Author Topic: Banff (Read 6366 times)

Red01 · « **on:** March 12, 2005, 01:41:22 AM »

Here's a few Q's for those of you who are familar with the weather around Banff...

What time of year is the earliest to have a nice m/c trip to Banff? Latest?

How's this year been for snow? I know down here in Washington State, winter was pretty light. Seasonally closed passes that don't open until late May or early June are already open.

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2005, 10:37:53 PM »

Aww, come on! I know we have a couple of Albertans here that oughtta be able to answer this.

notagix · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:16:30 PM »

Hi I live in the interior of B.C. We still have alot of sand on the roads up here, can't say for sure about Banff, but was going to insure my bike in a week or two, we still have snow on the ground. I'd say May would be a good bet until about the middle of Sept.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2005, 01:42:33 AM »

So if I'm planning for June, I'd be OK, then?
Snow'd be gone and the sand swept up?

notagix · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2005, 08:49:50 PM »

you bet that would be perfect.

Bazza · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2005, 03:16:09 AM »

Hey Paul:

I am considering myself a Banff-Jasper Highway expert as I used to live 35 miles South of Jasper. (Sunwapta Falls)

I am actually planning a trip last week of April, and the highway will be clear but will caution that a blizzard can hit with snow accumulation as late as May 24th. This can also occur on the two passes. It is rare however.
I do recall filling up a California families car in early August in a very heavy snow squal, having them inquire as to why I live here.

But in reality, June is perfect as you miss a lot of the tourist traffic. Do not go in July & August, as the highway does get very busy. All of the lodges on the highway target May 23rd (Victoria day Holiday) as their opening day. It is shall we say the start of summer then, with most of the snow gone at higher altitudes.

You should try to hook up with the STN ride in Sept!

I have lots of Banff-Jasper Highway picts on my site.

Bazza

Bazza · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2005, 03:28:53 AM »

Oh, yeah, go here...

http://members.shaw.ca/zukeman/Jasper-Banff.htm

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2005, 08:55:58 PM »

Thought about the ST.n thing, and it's not ruled out... OTOH, it might be more fun with a Bandit only bunch... or if there's no takers, solo.

Bazza · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2005, 04:50:36 AM »

Hey Paul:

There were 2 Bandit riders at last years STN ride, but V-stroms outnumbered the Bandits 3-2.

And I could not keep up to any of them, joking that I did not know they made ZR rated trail tires.

I will also be heading up to Nelson a few times this year, and will possibly get down you way (I have always wanted to do the Cascades ride)

My work schedule may say otherwise!

But I would most definetly be into a Banff run (only 3 hours from the house) and could probably wrangle up a few of the local Bandito crowd.

One thing about Banff/Jasper, after June you will have a hard time getting camping and no luck getting a hotel.

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2005, 12:16:13 AM »

For any of you Canadians who might be interested in joining some Yankee tourists, check out this thread.

We'll be riding Southern BC & Alberta and/or northern WA, ID & MT. Follow the thread for details as they materialize.

pmackie · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2005, 11:45:29 PM »

Hey Paul. I'm new to the site.

So...did you make your trip to Banff this summer? The sceanery is great, but there are better roads down your way. But you can put a great route through Wash, Idaho & Montana, up to Banff and then back through Southern BC.

Red01 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2005, 02:26:57 AM »

Actually, didn't make it all the way up to Banff, but we did make it to Glacier/Waterton, up to Frank Slide, Crows Nest Pass and just about every road in the Destination Highways BC book between there and Osoyoos in SE BC... even your stomping grounds.

The roads were great, as were the lack of traffic and the small quantity of RCMP and their local counterparts