Stampede question!
 

Hi,

We are moving to Calgary in November but need to visit for a week in July so my girlfriend can take her occupational therapists exam and I can visit my new employers. The exam is the first week in July, when the Stampede is on which is probably a good thing as we would love to see what all the fuss is about.:)
However, will the fact that the stampede is on have much bearing on getting around the city/ finding a cheap hotel, etc. We want to do as much as we can while we are there, such as finding areas to live...
Thanks for any help.
Dave.

Re: Stampede question!
 

http://www.calgaryattractions.com/stampede.html

Hi Dave hope this link work's. This isn't just the Stampede site but some other's that might be of interest to you. This year it's on the 6th 15th July.
You will be best booking your accomodation early as the hotels do book up early. Also for those 10 day's we have found the C train to be manic at any time of the day especially with us having a puschair we have had to let many trains go without even attempting to get on.
However it seems that at busy rush hour's that is common place now anyway, and they do add more trains to there service during that week.

As an ex Yorkie myself if you have any further questions id be happy to help if I can.
Do you have an idea where you will be settling in Calgary? We are in the SE at the mo looking to buy somewhere, currently going through the mortgage minefield. Have to say we do'nt miss York one bit, maybe some of the history but not much else oh and baked bean's but if i'm that dessperate I can pay $2.50 for them in the British shop here(sad but true).

Hope any of this helps Ali

Re: Stampede question!
 

The Stampede will take place from Friday, July 6th through Sunday, July 15th. (In this context, "through" means "up to and including.")

Calgary hotels get very booked up (and I mean very booked up) during Stampede. You would not go amiss if you made your hotel reservations now. But, before you do that, read this page on the TripAdvisor website. It's entitled Inside Calgary : Hotel Districts. It explains which neighbourhoods are the most convenient for arriving, departing, sight seeing, and taking in the Stampede.

You're going to be in something of a conflicted position. The downtown core would be the most convenient part of the city from the point of view of sight seeing and taking in Stampede-related events. But I hope you will pay more attention to relocation issues than you will to touristy offerings. So, with that in mind, Motel Village might be the best compromise. It's adjacent to a normal residential area in the northwest quadrant of Calgary, but it has good access train access to the downtown core and to Stampede Park.

The tourists who come to Calgary to take in the Stampede are concentrated in the downtown core and in the vicinity of Stampede Park (one train stop to the southeast of the downtown core). They do not spread out through the suburbs. So, while the downtown core will have quite a few people milling around, those people will not impinge on your research out in the suburbs (checking out residential neighbourhoods, browsing through supermarkets, and the like).

Although it's aimed at tourists, the whole of TripAdvisor's Inside Calgary is worth a read. You'll find nuggets that are relevant to you.

Also feel free to read my website on Calgary, the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver.

Hope that helps.

Re: Stampede question!
 

I agree with the previous two Replies as far as book the hotel now.
Judy's recommendation for the Motel Village is VERY good, you may also want to consider Motels\Hotels on Macleod.

Have you been to Calgary before? Which area are you thinking you may want to live in? Are you looking at hiring a car while you are here?

Re: Stampede question!
 

Thanks for the replies everyone.:)

We have never been to Canada yet, never mind Calgary!!! I know a lot of people in UK who have visited and lived there and no-one has had a bad word to say about it!:D We should be living there for two years minimum then hopefully we won't be missing York either and make it permanent!
I have been offered a job in the southeast area - near Southland Park I think. So will be looking for place somewhere near maybe. Is commuting such a chore that you have to live close to your workplace?

We will probably hire a car for the week we are there, I presume this is the easiest way to get around?

I will check out all the links you have posted.
Thanks again.
Dave

Re: Stampede question!
 

IF you are going to be working near Southland I would be tempted to live Nr an LRT station. I guess your OH doesnt have a job yet?

Car is definitely the easiest way to get around if you're going to look at neighbourhoods BUT forget about using it to get to Stampede that week ;)

Re: Stampede question!
 

No she will be looking for a job, hopefully before we land in November. Again, another job to do in July I suppose.
I think we will get accomodation out of town in July and maybe visit stampede for one of the days.

Re: Stampede question!
 

Where do you mean when you say out of town? :confused:

Re: Stampede question!
 

Out of downtown

Re: Stampede question!
 

LOL

Not difficult.

Macleod Trail or Motel Village still fit the bill. ;)

Re: Stampede question!
 

Cheers, I ll check it out and get somewhere booked soon. We can't wait!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D

Re: Stampede question!
 

Hi there,

I live in Cheltenham, UK, where we have the Gold Cup festival every March for 3 & this year 4 days.

Race goers (mainly the Irish & what an atmosphere they bring with them), book up from one year to the next. Cheltenham is full to bursting that week & most of the surrounding places in the Cotwolda around it.

So if that's anything to go by i'd say book it ASAP.

Hubby & I have never been to the stampede, but we certainly intend to once we have moved to Alberta.

Have the most fantastic time & lets us know what it's like (some piccies would be good to:) )

All the best with you job search & interviews & your girlfriends exams.

Arris

Re: Stampede question!
 

You are aware that there NO Alpacas at Stampede???

Re: Stampede question!
 

Ha. All the rodeos I've been to had little kids riding sheep so why not alpacas and llamas?

Re: Stampede question!
 

Really:scared: LOL Arris