Calgary to YVR Road trip

[kiwitripper64]

mrs KT and I have a meeting in Vancouver in August and decided to fly into Calgary then road trip back to Vancouver in about 6 days. Looking to book with Avis unless the learned community have advice to contrary.

Any suggestion of must see sites, out of the way places to visit, great memory hotels to stay?
This will be especially good to get a way as we will be into month 3 of our house renovations. A summer trip to another country can't come soon eneough.
Thanks

 

[Maca44]

If you drive non stop between Calgary and Vancouver it would take you an easy 12hrs, so in six days you can take your time and see heaps. Make sure you have your ample power in your camera because you'll arrive at one of those Kodak moments around every corner. I drove from Banff to Vancouver about 20 years ago, but Calgary is less than two hours further on and there are so many places to stop and/or stay. I am in Vancouver quite reguarly, but haven't been back to Banff since that time, but in saying that Banff, Lake Louise (only about 45 mins drive in August weather) is beautiful. If I recall, if you stick to trans canada 1 hwy there are only a few places to stop btw Lake Louise and Revelstoke, but a beautiful drive none the less. I particularly liked Kamloops, but have only been there in the winter. The rail line more or less follows the hwy, so you might consider breaking your trip up with some part on the train (Golf Leaf tix of course). I will be back in Canada myself at the end of August, but only in British Columbia, and Whistler to play a game of golf or two. Whatever you decide, it is really beautiful part of the world so take your time and enjoy.

Edit: if you want to get off the main road, you can exit HWY 1 at Cache Creek (and I forget the number of the Hwy) but you drive to Pemberton, through Whilstler and into Vancouver that way. Lot longer, but you have heaps of time in any event.

 

[ranger]

I was born in Lethbridge ( 2hrs from Calgary ).
We have done the trip by car & also on the Rocky Mountaineer train.
If you have never been through Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper I would recommend it.
Personally I would then go through what is called the Okanagan.......Kelowna, Vernon & Penticton. Lots of fruit orchards, vineyards & wineries. Watersports on the lakes as well.
Kamloops we have been through.....personally I would give it a miss.
Trip Advisor is a website for various cities/towns.
They have a forum where you could get lots of advice from both locals & travellers.
6 days will go really fast........so much to see.
Peak season so will be pretty busy..start booking.
You will love it.
Enjoy, hope everyting works out well

 

[blueflamenco]

I would also recommend visiting Banff and surrounds. The Fairmont at Lake Louise is a great place to stay. I was in Alberta and BC the other day and it was beautiful.

 

[Maca44]

mrs KT and I have a meeting in Vancouver in August and decided to fly into Calgary then road trip back to Vancouver in about 6 days. Looking to book with Avis unless the learned community have advice to contrary.

Any suggestion of must see sites, out of the way places to visit, great memory hotels to stay?
This will be especially good to get a way as we will be into month 3 of our house renovations. A summer trip to another country can't come soon eneough.
Thanks

Just check when the summer school holidays take place in Canada. I think the USA holidays finish on Labour Day long week end, first weekend in September, so could be the same time which might put hotel costs up slightly.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Thanks all
Is Jasper and Icefields worth visit? Or maybe relax a bit and spend extra day in Banff area. We have both seen glaciers and snow.

 

[ranger]

You could drive from Banff to Jasper & back in a day. Similar scenery, but probably just spend the extra time in Banff.
Try to see Lake Louise, my alltime favourite & you will get some excellent photos taken from the bar in the Chateau with their big arched picture windows & the Lake & mountain/glacier behind.
Canmore is an easy drive from Banff & has some nice shops.
Athabasca ( Icefields) is something if you haven't seen glaciers & such before but they may be disappointing in summertime ( dirty )
Don't be in a rush to see too much in a short time.
The scenery & lakes just driving on the roads is spectacular.

As said before it is a busy time of the year.