West Coast trip with Florida ( other regions as well ) members 2016

[VNM SSS]

Here is a tentative plan of some of the cities and places to visit on our trip to Vancouver, British Columbia (B.C.) in July 2016. We've listed two options below.

Option A:
Meet up in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario http://visitniagaracanada.com/places/niagara-on-the-lake
Drive to Toronto, Ontario http://www.toronto.ca/
Ship the cars from Toronto directly to Calgary, Alberta http://travelalberta.com/Places%20to%20Go/Major%20Cities/Calgary.aspx
Fly out to Calgary - see the Calgary Stampede - world's greatest outdoor show July 8-17, 2016 http://cs.calgarystampede.com/info/general/admission-and-hours
Stop in Banff, Alberta https://www.banff.ca/
Stay Lake Louise, Alberta https://www.skilouise.com/
Drive through Kamloops, B.C. http://www.tourismkamloops.com/welcome-to-kamloops-british-columbia
Stop in Whistler, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/whistler.aspx
Drive along the Sea to Sky highway towards Vancouver http://www.hellobc.com/driving-routes/31/sea-to-sky-highway-route.aspx
Visit Vancouver, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver.aspx
Take a ferry ride to Victoria, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/victoria.aspx
Visit Seattle
Drive back to Vancouver to fly home or fly out of Seattle
Option B: Omit Niagara on the Lake and Toronto, Ontario
Meet up in Calgary on July 9, 2016 - see the Calgary Stampede
Stop in Banff, Alberta https://www.banff.ca/
Stay Lake Louise, Alberta https://www.skilouise.com/
Drive through Kamloops, B.C. http://www.tourismkamloops.com/welcome-to-kamloops-british-columbia
Stay in Whistler, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/whistler.aspx
Drive along the Sea to Sky highway towards Vancouver http://www.hellobc.com/driving-routes/31/sea-to-sky-highway-route.aspx
Stay Vancouver, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver.aspx
Take ferry to Nanaimo, BC
Drive to Tofino, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/tofino.aspx
Drive along Pacific Rim Highway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_4
Drive to Victoria, B.C. http://www.hellobc.com/victoria.aspx
Take a ferry to Seattle, Washington http://www.visitseattle.org/Home.aspx
Drive back to Vancouver to fly home or fly out of Seattle
A good idea would be to contact the VOA members in Alberta, B.C. and Washington for their input and their suggestions on places to see, hotel deals, etc.

[Srt10]

wow. wouldn't mind the bc part. waiting for a good cruise and hopefully weekly meets somewhere in vancouver before i join.

[Viktimize]

Personally I would trade Kamloops for Kelowna. Kamloops is generally just a place to stop and rest for the night before you pass through. If you turn off Highway 1 at Sicamous onto Highway 97A, it takes you right through to Kelowna. Then you can take 97C out of Kelowna and head back up towards the east side of Kamloops to hit the north route into Whistler. It is a pretty fun road if you catch it with no traffic.

Kelowna is beautiful and there is lots to do. Plenty of wineries to visit. Probably have a better chance meeting up with Western Canada members as well. I am always looking for an excuse to head down there myself. I am from Edmonton and I frequent Stampede in Calgary every year. If the timing worked out I would definitely join the Viper train out to Kelowna from Calgary.

[Vippy 4]

Your Viper Cruise has some great concepts; I am somewhat biased having homes in Kelowna and Nanaimo as well as working in Banff for the next few years so I would chose option 2.

The Western Canada Club has experienced Viper Events on Vancouver Island; last year we did the West Coast Tofino/Ucluelet run and have recently completed the Whistler Sea to Sky cruise; we have an annual kick-off Okanagan Valley; we can provide lots of information, tips and traps in respect to visiting our region.

This August we are planning a weekend event to visit Radium Hot Springs; Banff and Jasper; will send the photos for your viewing pleasure; spectacular scenery; visitors from around the world arrive in July and August; accommodation can be difficult to confirm during the peak season; we can provide some advice there.

You have chosen some of the most spectacular areas in the world to visit; the roads are clear by July so you should have no issues other than delays due to traffic volumes; and construction; I am the Construction Manager for infrastructure development in the National Parks in Western Canada, includes the Mountain Parks, Banff, Jasper Yoho etc; so I can provide notifications on delays etc.

I am certain some of our members including yours truly would join your group during segments of the trip.

Please do not hesitate to call for assistance.

Best regards,

Jim

[n49]

I also live in Kelowna and served 3 terms as club president for our region. Hosted several Viper events in Kelowna and area. I would suggest you come through Kelowna and skip Kamloops. Spend a couple of nights in Kelowna & we will plan to show you around. I have used the Delta hotel about 5 times for club events and it seems to be the perfect spot, right downtown on the lake, indoor secure parking. In July they will be at peak rates but not so bad. I would suggest blocking off a group of rooms as soon as you know your dates, they will usually hold the rooms until 30 days prior to arrival....any rooms not reserved in the block will be released 30 days prior.
I would suggest a houseboat tour on the lake with BBQ. Also a day of driving in the valley and hit a couple of the wineries.
I will be willing to help with Kelowna plans if you would like?
In fact we have had events in all of the locations on your itineraries!! Have room suggestions etc if needed.

[RTTTTed]

BC is one of the foremost snow skiing areas of the world and Whistler/Blacombe Mountains are rated #1resort in the world. They also have snow skiing and pedal biking in summer! A couple good golf courses are hosted there as well as many 5 star Hotels. Snowmobiling is also another of the world's greatest mountain areas here in BC. Whistler, Revelstoke and Powder King are famous. Rainbow Mountains are some of the best sledding and they are also an area of horseback riding for the adventurous throughout summer. The JPS CEO from Switzerland spent a month horseback riding here until his health failed.

Floatplane sightseeing and glaciers are also in many areas of BC and we have the ice worms that live in the glacier ice here.

There are several unique highways through the mountains as well as a single lane gravel HIGHWAY that drops from Heckman Pass to the Bella Coola Valley over a 18kpm road. 6,500' vertical drop is a long way and if you don't use your gears to slow down the brakes of the car will overheat and require replacment.

Grizzly and Black Bears are usually seen along with Deer and sometimes Moose along Hwy 20 and throughout northern BC.

[Asp Man]

Kelowna to Whistler to Vancouver, then to the island, or?
Some good ideas there, and great driving roads in the southern part of the province.
FYI: you wont need skis or mud flaps!

[n49]

Kelowna to Whistler to Vancouver, then to the island, or?
Some good ideas there, and great driving roads in the southern part of the province.
FYI: you wont need skis or mud flaps!

Nor will you need a snowmobile...!

[VNM SSS]

Thank you all for the info. We are currently in the final planning stages and appreciate your feedback. I will send an updated schedule in the next few days.

[Coder]

I know this is old but if this is still going down in 2016... I'll add yet another vote for Kelowna area. I live in West Kelowna, and there are a few cars out here, I'm sure we'd jump into the trip to head out west with you!