12-27-2014, 02:42 PM
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#1
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Crash and Bang Winger
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Calgary
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Drive from Vancouver to Calgary?
After several months of searching for a used SUV that met the exact requirements my wife wanted, we finally found a vehicle at a dealership in Vancouver that met our needs and put a deposit on it.
The dealer has offered to ship it to Calgary OR pay for our flight to Vancouver to drive it back. A mountain drive sounds like a lot of fun and I would prefer to see the vehicle before closing the deal, but when I mentioned this to my Dad he said we were insane to drive the Coquihalla / TransCanada in the winter.
SUV is a 2012 X5 and I had the dealership include the winter tire package.
Thoughts? We are planning to fly out on the 2nd, but have not booked flights yet and can still opt for shipping.
Thanks.
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12-27-2014, 02:45 PM
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#2
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UnModerator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Coquihalla is an evil snow and ice strewn abyss.
Drive safely and you should be fine though.
__________________
THANK MR DEMKOCPHL Ottawa Vancouver
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12-27-2014, 02:48 PM
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#3
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Not sure
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Got back from Tofino last Saturday. Took hwy1 the whole way. I drove a 2012 Malibu. It was a little harry in places but nothing a good set of winters couldn't handle.
I took 2 days to do it as I was in no rush and I didn't want to drive in the dark.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bingo.
Maybe he hates cowboy boots.
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12-27-2014, 02:51 PM
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#4
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First Line Centre
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Wasn't the Coquihalla closed due to snow a few days ago? The conditions on the passes (especially Coquihalla) would be worth checking out online before leaving
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12-27-2014, 03:08 PM
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#5
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Crash and Bang Winger
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Calgary
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It sounds like there is some new snowfall (5-10cm overnight) expected, but it doesn't appear to be closed now.
We are planning to do in 2 days so we can avoid the night drive as well.
Where did you stop keratosis? Can't decide between Kamloops (seems too early in the journey) or Revelstoke (seems like too far). Salmon Arm seems small every time I have driven through in the past but maybe it is more substantial than I realize?
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12-27-2014, 03:12 PM
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#6
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Not sure
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I left Abotsford at 7am then stopped in Revelstoke, but could easily have made it to Golden.
__________________
Quote:
Originally posted by Bingo.
Maybe he hates cowboy boots.
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Last edited by keratosis; 12-27-2014 at 03:14 PM.
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12-27-2014, 03:16 PM
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#7
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Franchise Player
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keratosis
I stopped in Revelstoke, but could easily have made it to Golden.
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^ And if you get to Golden, you're just going to go all the way.
I would just get the car shipped. In the summer this might be more fun but the conditions on the Coquihalla can change in an instant to the point where, winter tires or otherwise, you will be very scared. Couple that with a vehicle you won't be familiar with -- just doesn't seem like a great idea.
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12-27-2014, 03:20 PM
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#8
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Not sure
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That's why I went hwy 1 all the way. Takes longer than the Coq, but lighter traffic and much less stressful.
__________________
Quote:
Originally posted by Bingo.
Maybe he hates cowboy boots.
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12-27-2014, 04:33 PM
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#9
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sunshine Coast
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I use to drive straight through but I travelled at night to avoid the traffic and make better time. It never bothered me if it was winter or not, just drive a little more carefully and if the Coc is bad just take the canyon (#1).
My worst experience was a snow slide coming down in front of me, causing me to get a motel in Golden for the night and than having to detour south to get around it. Be flexible and stop for the night if needed or detour if needed and you should be fine.
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12-27-2014, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Calgary
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I also drive it at night. Less traffic makes for a more consistent travel. That and the road crews seems to have it nice and clear during the nights if it isn't actively snowing.
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12-27-2014, 05:35 PM
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#11
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Franchise Player
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Omg, you've the winter tire package, it's a great test drive for your new vehicle.
Sure the Coquihalla can be a nightmare but check the road conditions and adjust accordingly.
Take the flight and enjoy the trip.
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12-27-2014, 05:41 PM
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#12
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sherwood Park, AB
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I always take #3 from calgary to castlegar, its a super nice drive. Probably way longer than the #1 though
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12-27-2014, 05:47 PM
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#13
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo
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Plan accordingly. The Coq and the Canyon can turn bad in an instance. The rogers pass in the Selkirks is the other one that you really need to plan out to. Got stuck in Golden once for 3 days because of a Avalanche.
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12-27-2014, 06:24 PM
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#14
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Field near Field, AB
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Great place to buy a BMW. Lots of them and usually in great condition because of the mild winters.
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12-27-2014, 08:26 PM
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#15
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sunshine Coast
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Quote:
Originally Posted by indes
I always take #3 from calgary to castlegar, its a super nice drive. Probably way longer than the #1 though
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Yeah the #3 is a lot longer, nice drive though. Some great motorcycling roads in the Castlegar area.
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12-27-2014, 08:53 PM
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#16
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarywinning
Great place to buy a BMW. Lots of them and usually in great condition because of the mild winters.
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Older Mercedes too. Like my 1981 300d. No road salts being used here in Victoria . same thing with Vancouver.
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12-27-2014, 11:31 PM
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#17
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First Line Centre
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Plan to drive for two days and make good use of daylight as it is much safer to drive during the day. No major snow storm is in the forecast so you might get lucky on Jan 2.
With winter tires, your X5 should be able to handle all but the absolute worse driving condition.
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12-29-2014, 09:49 AM
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#18
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Calgary.
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I did the Coq run a couple of weeks ago in my Volkswagen Jetta. Mostly night driving, big storm through the passes, and took about 15 hours to complete the journey. I think that an X5 with good tires (M+S) will be just fine.
Here's the catch though - accidents and heavy snow WILL shut down portions of the road. Sometimes these are 30 minute waits, sometimes they are overnight. On my last trip, I had 2 long delays.
If you're in a hurry, ship the vehicle. If you're in a position to 'just roll with it' and can spend a day, two, three.....go for it, it's a great drive.
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12-29-2014, 11:23 PM
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#19
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Appealing my suspension
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Just outside Enemy Lines
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In BC it is law to have mud and snow or winter tires to drive the roads at this time of year. Honestly I will drive the Coq over the Revestoke to Lake Louise stretch any day. The Coq is a first world highway. Many parts of the Trans Canada are still a national embarrassment.
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"Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
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12-29-2014, 11:29 PM
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#20
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Nanaimo
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Wrong thread.
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