Calgary-Rossland route? (By SUV, ski trip)

[Corbeau]

Howdy, alienated westerners!

A question from the land of prorogation (and corruption next door)

I, along with the rest of the Corbeau family unit, are skiing at Red Mountain, BC this March. We're flying to Calgary, renting a mid-size SUV at about 10 am local time. We then drive to Cranbrook, where we have a reservation at a lodge. Sunday morning, we stock up on five day's worth of groceries and then drive to Rossland to our slope side condo.
A week later, on the Saturday, we wake up before the sun and make it a mad dash to the airport because we take off, eh, hoser, at 5 pm or so.

Now, the only time I saw the Rockies was from 30,000 feet. I stare at my Michelin road atlas and I don't know which is
a) the most scenic way, if it's sunny
b) the most reliable, if there's a snowstorm
c) the most time efficient, for the return leg.

Thanks in advance!

[bubba zanetti]

View Larger Map

This route takes you through Canmore, Banff, Kootenay Park ... unmatched scenery on a clear day.

As far as groceries go. One of the nicest grocery stores is found in Rossland. Ferraro's is right in town about 5 km from the ski hill. Wonderful selection of meats, fish, veggies and a bit of an Italian taste with many imports of pasta, sauces etc ...  I don't think Cranbrook has anything to match it and it is just down the hill from where you are staying. Liquor store right nearby too !

Enjoy the drive and the steep slopes of Red !!    Red just opened yesterday.   http://www.redresort.com/mountain/cams/

[birdrunner]

Highway 2 is and then Fernie is probably the fastest way in and out.  Hwy 22 would be only slightly slower and much nicer.

Salmo pass west of Creston can be snowy.

Mountain/Prairie roads can be VERY unpredictable.  The weather will determine the fastest/safest way in or out.

I'd try to rent an AWD vehicle, ideally one with snow tires on it.

It should be an awesome holiday, colour me jealous.

[Kootenanny]

You will love Red!  It'll seem small at first, and the lifts slow and antiquated...but once you start to realize just how much terrain there is, and how good it is, you'll appreciate the slower lifts for a breather (not uncommon to pretty much ride onto the lifts, too...you need that breather!).

As for the drive...March can be tricky, but should be pretty good.  Three basic routes: straight west on #1, turn south at Revelstoke; straght south on Hwy 2, head west on #3; a combination, west from Calgary, then south along the west slope of the Rockies, pick up #3 at Cranbrook.  (Since you have reservations in Cranbrook, you'll be taking option 2 or 3, but you might want to return via Revelstoke, depending.)

To get to Cranbrook, the scenery is nicer IMO if you go west through Banff before heading south to Cranbrook, and the highways are fine.  I usually make the turn just past Lake Louise onto 93 which heads to Radium (but this may not be the best route if the weather is bad).  From  Radium it's a straight shot south to Cranbrook--maybe 3 hours or so.  Stop in Banff for lunch!

If you head south to the Crowsnest (#3), you can either take #2 or #22.  2 is a straight shot through the flatlands; 22 is narrower and actually has some bends, but it runs along the Rockies for the view and connects with #3 just east of the pass, so cuts of some distance.  I have no idea what it's like in winter (but again, March shouldn't be bad...that said, although the Crowsnest Pass is the lowest pass in the Canadian Rockies, it's also a narrower highway than #1 and subject to complete whiteouts on occasion...)

Anyway, no matter how you arrive, I think you'll love Red.  It's not as big as Whistler--nowhere near--but the ski experience is as good as I've had at any resort (indeed, I have relatives who'd come to Rossland for a "ski vacation" even when they had season passes and accommodationss at Whistler).  If you have any specific questions about the hill, feel free to ask--I've skied it a lot (used to live about 10 minutes from the base).

[Kootenanny]

I see others have posted while I was writing my tome!

Good points from both.  Snow tires--proper snow tires--are important here (but AFAIK many rental outfits are loathe to provide them).  And yeah, Ferrarro's is a great grocery store (whenever I'm in Trail, I usually stop in).  It's locally owned, and the guy bagging your groceries might be the owner...

[bubba zanetti]

Ferraro's has a store in Trail and Rossland. The Rossland store has a much better selection, especially Deli, Fish and meats. We often head up there for lunch or stop in after skiing. Fresh salmon is usually available.

As far as a quick blast to Calgary ... as others say, it is a crapshoot depending on weather. So ... keep some links handy for making your own call...

Drive BC - Highway 3 Webcams
http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/5.html

Alberta Highway Cams
http://www.amaroadreports.ca/static_cameras

Fastest route is Highway 3 and likely the best maintained as it is a truck route. In March, your main concern is Kootenay Pass at this end and the Alberta roads. It can be windy in March. I rode my new to me Guzzi back from Canmore in March and apart from the winds on Highway 2 it was an easy ride. Just depends on the gods.