rockies by RV from Vancouver
Nov 26th, 2006, 07:37 AM
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rockies by RV from Vancouver
Would be very grateful for some advice. Have booked flights to Vancouver for my dad and I for 23rd April for a fortnight. He's always wanted to see the Rockies in a motorhome. I understand that end of April isn't ideal but it's the only time we can go. Can anyone suggest a rough plan to see as much as possible (we fly back out of Vancouver). Also does anyone know if it's necessary to book campgrounds in advance at that time of year? Thanks
Nov 26th, 2006, 09:11 AM
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Sue, I saw your e-mail to me before I saw your post at Fodor's. Although I've already responded to you by e-mail, I'll post the contents of my e-mails here in case the information is useful to someone else who has similar questions.
Nov 26th, 2006, 09:11 AM
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E-MAIL #1
Hello Sue,
I'm sorry, I don't think the route is suitable to drive, even in a regular car, at the end of April, beginning of May.
You might be lucky and get mild, spring weather. On the other hand, you easily could run into a blizzard or two. It's possible that you will encounter some very white-knuckle driving conditions.
In addition to that, it is a time of year when there is a better than average chance of encountering a rock slide or avalanche on the TransCanada Highway, and the road may be closed for a day or two while crews clear the road. In that case, you could be stuck in a mountain town like Golden or Revelstoke for a day or two.
Late April / early May is still late winter -- not even spring -- in the Rockies. The downhill skiing resort of Sunshine Village, which is 10 miles from Banff townsite, typically operates until the middle of May.
The lakes will not be thawed, and you will not see their turquoise colour. I think that would be a shame, but at least it would only be an aesthetic limitation. The safety issues are the more important ones.
Camping_Girl, who posts at the TripAdvisor forum, has created a great website about travelling in an RV. However, most of her information is addressed to the summer traveller:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/adecc/
If you insist on doing the trip at the end of April / beginning of May, then at least ask some questions about it at the OPEN ROADS FORUM, which is dedicated to RVing and where the experienced posters really know about RVing:
http://www.rv.net/forum/
And if you insist on doing the trip at that time, at least pack enough different kinds of layers so that you can dress for winter in the fairly likely event that that will be necessary. But have some lighter layers as well, because Vancouver has a milder climate than the Rockies. Vancouver can be very spring-like in April / May.
I'm sorry, Sue, I wish I could give you the reassurance you probably were hoping I'd be able to give you, but what I have told you is my honest opinion.
All the best,
Judy.
Hello Sue,
I'm sorry, I don't think the route is suitable to drive, even in a regular car, at the end of April, beginning of May.
You might be lucky and get mild, spring weather. On the other hand, you easily could run into a blizzard or two. It's possible that you will encounter some very white-knuckle driving conditions.
In addition to that, it is a time of year when there is a better than average chance of encountering a rock slide or avalanche on the TransCanada Highway, and the road may be closed for a day or two while crews clear the road. In that case, you could be stuck in a mountain town like Golden or Revelstoke for a day or two.
Late April / early May is still late winter -- not even spring -- in the Rockies. The downhill skiing resort of Sunshine Village, which is 10 miles from Banff townsite, typically operates until the middle of May.
The lakes will not be thawed, and you will not see their turquoise colour. I think that would be a shame, but at least it would only be an aesthetic limitation. The safety issues are the more important ones.
Camping_Girl, who posts at the TripAdvisor forum, has created a great website about travelling in an RV. However, most of her information is addressed to the summer traveller:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/adecc/
If you insist on doing the trip at the end of April / beginning of May, then at least ask some questions about it at the OPEN ROADS FORUM, which is dedicated to RVing and where the experienced posters really know about RVing:
http://www.rv.net/forum/
And if you insist on doing the trip at that time, at least pack enough different kinds of layers so that you can dress for winter in the fairly likely event that that will be necessary. But have some lighter layers as well, because Vancouver has a milder climate than the Rockies. Vancouver can be very spring-like in April / May.
I'm sorry, Sue, I wish I could give you the reassurance you probably were hoping I'd be able to give you, but what I have told you is my honest opinion.
All the best,
Judy.
Nov 26th, 2006, 09:18 AM
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E-MAIL #2
Postscript.
