Motorcycle Tours

Best of Western Canada

12 Days Total, 10 Riding Days

Trip Overview

If you only have one opportunity to visit Western Canada, this is the motorcycle trip to take.

The Best of Western Canada — "Best of the West" — is our most popular trip because it gives travellers the chance to experience the very best of British Columbia and Alberta.

What to Expect

As with all our holidays, we leave Whistler heading north on Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway. We pass through Pemberton and climb beside the teal waters of Lillooet Lake along the Duffey Lake Road. After winding through the lush Coast Mountains, the climate becomes arid as we enter the gold rush country.

With the sun at our back, we follow the Cayoosh Canyon west to Lillooet, where we join roads that follow two of the great rivers of BC: the Fraser and the Thompson. Past the Ginseng fields of the benchlands, we end our day at another famous mountain retreat: Sun Peaks Resort.

Our next stop takes us north to the heart of the powerful Canadian Rocky Mountains and the stunning scenery of Jasper. The following day offers a chance to explore the beauty of Jasper National Park on foot, by tram, by bicycle or by a motorcycle ride to Maligne Lake or Miette Hotsprings, where the abundance of wildlife has to be seen to be believed.

Our ride then turns south along the “Icefields Parkway,” through glacier country. “The views are truly unparalleled,” said Robert Smith of Moto-Euro when he travelled this road.

Next stop: Banff, one of Canada’s true gems. There we stay at the brand new Fox Hotel & Suites. The following day provides a memorable ride through the wide valled and towering peaks of Kananaskis Country. Huge, undisturbed mountain vistas and wildlife sightings are numerous in this area. Our evening is spent soaking in mountain pools at the base of Fernie Mountain.

Following a ride along the twisting shoreline of Kootenay Lake, we stop in the historic town of Nelson. This stop-over offers riders a wonderful loop through the Kootenay Mountain region or a day to explore the many activities the area has to offer.

Next, we ride for wine country and the arid rolling hills of the Okanagan Valley. Again, a day’s rest either offers some great riding or a chance to enjoy some fine wines and dining at a lakeside resort. Winery tours, golf and every imaginable water sport are waiting just outside your hotel.

Our final ride takes us back along the banks of the mighty Fraser River, then onto a winding mountain road, past Duffey Lake and the return route to Whistler.

Trip Highlights

The Duffey Lake Road, Lillooet and Kamloops
The Thompson River Valley and Mount Robson Peak
A day off in Jasper to explore Miette Hot Springs and Maligne Lake
Lake Louise, Athabasca Falls and the Columbia Icefields
Kananaskis Country and Longview
Cranbrook, Creston and the Kootenays
A day off in Nelson to explore Kaslo and the Slocan Valley
Vernon, the Monashee Pass and the Mushroom Addition
A day off in Kelowna to explore the wine country of Okanagan Lake Valley and Osoyoos
Merritt and Lytton

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Route

(all routes are subject to change)

Day 1
Arrive in Whistler for Tour Orientation and Meet & Greet Dinner.

Day 2
Whistler to Sun Peaks via Marble Canyon

Day 3
Sun Peaks to Jasper via Blue River

Day 4
Day off in Jasper, day ride to Maligne Lake and Miette Hotsprings

Day 5
Jasper to Banff along the Icefields Parkway

Day 6
Banff to Fernie via Banff and Kananaskis National Parks

Day 7
Fairmont Hotsprings to Nelson through the Creston Valley

Day 8
Day off in Nelson, day rides in the Kootenay Mountains

Day 9
Nelson to Kelowna, either through the Slocan Valley or Osoyoos desert

Day 10
Day off in Kelowna, day ride in the wine region

Day 11
Kelowna to Whistler via the Duffey Lake Road

Day 12
Travel Day

Included in Your Holiday

Our tours feature; all up-scale accommodation, gourmet meals, motorcycle rental & insurance, chase vehicle for luggage / passengers / spare motorcycles, guide service, maps, fees for parks / ferries / activities, and return transfers from your hotel or the airport.

INCLUDED in the price of the holiday:

All upscale accommodation, including first & last nights stay.
All hi-end meals (except off-days), NEVER a set menu, order what you want!
Motorcycle rental and insurance, bikes are washed & maintained routinely, guests are welcome to trade bikes around.
Chase vehicle for luggage, spare bikes and weary passengers.
Top notch and experienced guided service.
Transfers from hotel or airport and return.
Holiday handbooks complete with maps and activity information.
Entrance fees to National Parks.
Fares for ferries and scheduled activities.
Snacks & refreshments at scheduled stops.
Rain-suits (just to keep the sun shining)

NOT included in the price of the holiday:

Fuel not included for your motorcycle (approx. $15-$20/day CAD).
Alcoholic beverages not included with meals.
Meals not included on optional riding days.
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Non-scheduled activities on off-days
Personal Travel/Medical Insurance

More information

Ultimate of the West
Several summers ago we ran a custom trip through the US Rockies. When we rode through Glacier Park, Montana, we absolutely fell in love with the place. The ride over Logan Pass is one of the most spectacular rides in the world.

As a follow-up we did some more exploring in the area and found some wonderful twisties linking Whitefish, Montana, with Nelson, British Columbia, one of our favourite towns north of the 49th parallel. We threw it all together and call it the Ultimate of the West.

See all Motorcycle Tours

Key Information

12 Days Total, 10 Riding Days

Destination

Alberta
British Columbia

Dates

June 7-18, 2008

View calendar

Rates

2008

Single Rider (own room): $8,250

Single Rider (shared room—double): $6,600

Rider & Passenger (shared room—double): $10,800

Deposit: $2,000

For a longer trip:
Consider the Ultimate of the West.

All prices are in Canadian dollars and are subject to a 5% Goods and Service Tax.

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