Travel Life 2022/2023 - Canada Plans
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There are two massive places in Calgary called Sporting Life - picture a Rebel Sports on Steroids
They possibly don't realise they are going via SYD, BNE or AKL as they look the only direct YVR flights with Air Canada at the moment.
Heads up LP, if your flight is a Tuesday, AC has removed Tuesday and Thursday Brissie to Vancouver flights. Mine has been bumped to Wednesday flight.
Damn! Flights ticketed and haven’t heard yet, but may have to re-route through Sydney then. Thanks for the heads up!
I just looked on the AC web site and it seems that the Tues and Thur flights are still bookable, so it may be dependant on time of the year.
Yeah,
Yeah done a few dummy bookings, Tuesdays (17 Jan & 24 Jan) seem gone, Thursdays OK, some Fridays gone.. Doesn't make much sense, but when I logged in to AC I had a forced change to Wednesday. Also Vancouver to Kelowna flight changed with less than 90 minutes between arriving.. Looks like a 'quick' phone call to AC but no hurry, could all change again. Good luck..
Thanks for the info, no email from AC, checked booking and flight changed to Wednesday. CBR,BNE,YLW.
Spoke to AC on the phone last night, (only a small wait compared to Q), very helpful and polite Rep. Was given the option of swapping at no cost to the 777 out of Sydney on the 17th Jan, but declined. Decided to go out on 18th Jan from Brisbane, as a day later is not a big imposition (for me). Rep said if the 17th Jan flight was reinstated I would be able to move back to that. Rep also put me back on the original flight to Kelowna (+1 Day). I stress to much if its a tight layover. So all good
Once when I was in Canada I needed to urgently change AC flights out of YVR. Problem though, as there was a huge snowstorm around the Ontario and Quebec regions, hundreds of flights were cancelled etc. So when I tried to ring the AC line couldn't get through. I did a bit of lateral thinking, and rang the AC Australian number. Got through instantly, flights changed straight awaySpoke to AC on the phone last night, (only a small wait compared to Q), very helpful and polite Rep. Was given the option of swapping at no cost to the 777 out of Sydney on the 17th Jan, but declined. Decided to go out on 18th Jan from Brisbane, as a day later is not a big imposition (for me). Rep said if the 17th Jan flight was reinstated I would be able to move back to that. Rep also put me back on the original flight to Kelowna (+1 Day). I stress to much if its a tight layover. So all good
That was around 10 years ago, so probably now wouldn't work, as all calls probably go to a call centre somewhere central
Looked again at my itinerary: scheduled to depart Brisbane on a MONDAY so hopefully all good
There is no Air Canada Australian call centre anymore (I discovered this two years ago when I had to urgently try and re-schedule flights when they cancelled my plane out of Brisbane on the day). Call centre is nominally in the US but their automated recording (“your current wait time is in excess of 60 minutes”) was of someone with a Philippine accent …. This is the primary reason I book AC via a travel agent nowOnce when I was in Canada I needed to urgently change AC flights out of YVR. Problem though, as there was a huge snowstorm around the Ontario and Quebec regions, hundreds of flights were cancelled etc. So when I tried to ring the AC line couldn't get through. I did a bit of lateral thinking, and rang the AC Australian number. Got through instantly, flights changed straight away
That was around 10 years ago, so probably now wouldn't work, as all calls probably go to a call centre somewhere central
Hello Ski Peeps. Ok - so locked in another leg of the plan last night. Booked Slopeside lodge (cheap and cheerful but good spot on the mountain) at Fernie for the "solo" trip now post the 16 nights in Whistler (Syling at the Delta in a suite) and return Flights via AC from YVR. Thinking of doing a day or too with these guys whilst in Fernie - anyone done this ? Thoughts ? Feedback ? https://ferniewildernessadventures.com/cat-skiing
Also - saw the thread re AC and bags - yep reduced to 1 x 23kg bag from YVR to YXC internal and you need to pay $34.90 AUD each way.
Ps Also - so is there a dedicated thread to a Fernie 2022/23 schedule like the good one for Sun Peaks et al ? Or will I be Nigel no Friends........
I've stayed at the Delta quite a few times, but not since covid, so things may have changed. Ask them if they still have the complimentary ski valet at the bottom of the hill, next to Fitzsimmons chair. You ski to the bottom, and drop the skis off there. Makes it a pleasant walk back to the hotel, or you can get a bus. Strangely, they don't really advertise this well to people, probably because they have to pay the valet by numbers. If you get a choice, stay in building 1, not 2. Building 1 has 2x lifts which are right next to the foyer. Building 2 only has 1x lift and it is a little walk (minor issue). It is a nice spot in town, easy walk to the better supermarket, close to some good food places, not too rowdy.
Hi ya Robbo. It’s a 30 yr reunion For me with Whistler. Know it well. Well. Knew all the bars and shady Shenanigans aka Dempsey Ski Course back in the day. The delta will be fine as we have a two bedroom suite v prior 30 yrs ago share house in white gold estates. Yes. Know about the valet as someone else posted about that. Great tip. Not sure what building number we will be in. Hopefully not on top of Garfunkel’s. Man. We ripped that place apart back in the day ! Still interested in anyone heading to Whistler (28/12 to 13/1) or Fernie (14/1 to 20/1) for a meet up.
There are some rooms that are right above garfunkels Ask me how I know One year I got what I thought was a great room, 5th floor, fantastic views right up the valley etc. Enjoyed it for a couple of days until the wednesday or whatever day it is Garfunkels runs
Funny thing about that, it was when the world sliding championships were on, and the German team was staying in the rooms and suites next to mine. I was chatting to them, they were having trouble sleeping. Conspiracy theories about the Canadians doing it deliberately etc. Didn't work, IIRC Germany did a clean sweep of the entire event3 weeks, 3 blokes, from January 13th in a van around the powder highway. Chase the (hopefully abundant) snow wherever it takes us
Fly in and out of Calgary. Can't waitIs March too late? Just scored some QFF business flights to LAX for March 23. Figure I can decide later what the onward plans will be, depending on conditions. Quite ok to have some spring skiing on deep base under clear skies
March not too late. Wait and see conditions and then decide where to go. From LAX you can go just about anywhere in North America.Is March too late? Just scored some QFF business flights to LAX for March 23. Figure I can decide later what the onward plans will be, depending on conditions. Quite ok to have some spring skiing on deep base under clear skies
Second half of March is my favourite part of the season. Base at peak depth, mild temps and more daylight. In the BC interior, many people have already already hung up the skis by this time because where they live - down in the valleys - it's mild and snow free and they succumb to the lure of golf courses, bike paths and gardening.
Lots of base and few people means even 5 cm fresh will deliver hours of new tracks, without the hustle of a midwinter powder day. Better chance of bluebird skies to go with the fresh and you may well be able to eat lunch outside on a sunny patio.
My Aunt is meeting us in Sunpeaks this year but travelling separately to us. Her plan is to fly Sydney to Vancouver and then transfer to Kamloops.
We are in the process of booking and she is a little uncertain what flight she should book on for the second leg as AC are known for being on time (not).
Anyway the questions are, how much time would you allow, do you go through customs / quarantine in Vancouver ? Is it straight forward?
Some flights direct to Vancouver came up, so now Canada it is. Son found some flights too and daughter is hoping to start her post uni gap year by working a season over there. Excited!Is March too late? Just scored some QFF business flights to LAX for March 23. Figure I can decide later what the onward plans will be, depending on conditions. Quite ok to have some spring skiing on deep base under clear skies
I’ve been ti Whistler mid march in several occasions. Was great
Great to not be tied to school holidays, for all 3 of usI’ve been ti Whistler mid march in several occasions. Was great
Allow minimum 4 hours for the transfer. Allows for late arrival into YVR and the long security lineups due to worker shortages and work to rule action. Good news is no more inbound covid testing - unless you're not vaxed.
Wish us luck. Arrival from Sydney 7:00. Departure for Kamloops 8:30. I wanted later but Air Canada disagreed.
Planning now complete,
With the extra flights direct to Vancouver released this week, we jumped so fly Sydney Vancouver arriving Wednesday 21st, I didn’t book the car till the Friday so we have a day in Vancouver so have booked Granville Island Hotel. We love Granville island so hoping to enjoy the brewery and breaky at the Market.
