Kalispell to Calgary in February (Helena, Whitefish: ski resorts, hotels, resorts)

[Brad4JC]

Can someone please tell me what the drive is like from Kalispell to Calgary and back in February??? I know it probably depends on the weather but... are the roads usually cleared quickly if it were to snow? Is there long stretches of nothing? Are there any significant size towns (with hotels) along the way? How long does it typically take? (Yahoo says 5 hours)

My 19 year old son and friends will be driving from Kalispell to Calgary over a weekend in February to go see a hockey game . I am insisting he does not go just because of the typical parental fears. He keeps telling my wife and I not to worry and plays the “I’m an adult now” card and thinks he can do whatever he wants . He has only been driving in snowy/icy conditions for a few years now. I think he is crazy for wanting to do this. Please tell me if I am over-reacting or if I should be seriously concerned? Thanks for your help!

[ElkHunter]

That should be an outstanding experience for him. As a parent, I know what your fears are. However, if you want him to have more experience and be a better driver, the only way he's going to do that is to get out there and drive in it.

I'm not familiar with that stretch of road so I'll let somebody else comment.

[MontanaGyrl]

I drove that stretch last year in early April. The weather was good but we could very well have had snow. It is GORGEOUS and well-maintained, partly because there are ski resorts in the area. There are numerous small towns along the way with motels. Five hours sounds about right.

When you say Kalispell to Calgary, I take it you mean via Whitefish and Eureka, Montana, and then through Fernie, British Columbia, and then east to Fort McLeod, Alberta, and north to Calgary. I would not recommend skirting the southern and eastern edges of Glacier National Park, as the roads are terrible.

[NYMTman]

He'll be fine... chillax

It's a beautiful drive BTW. If you ever have the time I recommend taking Hwy 93 from Kalispell to Banff. Your son will probably be turning east before he hits Banff but either way there's some stunning scenery up yonder...

[NYMTman]

Originally Posted by MontanaGyrl

I drove that stretch last year in early April. The weather was good but we could very well have had snow. It is GORGEOUS and well-maintained, partly because there are ski resorts in the area. There are numerous small towns along the way with motels. Five hours sounds about right.

When you say Kalispell to Calgary, I take it you mean via Whitefish and Eureka, Montana, and then through Fernie, British Columbia, and then east to Fort McLeod, Alberta, and north to Calgary. I would not recommend skirting the southern and eastern edges of Glacier National Park, as the roads are terrible.

Yeah that's the way I'd go. I do the Helena-Calgary trip all the time and the roads are well cared for.

[Brad4JC]

Thanks everyone for your response! I do feel a little better about it now. I know, he is 19 going on 20. Time for me to just let go and pray.