We are planning to rent a car in Victoria and drop it of in Calgary. Heard a lot about Whistler. Was planning to go to Whistler first and then to Jasper - Banff. <BR>Which road is the best? We must see the Icefields and are planning 4-5 days in the Rockies. All help and comments are appreciated! <BR> <BR>/Tintin

There are at least ten routes and route combinations from the South Coast to the Rockies and if I'm reading you correctly your best route without any backtracking would be to head from Victoria to Nanaimo and catch the Horseshoe Bay Ferry which takes you to West Vancouver. Assuming you don't want to spend time in Vancouver, (and the only reason for that would be that you've either already been there or are saving it for when you can spend more time), you go North from there on Highway 99 - the Sea to Sky highway which is as treacherous as it is spectacular so drive with caution especially on weekends. It's abpout 1 1/2 to 2 hours from there to Whistler. After whistler continue north on 99 till it joins Hwy 97 just north of Cache Creek. Follow 97 through semi desert country to Kamloops. <BR> <BR>From Kamloops head north on Hwy #5, (the Yellowhead), and #16 to Jasper. the Yellowhead route is not as scenic as Hwy #1 the Trans Canada but it's smoother with lower grades and fewer curves. From Jasper drive south on Hwy #93 the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise and Hwy #1 to Banff and then Calgary. <BR>I assume from your question of which road is 'best' that you meant 1) most scenic and 2) that you didn't want to do any doubling back on yourself and this route is the answer to that. However ther are few four lane or limited access spots on this route and you should take it easy especially when attempting to pass. <BR> <BR>While you said that you were allocating 4-5 days to the Rockies you didn't say how many days, (including Whistler) you were prepared to spend getting there. I would reccomend overnites in Whistler and Kamloops on your way to the Rockies. Hope this has been of help. <BR>

Thanks a lot Gary! <BR>We plan to spend 1,5 or 2,5 days in Vancouver before heading for a 5 days visit to Vancouver Island. Hope that 2-3 days will be enough in Vancouver. We've been told that the Island is realy beautiful, so we will spend more time there. <BR> <BR>Still I'm a bit curious if we will miss a lot by not taking Highway #1. I guess the most scenic part will be the Icefields Parkway. So we probably will take the less scenic part. <BR> <BR>I had hoped that 1 overnite would be enough. YOu can't have it all. Any suggestions for B&B or less pricy hotels for a family of 4 in Whistler or Kamloops. <BR> <BR>

Taking Highway #1 from Kamloops to Banff will mean that you will have to drive up the Icefield Parkway, (Hwy #93) to Jasper and then back along the same route. By taking the route I gave you you will only have to travel the Icefields Parkway once - going south to Banff. The Yellowhead Hwy is not as scenic as the Trans Canada so if you don't mind doubling back from Jasper it is a fair tradeoff for better scenery. <BR> <BR>There aern't too many inexpensive places in Whistler although just 20 minutes north is the town of Pemberton with a few inexpensive hotels. In Kamloops the best place by far is the Thriftlodge, (1-800-661-7769), about $45-50 for two with comp cont bkfst, cable & sat TV and a pool. For simple g overnight accomodation I can't imagine stayinanywhere else

Looking at the map again I belive it's a good idea to spend 2 overnights when going from Vancouver Island to Rockies. We are staying in Ucluelet so it will take us some time until we reach Whistler. Since we will get a lot of scenery in the Rockies we are thinking of actually skipping Whistler and take Highway #1 and just stop in Kamloops on our way. Any idea of how many hours it would take from Vancouver to Kamloops? <BR>As always time is limited and now we are trading one night in Whistler for one night in the Rockies. <BR>

I believe it takes between 4-5 hours to get to Kamloops from Vancouver.

Yes it takes 4-5 hours via the old Trans Canada route thru the Fraser Canyon rather than the freeway. I totally reccomend the Fraser Canyon for the spectacular views and - if you have a few hours to spare, (which you probably won't coming from Ucluet), then I highly reccomend the White Water Rafting tours that abound between Boston Bar and Spence Bridge. <BR> <BR>