January visit

[WAFlamesFan]

Hello CP'ers,

I wasn't sure if this post should go here or somewhere else so if it needs moved I apologize and feel free to move it. I am a long time Flames fan but being from Washington State I have never attended a game. Truthfully, never been to Canada before. Year in and Year out I pay for Centre Ice and watch all the games. I became a fan in the early 90's and a bigger fan when Langkow became a Flame (he played Juniors for my home junior team the Tri-City Americans).

The reason for the message is my best buddy, my wife, and a few other friends decided that we are going to make the trek to catch a few games. The Americans are traveling that way so we thought why not catch the Ams game and a couple Flames games while we are there. I'm super excited but don't even know where to start in the planning phases for our trip. Can anyone give advice on places to stay (we were thinking suite style), places that we should eat, or things we have to see while we are in town. We should be in Calgary for four or five days. Thanks so much in advance! Can't wait, I belive we will be in town Jan 28th-Feb 2.

[Gaskal]

Jan 28 to Feb 2, as luck would have it, puts you smack dab in the middle of a homestand.

Sharks on Jan 30, and the Wild on Feb 1.

The middle bowl might be expensive. I've watched live from the cheaper press box seats and it's kind of like the "ice" camera setting sideways in NHL 14. Teeny, but you can still see everything including the puck.


I don't know what the budget is like for your road trip so I'm not sure what the accommodation standard is...but there's a good little series of 3starish hotels & motels right off the Banff Trail train station. So you can basically hop on the train all the way to Victoria Stampede station and boom right down the walkway straight shot into the stadium. Transit is annoyingly expensive though, like $3 a ticket.

Bring jackets and mittens. The weather sucks. You're thinking "It's okay, I'll be indoors most of the time anyway."

No. Do not underestimate Calgary weather. Dress appropriately.

[J epworth]

Rent a car so you can take a day up to Canmore or Banff, if you guys ski or snowboard there are plenty of resorts to choose from for a day trip, or if you want to try x-country skiing you can go to the Canmore nordic centre for some awesome trails.

Try to avoid the hotels near the airport. The convenience of being near the airport isn't worth staying in what amounts to a pretty industrial section of town. Unfortunately I don't know much about the hotels for Calgary, so don't know which ones would have good suite style rooms.

[Enoch Root]

for suite style accommodation downtown, you might consider Le Germain

[Northendzone]

I'd consider staying somewhere on MacLEad Trail south before the 3star hotels in the Banff Trail area.......

We have several restaunrats here in Calgary, so you should ahve little trouble getting 3 squares per day.

I'd consider making time for a side trip to Banff and/or Canmore. They are nice places to enjoy the rockies and just wander around - there is also some good skiing in the Banff area.

[DownhillGoat]

For places to stay, use Hotwire and let it pick a place downtown. Don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. I usually opt for that instead of getting a cab when I go out for a night on the town. Got the fairmont Palliser for $100/night last year.

I personally wouldn't bother with anything near the airport or motel villiage. With the C-train to the stadium IMO downtown is a good option.

For places to eat check out Vintage in Calgary, or grizzly house if you go to banff. Loungeburger is also good before the game.

[mikephoen]

I agree with everyone else that you should plan at least a day trip to the Banff/Canmore area. It's only a hour or so from downtown and completely worth the trip. Unless the roads are brutal, there is no way you'll regret the trip out there.

I would also suggest staying downtown, it's just going to be more convenient unless you're planning to rent a car for the whole trip. There are lots of great restaurants in the downtown area. I'm not sure what price range you're looking for, but I'm usually in Seattle once or twice a year and I don't find a big difference in restaurant prices between here and there, so you should be able to find good stuff in any price range.

[IamNotKenKing]

Stay downtown. Do not stay at Motel Village, or on MacLeod Trail.

International Hotel has kitchen style suites, and is right downtown. Sheraton Eau Claire and Westin have decent weekend rates, but their suites are no great shakes if you want a kitchen. Hotel Arts is fairly close to the 'dome, but not sure about their suites.

Have a steak at Caesar's downtown, or Vintage. Breakfast at 1886 Buffalo Cafe in Eau Claire is great, and very close to all these hotels, except for Hotel Arts, and even then, only 10 blocks or so.

Definitely rent a car and hit Banff if you have the time. And as per kunkstyle, Grizzly House is a must if you do. Enjoy, and welcome!

If tickets are hard to come by, mine might be available for either game. I only have 2, and they're in the middle of the second deck at the attacking blue line, but let me know.

[Biff]

I have 4 seats together available if you're hoping to sit together at the games. PM me and let me know.

[shogged]

Just going to throw my 2 cents in with regards to hotels, as some of the suggestions are ??? Lol

My favourite suite in Calgary is the Hyatt downtown, it's a fantastic modern hotel with an excellent location. The restaurants are fantastic, as is the spa.

My second choice would be the Fairmont Palliser just down the road. Also an excellent location, and this is the hotel some of the visiting teams stay at, along with other celebs when they come to town.

As you said suite, I've assumed dollars isn't a big concern. If that's not the case and you're looking for a bargain I would suggest either hotel arts or the Sheraton suites.

Hotel arts is very much a business hotel however you'll spend a little less for decent sized suite. The location is still central and close to the dome, but it's not as luxurious as other hotels in the core.

The Sheraton suites is exactly what you'd expect for an all suite hotel, with a central location although it's the furthest from the dome of the 4. It does have a nice location near the river though, and depending on the weather that may be advantageous for you. It doesn't hold a candle to the Hyatt for me, but it does the trick.

I would not recommend the other choices that were given, as they are your common traveler hotels and I don't think your suite preference was considered when these were suggested. They are budget hotels and motels at best. The exception is le germain but I have yet to stay there so cannot share my experience.

Good luck!

[The Swedish Flame]

I don't have any suggestions but still would like to wish you a wonderful trip! Caught my first in-person game against Blackhawks this season (in Chicago) and hope to make a trip to Calgary in the not-too-distant future myself.

Have fun!

[robertsfanatic]

you will love it there, Calgary is an awesome city and seeing the Flames live (even when they lose) is incredible!
I was just there and stayed at the Westin downtown, I got a very good deal but it wasn't a suite...very nice hotel in a great location with access to everything you need fairly easily, and restaurants within a short walking distance.
I agree with Gaskal, DO NOT underestimate the weather or you will regret it.