Calgary to Vancouver in April

Old Jan 12th, 2014, 09:39 PM
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Calgary to Vancouver in April

Hi,

We're from overseas, and will be in Calgary in early April visiting relatives. We're planning to drive from Calgary to Vancouver over 2-3 days, and are aware that the area is awesome and we should ideally have a week or two. However, due to certain constrains 2-3 days is all we have.

Would appreciate any advice, regarding the route to take, where to stop, things to see/do along the way, etc. Is it possible to include Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise in the route? Are road conditions manageable? (We have no experience driving in wintry conditions).

Or should we just drop the idea of driving, and take a train or bus instead?

Many thanks!
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 12:37 PM
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Is that 2-3 days just to go from Calgary to Vancouver, or is it round trip?

If the latter, I think your only viable option is to fly.

If you mean 2-3 days just to get there - given that you have no winter driving experience and you would be driving over winding mountainous roads with potentially icy/snowy conditions, I'd opt for one of the other alternatives.
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Old Jan 13th, 2014, 12:43 PM
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Here's a link that might be helpful: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...n.Rockies.html

Notice that it does advise "Driving from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies is not recommended during the winter months -- from the beginning of November to the end of April." It also recommends flying during those times vs. driving. If taking the train, note that it doesn't run every day.

Hope that helps.
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Old Jan 14th, 2014, 04:23 PM
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April could still be really snowy/icy. I personally would not drive this unless you are accustomed to driving in mountainous terrain w/ snow and ice.
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Old Jan 14th, 2014, 05:00 PM
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You might just consider Banff if the weather is at all threatening (and that can happen in a moment). You will see the glorious Rockies and stay over night, either in Banff or Canmore. Maybe Lake Louise but that will depend on your ease behind the wheel. Roads are divided, good and unless you run into a storm or rain (ice) you will be ok. You can check road conditions while in Calgary.
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Old Jan 16th, 2014, 07:41 AM
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I agree with the previous posters, early April is not a good time to drive from the Rockies to Vancouver. It is very much still winter here at the point, and so the drive is not recommended unless necessary and you have winter driving experience. Plus, you'd need a winter equipped vehicle, and that's not always easy with rentals (think snow tires, emergency kit, shovel etc.).

Never mind that it would be pushing it to do the drive in 2-3 days, even in the summer. You risk getting delayed due to road closures or avalanche closures, thus it's not something you can do on a schedule. We've already had a lot of road closures this winter - essentially all the major routes from the Rockies to BC (Trans Canada, Hwy 16) were closed for 2-3 days this past week and there are rotating closures due to avalanche mitigation work.

I would fly to Vancouve. Agree that if you want to see the Rockies, drive to Banff and do sightseeing from there. If you want to venture onto the Icefields, the best option might be to use SunDogs or Brewsters, who provide tours/shuttles between Banff and Jasper. In April, the Icefields Highway is not to be take lightly at all. (no services, no stores, no gas stations, no afternoon/nightime patrols or plowing and no cell service).

Just remember that it will be winter. Banff could be springish, but there will be snow, ice and the lakes will be frozen. So you need winter clothes, winter boots and patience with the weather!
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