Just wondering if any FT'ers are going to the Stampede this year.

Calgary Alberta Canada
July 5 - 14, 2002

For those interested, here is the link

http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede/

Yes, this is definitely an option for a great FlyerTalk party. Been thinking about it.

I recall that we had this conversation recently with BlondeBomber in dus.
But I can't recall exactly what he said. It was either"Alt! Alt! Alt!" or "I did not know that fters were into face painting that much."

Michael and I could get into this especially over the 4th. I'm willing to book it if there is anymore interest here. Heck, we may just go anyway. We're looking at the 4th to the 7th.

I will be planning a multi city jaunt coinciding with the 2 day holiday on the fourth and some vacation. This is one of my hopeful desitinations. Like you Travelweary, if there is enough interest, I'm sure I can find a very good routing via YYC

I would imagine hotel rates, etc go up during this time. How much would a decent (read, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, 3* type) hotel go for during the period?

My wife and I have been thinking about going up to Calgary and Edmonton July 4-7 but so far prices have been higher than I'm willing to pay...

I did the Stampede about four years ago on a July 4 at the end of a wonderful 17-day jaunt from Seattle to Calgary. I don't usually like musicals, but the evening show was absolutely fantastic.

If you do this, and you play golf, you MUST call exactly 60 days in advance and play at one (or both) of the two courses out at Kanakaskis. Some of the most beautiful golf, at absolutely ridiculously low prices by US standards - lower than my normal round in Chicago at an average course....

I can't say for sure what the rates for hotels are, but they do go up considerably for that 10 day period (Jul 5-14). Figure $200 Cdn (which is about what? $20 USD ) for a 3* room. Book soon as the major hotels fill up quickly.

Here's the numbers for the golf courses:
Tee Time Reservations
(March to October)
1-877-591-2525
(403) 591-7272

Just bought tickets on AA today LGA-YYC $488, 06/29-07/07 with first few days spent in Banff & Jasper and last 2 nights spent in Calgary. Who else will be there?

For anyone heading north to Calgary for the Stampede, since I live there, I'm quite willing to be an unofficial host of a few tours of the "finer" sites available.

I usually try and arrange my travel so that I'm "working" from home those 2 weeks.

Just bring yer boots & hat and you're set.

Feel free to email me directly if you have questions or want more info on the Stampede, Calgary or surrounding area/attractions.

[This message has been edited by NeverAtHome (edited 03-13-2002).]

If I go, is anyone up for a side trip to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper?

Is anybody else interested?

If you're doing a trip to the City of Cows (YYC ) as well as to Banff-Jasper, don't forget YEG (Edmonton) as you can drive the loop (i.e., YYC-Banff to Jasper on the Banff/Jasper Parkway-YEG-YYC). The Banff/Jasper Parkway is a highway through valleys in the Canadian Rockies that passes by the glaciers in the Columbia Icefields where you can stop and actually walk up to the Eisenhower Glacier!

In YEG is the West Edmonton Mall, which is the world's biggest shopping mall complex (bigger than Mall of the Americas). The drive from Jasper to Edmonton is about 3 1/2 hours on the equivalent of an Interstate (4 lane divided almost all the way; called the Yellowhead Highway). The drive from YEG-YYC is about 2 1/2 hours on Highway 2 and you actually approach Calgary near the airport, which is in N.E. Calgary. (You will also as you leave YEG go by the airport but lack of transborder service except LAX (AC), DEN (UAX), MSP (NW) and SEA (AS) makes it difficult to fly non-stop very frequently or on larger jets).

The drive YYC-Banff is just over an hour (as is YYC-Kananaskis)on the TransCanada divided until you reach the park gates. From Banff to Jasper about 2 1/2 not counting any glacier stops or weather (snow sometimes in the summer)on a two-lane highway.

Both YEG and YYC have about 1 million people so don't worry about amenities! In all four places think about the Fairmont hotels as they are all former railway ones that have been restored and modernized. In YYC it's the Palliser, in YEG the Hotel Macdonald (a Michelin 4*), in Banff The Banff Springs and in Jasper The Jasper Park Lodge (JFK and Marilyn stayed here). They're all pricey from a Canadian standpoint especially the Banff and Jasper ones but an American bargain.

For golfers you should also think about the Banff Springs GC in Banff, the Jasper Park Lodge (the better of the two IMHO), and between YEG-YYC a course called Wolf Creek, which is one of the best and toughest in the Province. Also near Banff are two other beauties called Stewart Creek and Silvertip although the latter is a bit contrived.

There are lots of FF in both YYC and YEG. If you wish to contact more or need info you should go to the AC board and ask! Hope you all enjoy your visit....even if it's only to YYC!


[This message has been edited by PunishedEdmontonian (edited 05-07-2002).]

My college friends living in Calgary have been urging me to visit during the Stampede week. I have been stalling with the excuse that 'I can't find a nice cowgirl outfit!'

Well, if there are enough FTers going, I will start shopping....