Some help, please....

[Phanuthier]

I think the main question is - what do you like to do?

If its outdoors and nature, then its obviously the mountains. If its the ambience, then take it easy and go to some nice restraints. If its culture, museums, et al.

On WEM, the only reason to go there is if you have a particular reason to go there. Galaxy Land, Firing Range, Comedy Club... otherwise, its a bit of a dive. Its really actually not that big, and there's not a lot of stores.

[SparkyOne]

Thanks to each and every one of you! I knew this would be the spot to get the info we need!!!

We've pretty much canned going to Edmonton, especially when I checked out prices on Oilers tickets! (I'm not a big shopper anyway....and I've been to malls literally all over!!) The Hitmen aren't around on any of our possible weekends, so we're going to try to find a junior game....maybe Red Deer.

I've wanted to see Banff forever, so that always was on the agenda....we aren't great outdoors people, but do enjoy the scenery. The kid's dad works for his sister who owns a candy company, so the candy store is on the list as well!

I foresee lots of driving in a couple of days....looks like we'll fly in and go to a Flames game on Friday night, then head out of town and do the "away" stuff on Saturday and Sunday, stay in Calgary on Sunday night (and Monday), visit Calgary sites on Monday, go to a Monday night game and then fly home on Tuesday.

We are SO excited!!! Want to cram as much as we can into the trip....and see lots of hockey besides. When we determine the actual date (might be the weekend of March 21-22 when the Flames play the Blues and the Red Wings), I'll come back and ask for help in getting discounts!!

You guys are great! Hope we have a chance to meet at least some of you while we're there....

[Locke]

Well if you're staying in Calgary on a Sunday night and want to get away from the kids for a bit I know of this great little pub in Westhills where CP'ers tend to gather....

[Ford Prefect]

With regards to the Royal Tyrell Museum, it's located in Drumheller, which as about the same distance from Calgary as Banff but in the opposite direction. If your kids are into dinosaurs it's a cool spot. Lots and lots of dinosaurs and other fossils, including a T Rex naturally.

I'd also recommend the Calgary Zoo if you're into zoos. As zoos go, it's a pretty decent one. There's also Heritage Park in Calgary if you're into antiques and pioneer era history.

If you skate, strapping on some speed skates at the Olympic Oval and going for a skate is a fun family spot to hit. It's located on the University of Calgary campus and is one of the top speed skating venues in the world. Many olympic speed skaters from around the world train there.

If you make the drive from Banff up through the Columbia ice fields to Jasper, and then over to Edmonton, better plan on two days for this trip with a stop over in Jasper. Not only is Jasper worth stopping in, that's way too long of a drive to make in one day, especially during the winter. Also, if you're not comfortable with winter driving in the mountains, you may want to skip it. It's an incredibly beautiful drive, but the weather and road conditions can be somewhat adverse at times.

[SparkyOne]

Should I be thinking of renting a four-wheel drive vehicle if we want to make that trip?

We're kind of an odd group....the little guy is the grandson of my friend/neighbor and I've sorta been adopted by the family! He's a hockey freak and has had season tickets in the QC since he was too big to carry in. He and I do a lot of road trips on our own, since his own grandma isn't particularly fond of hockey. But when we were filling out our chances for the trip, we decided to make a pact and the same four people would go if any of the three of us STHers won. I told his dad that he got in on a bonus clause....no season tickets and he still won!

Maybe we'll have to think about flying in on Thursday night so we can do the museum....three of the four of us love dinosaurs!!!

[old-fart]

If you did fly in on the Thursday, you could drive out to do the museum on the Friday and still make it back in time for a Friday night game. Then, off to Banff for the weekend. It is definitely worth the trip, and there is lots to do to fill up two days in Banff - hot springs, candy store, Banff Springs, etc. - then back on Sunday, do the zoo or Canada Olympic Park on Monday, the game Monday night and back home on Tuesday.

No need to go to Edmonton. If you've ever been to a mall, you have no need to go to the WEM - unless you really want to visit muliple Randy River outlets in the same day.

[troutman]

You are too late for a tour of the Cecil Hotel.

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by fotze

Take the famdamily to "The Speakeasy". It's 1920's themed bar bar modelled after the old "speakeasy" establishments popular back in the roaring 20's. The kids will get a kick out of the crazy costumes the staff wear, its a real hoot.

You're a bad man fotze.... a very bad man.

[WindomURL]

Speakeasy isn't a bad idea. You get in without paying cover if you have Flames ticket stubs

[Drunk Skunk]

You should take me.

[SparkyOne]

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

You should take me.

Public campaigning. A nice touch!!

Forgot to ask you last night....do you have a passport??! Definitely need to be in the running for the fill-in position!!

Now I just have to figure out a way to convince the grandma to stay home so that she doesn't wreck the trip!!! You're devious....come up with a plan!!

[Drunk Skunk]

I can get one - let me know if there's a real chance and I'll head down to the post office next week.

[SparkyOne]

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

I can get one - let me know if there's a real chance and I'll head down to the post office next week.

I have to get rid of Judy first! Maybe I'll say something this weekend....

[COGENT]

Go skiing. Some the worlds best skiing is in the Banff area.