Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Canada
Reload this Page >

Oct driving conditions in the Canadian Rockies

Oct driving conditions in the Canadian Rockies

Old Sep 16th, 2017, 08:40 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oct driving conditions in the Canadian Rockies

We will be visiting Yoho, Banff, and Jasper next month, driving from the US west coast through Oregon & Washington states. Due to the wildfire in Kootenay, I believe we can not drive 93 to Banff; hence we will be staying in Golden, BC for Oct 6 and 7 and visit Yoho. Hopefully Yoho Valley Rd will still be open.
Then we proceed to Banff and stay there Oct 9-12, and Jasper Oct 13- 15 and return to the US the same way.
From old forum posts, I understand weather can be pleasant, rainy or wintery. When there is snow on the road (for all these places we will be visiting and the roads we will be taking), are chains or snow tires required/advisable or will our Honda's all-weather tires be safe enough. We lived in NY state where roads are salted and sanded and our Honda's tires were fine. Now, in Nevada, there are routes where chains or snow tires are required. Even after living in NY's winter for 40 yrs, I still get nervous driving on snow, sleet, and freezing rain, even when I am only a passenger.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
banares is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2017, 05:12 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In BC, you must have winter tires on your car between Oct 1 and Mar 31.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tr...t-winter-tires
ShelliDawn is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2017, 05:13 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, should have stated "in the mountains in BC". Other parts of BC they are not mandatory, but they are in Golden/Yoho.
ShelliDawn is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2017, 09:43 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Highway 93S has been open for weeks -- closures were very temporary and it was certainly open as of the 16th. The only current road closures would be within Waterton NP.

As mentioned, a minimum of M+S tires are required in interior BC as of October 1. If you drive without them, you take the risk of not being covered by insurance if you get into an accident and being found at fault if you do get into an accident.

Chains are almost never used for cars here -- at least on road -- only for big transport trucks. They just aren't very practical, and conditions are so bad that you need to use them, you really shouldn't be on the road.

Generally there's not a huge risk of snow on the roads in October, but there's always a chance. Right now there's actually a snowfall warning in Jasper and there's been or will be snow in the cities. The high mountain passes in BC can often have snow in October. So leave yourself plenty of time to get across BC just in case.

While full snow tires are not required on the Icefields Parkway (Lake Louise to Jasper) until November, you will want to exercise caution on the parkway. By the time you are planning to drive to Jasper, it will be more or less in winter mode. The Icefields Centre will be open until October 15, but other than that, no hotels, stores or the gas station will be open. Road maintainance will be only during daylight hours and only scraping, not full plowing. No cell service. So it's strongly suggested that you drive during daylight hours and check road/weather conditions before setting out.

Note that seasonal roads and attractions will shut after October. Given that, and the fact that there is a lot of construction on the TCH between Golden and Yoho NP, I would be inclined to get to Banff sooner and use Banff or even Canmore as a base for Yoho NP. Really no farther than Golden.
The seasonal road closures include the road to Moraine Lake - need to visit that by October 9. Same for Little Yoho Road up to Takkakaw Falls.

The Yoho Valley Road will shut as of October 10 unless conditions are really bad earlier. That said, it's higher elevation with some hairpin turns, so I would want to have snow tires on just in case there's ice/snow/sleet.
kgsneds is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2017, 11:33 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all very much.
banares is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
scootyburger
Canada
6
Sep 30th, 2016 11:29 AM
roguemckenzie
Canada
4
Jul 29th, 2013 11:46 AM
Im4Wine
Canada
6
Sep 4th, 2012 04:47 PM
doc04
Canada
8
Sep 2nd, 2006 11:26 AM
Paige
Canada
11
Aug 26th, 2002 02:53 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -