OT - Calgary Stampede

[chasbos]

Hello fellow Canadians.

My family has decided to take our family vacation to the Calgary Stampede. Do any of you know how the best way to go is? Do they sell packages - airfare, tickets, accom.? Or is it best to book everything seperate?

How far in advance do you have to book?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ducklite]

How-DEE!!

OK. ehem. I'm not Canadian, but I've been to Stampede.

It's a BLAST!!!

I'd start booking now, you're actually rather late in the game. I booked my plane ticket in October to give you an idea...

I booked it all seperate as I was staying with a friend who lives in Calgary.

I flew in the day before Canada Day. On Canada Day we went to Fort Calgary, and then to the Calgary Tower to watch the fireworks. The next day we drove to Edmonton and spent two days at the West Ed Mall. Then we drove out to Hinton and spent a night in a B&B (sorry, can't recall the name of it--they had family accomodations though, which was good as we didn't want to share a bed).

The next day we drove to Jasper and spent some time looking for moose. Didn't find any. From there we drove down to Banff and stayed at the Rimrock--gorgeous property, I'd LOVE to stay there again!

The next day we doubled back to Lake Louisa, and rode the gondola, then went to the Icefields and went up on the glacier.

Then back to Calgary and the stampede parade--you CAN'T miss that!! Then we took a break--we were exhausted--and rested up for Stampede the next day.

Went to Stampede, spent the whole day there--had such a good time! We booked seats in the grandstand and watched the chucks and Grandstand show, it was simply amazing.

Then I had to fly home--boohoo!

Let me know if there's anything specific you want to know.

Anne

 

[Muziqal]

I think, like any vacation, it all depends how you want to do it and your own vacationing style.

I, personally, would rather do the research, plan and book everything myself. I do that for Disney World. But it's easy for me because I lived there for a year and have preferences as to where I want to stay (vicinity) and how much I want to spend. If you're familiar with a place, it's much easier to do.

I don't know what kind of packages you're being offered. But here is an estimate of what I would do if I was planning myself:

Stampede is from July 8 - 17 for 2005

Comfort Inn on McLeod Trail South = $107.99 per night as CAA rate or Internet booking rate - I bet if I called them, I could get a better rate.

http://www.comfortinncalgary.com/south.html

Days Inn McLeod Trail

http://www.yaycanada.com/hotels/Days-Inn-Calgary-South-Calgary.html

This hotel is about a 10 minute cab ride/15 minute C-Train ride from the Stampede Grounds. There are a few in the same vicinity. If you chose to not want to rent a car for the entire stay, I would choose this strip of hotels as they are the closest. The further you are from Downtown, I think, the cheaper it will be for you to stay. If price is an issue for lodging, you may want to look at the hotels in Motel Village near the Universtity and McMahon Stadium or further South on McLeod Trail than the hotels I mentioned above.

There are, of course the nicer hotels: The Fairmont Palliser Hotel (formerly a CP hotel), the Westin and the Sheraton Eau Claire all located downtown (about 10 minutes from the Stampede Grounds) depending on your comfort needs and budget.

There are all sorts of attractions, the Calgary Zoo, the Science Centre, the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Tower, Heritage Park, Canada Olympic Park is cool to see in the summer even though there's no snow to be found.

There are daily Stampede breakfasts found all over the city http://www.stampedebreakfasts.com/

I'm sure you'll want to hit Banff and maybe Lake Louise. The Gondola in Banff and the Hot Springs are a favourites. The Banff Springs Hotel for their brunch buffet. Or another good one is Melissa's. Sulphur Mountain path. Bow falls (yes, you flew over them in a helicopter when you were in the Canadian Pavilion watching O Canada 360). The candy shop on the main strip in Banff is something I always make sure I hit with visitors. You will need to rent a car for this day trip.

There's always the possibility of a day trip to Edmonton as well, to see West Edmonton Mall (3 hour drive). All doable, in my opinion, as I have done it when showing guests around while they've visited for the Stampede for a week.

Again, I don't know what's being offered in packages, but I'd look in to the prices of doing the attractions you want to see while you're here separately as opposed to the package. I rarely go to the Stampede Grounds anymore (enough is enough after a lifetime of living here), but I'm sure people could spend a couple of days there. Definitely not 10 days. Great live performances by some big name bands each day included with gate admission, the carnival (like any other travelling midway), the rodeo and the chuckwagon races combined with the Grandstand show (a must see I think for 1st timers).
http://calgarystampede.com/

Food is as diverse as anywhere...there's Chinatown for dim sum, some good East Indian fare, upper scale restaurants like Teatro's, good Italian and affordable at Chianti's, unique Cowboy fare like praire oysters at Buzzards (you want an authentic trip to Cowtown, don't you!?) and all of the other stuff that comes along with big cities.

Shopping includes Chinook Mall (the biggest in Calgary), Southcentre, Market Mall and Downtown for TD Square, Eaton Centre and 8th Avenue. I would suggest walking down 17th Avenue (aka: the Red Mile) for a bunch of unique shops and the Kensington area for another unique Calgary shopping experience. Eau Claire was cool, but is no longer and will be undergoing heavy renovations to attempt to revive the complex.

I find that I save about $1500 US when I compare my trips to Orlando that I research and book myself as opposed to the packages being offered. I would just rather be in control of my vacation and I find the extra work pays off in the end.

Hope this helps - and if you have any questions, let me know. I did a stint as a concierge at the Palliser Hotel when I came home from Florida and I guess the info never leaves your brain.

I'm bored at work today - can you tell?

Levon

 

[chasbos]

Wow, your trip sounded amazing and very tiring! How long did you spend in Alberta?

Also, I see you did not spend much time at the Stampede - how many days exactly and how many are needed to get the whole Stampede experience? We are a been there, done that family - so we like to do the whole experience while we are their (it is a big world out their!!).

Our family is also a little split! I am the all inclusive resort, Disney Cruise type of person (oh please pamper me while I'm away!) The rest of the family likes that too but they have chose the Stampede over a caribbean island! So how could I get the best of both worlds? Certain hotels that would suit all of us? There are 6 of us so we need suites or connecting rooms.

How much time did you actually spend driving?

We are also having another couple come along with us and I am a little concerned about that! We are very spend free and our vacation enjoyment comes first - they are cost cutting and penny pinching! Are we going to be able to get along for the time we are there? I have already warned them that our vacations cost around the $10,000 each year - only seemed fair. How are the prices in Alberta that time of year (we are Canadian so we will not have to exchange money for once!)

Anything you can answer for me would be great - I think we are going to wait for 2006 but I want to be prepared to book things when this Stampede is over. I like to know when, where and how much it is going to cost me well before I go - call me a manic planner!

Thanks

 

[lilsonicfan]

I've been to Stampede twice - I lived in Medicine Hat Alberta for two summers and Stampede was on the top of my to-do list. I LOVED the Grandstand show, it was totally amazing... but aside from this I thought Stampede wasn't a whole lot different from other festivals and stuff, like the PNE here in Vancouver. Still a great time.

 

[ducklite]

Levon,

Gosh! I had forgotten about some of the things we did until you mentioned them! We went to Olympic Park, they have a decent brunch on Sunday's, and after brunch we toured the complex and the museum.

We also went to several malls in Calgary, and yes Eau Claire was a tad dissappointing (I think it wa sEau Claire--parking garage under it?), we also went to the one with the HUGE movie theatre complex with a Eygyptian motiff, and ate at a Japanese restaurant there.

We ate someplace at an Italain place using a coupon from the Entertainment book, I can't remember where it was , it was good but nothing to right home about--the best part was our server was snookered and the result was hilarious!!

We meant to get to a brekkie, but just never made it.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Wow, your trip sounded amazing and very tiring! How long did you spend in Alberta?

I flew in on Saturday and went home the following Sunday--so it was really a whirlwind tour!

Also, I see you did not spend much time at the Stampede - how many days exactly and how many are needed to get the whole Stampede experience? We are a been there, done that family - so we like to do the whole experience while we are their (it is a big world out their!!).

We spent one entire day from as soon as they opened until they closed. We could have spent a second day, but felt we got to most of the highlights. The thing I didn't care for was the choices of food--it was expensive and bad--really makes you appreciate WDW! I think it would get pretty old after two, maybe three days.

Our family is also a little split! I am the all inclusive resort, Disney Cruise type of person (oh please pamper me while I'm away!) The rest of the family likes that too but they have chose the Stampede over a caribbean island! So how could I get the best of both worlds? Certain hotels that would suit all of us? There are 6 of us so we need suites or connecting rooms.

If you want to be pamered stay at the Fairmont in a Fairmont Gold room (basically a concierge level). It's pricey, but Fairmont properties are marvelous!

How much time did you actually spend driving?

Quite a bit, but except for the drive from Calgary to Edmonton (and just around Calgary which doesn't really count), it was so magnificient that the drive is as important as the destination. One thing I'd do differently next time is to rent an SUV instead of a little four cylinder car. The car was straining a bit in the mountains, and sometimes we felt like we were missing some of the view due to the guardrails.

We are also having another couple come along with us and I am a little concerned about that! We are very spend free and our vacation enjoyment comes first - they are cost cutting and penny pinching! Are we going to be able to get along for the time we are there? I have already warned them that our vacations cost around the $10,000 each year - only seemed fair. How are the prices in Alberta that time of year (we are Canadian so we will not have to exchange money for once!)

That's high season for Calgary/Banff hotels. In all honesty, you might have trouble on this one. You might want to just plan to stay in seperate hotels and meet up at attractions, otherwise someone's not going to be happy.

I forgot to add it in my earlier post, but the Hot Springs in Banff were amazing and worth the small fee to use them!

I'd be happy to answer any other questions.

Anne

 

[chasbos]

Thanks for all your info! I was thinking a week would be enough if we flew in early and flew out late.

DH is not so sure about only 2 days at the Stampede - he just thinks that is me talking! Can you give me a break down of a day at the stamede? HIm and the kids are most interested in the Chuck Wagon Races. They are all horse lovers - me not so much!

Do you know if you get better prices if you book hotels in advance and how far in advance do they allow you to book?

I am going to do alot of research right now and give our friends an itinerary and cost so that they are truly prepared. I have gotten DH over the vacation sticker shock when it comes to prices, now I have to work on another family. But I think I will look into more budget concious hotels for them and the Fairmont for ourselves. Being a family of 6, I need my space in a hotel room and suites are the best way to go.

If I have anymore questions I will be sure to ask!

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

If you are going this year book now (might be too late). I went about six years ago and I think I made all my reservations in February. I booked my airfare, hotel and Stampede tickets. Forget the name of the hotel (think it was part of the Choice chain) and it was across the street from a C station close to baseball (AAA) and football (CFL) stadiums. It was a short train ride to downtown and the stampede. I purchase a package deal that included 2 days park admission, one afternoon show (stampede) and one evening show (chuck waggon races). Arrived the day before parade day and went to the parade. I was in the Calgary area for six days. Took a bus tour for the day up to the Banff area.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for all your info! I was thinking a week would be enough if we flew in early and flew out late.

A week in Calgary, or a week in AB?

DH is not so sure about only 2 days at the Stampede - he just thinks that is me talking! Can you give me a break down of a day at the stamede? HIm and the kids are most interested in the Chuck Wagon Races. They are all horse lovers - me not so much!

We got there and went to the First Nations Village first. That was kind of neat. Some of the people were very interesting in talking about their history while others seemed to feel that we were interloping. Met a RCMP and had my photo taken with him--he had this HUGE moustache! LOL! We walked around and looked at a lot of the displays, had some snacks, I can't really recall everything, but we didn't do any rides or the casino. We also didnt' do the rodeo, although I'd definitely do that if we went again. And we walked around inside the Saddledome and looked at a bunch of the displays and photo's. We spent a day and I felt like we had seen and done most of what interested us, I think I could have spent a second day as well, but not much more.

Do you know if you get better prices if you book hotels in advance and how far in advance do they allow you to book?

I would imagine they are taking bookings without final prices for next year already at most hotels. You can probably snag any discounted rates if you book early, I think most hotels sell out. I wouldn't wait on your plane tickets, my flight was 100% full (Chicago to Calgary) and there had to ahve been at least 15 people left behind. They were asking for volunteers but no one would get off.

I am going to do alot of research right now and give our friends an itinerary and cost so that they are truly prepared. I have gotten DH over the vacation sticker shock when it comes to prices, now I have to work on another family. But I think I will look into more budget concious hotels for them and the Fairmont for ourselves. Being a family of 6, I need my space in a hotel room and suites are the best way to go.

Keep in mind that at most Fairmonts, the suites don't offer concierge level service, if that's important to you. They are very, very nice hotels though!

If I have anymore questions I will be sure to ask!

Please do! All of my photo albums and scrapbooks are packed away right now, as I'm in the process of relocating to Florida, but I'll be able to dig them out in a few weeks and give you more info--I have a bunch of brochires and I think even a program from STampede.

Anne

 

[chasbos]

A week in the Calgary area is what I had in mind with side trips to Banff and Jasper.

I have been looking into hotels and flights for this year just to get an idea and they still have some available - I found that odd. But I did notice that for the next few years the Stampede is later on in July as opposed to the first week.

I am gathering quite a bit of info and it is going to really help our friends know exactly what we will be doing and the cost.

I did notice that car rentals for that week are crazy in price! I was quoted anywhere from $650-800 for a van! Wowzers! I am sure it is the time of year that is factoring into the price.

Is a vehicle really necessary? We will need 2 to travel everyone around. Are there tours that head to Banff and the other interesting sights in the Calgary area?

Enjoy your move - I am still dreaming of one day getting out of these cold Canadian winters and finding somewhere nice and warm to live!

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

.

But I did notice that for the next few years the Stampede is later on in July as opposed to the first week.

The Stampede starts the Friday after Canada Day (July 1st)

 

[chasbos]

CdnDisneyNut - And that makes the Stampede July 8-17 this year and July 7-16 in 2006.

It does not get back the July 4 until 2008!

 

[ducklite]

A week in the Calgary area is what I had in mind with side trips to Banff and Jasper.

Here's your dilemna. If I recall, Stampede parade is on a Friday. So you either need to take more than a week's holiday, or do the Stampede on the end of it. (That's what I did and it worked out well)

I'd take a Saturday morning flight out of Ontario into Calgary. Not sure where you live in ONT, but WestJet flies from several of the ON airports direct to Calgary. When you arrive get your van and head to Jasper. If you can start early enough you'll have plenty of time to stop at the Ice Fields (MUST DO!) on the way. There are a lot of pull offs and you'll find yourself stopping regularly to look at mountain sheep and mountain goats, and other flora and fauna, and simply exhiliarating views! You'll arrive in Jasper around dinner time, stay at the Fairmont in Jasper, exquisite! Sunday you'll spend in Jasper, and then Monday morning head South towards Banff. Book lunch at the Fairnmont Lake Louise, take the Gondola, and drive to...um, I can't remember the other small Lake up the road from there...sorry--but it's worth the trip!

Then arrive in Banff around dinner, check into the Rimrock, one of my favorite hotels in the world. Relax, unwind, have a nice dinner. Spend Tuesday and Wenesday in Banff, leave Thursday to head to Calgary and check into the Fairmont, and tour Olympic Park that afternoon. Friday morning is the Stampede Parade, then go to Stampede afterwards. Saturday spend all day at Stampede, then fly home on Sunday.

I have been looking into hotels and flights for this year just to get an idea and they still have some available - I found that odd. But I did notice that for the next few years the Stampede is later on in July as opposed to the first week.

For another month or so there will be some limited availability, but prices will go up and they will sell out fairly soon.

I am gathering quite a bit of info and it is going to really help our friends know exactly what we will be doing and the cost.

I will be happy to dig out the scrapbook that I made after my trip and scan some things so you can see. I think you can write for some free tourist info to both the Stampede people and the Alberta Tourist board as well.

I did notice that car rentals for that week are crazy in price! I was quoted anywhere from $650-800 for a van! Wowzers! I am sure it is the time of year that is factoring into the price.

I don't recall what I paid for a compact car rental, but it wasn't inexpensive.

Is a vehicle really necessary? We will need 2 to travel everyone around. Are there tours that head to Banff and the other interesting sights in the Calgary area?

You wo'nt need one in Calgary, where you'll also ahve to pay to park it, but I would get it and drive yourselves to Jasper and Banff (not sure there are tours that go all the way to Jasper) I think with six people it will actulaly be more economical to rent a van than pay for a tourist bus.

Enjoy your move - I am still dreaming of one day getting out of these cold Canadian winters and finding somewhere nice and warm to live!

It's been twenty years in the making, and I can't wait!

Anne (Who grew up near Saratoga, NY, and then lived in Syracuse, NY, so knows the meaning of cold snowy winters!)

 

[chasbos]

Thanks Anne for your wonderful itinerary - I am printing it off and it sounds like it will work for us!

Now I just have to organize that week to fit into our business schedule! Winter is so much easier to travel in - that is why this will be our first summer vacation in over 5 years!

We live in such a wonderful country in the summer - nice and warm, lots of sun and plenty of soccer, ball and golf to play! Winter on the other hand - well we just have to get away!

Thanks for your help!