Calgary To Tofino

**Driller** · 09-02-2008

We're getting ready to take off on a 10 day roadtrip trip leaving Calgary for Tofino, BC (Vancouver Island) and points in between. Never been to the west side of Vancouver Island but looking forward to the stunning scenes and twisty roads.

We also plan to use a new route (for us) to Vancouver through the backdoor (Lillooet/Whistler).

After a few days on the island, it's off to wine country in Penticton and Kelowna BC before returning to the salt mines.

Weather forecast looks excellent should should be a lot of top down opportunities. We had frost (already!) this morning in Calgary but I still had the top down!

**Dang** · 09-03-2008

Getting cool here already isn't it?

Enjoy your trip, sounds fantastic!

Dang

mtiede · 09-03-2008

Whistler to Vancouver is a wonderful drive. Whistler itself is pretty. Go to the garbage dump and look for bears. Also, there is the "Ancient Cedars" outside town, but you REALLY need a 4-wheel drive for that.

I think I recently read that the highway just north of Vancouver was being worked on. It might even be CLOSED. It IS a spectacular road, but they had trouble with rock falls which damage the road (if not people).

**slkluv** · 09-03-2008

I use to live in Tofino and in the Okanagan - both are beautiful areas. Enjoy the scenery and hopefully the road to Tofino isn't too bad (Last I remember they were doing construction or road repairs there?)

**slkluv** · 09-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

Whistler to Vancouver is a wonderful drive. Whistler itself is pretty. Go to the garbage dump and look for bears. Also, there is the "Ancient Cedars" outside town, but you REALLY need a 4-wheel drive for that.

I think I recently read that the highway just north of Vancouver was being worked on. It might even be CLOSED. It IS a spectacular road, but they had trouble with rock falls which damage the road (if not people).

They're upgrading it for the 2010 Olympics. I havn't driven the road in about 6-8 months but it has been under construction for at least 1-2 years by now and was never shut down. Worse case scenario is traffic is bad and the typical 2 hour trip takes 3+.

**dltslk** · 09-03-2008

If you get down near Victoria make sure to go to Beuchard (sp??) Gardens. They are beautiful!!

**Driller** · 09-03-2008

I checked on-line with BC Roads and all appears open with no delays when we drive from Whistler to Vancouver. There was a major rock slide a couple of months ago which took almost a week to clean-up. Definately don't want to be near one of those!

SLK James · 09-04-2008

Even with the road all open (no construction delays), much of the highway has considerably reduced speed limits (60ish). I drove up to Whistler on a whim a month or so back to check out how things were going, and I spent much of the time moving slowly.

The parts that have been completed are excellent to drive (great smooth pavement, two lanes each way so you can pass those inevitable RVs, and of course the amazing views along there). I think the trip took me just under 3 hours to get up there, and about 3.5 to get back (hit the beginning of rush hour). Still a great drive, just don't expect to be rocketing along the entire way.

First post, by the way. Long time lurker, finally had something to add.

**etyu** · 09-04-2008

Welcome SLK James.

mtiede · 09-04-2008

I think the gardens are Butchart. Definitely worth a visit.

Also, check out "The Empress". Stayed there a while back... Pretty view of the bay and check out "high tea".

**dltslk** · 09-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I think the gardens are Butchart. Definitely worth a visit.

Also, check out "The Empress". Stayed there a while back... Pretty view of the bay and check out "high tea".

Thanks for the spell check.

We stayed at the Empress as well, very nice place. Had one of the resident seagulls begging for granola bars that my wife started feeding it.

**Driller** · 09-06-2008

Made it to Vancouver! The best part was the twisty's coming into Pemberton. Not too much traffic and very couteous motor homes/buses that pulled over. Lot's of construction south of Whistler but not too bad.

09-02-2008	#1 (permalink)
Driller SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Vehicle: 2005 SLK 55 Posts: 88 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Calgary To Tofino We're getting ready to take off on a 10 day roadtrip trip leaving Calgary for Tofino, BC (Vancouver Island) and points in between. Never been to the west side of Vancouver Island but looking forward to the stunning scenes and twisty roads. We also plan to use a new route (for us) to Vancouver through the backdoor (Lillooet/Whistler). After a few days on the island, it's off to wine country in Penticton and Kelowna BC before returning to the salt mines. Weather forecast looks excellent should should be a lot of top down opportunities. We had frost (already!) this morning in Calgary but I still had the top down!

09-03-2008	#2 (permalink)
Dang SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Vehicle: 2005 SLK 350 Posts: 50 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts	Getting cool here already isn't it? Enjoy your trip, sounds fantastic! Dang __________________ 2005 SLK350 6 Speed Manual, Air Scarf, Comand, Nav. OEM Bluetooth Phone, iPod interface and Sat Radio. Orion Blue Metallic

09-03-2008	#6 (permalink)
dltslk Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: GA Vehicle: 2007 Mars Red/Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 1968 Pontiac GTO Posts: 673 Country: Thanks: 88 Thanked 67 Times in 52 Posts	If you get down near Victoria make sure to go to Beuchard (sp??) Gardens. They are beautiful!! __________________ David

09-04-2008	#8 (permalink)
SLK James SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Vehicle: 2005 SLK350 Posts: 8 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Even with the road all open (no construction delays), much of the highway has considerably reduced speed limits (60ish). I drove up to Whistler on a whim a month or so back to check out how things were going, and I spent much of the time moving slowly. The parts that have been completed are excellent to drive (great smooth pavement, two lanes each way so you can pass those inevitable RVs, and of course the amazing views along there). I think the trip took me just under 3 hours to get up there, and about 3.5 to get back (hit the beginning of rush hour). Still a great drive, just don't expect to be rocketing along the entire way. First post, by the way. Long time lurker, finally had something to add. Last edited by SLK James; 09-04-2008 at 12:41 AM. Reason: Re-formatting... doesn't seem to work without Javascript on.

09-04-2008	#9 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,281 Country: Thanks: 377 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Welcome SLK James. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

09-03-2008	#3 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,645 Thanks: 101 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	Whistler to Vancouver is a wonderful drive. Whistler itself is pretty. Go to the garbage dump and look for bears. Also, there is the "Ancient Cedars" outside town, but you REALLY need a 4-wheel drive for that. I think I recently read that the highway just north of Vancouver was being worked on. It might even be CLOSED. It IS a spectacular road, but they had trouble with rock falls which damage the road (if not people).

09-03-2008	#4 (permalink)
slkluv SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Vehicle: Black 05 SLK 350 Posts: 77 Country: Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	I use to live in Tofino and in the Okanagan - both are beautiful areas. Enjoy the scenery and hopefully the road to Tofino isn't too bad (Last I remember they were doing construction or road repairs there?)

09-03-2008	#7 (permalink)
Driller SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Vehicle: 2005 SLK 55 Posts: 88 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I checked on-line with BC Roads and all appears open with no delays when we drive from Whistler to Vancouver. There was a major rock slide a couple of months ago which took almost a week to clean-up. Definately don't want to be near one of those!

09-04-2008	#10 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,645 Thanks: 101 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	I think the gardens are Butchart. Definitely worth a visit. Also, check out "The Empress". Stayed there a while back... Pretty view of the bay and check out "high tea".

09-06-2008	#12 (permalink)
Driller SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Vehicle: 2005 SLK 55 Posts: 88 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Made it to Vancouver! The best part was the twisty's coming into Pemberton. Not too much traffic and very couteous motor homes/buses that pulled over. Lot's of construction south of Whistler but not too bad.

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