Is it safe to drive from Vancouver to Jasper in late October?

[CChung]

I will be going to Vancouver on vacation for a week and was wondering whether it will be safe to drive from Vancouver to Jasper in late October or could there be a possibility of it snowing. Can I make it in one day and what are the speed limits going up to Jasper? Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[Bram]

I don't think it would be a problem, because we had a very Hot summer up here. The drive is outsatnding in any old car, if you take your NSX it would be out of this world.

The mounties (RCMP) do petrol the highways, and set up some speed traps, but you can average betwen 70-75 MPH.

Take a Camera

Bram

 

[canuck]

You never know. I drive that route annually and it has snowed in July and been gorgeous in October. Go for it, the scenery is spectacular!!!

 

[netfreak]

I hit Banff from kelowna earlier before the summer. Amazing drive and the trans canada is very fun at night when it's completely empty.

 

[CokerRat]

You can absolutely get heavy snow in late October in the mountains around Jasper.

Let me put it this way: it is very common (more often than not) to have snow in Calgary (3000 ft elevation) at Halloween. Mountainous areas have already had snow (ie. Crowsnest Pass) in mid-SEPTEMBER this year!

I would discourage you from planning o taking the NSX. If you've got your heart set on it, make sure you're wearing either snow tires or perhaps good all-season tires with an open tread block pattern and good for maintaining traction at temperatures between -20C and 0C (-5F to 32F). Otherwise your drive may be a little more exciting than you wish!

That said, take a different vehicle and enjoy the drive. It's a beatiful area.

 

[NCC-1701D]

You can absolutely get heavy snow in late October in the mountains around Jasper.

Let me put it this way: it is very common (more often than not) to have snow in Calgary (3000 ft elevation) at Halloween. Mountainous areas have already had snow (ie. Crowsnest Pass) in mid-SEPTEMBER this year!

I would discourage you from planning o taking the NSX. If you've got your heart set on it, make sure you're wearing either snow tires or perhaps good all-season tires with an open tread block pattern and good for maintaining traction at temperatures between -20C and 0C (-5F to 32F). Otherwise your drive may be a little more exciting than you wish!

That said, take a different vehicle and enjoy the drive. It's a beatiful area.

I completely agree with CokerRat. I live in Edmonton and it rained all day today. The rain is suppose to turn to snow this evening. The snow probably won't stick around but Alberta weather is highly unpredictable.

 

[ffffanman]

Just put on the all seasons and go for it!
If the weather looks bad, then drop your car off at someones place in Vancouver and rent a car for the Jasper trip.
Just put my all season VR's on today.
Gotta love the soft ride and the way the nsx take twice as long to turn. LOL
Trev

 

[CChung]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. I'll be flying in from Los Angeles to Vancouver in two weeks so I won't be taking my NSX. I'll be renting a car in Vancouver and taking the trans Canadian Highway 1 all the way to Lake Louise, then taking the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, hopefully all in one day. Then we'll be hanging out in that area for the next four days and returning home from Calgary. Is going from Vancouver to Jasper by that route too far to go in one day, especially if we might hit snow in some areas? I see the Pacific Northwest has been hit with a lot of rain lately. I'm hoping I can do some hiking on some of the short trails in Jasper, Lake Louise, Yoho NP, and Banff while I'm up in the Canadian Rockies. Thanks again for all your advice and nice to see there are some friendly NSXers in BC!

 

[netfreak]

^ Unless you drive like me, it'll take you over 10 hours of driving IIRC.

 

[NCC-1701D]

Is going from Vancouver to Jasper by that route too far to go in one day, especially if we might hit snow in some areas?

You should be able to make the trip easily in 1 day.

Just bring a good camera and some warmer clothes..The scenary is breathless, the air is pure, and the water is clear.

 

[VE7NSX]

give a call when you get here this week :smile:

866-534-6222 toll free cellular
604-818-6033 local cell

 

[JD Cross]

I just got back from NSXPO 2005 and came back via Edmonton through Jasper to Vancouver.
No snow yet but it can come any day now so watch the weather
The best ride is Vancouver to Hope on Highway 1 then Hope to Tete Jaune Cache on Highway 5.Turn eat on Highway 16 to Jasper. Kamloops to Tete Jaune is lightly patrolled and you can go fast.
If you have time drive south from Jasper on Highway 93 and follow 93 to Nevada

 

[soon2B]

It is safe aslong as your cautious. You have to be careful of black ice and watch for wildlife, especially at night. A moose would leave a nice dent in your car doin 100km and you would be lucky to survive. More than likely you will run into snow. It took me 12hrs to go from Vancouver to Edmonton so you should have plenty of time. I would take the Coquhalla highway from Hope to Kamloops then from Kamloops take the highway that says Jasper, can't remember what highway it is though. Like everyone else said take your camera it is gorgeous through there. Have fun and welcome to BC. :smile:

 

[CChung]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Just returned last week from the Canadian Rockies and I must say it has to be the most beautiful place I've ever driven through. Vancouver was nice but had a lot more traffic than I thought(reminded me of home in Los Angeles). There is only a thin line that divides oncoming traffic so I was kinda scared staying on the left lane, especially on Granville Street.
Jasper and Banff National Parks are so gorgeous with snow capped mountains reflecting on crystal blue lakes and running rivers everywhere. It just seemed everywhere I looked the scenery was picture post card perfect! Lake Louise was also so beautiful with the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the background, I attached a photo.
We left home from Calgary. In downtown they have those lane reversals during traffic hours to maximize traffic flow which is a great idea but I learned to pay close attention to those signals over the lanes. I was heading for a head on collision with another car if I didn't change lanes in time!
Overall it was a great trip, even though my wife's luggage got lost and we were scammed in downtown Calgary by a phony parking attendant. Thanks again for all your help.