Greetings.
My family and I are looking to ride through Jasper, Banf, and a probably as far north as Grande Prairie, AB. in early September.
Is the weather still "nice" (not snowing, not constant rain) in early September? Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks.
September can be hit or miss in the Rockies. I did some sightseeing in Banff and surrounding areas last September and we hit a lot of cold and rain. The high mountain passes also had snow but the roads were clear.
+1/2
I was considering a trip out there at about the same time a while back; Olive warned me off due to just what Dustin said.
Greetings from Calgary, AB.
The road conditions can change daily, sometimes even multiple times a day, you'll need to stay on top of any weather reports. I would advise against riding up that way in September unless it has been quite warm. The mountains can spring storms on you very suddenly as the snow covered peaks interfere with weather radar, sometimes giving you only 20 minutes warning of an impending storm. Make sure you have a backup plan in case it does snow and carry warm things and some food with you just in case.
It is an absolutely gorgeous ride though. My buddy and I did the trip to the Icefields before Stampede last year.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155885783930131.1073741848.681165130&type=1&l=9d6af58d42
If you have any questions or want to know more about the area, feel free to let me know. When you get here in September, let me know and I will be more than happy to round up some of my VFR friends to show you some of the best photo spots and twisty roads Alberta has to offer.
If you have the time, a ride to Radium Hot Springs, BC would be well worth a day of your time.
Like others have said, the Rockies can be hit or miss at that time of year. Probably wouldn't be my first choice for timing to ride Alberta.
Come to BC! The weather is more predictable.
C
When is a better time to see the rockies? June, July, or August?
@Polarbear: Where in BC would your recommend some clueless Americans go?
lazyeyeWhen is a better time to see the rockies? June, July, or August?
@Polarbear: Where in BC would your recommend some clueless Americans go?
"Back to the USA?"
I kid.
The Kootenays are beautiful, and close to Alberta. Long Beach (take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Nanaimo and then ride up and across Vancouver Island) is spectacular and a lovely ride. There's a popular daytrip from Vancouver called the Duffy Loop that I would recommend, but not as a loop (I like to ride it one way and then turn around and thereby avoid the freeway altogether).
If you make it to this area (I commute via that same ferry terminal), I know that Polarbear and I would be keen to ride with you. As long as I haven't offended you too badly by the opening question!
digitallyhiplazyeyeWhen is a better time to see the rockies? June, July, or August?
@Polarbear: Where in BC would your recommend some clueless Americans go?
"Back to the USA?"
I kid.
Good one!
Don't worry, I'll go home after seeing the sites and eating some poutine.
digitallyhiplazyeyeWhen is a better time to see the rockies? June, July, or August?
@Polarbear: Where in BC would your recommend some clueless Americans go?
"Back to the USA?"
I kid.
The Kootenays are beautiful, and close to Alberta. Long Beach (take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Nanaimo and then ride up and across Vancouver Island) is spectacular and a lovely ride. There's a popular daytrip from Vancouver called the Duffy Loop that I would recommend, but not as a loop (I like to ride it one way and then turn around and thereby avoid the freeway altogether).
If you make it to this area (I commute via that same ferry terminal), I know that Polarbear and I would be keen to ride with you. As long as I haven't offended you too badly by the opening question!
And you can't forget the sunny Okanagan Valley. If you head from Calgary to Banff then to Jasper via the Icefileds Parkway, you could turn around and head back to Banff stay the night, then head to BC the next day. From Banff to Kelowna is about 4.5 hours through some nice scenic roads. Head from Kelowna to Osoyoos and stop at the odd winery then up Anarchis Mountain down to Rock Creek and keep going on Hwy 3 towards the Kootenays toward Creston. The road from Creston to the Kootenays Bay ferry (Nelson) is rated as one of the best roads in BC according to the BCAA motorcycle handbook.
I'm sure all of us could offer enough good riding to keep you going for weeks. LOL.
lazyeyeWhen is a better time to see the rockies? June, July, or August?
@Polarbear: Where in BC would your recommend some clueless Americans go?
Lazyeye,
sorry for the late reply. In addition to all the nice route suggestions people have already made, maybe consider riding the South Okanagan and a bit further up north. If you're coming from the south --pretty safe suggestion, eh?--that would be your best bet I would think. Nelson and surrounding is full of good, nice, loooooong sweepers and nice scenery. In fact, this is where we are having a VFR meet in July.
I would also recomment you check out DestinationHighwaysBC. Their website is full of great roads, ranked by scenery, twistiness, engineering, etc. Take your pick. Lots of those roads are in Southern BC, some on Vancouver Island. But between Nelson and Kamloops, there are lots to choose from.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and ride safe.
C
If you do come to Alberta and pass through Calgary let me know. I'd be happy to take you on a tour of Kananaskis or the Icefields Parkway/Banff/Lake Louise areas.