Winter Driving - Trans Canada Hwy
 

Hi! <BR>I am driving from Vancouver to Lake Louise in late December and I'm wondering if I should be scared. I come form Australia so I have limited experience in the snow/ice. <BR> <BR>I was condsidering the Trans Canada Hwy Route from Vancouver to Salmon Arm or Revelstoke before stopping overnight. Is this realistic? Can anyone suggest an alternative on the way back to Vancouver. I am leaving Lake Louise on the morning of the 26th and need to be in Victoria by midday on the 27th (fastest route??). <BR> <BR>Finally, has anyone stayed at the Youth Hostel in Lake Louise? <BR> <BR>Thanks for the help. <BR>Stuart

I am glad to hear you are planning to overnight on the way there. I drove to Calgary via Banff from Vancouver one December and it was indeed scary. The roads weren't slippery (my car handles snow very well and I'm familiar with driving in it) but snow can fall so fast and heavy in the mountains that car headlights get covered and you can barely see. I stopped in Golden and continued the next day. You may have better conditions - or it could be worse. I'm sure there is a possibility that mountain passes could be closed altogether. <BR> <BR>Leaving for the coast one day doesn't give you much leeway if you must be in Victoria the next. <BR> <BR>There may be extra sailings at that time but with the normal winter schedule you would have to catch the 9:00 am ferry in order to get to Victoria by noon. If there is a 10:00 am sailing you might just make it. <BR> <BR>The 27th will be a holiday for most and ferry traffic will likely be heavy with people returning to the island. It would be best then to reserve. <BR> <BR>Personally I would allow and extra day for the return trip. <BR> <BR>If you are renting a car, see if you can get one with front wheel drive. My little Honda Accord has made it through everything, ice and snow. I've never needed them but I believe carrying chains or cables through mountain passes is mandatory. <BR> <BR>Truthfully, I would look into other ways of getting to Lake Louise.

You might want to check out www.th.gov.bc.ca for more info on highway conditions. <BR>Highway 1 and the Coquihalla Highway both get a lot of snow in the winter. They are cleared, salted, and sanded regularly, but road closures are not uncommon between Revelstoke and Roger's Pass due to winter conditions. Driving in the snow is not difficult - you just have to keep your speed down and not venture out when the snow gets too thick. And April is right, keep a set of chains in the back. <BR>You may want to consider taking the bus. Try www.greyhound.ca.

<BR>Oh my gosh, you are making my hands sweat! I would never drive in the mts. in the winter. <BR>Last year I saw a car go over the mt. side on Mt. Saint Helen's and that was on a dry road!

And here I thought people would think I was being overly cautious. <BR> <BR>You don't say why you need to be in Victoria by noon but here's something else to consider. Aside from the potential high ferry traffic (you have a better chance of getting on as a foot passenger unless you reserve) on Dec. 27th, there is always the possibility of a sailing being cancelled due to high winds. It happens every winter but there's no predicting when. So if you absolutely have to be in Victoria by noon - to catch a flight or something - to be on the safe side, you might want to get there the day before. <BR>

Highly recommend that you find out in advance time of sunset and be off the road before dusk. Fog at dusk in the mountains is the scariest condition I've ever encountered anywhere. Believe me. When you can't see anything and don't dare pull off for fear someone won't see you... If you're not used to driving in snow, ice, fog...take the bus.

Thanks for all the advice! I think I will reschedule the Victoria arrival. Won't drive at night/dusk, will clean lights and shield often, carry chains, drive real slow and rent a car that's front wheel drive! Any other advice? <BR> <BR>This site is a great bonus to out-of-towners! Thanks all!

Hi Stuart, I really wouldn't recommend driving "really 2slow" over the pass, you may cause some collisions behind you.. <BR>The Transcanada can be OK if the plows have been out before you. Speeds in the winter (approx) are ~70-80 kph or ~50-55 mph. Call Environment Canada's 24hr recorded weather forecast to check road conditions- Banff number is:762-2088. You can also talk to a real live person at 403-207-2739, toll charges and fee applies. Your hotel should also be able to help in getting road condition information. Hope this helps!

I done the drive from calgary to Vancouver twice this year during the summer. In good driving conditions it took 11+ hours with mim. stops for the necessities. About 1,000 km. Your major points in the drive at that time of year are is the drive from lake Louise to Golden, over Rogers Pass to Revelstoke and the Coquihalla Highway between Kamloops and Hope. The Last two can get serious snow very quickly and be closed from varying periods to clear snow and blast for avalanches. Vancouver to revelstoke is about 6 hours in good weather via the Coquihalla highway, revelstoke to Lake louise is about 2.5 to 3 in good weather. All suggestions about getting back are good ones due tp the ferries. If you have a rental car it might be good to dump it in Vancouver and take the schedule bus service from vancouver to victria that leaves downtown vancouver and meets every ferry crossing from Tsawwassen ferry terminal and drops you off in dtwn victoria. <BR>Good luck, and call the numbers people have given you above.