Places to go Boating around Calgary

[Envitro]

Hey all,

we just bought a boat and are looking for good places to go, where the lake is nice and big, yet not ridiculously busy (like Sylvan can be).

Any ideas would be appreciated.

If anyone also has any good places to stay near Kalispell, MT with a boat launch or even a dock/marina for overnight mooring that'd be good too!

FYI, it's a 23' boat so it's not small, but it's a sport model cuddy so not that big.

Any help would be great. Thanks!

[JiriHrdina]

Little Bow Provincial park has a pretty big lake. I haven't been there for years - but I know it used to get quite busy on the weekends.

[ken0042]

If you are making the trip to Kalispell from Calgary and looking for something along the way I would recommend Lake Koocanusa. The nicest beach on the lake is at Newgate; which is the wrong side of the lake for your needs.

A few weeks we rented a Sea Doo and had a nice tour around the lake.

[YYC in LAX]

Around Calgary...there's nothing that great in the immediate area.

Ghost Lake is cold, but very close. I never go there so I'm not sure how busy it is.
Invermere, BC is about 2 hours, 45 mins from Calgary and is an awesome place.
I've heard of Buffalo Lake, AB or something like that though I don't know anything about it.

[Envitro]

I have heard good things about both Little Bow and Ghost Lake. I live on the west side of town so Ghost Lake would be the closest to me.

We are going down to Montana to pick up our boat and will drive back through Kalispell. So we might go up through Koocanusa on the way back, but not sure yet.

[Loob]

Alberta has no good lakes. BC is ok, but for the best water, Washington and Idaho can't be beat.

[Loob]

oh, what kind of boat did you get?

[Torture]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

Around Calgary...there's nothing that great in the immediate area.

Ghost Lake is cold, but very close. I never go there so I'm not sure how busy it is.
Invermere, BC is about 2 hours, 45 mins from Calgary and is an awesome place.
I've heard of Buffalo Lake, AB or something like that though I don't know anything about it.

He said he wanted something that isn't busy.

[Huntingwhale]

[Madman]

South of Kalispell is Flathead Lake - very nice and really big. There are a lot of towns around the lake, so there should be a place to stay with a marina.

[albertGQ]

Not Chestermere

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

Around Calgary...there's nothing that great in the immediate area.

Ghost Lake is cold, but very close. I never go there so I'm not sure how busy it is.
Invermere, BC is about 2 hours, 45 mins from Calgary and is an awesome place.
I've heard of Buffalo Lake, AB or something like that though I don't know anything about it.

Invemere is a zoo during the summer, don't know if it is what you are looking for.

My in-laws have had a cabin at Buffalo lake since the late 70's. It is a very nice community near the town of Bashaw, sand beaches at the campground and I believe some slips still available at the marina. A very large lake so you won't be as crowded compared to a place like Invermere, the lake is relatively shallow though and late afternoon winds (and thunderstorms) can make it dangerous if you are not careful.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Madman

South of Kalispell is Flathead Lake - very nice and really big. There are a lot of towns around the lake, so there should be a place to stay with a marina.

Isn't that the biggest lake West of the Mississippi? We went to the little lake earlier this summer at Whitefish and didn't make it down to Flathead but it looks like it would be a lot less busy! The dock area at Whitefish was a gong show when we were there but the lake is very warm and it takes you about 30 minutes to cruise down to Mary Harts place so it is quite a big lake also. For close to Calgary, Crawling Valley is about 1 hour from the east edge of town. Fairly well set up and usually not very busy.
http://travelingluck.com/North+Ameri...html#local_map

[CM ONE]

Speaking of Invermere, we usually go there in the summer but this year we're bringing a boat. Do you guys know where there is a public boat launch and possibly moorage for a week? Google only brings up Pete's marina but there has to be more out there. Any experience? Thanks for any help.

To the OP there is Lake Newell out by Brooks or further south Lake Mcgregor?

[Envitro]

Thanks guys. Yeah, McGregor and Newell have come up in my research.

Loob: It's a 1990 Rinker Festiva 230 in impeccable condition, with newly redone upholstery and vinyl

[Torch]

Just south of lake Newell is Rolling Hills Reservoir. Rolling hills has some nice camp spots and nice beaches. We boat every weekend and have a Xlv Moomba so no problems. They have a great boat launch and marina.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Madman

South of Kalispell is Flathead Lake - very nice and really big. There are a lot of towns around the lake, so there should be a place to stay with a marina.

+1 to this. Flathead is a huge lake and the water is amazingly clear. Loved camping there and would highly recommend it.

[goaliegirl]

My parents have a place on Little Bow, it is awesome for boating and has lots of little coves to drop anchor and swim or fish

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Torch

Just south of lake Newell is Rolling Hills Reservoir. Rolling hills has some nice camp spots and nice beaches. We boat every weekend and have a Xlv Moomba so no problems. They have a great boat launch and marina.

Well there goes our little secret boating place. Nice marina, large calm lake, not very busy. It kicks the crap out of lake newell.

[Envitro]

BUMP!

Getting the itch again, can't wait for boating season to start.

Anyone know if any of the lakes in southern Alberta are clear of ice?
Has anyone driven past Ghost Res to see if it is clear?

Thanks!