AboutGeoff Wickens Expertise I have a fairly vast knowledge of the history of The City of Vancouver, BC. All my knowledge has been learned through on-hands experience. I am apt to answer most any question in regards to the history of the city, the construction of its bridges and the history behind some of its buildings.
Experience I drove cab for 5 years and in that time gave numerous city tours with full historical backgrounds. I have a thirst for history and an appetite for knowledge.
Expert: Geoff Wickens Date: 11/15/2005 Subject: road conditions Vancouver to Kelowna mid December
Question Hi Geoff,
We are family of 2 adults and (1) 11 year old child travelling around the world leaving Australia on Dec 5th 2005 for Los Angeles and arriving in Vancouver on 11th Dec for several days then travelling to Kelowna and onto Big White on the 15th Dec. Can you assist with ideas on car hire and conditions for travelling e.g do we need chains if we hire a car or are there buses / trains etc available? We are then leaving Big White on 20th Dec and staying at Fairmont Chateau at lake Louise that night (20th) again, we would like any help with best travel ideas from Kelowna to Lake Louise. we intend sight seeing around Banff for 2 days then on to Calgary on the 22nd and fly to New York on the 23rd.
I realise this is quite an ask but you seem to have the experience!
Hope to hear from you soon
Best regards
Dale
Traralgon
Victoria
Australia
Ph: 0409 800 439
Answer Sorry it took so long to answer, Dale .... we are renovating our house and the computer room was the first room on the schedule. Sorry about that.
Now .... that is quite a questions you have there. First off - if you want to sightsee around places, TAKE A CAR. Busses rarely stop and let you take pictures and experience places as they are on a schedule. You will need a car that is winterized (snow tires and chains are definately a good idea!) You will be going over the Coquihalla Highway (HWY 5) and then at Merrit, you will be taking Highway 97C (also know as the Okanagon Connector) into Kelowna.
For up to the minute road conditions, go to http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighwaycam/index.htm and look at the two cameras marked Coquihalla Toll Booth (SB = South Bout and NB = North Bound). These are the road conditions on the Coquihalla (Highway 5). You will not be going near the Summit or the Snowshed as these are farther up the highway. For further directions, go to http://maps.google.com and type in the location "Merritt, BC". This is a focal point for your trip to Kelowna as this is where you turn off of 5 onto 97C. You can zoom in and out and if you want, you can even go to a satellite picture ... I prefer the "HYBRID" button as this will overlay the road names on the satellite picture.
To make a long story a little longer .... I would drive all the way from here to Calgary and sightsee all along the way. BC is one of the most beautiful places in the world with his picturesque landscapes and wildlife - all protected in the National Parks (you will be going through Banff Nat'l Park and Glacier Nat'l Park while enroute to Calgary).
Having suggested that you drive .... (and I know this since you are going to Big White) .... It is winter up here and it get VERY cold - it can get down to -25C in Kelown and even colder as you climb the mountains. You must be knowledgeable and comfortable while driving in snow. This is not like winter in Austraila ... the snow on the route you are going can be 2 - 3 metres deep. Roads are plowed and sanded whenever possible, but black ice can occur at any time. Please be careful.
If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know. We look forward to seeing you here and hope that you will be able to squeeze a day ot 2 in to see Vancouver and fantastic city that it is. If you want some info for Vancouver ... you know who to ask ....
