Icefields Parkway

I have to go to Jasper tomorrow. I plan on going north to Drayton Valley and pausing at Hinton for a meeting and then to Jasper for an evening arrival. My question is: How bad is Highway 93 in the winter? Should I attempt to come back this way? I would be leaving Jasper heading south at around 4-5pm on Thursday. Or should I take my time and go back the long way around? I will be driving a F150.

[GGG]

In nice weather it's fine.

But it can get bad quick. so if you get a good forecast I wouldn't worry about it

[GGG]

Also do you have winter tires?

[peter12]

Winter tires, chains, and a tow strap. Also a reliable source of communication other than a cell phone. That stretch of road, particularly on the south end of the Icefields can get really, really, bad.

Also, probably the best drive in the whole world. You are so lucky. I used to hang out in that neck of the woods quite a bit back when pipelines were a thing that our nation built. Where are you staying in Jasper?

[Madrox]

Keep a close watch on the forecast. It looks alright now, but there's snow on the horizon. If both road conditions and visibility aren't very good, I'd be heading the long way, especially at night.

[DoubleF]

Personally I don't think that stretch is bad as long as you don't try to navigate it in darkness during a snow storm and don't go 30-40 over the speed limit. The dead zones for cell phones is a little unnerving though. Make sure to bring extra food and perhaps a warm blanket just in case something shows up that seems a little scary to navigate.

IMO you'd be perfectly fine to take that route in a F150 at that time. Most of it is reasonably straight roads IIRC. If a completely crazy snow storm, I wouldn't bother trying to drive home in the dark on any road. I'd just stay over night in a town until day light.

[Fuzz]

Check the 511 site for road cams, you can get a look at how bad some areas are.

I have all seasons. No chains. Staying at Lobstick (it was cheap).
There aren't any highway cams along the route. Just at Jasper and Lake Louise.... nothing in the middle... Not even at Saskatchewan Crossing. The lack of info is what freaks me out. If a tour bus can make it there and back every day, it shouldn't be too bad? The only thing is I would be doing it at night. It doesn't look like any snow until Friday.

[peter12]

You won't make it up the south slope with all-seasons if there is any snow.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by peter12

You won't make it up the south slope with all-seasons if there is any snow.

Laugh.

I've driven the road on all-seasons many times with out issue in snowy conditions.

[Fuzz]

The BC site has some webcams nearby:
http://www.drivebc.ca/#mapView&z=8&l...%2C-118.144227

The map is showing snow covered:
http://511.alberta.ca/map.html#l=36&...&y=6845482&z=3

I wouldn't do it on all seasons in a pickup truck with a light rear end, but that's me. One animal jumps out of the ditch in front of you at night? Could be game over.

[woob]

I wouldn't do it without winters, but if you do just take it easy and be prepared for changing conditions. I've been through there in early may and encountered 6 inch deep snow around the icefields but have also been through in November and it was mostly dry the whole way.

If you encounter any sections where there is big berms of snow on either side of the road from plowing, watch out for line creepers. Almost wound up in a head on during a snowstorm, as some struggler was afraid of the snow on the side of the road and was driving with one wheel over the yellow.

I enjoy winter driving as I like the challenge of it, but that road can be white knuckle intense in bad conditions.

I think being a cautious driver, I'm not going to chance it. I'm going to wimp out and take the long way home My family would be happier if I did it that way too.

[Looch City]

Bring a shovel.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Laugh.

I've driven the road on all-seasons many times with out issue in snowy conditions.

Sure you have.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by peter12

Sure you have.

As have I. Drove that road often over the years with all-seasons. Not saying it's the optimal choice but done it dozens of times with no issues. Drive to the conditions.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I think being a cautious driver, I'm not going to chance it. I'm going to wimp out and take the long way home My family would be happier if I did it that way too.

Don't think of it that way. Think of it as knowing your limits. Some of us are far more comfortable driving in extreme weather than others. In terms of safety, everyone wins if everyone goes home unscathed.

It's not a race or a competition.

A year or two ago, I drove that stretch with white out conditions in a car running all seasons. I had 2 maybe 3 close call "Oh sht" moments where misjudged and took a turn at speed limit instead of 10 or 20 below speed limit due to conditions of the road. I had no problems driving speed limit on straights. You can drive that stretch with decent all seasons/all weather tires, but you have to know the car's and your own limits with that combo of car, tire and road.

For me, that stretch is a little bit of an interesting challenge. For others, I would not ever suggest they attempt to drive through that area if the weather is poor or dark.

Definitely bring emergency gear like a shovel, blankets, food, water, candles etc. Keep the tank always above half, you never know what might happen. Don't think of it as something you need to have because of you. I keep this stuff and think of it as something great to have on hand in case I stumble upon someone who may benefit from me having said items.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by peter12

Sure you have.

Ok.

[Fuzz]

Given better roads to the east, you may not even lose all that much time going "the long way". Google shows it being an hour longer, but if you can't drive the speed limit on the Jasper route, it is going to be slow you down.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I think being a cautious driver, I'm not going to chance it. I'm going to wimp out and take the long way home My family would be happier if I did it that way too.

Can you stay an extra night and drive out in the morning? That view is worth a long slow drive, especially in winter.