Drive from Calgary to Vancouver in winters???

[radar2000]

Hey all, i m plannin to go to vancouver this winters...how is the drive in worst conditions ? Please let me know ur experience and time it took ...any shortcuts ? Basically anythin usefull thanks!!

[Tik-Tok]

No short cuts, unless there's a major accident blocking all traffic, just bring a roadmap with you.

Rogers pass is sketchy, the last time I drove to Van in winter it had recently snow there at the pass, and they dumped so much sand on the highway, it felt like I was driving on a beach.

My wife was clenching her ass the whole trip, but I didn't think it was Horrible, just be cautious if the roads aren't clear.

My normal time there is about 10 hours, the longest it took in winter was 12 I think.

[the_new_santa1]

lol, i wouldnt plan on going in a 300zx that would be sketchy...

[b_t]

Me and a buddy did Calgary to Vancouver then over to vic in the winter. Roger's Pass is by far the worst part, although if you take the transcanada the whole way there are some sketchy parts way out by this town called Hope. The Coquahala is really high altitude much like Roger's Pass so sometimes it can suck total ass there too. Check conditions before you go.

Its not that bad though, just take it easy. Also, driving at night through Roger's Pass can really suck since it is all semi trucks through there at that time, especially after the summer time.

[7thgenvic]

depends when you go. last 2 weeks on the pass have been really sketch with their +2m of snow through the pass. This weekend is a good bet that it'll be clear. It really depends when you go. If you are worried about your car. have it trained out there. 350 bux is worth the shipping fee

[nonlinear]

in the worst conditions, the highway is closed and you won't be able to drive at all. just check the weather before you go, and don't drive if you can't afford an extra day or two either way.

[AllGoNoShow]

Check weather and tak your swet time is all I have to say.

If you need to be there in a certin time leave 5 hours early, No point in risking anything in the mountains, towing is expensive if you break or hit something so jsut tkae your swet time, burn a bunch of mp3 cds and you should be set.

[turbotrip]

a couple of years ago our van slid off the road and down the hill/mountain near the rogers pass area and there were 4-6 people killed that night in that area, so i would definitely not suggest going in bad weather

[Seanith]

I did this drive last january... it wasn't great. Things got sketchy like mentioned around hope. It got super foggy and rainy. If i didn't have hids it would have been really bad.

[Mibz]

I did Calgary -> Van -> Calgary in February in the Escort. Conditions changed more times than I can count. Everything from sunny to blizzard, packed snow to sheet ice. Just take your time.

The Coquahala was closed for about 10 minutes when I first hit it but turned into the best decision I made. Sunshine and wet roads for a long time, was the best part of the drive.

On the way back we got stuck behind a 3 hour avalanche triggering. They lined up the semi's on the right and cars on the left, letting the cars go first. Of course my idiot friend refused to drop a deuce in public and so after a 3 hour wait we had to make ANOTHER pit stop just so he could shit. We ended up following a humongous line of semi's back to Calgary and it was the best thing that could of happened. Their lights are bright, they can see everything and they don't fuck around. If you're ever feeling uncomfortable, pull over until a semi passes and follow it.

That said, one of the biggest factors to my good drive was buying two jugs of wiper fluid before each trip and having paper towel or TP to clean off my headlights when they got dirty. I also bought a pair of Reflex wiper blades halfway there and they made the biggest difference at high speeds, definitely made me feel safer.

That's my experience, hope it helped.

[Seanith]

Originally posted by Mibz

That said, one of the biggest factors to my good drive was buying two jugs of wiper fluid before each trip and having paper towel or TP to clean off my headlights when they got dirty.

DING DING DING! haha. I forgot about that part. I went through about 5L of windshield washer fluid like halfway back. it got so bad i had to put a water bottle in there until i could stop and buy some more. Don't cheap out, grab a couple jugs forsure

[BokCh0y]

i've driven it many times in the snow...it's a bitch. Have to worry more about the crazy truckers flying through the snow than the snow itself. I would fly.

[JordanEG6]

how long does it take to get to rogers pass from vancouver? i want to plan ahead because i dont want to get stuck there at night on my way to calgary

[Soren1989]

one word
FLY

[googe]

the coquihalla gets worse than rogers pass in my experience. ymmv.

[JordanEG6]

Originally posted by Soren1989
one word
FLY

i would but i gotta move all my shit plus my car back to calgary.

[eb0i]

Originally posted by JordanEG6


i would but i gotta move all my shit plus my car back to calgary.

if you have the extra cash, perhaps look into shipping your car via train and the rest of your stuff through a moving company?

[tirebob]

I make the drive probably 6 to 10 times a year, in all weather conditions. Yeah it can be bad, but if you are properly equipped with winter tires etc you will have no problem. I came back through during that last huge snow storms and it took almost 4 hours to get from revelstoke to Golden because the line of traffic (semi trucks) was so slow, but it wasn't difficult. Normally it is a 10 to 12 hour drive depending if it is clear and if you roll faster than the speed limit or not...

Overall I find it a very nice drive though. Lots of nice scenery if you want to take your time...

[JordanEG6]

I'm driving up Friday EARLY morning, like 4am to make the drive. Here's the forecast for the towns/cities I'm going to hit...safe to drive?

Hope - Wet snow H5 / L0
Merrit - Wetsnow h4 / L-1
Kamloops - Wet snow H5 / L1
Salmon Arm - Wet snow H5 / L1
Revelstoke - Snow H2 / L-1
Golden - Light snow H0 / -3
Banff - Sun w/ Clouds H-1 / L-6
Canmore - Sun w/ Clouds H-3 / L-8
Calgary - Sun w/ Clouds H4 / L-3

[ZedMan]

Looks ok to me, make sure you tune into whatever park radio station, or stop and ask how rogers pass is.