Hi Steve, just browsing the threads and came across your name, you've been very helpful with a couple of queries of mine, so, for what it's worth, here's my twopennyworth. I've been there a couple of times in the last few years, but in FEBRUARY, when the roads were covered in snow. We hired a Ford Explorer 4WD, and in a total of nearly a month we didn't have a moment of uncertainty driving the beast, this included snowdrifts and sheet ice. I accept that this is completely irrelevant as far as biking is concerned, but it does seem that you intend driving there as well. You asked about car hire rates: all I can remember is that they seeed very reasonable at the time: most of the big hire firms are there; check out Avis, Hertz, Budget & Dollar rental on the net. Remember that the downtown hire rates are usually a lot cheaper than if you arrange the pick up at their airport depot. Also, most hire companies will give an extra five or ten percent off if you're in a trade union with a deal with them. I worked with BT and the NCU (Nat. Communications Union)did have a deal with two of the larger hire companies, just quote the agreement number.
Also, remember to hang on to your receipts while in Canada, they have a visitors' tax refund system. You will probably be given the information on how to reclaim it at your point of arrival, remember, you do not need to use an agency to reclaim your tax although it's a little easier, but then they take their cut, too. I did it myself, piece of piss. The local HUBB members will be far better placed to advise on winter riding in BC, but if they agree, head for the Icefield Parkway, from Jasper to Banff. Oh, then carry on via Canmore to Calgary, that's nice, friendly and modern-have a look at the Calgary Museum to find out about its history. I'm not a museum man myself, but found it very absorbing. It's just ocurred to me that this is now Alberta, but if you're going to BC then Alberta is also an obvious "must" What made the holiday especially memorable for me was that I hired a plane at Jasper-Hinton Airfield (I've got a licence) and flew over the northern part of the Icefield Parkway, the Columbia Icefield and Mount Edith Cavel. I think that was about £90 for about an hour and a half. That was with the proprietor of Air Jasper, Jim Bacon by my side, making sure I and his plane didn't get lost in the Rockies. Sound. You can get Air Jasper up on a search engine, no bother. Jim was full of information about the area we flew over and made the trip even better. I promise you, you will never run out of attractions in the Rockies. Oh, and if you do go in winter we were assured by the hotel that if it snows really badly then the highway authorities are geared up to cope, they'd have the snowploughs out and clear the roads in a jiffy. We had to stop a few times while the ploughs cleared a way, that, in a car was no bother, of course. I do hope this is of interest even though a lot may be irrelevant to biking: give me a bell if you like: 01758 72044. Regards, John

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Johnefyn

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Johnef