We will drive to Seattle for Christmas with my sister, staying on Bainbridge.
The skiing starts on the 30th with stays at Red, revie and Sunpeaks, returning late Jan.
Not sure what I’ll do with my spare time now planning is doneLast edited:
I’d be having a serious think about that lay over time…….Regardless of what AC say.
QF is aligned with West Jet. My work mate was there 3 months ago with QF International flight and AC conx internally. Baggage was a nightmare and no support from AC ground staff to locate bags
Clearing customs at YVR is straightforward. Delays only occur if multiple big plane loads arrive in close proximity to each other. The other big unknown right now is whether the timing of things like baggage handling will improve.
Personally I'd not do less than 4 hours for a connection. This allows an hour for customs clearance and then checking in for your next flight, clearing security, etc, and gives a bit of a buffer in case of problems.
That's absurd. Is there no chance AC will do a longer connection time?
I think now its booked, ring and change second flight to later. Might mean a long wait on hold though.
@retread, you probably mentioned earlier , but where are you travelling and is it with kids?
It’s taken us a couple of trips to realise (yes, we are slow) that the stress in getting to a place (in our case, sunpeaks) is much less if we overnight in Vancouver and get the first flight to kamloops the next day.
My wife and I have our own gear but we rent for the kids.
Getting rental skis and boots is much easier with fresh kids rather than sleep deprived racing to rent and getting tired and grumpy jet lagged children home in the dark. Worth sacrificing a day for …
It just works better for us. You may be different.
A lot easier to change it now than deal with the mess on the day. You could easily miss the connection while still over the Pacific. Slight headwind has a big effect over 15+ hours. And YVR has had multi hour waits lately as it hasn't been able to rehire all the laid off workers post Covid. Might be solved by then, might not.
The shortest amount of time I have ever had in arriving internationally to YVR and getting processed & on to the Domestic gate I needed has been about 35 minutes..... & that was a "goldilocks run" as a resident, NO checked bags, & on a good day with a flight arriving ex USA at a non peak period & pre pandemic.
8:30 am arrival is smack in the middle of YVR "rush hour" ..... You could well be sharing Customs / Immigration with well over 2,000 people at that time.
No way in hell you're getting processed & at your domestic gate in under 90 minutes unless you have your very own goldilocks run,.... But bear in mind you could burn an extra 15 - 20+ minutes waiting for any oversized luggage AFTER you've waited for your normal luggage.
Like Sly says ^^^^ .... Spend the time now & make the change..... 90 mins international transfer in this instance at YVR is pure BS.
Wish that was the case but it is not. They don't take any responsibility at all if you miss your connecting flight@retread all the local Brains trust are trying to tell you something here……..and some of us semi regulars.
I’ll be doing this trip mid August (2 months away) for work and can update then.
Cant recall if Kamloops is an International airport. If it is (like Kelowna) then at least you wouldn't have to collect and recheck your luggage.
Although pretty unlikely that your luggage would arrive in Kamloops at the same time as you.
It's a regional Airport only.Cant recall if Kamloops is an International airport. If it is (like Kelowna) then at least you wouldn't have to collect and recheck your luggage.
Although pretty unlikely that your luggage would arrive in Kamloops at the same time as you.
There are some upgrades coming but only to the taxiways and runway and to upgrade snow removal equipment.
Air Canada made a change on my itinerary (Jan2023) for my Bris-Van flight, but also changed my Van - Kelowna connection to 90 minutes. Wasn't comfortable with that, rang and had it changed back to the original 4hrs. Don't need the stress...Hi all. Anyone know about necessary layover time in YVR coming back to Oz?
Booked on AC. Kelowna to Sydney via YVR.
We have a 2 hour layover in YVR.
I’m thinking that should be ok if our bags go all the way through but not if we need to recheck bags.
Any experience/thoughts?
Airfares booked AC.
Monday 28th November 2022 to Monday the 10th April 2023.
My kids will be 15 and 20 for this trip. Probably still be tired and grumpy though.
I’m taking note of the collective knowledge of the brains trust. Thanks everyone.
