Mercedes SLK World banner

Calgary To Tofino

3K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Driller 
#1 ·
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!
 
#3 ·
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).
 
#5 ·
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+.
 
#4 ·
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?)
 
#6 ·
If you get down near Victoria make sure to go to Beuchard (sp??) Gardens. They are beautiful!!
 
#7 ·
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!
 
#8 · (Edited)
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. :)
 
#9 ·
Welcome SLK James.
 
#11 ·
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.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top