from the spring equinox, you will have daylight approaching 11 hours a day.
A direct flight from Seattle to Calgary is around 1.5 hours flying time - it would definitely save you time - it's worth considering.
Jan 12th, 2005, 08:22 AM
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While I realize that some of your party wants to see Seattle, this itinerary is just weird IMO.
Sorry.
You're not gonna see much of Seattle in one afternoon/evening, first off.
The drive from Seattle to Banff would be over 11 hours under the absolute best of circumstances (dry roads, little traffic, no wait at the border). You can count on it to be considerably longer that time of year. It could be downright scary, and possibly deadly. Inadvisable? Most certainly.
We have driven Vancouver to Calgary countless times in winter and early spring. We now avoid it at all costs... even though we have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and have driven winter conditions all our lives. Too many instances when the drive took over 18 hours with both of us in a white-knuckled, tearful panic.
Sorry.
You're not gonna see much of Seattle in one afternoon/evening, first off.
The drive from Seattle to Banff would be over 11 hours under the absolute best of circumstances (dry roads, little traffic, no wait at the border). You can count on it to be considerably longer that time of year. It could be downright scary, and possibly deadly. Inadvisable? Most certainly.
We have driven Vancouver to Calgary countless times in winter and early spring. We now avoid it at all costs... even though we have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and have driven winter conditions all our lives. Too many instances when the drive took over 18 hours with both of us in a white-knuckled, tearful panic.
Jan 12th, 2005, 09:12 AM
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I wish I could tell you the worry-warts are all wrong. And they might be, if you are really lucky.
If you have lots of time, you could go to Seattle, and then check the weather forecasts. If the days are going to be sunny and reasonably warm, it's a great drive. And if snow was predicted, just stay in Seattle an extra day or two.
Once you get to Vancouver, repeat the procedure just to double check.
Plus, how are you going to get home? Repeat the trip backwards, to drop off the van? Pay attention to cross-border rental car dropoff rules, too.
All in all, you'd be much better to skip Seattle. Calgary has a nice tower you can climb, and pretend is the Seattle Space needle. (Can't help with an imitation harbor, though)
BAK
If you have lots of time, you could go to Seattle, and then check the weather forecasts. If the days are going to be sunny and reasonably warm, it's a great drive. And if snow was predicted, just stay in Seattle an extra day or two.
Once you get to Vancouver, repeat the procedure just to double check.
Plus, how are you going to get home? Repeat the trip backwards, to drop off the van? Pay attention to cross-border rental car dropoff rules, too.
All in all, you'd be much better to skip Seattle. Calgary has a nice tower you can climb, and pretend is the Seattle Space needle. (Can't help with an imitation harbor, though)
BAK
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