Hi
We are planning a holiday in Canada combining motorhome traveling from Calgary to Vancouver.
Has anyone who has been any ideas on the places to see, ideas and tips along the way. Suggested recommended motorhome suppliers and expected costs etc would be helpful.
Look forward to your experiences.
David
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We skied at Banff and Lake Louise years ago in life BC (Before Children )
It was a really beautiful area. Lake Louise is so pretty. The Chateau that everyone goes on about is just a huge, modern hotel, but it is in a stunning setting.
Banff Springs were fun, especially in January in the evening. I remember jumping out, rolling in the snow in -35°, and jumping back in.
We didn't do the trip in a motorhome (RV) but we did do Vancouver to Calgary.
Our stops were Vancouver, Whistler, Wells Gray Provincial Park, Jasper, Banff then Calgary. we spent 2-3 days in each place staying in hotels mainly. I should say that we travelled mid to late May. Although we didn't RV we did see quite a few campgrounds the majority of which were deserted which was odd as the most common 'traffic' if you could call it that was indeed RVs.
There is an interesting Heritage centre at Calgary along with a motor museum. We really liked Banff (Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, lake Minnewanka( careful how you say that!). We drove the Icefields Parkway through from Jasper (in a Blizzard for part of the journey). Good job we had a 4x4. Jasper - we went to Maligne Canyon and the Miette Hot Springs (far more modern than we expected but an experience nevertheless), and the Sky Tram.
At Clearwater( Wells Gary) we stayed at the Helmcken Falls Lodge - which is also a campground which seemed quite popular - food was fab! Lots of waterfalls around the park- drive up to the lake at the end of the road. We also did a trip on a jet boat style thing at Blue River (between Clearwater and Jasper. Whistlerwas a bit touristy compared to other places but the scenery there and everywhere is just something else!!
Vancouver is well worth a couple of days - a very pleasant city.
We saw plenty of wildlife - some a bit too close for comfort if we had been on foot. e.g. Black bears, Grizzlies, moose, deer, chipmunks, eagles.
A couple we chatted to at Helmcken were out walking and were close enough to a couple of bears to make them rethink going out the next day.
We did a 3 week tour from Vancouver to Calgary in a rented motorhome. We arranged it through the Camping and Caravan Club,who were excellent.We stayed in vancouver for a couple of nights(fabulous city} then collected our van. It was a Cruise Canada van, a few years old but well equipped and comfortable.
We stayed at a lot of Parks Canada and other sites which are lovely, including Whistler Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise etc. We also visited the icefields, ggoing on the big off road bus. The van was returned in Calgary
We saw lots of wildlife including bears, deer eagles etc.
Its a fabulous country with very friendly people.We are thinking about going again next year but to Toronto and seeing Niagara, Quebec etc. We will probably have a motorhome again.
You'll have a great time.
We are considering using Canadian Affair which seem to be very good.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We used them 5 years ago and everything about them was brilliant. Although we went fly/drive they booked all the hotels on route, car hire and gave lots of sight seeing suggestions. Everything was so easy.
You don't say when you are going but the Calgary Stampede is a must do. They call it the greatest show on earth and it was.
We took in all the sights mentioned plus we went to Victoria which I much prefered to Vancouver.
If you are interested in a motor home exchange with Canadian owners coming here I can give details of a website we used for a NZ swap.
You arrange insurance cover for an extra driver and they do the same for you. Not during the same period obviously because you need to meet up to hand over.
A lot of trust involved but it worked out ok for us.
Saved a fortune. We went for 6 weeks and it was a freebie!
Additional driver was only a few quid at this end.
Thank you all for your help and advice. We have done a cost comparison with motorhome and car/hotel and so much more cheaper by car.
We have a combined cruise so now all booked and looking forward to visiting place recommended and seeing the wildlife in late June and July next year.
Interested in motorhome exchange which may consider in future years.
Thanks
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Canada trip
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