Greetings neighbors to the north,

I'm sure this thread belongs over in "off topic discussions" but since I'm targeting Canadians, I still feel it's appropriate here. If not flame away :-D

So my girlfriend and I are travelling to Vancouver and hopefull Calgary in late november, we'll probably be there for about a week and a few days. So before our guide books show up from Amazon I wanted to see what you guys recommend seeing. I'm looking for something more localized and less touristy, places to eat or favorite ski lodge or even winter camping or snowshoeing. Sadly since I'm in Texas the E will be left behind so we'll need to be able to get to places by bus, or train, but we may rent a car, not sure yet.

Thank you!

Howdy neighbour!

You will be going through a lot of different terrain if you travel overland from Vancouver to Calgary - November is an unpredictable month for weather in this neck of the woods, you can get a bit of everything.

If you are looking for winter activities the BC Interior and the Rockies should be able to oblige. If you will be travelling up the Coquihalla Highway I would recommend that you check out the ski resorts at Big White and Silver Star. Both should be open by Nov 21 or so and will give you a good taste of winter in this part of the world.

Silver Star is my personal favourite :)

It has snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sleighrides and snowmobiling as well as alpine skiing and snowboarding and is a lot more relaxed than the bigger resorts. Once you settle your itinerary I may be able to give you some more specific suggestions.

Hello,
Many great national parks in B.C.Banff,Jasper,Glacier,Kootenay etc..
The Icefields parkway is a spectacular drive that winds you up the Columbia icefields and offers you a chance to actually go onto the glacier.That was fun.
The scenery is spectacular but watch for Elk.
You will love the west.
Cheers.:wink:

oh...there is no doubt in my mind I will love the Northwest. I spend a few weeks in Washington in July a few years ago and loved it then. But I'm ready to see what the real winter is like :)

How are the roads on the Coquihalla Highway or any of the roads in Canada in winter? Are they plowed daily? Do most rentals come with chains?

thanks for the tips...good stuff