What's with all the cars?

[Melinda]

When leaving Calgary to go to Banff, just off the Cochrane off ramp, there's a gas station and a diner restaurant. Every time we drive past there, there's always a gazillion cars parked along the side of the road. It's always made us wonder why. Surely they can't all be making the treck into the restaurant. Anyone know?

[FraserB]

Carpooling pick up/drop off for people going to the mountains or biking from that point.

[supe]

Yup I wondered the same thing, and got the same answer. Doesn't seem like the smartest idea though.

[Darell_n]

People have been carpooling there for more than 50 years. It use to be at the service station near the new Royal Oak C-train platform, before the Trans-Canada highway was even built.

[woodywoodford]

Yup, lots of the resorts shuttles pick up from there

[ExtraSlow]

Very common carpool spot. Easy meet-up for people coming from the south (from hwy 8, north like airdire, and anywhere in town.

I meet people there several times a year, and I have been doing it since I bought my first car.

[btimbit]

Meet up place for car pooling plus shuttle buses stop there.

[jacky4566]

Use it all the time meeting people from Airdrie. Everyone drives to the spot then car pool to the ski hill.
Just wish they would pave it. Parking lot would be ideal but I don't think anyone wants to pay for it.
With the traffic and locking your doors security is never much of an issue. Basics rules keeps you out of 90% of trouble.

[Darell_n]

I think it was last year somebody was trying to shut it down and build a lot elsewhere. (gov't of some sort) That idea got shot down very quickly.

[jwslam]

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/349230/petro-canada-on-the-way-to-banff/

[speedog]

Originally posted by jacky4566
Use it all the time meeting people from Airdrie. Everyone drives to the spot then car pool to the ski hill.
Just wish they would pave it. Parking lot would be ideal but I don't think anyone wants to pay for it.
With the traffic and locking your doors security is never much of an issue. Basics rules keeps you out of 90% of trouble.
What positive benefit is there for the MD to pave that area? Probably half the people parking there don't pay into the MD's tax base and paving it would just create a bigger problem in attracting more parkers. Parking lot - costs money to make as well and certainly no parker would be willing to pay the amount that would be needed to offset the costs of building said parking lot.

[ExtraSlow]

I am of the opinion that they deliberatley under-maintain that road to keep it bumpy as possible to discourage people driving quickly. I don't see them paving it. Zero benefit, and would actually encourage the wrong behaviours.

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I am of the opinion that they deliberatley under-maintain that road to keep it bumpy as possible to discourage people driving quickly. I don't see them paving it. Zero benefit, and would actually encourage the wrong behaviours.

I had to CRAWL along in my car. The potholes are serious business.

[CapnCrunch]

So is it mostly people car pooling in to Calgary, or people from Calgary car pooling in to the mountains?

[wintonyk]

pooling too the mountains. when i do hikes, usually meet a few friends there and we all pile in. easiest meeting place if people are coming from all over the city.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by wintonyk
pooling too the mountains. when i do hikes, usually meet a few friends there and we all pile in. easiest meeting place if people are coming from all over the city.

That's what I thought, but it seems just as busy during weekdays.

[SilverKast]

Finally! I've been wondering for years, my wife and I always ask each other when we drive by on the way to the ski hill.

[Darell_n]

Originally posted by CapnCrunch


That's what I thought, but it seems just as busy during weekdays.

Working 8-5 Mon-Fri is less common every year. Many retired folks also use this place as an organized meeting spot for hiking as well.