Community Forums

DWTK · 09-21-2017, 06:18 PM

Sitting in Banff, Alberta and contemplating travelling to Kamloops through both the Kicking Horse and Rogers Pass' ( and on to Vancouver island and then down the Washington, OR coast). It's late Sept and just had snow here in Banff. We haven't travelled that portion of Hwy #1 so not certain to try it or backtrack to Calgary and head south. Any comments?

60sumtin · 09-21-2017, 07:19 PM

Its unlikely the snow will accumulate on the highway as the ground is not frozen. You can check highway conditions through BC highway cams.

Skip426 · 09-21-2017, 07:25 PM

Welcome to BC travel in the fall .

If you time your travel on the mountain passes to noon to mid afternoon you should have only wet roads to contend with.

Mon. morning my coach gets traction tires , it's a 28,000 lbs snow magnet.

BTW: Question , how are you planning to get on/off Vancouver Island.

DWTK · 09-22-2017, 10:11 AM

Thanks for the info. Planning on taking the ferry over with the rv to the island

Skip426 · 09-22-2017, 10:42 AM

BC Ferry service , you can save $$ , by having your toad driven on separately .
To go from the island to Washington state , you have choices . BC ferry , Washington State ferry , or Black Ball ferry line ( Victoria to the Olympic Peninsula ) JMHO , Black Ball ( MV Coho ) although it carries trucks and RVs, is not particularly RV friendly for loading/off loading.
Washington State Ferry offers mid week over length discounts , could be a savings if your flexible with your dates of travel.

Polyian · 09-22-2017, 12:17 PM

Highway 1 should be clear mid day as mentioned above.

If you are coming Highway 1 then the easiest Ferry to grab to the Island is at the Tsawwassen terminal. You can go direct from there to Sidney (Victoria) or Duke Point (Nanaimo), depending on your destination.

Heading off the Island I suggest the Sidney to Anacortes ferry (WSF), which will get you over to the I5 near Burlington, just north of Seattle. As mentioned the Coho ferry to Port Angeles can be difficult to maneuver if you are towing, and it's the most expensive option for a motorhome. But it does allow a casual drive down the west side of the Hood Canal bypassing Seattle.