I've seen that you've asked at Fodor's whether or not you would need to book at campgrounds at that time of year. You definitely would not need to book. In fact, while some campgrounds remain open year-round, some of them close for the winter. Part of your research will involve figuring out which ones are open and which ones are closed.
This page of my website has links to campground websites in British Columbia and Alberta:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...s/camping.msnw
Cheers.
Judy.
Postscript.
I've seen that you've asked at Fodor's whether or not you would need to book at campgrounds at that time of year. You definitely would not need to book. In fact, while some campgrounds remain open year-round, some of them close for the winter. Part of your research will involve figuring out which ones are open and which ones are closed.
This page of my website has links to campground websites in British Columbia and Alberta:
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...s/camping.msnw
Cheers.
Judy.
Nov 26th, 2006, 08:27 PM
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Sue. A couple of thoughts.
Do you know how to drive in snow with a car let alone a motorhome?
Feeding a motorhome is expensive. I sold my campervan years ago when I realised it is cheaper to drive a Volvo and stay in hotels than it is to feed a campervan and still pay camping fees. The dates for 2007 have not yet been announced, but in 2006 the trailer court at Tunnel Mountain Banff opened May 8th.
You can find some places open year round here.
http://www.pccamping.ca/parkscanada/en/
Sorry to rain (or possibly snow) on your parade.
Do you know how to drive in snow with a car let alone a motorhome?
Feeding a motorhome is expensive. I sold my campervan years ago when I realised it is cheaper to drive a Volvo and stay in hotels than it is to feed a campervan and still pay camping fees. The dates for 2007 have not yet been announced, but in 2006 the trailer court at Tunnel Mountain Banff opened May 8th.
You can find some places open year round here.
http://www.pccamping.ca/parkscanada/en/
Sorry to rain (or possibly snow) on your parade.
Nov 27th, 2006, 08:43 AM
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If you are set on travelling in an RV, you might want to go from Vancouver to the Okanagan (Kelowna) region. The weather would be better there than in the mountains and there are many nice campgrounds. If you want to see the Rockies, I would recommend renting a car and staying in hotels. The cost would actually probably be cheaper than renting and driving a motorhome. We have driven our RV through the mountains on a few occasions, and even in summer conditions, it can sometimes be difficult. We usually rent a car when we get to Banff in order to see the sights. For example, it is not recommended to take a motorhome up the Lake Louise road even in the summer. As Judy said, this would not be a very good time to try to see the sights in the Rockies.
Dec 1st, 2006, 09:21 AM
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As a Rv and Truck Driver May: I suugest that Judy is Right to the extreme. But how much, and how far can you travel in a fortnight.
To see beautifull areas in a tight time frame?
Vancouver, Whistler (2010 Olympics site), Litton, Cache Creek, Prince George, Jasper, Lake Louise, Revelestoke, Kelowna, Penticton, Princeton, and Vancouver.
Check out the route on Map Quest or through your Auto Club.
You will not need a Camp ground per say.
You may park at any truck stop and be secure. No charge if you buy fuel.
Petro Canada has Petropass sites, and Husky has truck stops all over BC,
All Truck stops have Showers if you buy fuel there, or at a minimal cost.
If you wish a more exciting trip.
At Prince George, head west to the Coast, then back to Vancouver by Ferry Inside Passage Ocean!
Enjoy. Been There Many times Done That!
To see beautifull areas in a tight time frame?
Vancouver, Whistler (2010 Olympics site), Litton, Cache Creek, Prince George, Jasper, Lake Louise, Revelestoke, Kelowna, Penticton, Princeton, and Vancouver.
Check out the route on Map Quest or through your Auto Club.
You will not need a Camp ground per say.
You may park at any truck stop and be secure. No charge if you buy fuel.
Petro Canada has Petropass sites, and Husky has truck stops all over BC,
All Truck stops have Showers if you buy fuel there, or at a minimal cost.
If you wish a more exciting trip.
At Prince George, head west to the Coast, then back to Vancouver by Ferry Inside Passage Ocean!
Enjoy. Been There Many times Done That!
Dec 2nd, 2006, 07:43 PM
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As an option, what about the train?
www.rockymountaineer.com
www.rockymountaineer.com
