Community Forums

fallbeachlov · 01-15-2021, 02:26 PM

Hello everyone,
We are currently at the early planning stages of our next trip, and we know we want to travel from home (Gatineua, Qc) to Vancouver (BC). That said, the trip to Calgary can probaby completed any time of the year, but crossing over the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver can become difficult depending on the weather.

Timeline for departure is around July or August (depending on a certain vaccine...), and not being on a schedule we will definitely want to take our time, to the extend that we hit the Rockies when it's still time to cross over. So all of that to say: between what dates is it *not* safe to drive a 30-foot Class A rig towing a CR-V across the various passes in the moutains.

Thanks for your input,

Maurice

SomeDay · 01-15-2021, 02:47 PM

We live just south of Calgary and hit the mountains most times of the year in the past two decades.

We've done the route up and through Golden and BC from initially starting in Langley BC in our 37ft MH in late March and even January in years gone by. Just be conscious of the actual weather and evening/overnight temps, for the time frame you are thinking.

Also remember you can always come back through the Crowsnest pass and that route we've done at all times of the year. Again being aware of severe weather conditions is the biggie or immense thawing during the day and freezing evenings/overnights. It's sliding off the road that seems to be the biggie. The latter can occur any time typically from end Oct through to May.

Also as a heads up we've driven the Cowboy Trail (South Black Diamond AB) in August a couple years ago, and we were in 2 feet snow drifts. Seriously, you will struggle to get any forwards info of value until you are closer to your trip on severe weather issues at that time.

Check Farmers Almanac generically but more current weather up to max of usually 3 days in advance. It's hard for accuracy more than 2 or 3 days in advance, but we find over the years the Farmers Almanac predictions have been pretty good.

FWIW, our weather varies from year to year and not just in our foothills = mountains as well such as Golden/Revelstoke areas and down through the Coquihalla. We have been jet skiing/swimming in our mountain lakes in October, trick or treating in sleeveless shirts and another year, freezing and sliding all over the place with ice dammed everywhere at the same time of year. It really is that unpredictable. You'll need to check weather closer to time you are travelling for best information.

Hope some of the above kind of helps??? Plan and enjoy your trip, just allow a little wiggle room in case you need to layover due to weather at any time of the year!

Flyboy757 · 01-15-2021, 05:56 PM

Just a heads up. Hwy 1 east of Golden will have extended closures starting this Apr and the road work will take multiple years!!!

https://www.saobserver.net/news/kick...res-announced/

fallbeachlov · 01-16-2021, 12:23 PM

Thanks a lot, this is helping. I'm also aware now that winter tires or chains are required for vehicule in excess of 11,000Kg from October 1 to April 30. Not sure if this apply to Class A motorhomes.

M

Flyboy757 · 01-16-2021, 02:22 PM

For BC info use https://www.drivebc.ca There are links to other provinces info there too.

Drill down into the site...lots of good info. Other BCers will offer up good info too. As a minimum for tires, they should be rated " M & S ", both on the RV and anything you are towing. I always carried "cable chains" for both RV and the towed vehicle. Never used them but had them with me in my Canada / US travels. Came close a couple of times though!!!

Weather can be ever changing. Can be sunny and nice in Golden but up in Rogers Pass enroute to Revelstoke they can be forecasting 25+ cm of snow!! Just a typical BC winter day on the roads.....

Killtimer · 01-17-2021, 11:57 AM

The old Alberta adage still holds true: It's possible to get all four seasons in any given week.

Xmcdog · 01-17-2021, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killtimer

The old Alberta adage still holds true: It's possible to get all four seasons in any given week.

This is so true. In this part of the world 🌎 there are times when I'm sure we get all 4 in a day. The saying here is, if you don't like our weather, wait a minute. It will change and usually it does. Usually for the worse. Lol.

mila · 03-05-2021, 01:18 AM

You should also be aware that RV sites in Banff and Jasper book up very quickly for the peak summer months. If you plan on spending time there you should check into booking space as soon as you can.....

fishncamp · 03-22-2021, 10:43 AM

Visit www.drivebc.ca regularly on your travels for road conditions ...it is a great tool.

1Blue78 · 03-24-2021, 08:17 AM

Good tip on booking ahead if you are planning to stay in the national parks although they do have some first come first serve sites. I think this year the reso system for the remainder of the year (for the national parks) opens in April with staggered dates.

If you are planning to camp in the BC provincial parks, they are not allowing out of province reservations until July 8th. You can still camp at first come first serve sites, forestry sites and private campgrounds.

As for road conditions, it is not a guarantee but usually you are good through the passes until late Sept/early Oct but watching the weather is a good idea at any time. If the roads are bad you are much better off to avoid the Coquihalla and stick to the canyon (much more scenic in my opinion anyway).

Snow tires are required for ALL vehicles in BC between October 1 to April 30.

Good comment below on the 'Cowboy Highway' in AB (Hwy 22), very scenic but can also have some very high crosswinds. Pay attention to the signage that will warn of high winds. If the sign is flashing a wind warning, you are better off to wait it out (or move east to Hwy 2) then to try to fight a 30' unit through the wind (100+ km/hr crosswind is not uncommon).