Driving to Whitefish/Kalispell

[brownie]

The wife and I are going down here tomorrow and just wondering what the shortest/best route is. Mapquest is showing to go down past Fernie. But the route which is south of Fort McLeod looks alot shorter. You would come in from the East using this route. Anyone have any experience on which route is best? Thanks

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by brownie

The wife and I are going down here tomorrow and just wondering what the shortest/best route is. Mapquest is showing to go down past Fernie. But the route which is south of Fort McLeod looks alot shorter. You would come in from the East using this route. Anyone have any experience on which route is best? Thanks

I prefer the Fernie route by far. Less weather potential and the roads are much better.

[amorak]

Google Maps says the Fernie Route is: 5 hours and 39 minutes

Where as, it also says the Ft McLeod / Mormon Corridor route is 5 hours and 49 minutes

I agree with DPF, Fernie rout is nicer to look at and the roads are better maintained.

[SinceDay1]

If you're going to take the Fernie route, cut west across to Highway 22 at Nanton using Highway 533. Then take Highway 22 south to get to Highway 3. This will save you some time and is more scenic than taking the #2 all the way to Fort Macleod.

[notoepik]

Originally Posted by SinceDay1

If you're going to take the Fernie route, cut west across to Highway 22 at Nanton using Highway 533. Then take Highway 22 south to get to Highway 3. This will save you some time and is more scenic than taking the #2 all the way to Fort Macleod.

THIS!!

Although we go through Okotoks to Black Diamond, this is the way to go, don't go to Fort Macleod that way takes longer and is dull.

[Northendzone]

if you can i recommed stopping for lunch at the burger joint in eureka (i can't recall the name of the shop but it is on the main drag thru town and it will be on your right as you are going to whitefish) - it is delicious and the prices are reasonable.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Whatever you do..........avoid Browning, Montana at all costs!!

That place.............is the butthole of North America.....biggest dump EVER!!

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Whatever you do..........avoid Montana at all costs!!

That place.............is the butthole of North America.....biggest dump EVER!!

Fixed!

Seriously, unless you like an entire state that looks like Lethbridge (but with Casinos in every store/gas station). Montana is dulllllllll

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Seriously, unless you like an entire state that looks like Lethbridge (but with Casinos in every store/gas station). Montana is dulllllllll

The exception is the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. But that's closed at this time of year...

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

whatever you do..........avoid browning, montana at all costs!!

That place.............is the butthole of north america.....biggest dump ever!!

:d

[JBR]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Whatever you do..........avoid Browning, Montana at all costs!!

That place.............is the butthole of North America.....biggest dump EVER!!

Edmonton says hello.

[guzzy]

Take hwy 2 south to 540. 540 isn't as nice as 533 but it saves a few minutes. 540 to 22. 22 to 3. 3 to 93 (elko turn off after Fernie). From Calgary you can do it in 4.5 hours easy.

[guzzy]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

if you can i recommed stopping for lunch at the burger joint in eureka (i can't recall the name of the shop but it is on the main drag thru town and it will be on your right as you are going to whitefish) - it is delicious and the prices are reasonable.

I think it is the cutting board or something like that. Regis and Kelly rated the Bubba Burger as the best burger in the US.

It is on the hill (heading south) on the right side next to the law office downtown on main street.

Awesome burger

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Fixed!

Seriously, unless you like an entire state that looks like Lethbridge (but with Casinos in every store/gas station). Montana is dulllllllll

Clearly, you have no idea what you're talking about.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by JBR

Edmonton says hello.

I've been to Edmonton.........

Browning has packs of wild dogs running on the streets.....and I think I picked out one home in that town that I would live in....
It seems the residents in Browning are having a competition to see who can have the most old rusty cars sitting in their yard...

Whitefish on the other hand is really nice, clean place.....with a small town feel and some good bars to go to...hell you can even bring your dog to the bar!

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I've been to Edmonton.........

Browning has packs of wild dogs running on the streets.....and I think I picked out one home in that town that I would live in....
It seems the residents in Browning are having a competition to see who can have the most old rusty cars sitting in their yard...

Whitefish on the other hand is really nice, clean place.....with a small town feel and some good bars to go to...hell you can even bring your dog to the bar!

One is on a Blackfeet reservation and one is not. That's the reason for the disparity.

[questionmotives]

Originally Posted by SinceDay1

If you're going to take the Fernie route, cut west across to Highway 22 at Nanton using Highway 533. Then take Highway 22 south to get to Highway 3. This will save you some time and is more scenic than taking the #2 all the way to Fort Macleod.

Agreed.

I actually enjoy the drive from Fernie to Whitefish/Kalispell. The roads are decent and the scenery isn't bad. Also you can't go wrong with stopping at Bulldog's in Whitefish for a burger and a pint.

And not to be nosy, but are you by any chance going from there to Vegas? Allegiant Air does direct flights from Kalispell to Las Vegas and is as cheap as anything I have seen anywhere. I actually booked a package with my girlfriend this morning in late April for $550 cdn, including flights and 4 nights at the New York New York. You can stay just about anywhere on the strip.

And now I can't get anything done because all I can think about is Las Vegas and golf.

[brownie]

Thanks for all the info folks. Yeah I know the shortcut past Nanton and its save a bit of time.

Actually going down for a shopping trip to buy some stuff for our baby who is arriving in July. Which should be alot more fun than going golfing in Vegas. But some friends of ours are doing the same thing as questionmotives. Driving down to Kalispell and flying out of there to Vegas.
Anyone think that the Flames/Sharks game will be on at any of the bars?

Thanks again

[questionmotives]

Originally Posted by brownie

Anyone think that the Flames/Sharks game will be on at any of the bars?

Thanks again

I was in Whitefish during March Madness last year and we couldn't find a hockey game for our lives. Not so sure about Kalispell, but I would expect you will have a difficult time.

That said, we were able to pick up the Fan960 pretty clearly in our hotel parking lot.

For anyone interested in the Vegas deals check out http://www.allegiantair.com/. Or you could have a baby... Just kidding, all the best to you and the wife.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by brownie

Thanks for all the info folks. Yeah I know the shortcut past Nanton and its save a bit of time.

Actually going down for a shopping trip to buy some stuff for our baby who is arriving in July. Which should be alot more fun than going golfing in Vegas. But some friends of ours are doing the same thing as questionmotives. Driving down to Kalispell and flying out of there to Vegas.
Anyone think that the Flames/Sharks game will be on at any of the bars?

Thanks again

Go to The Scoreboard Pub in Kalispell. They'll have it, but whether you can get them to put it on one of the TV's in the middle of March Madness may be a legitimate concern.