info on canada needed

supermum4

hi we are hoping to go to canada skiing with our children we have never been to calgary before:j so if anyone has any info on the cost of meals and stuff in this area it would be greatly appreciated, this advice will influence our choice of country we visit, as we are going room only so if its expensive to eat out and stuff we won't go:eek: , but hopefully prices will be ok thanks in advance guys :beer:

daveyjp

My only experience is that of a colleague who went skiing in Canada in the middle of winter - it was so cold most of the time they couldn't go outside! -15 deg C was not uncommon and -30 was experienced. Go early or late in the season if you want warmer weather. Snow can be expected from September one year through to May the next.

My parents went to Canada in mid May and eating out was similar prices to the UK, but the portions were huge. It snowed overnight at Lake Louise - a light fall of about 12 inches!

LondonDiva

It's wonderful & I'd say that they pay dollar prices on what we pay, so

£10 would be $10. Very big portion sizes.

Get a Nationwide card well before you go. Best thing I did.

Dan_S_3

Firstly you wouldn't want to stay in Calgary. Calgary is the city (no mountains). The best resort would be to go to Banff (90 mins from Calgary) which is absolutely amazing. I have been the past 3 years and plan to go back. Eating out is roughly the same as the uk - however some restaurants are great value for money and there is always the usual McDonalds etc

Anything else you need to know then just ask. But you won't be disappointed with Canada. Its amazing.

supermum4

Hi thankyou for all your replies, we are staying in banff so great news their then, we are going in feb so hope it won't be too cold, we went to lapland last year and it was very cold but we had a great time. can't wait now, thanks again guys

supermum4

forgot too say i already have a nationwide card, so nice to know it's accepted in the cash machines over there, thanks again

angel

February should be perfect in Banff although the snow is coming later and later nowadays. I find that eating out in restaurants costs about the same as here although fast food places and Tim Hortons are cheaper than here although you'd have to drive 15 minutes to Canmore to go to Tims. I wouldn't worry about the cold, it's very dry there so the cold stays outside of your clothes especially if you're doing something active. I've even been known to run out to the mailbox in my nightie at -20 and it's fine!

Banff is an expensive town though, don't expect any bargain shopping or superstores etc.

Have a great trip!!

withabix

Currently sitting in a hotel in Clinton, BC, but will be in the Fox Inn & Suites in Banff in a few days time (Wednesday night), so will report on prices from there all being well.

If there's an Old Spaghetti Factory, you can get soup (or salad), a pasta dish, sour dough bread, ice cream, tea or coffee for $12 CAD a head and pints of beer for $4.75. We always eat there at least once on each trip to BC. Last night we went to the one in Whistler - it was very busy!!!

Youm can get a fried breakfast with endless coffee for about $8 in most places.

worrypants

It all depends on the exchange rate at the time its fluctuated hugely this last 12 months
depsite this canada is fantastic value for money

Banff very touristy so more pricey in general
I can reccomend the Blackfoot inn for a great stay in calgary and Bannf springs hotel is out of this world
the spaghetti house in banff is also great as per another poster

as for the weather you never can tell but its a different kind of heat and cold so dont let that put you off

As I type this im sitting with my feet in a bucket of cold water with ice cubes in under my pc:D as we are in our 3rd week of temps in excess of 100 degrees:eek:

mind you I live in southern Nova Scotia

supermum4

angel wrote: »

February should be perfect in Banff although the snow is coming later and later nowadays. I find that eating out in restaurants costs about the same as here although fast food places and Tim Hortons are cheaper than here although you'd have to drive 15 minutes to Canmore to go to Tims. I wouldn't worry about the cold, it's very dry there so the cold stays outside of your clothes especially if you're doing something active. I've even been known to run out to the mailbox in my nightie at -20 and it's fine!

Banff is an expensive town though, don't expect any bargain shopping or superstores etc.

Have a great trip!!

Thanks for all the tips guys its much appreciated, all booked up now and can't wait to go:j

withabix

Banff isn't any more expensive than anywhere else I've been in BC/Alberta, despite nearly all of the hotels and restaurants being owned by the same company (including restaurant franchises).

http://www.bestofbanff.com/

I'm sat drinking a coffee in our room at the Fox Hotel & Suites in Banff at this very moment!! :beer:

There looks to be lots to do in Banff whatever the season (and weather!!).



Don't go to Jasper however. What a rip off - hotels and restaurants are all about twice the price they are worth AND poor quality!! :mad: