Driving across the Alberta border
 

Following on from my last thread I now have an idea for an up and coming vacation/ raod trip. To that end can anybody tell me the rules and regs of driving across the Can/ USA border.

Any tips on routes what to see where to stay etc, Waterton Lakes, Grand Falls or anywhere else.

Many thanks.

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Waterton :thumbsup:

If you want a GOOD steak try the steakhouse on the reserve in Babb.

Highway to the sun :thumbsup:

Grand Falls :thumbdown:

Whitefish :thumbup:

Eureka :thumbsup:

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

We will be crossing the border on Sunday ready for our spring vacation in Whitefish (Skiing) and Kalispell (shopping).:thumbsup:

The Going to the Sun road is seasonal so check the website for when it's open http://visitmt.com/categories/morein...RRecordID=9646 If you intend on stopping over here in the summer time then book a place in advance as all the cheapy places nearby are booked solid.

We will be staying at a nice looking B&B in Whitefish, if it's any good I'll let you know. Kalispell has the usual suspects for cheaper accommodation - y'know Travel lodges etc. If your crossing a Coutts/Sweetgrass and want to see the Writing on the Stone Provincial park whilst your there, then there is a basic B&B that we would recomend too.

If your going straight down past Lethbridge and onto Great Falls, don't be surprised by the lack of things to see/towns, once your across the border, I think the 1st place you come to of any size is Shelby, there is a great family diner there - cheap/good food.

I wouldn't plan on staying in Browning, we have fueled up there without a problem, but a customer just a couple of weeks ago said when they fueled up they had a problem with the locals and their fists.

So far we have only been down as far as Great Falls - apparently the shopping there is great - so great we couldn't find it:rofl: But we have been to Kalispell a few times now. Waterton is lovely but we camped so I can't recommend anything there. Oh we also stayed at a very dodgy motel at St Mary, hubby refused to pay the extra charge at the not dodgy place - next time we pay;)

Not sure if your going bu camper or car - just remember no citrus and no beef crosses over the the States and no firewood comes back:rofl:

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

at the crossing have your passport, visas at the ready. Be nice and polite and don't joke!

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

The best advice anyone can give about US Board Guards

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Or ask them to say please :-

http://www.nationalpost.com/most-pop...tml?id=1351216


Have an itinerary of where you're going and if possible, printed reservations etc...

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Sorry to disagree BUT I always find the really miserable B'sturds are the Cannuck Border Guards.

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Never had a problem with either. :)

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

I see a lot of them, from both sides and it's really luck of the draw, one Canuck one didn't even look at our passports :eek:

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Sorry to disagree BUT I always find the really miserable B'sturds are the Cannuck Border Guards.

That's 'cos they can't shoot you - the Yanks can!;)

I never had a problem either - but I was nice and polite.

I was driving to Vegas with a bunch of guys, and my buddy following me in his car was given a really rough time, including stripping the car, cos he made some smart-ass comments.

He came through 5 hours later!

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Why can't they shoot you? :confused: They're tooled up here.... need to be with all the bandits in Detroit!

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

It's the ones at the BC/Alberta border that can be trouble.

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Nor did I , over many years.

Waterton

Going to the Sun Highway,

Great Falls , and yes

Kalispell,( great memories)

Largo

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Wrong time of year for Waterton - most of it will be closed....

Have fun wherever you end up!

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Since you're the expert on how much of Waterton is closed, perhaps you'd like to tell the OP when MOST of it ceases to be closed??? :p

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Anybody taken a tent trailer and / or a dog across. Anything special I should be wary of?

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

later, lol. Never did work it out. :rofl: High summer? ;)

It was quite nice peering through the boarded up shutters, trying to find a cafe that was open and looking down the road past the roadblock to where the ploughed snow (and alleged walks/ viewpoints/ point we visited) was... and wondering...

It was interesting watching them take the dust sheets down to reopen the hotels in May as well... It hadn't occurred to us that because one of them was open and we had booked a room, that everything else (including the road lol) would be closed.

But maybe they've worked out a way to clear the snow and attract visitors early this year - it was just advice to check, really - we didn't lol. :D

(note to self. remember to try again this year. August? :))

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

Done the dog thing, remember to take 'his' Rabies cert, some Border Guards can be iffy. ;)

Re: Driving across the Alberta border
 

We've done a motorhome - too big for the Going to the Sun Road and as mentioned before - no beef or citrus going, no wood comming back - they will check the fridge/freezer compartments.