Highs when we were there -3/4.
With a few bonus $$ from WestJet in my pocket and only two spots where you can go direct we picked Calgary and the opportunity to "Pay Back" two cruiser's that we had met on the Zenith in 2007. Yes 2007. Over the years Dan and Sandra had surprised us with gift Martini's on a couple of our cruises. Why ? Beats me. We barely knew them from the cruise. But you know how it is with cruise people. As sometimes happens we just hit it off and so pay back was made. We had been trying to get together on their trips through BC but it just never happened. It was good to renew our friendship in person. Thanks Dan and Sandy. NICK's is a great steakhouse.
Now about our trip. We flew from Abbotsford on WestJet. Our flt. left at 6:15 AM and we got into Calgary about an our later (2 with time change) Coming back we left at 12.50 PM and got back about the same time here as we left. I can not stress enough how easy it felt going through both of these airports compared to the hassle of Vancouver. I know they don't have all the flts. to everywhere but what a great place to start. Parking is now 9 whole dollars a day at Abby. I didn't check into long term who knows it might be better.
You still need to be there on time but not so early as messing with all that stuff at YVR.
And..... WestJet is a great little airline. Well by the looks of things at Calgary and what I have read lately not so little anymore. They had flts. going to places like Kitchener and Hamilton Ontario as well as "Sun" places and the usual Western cities we always think about. All 737's and the seats were Ok for me (SURPRISE) and Jude for the time on the plane. More leg room is now available in the front three rows also. ($)
WE stayed at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. A big downtown hotel. Friendly staff nice hot tub set up but the pool was too cold. Restaurant was usual big hotel type and prices but again great staff. It's a great area near the river and in the real spring and summer would be a great play to stay. Joeys Restaurant across the street and a food court mall and pub and a few shops just next door also.
The room was big (if dated) and they have those great beds. Small microwave and bar type sink. Separate bedroom and huge bathroom. Tub/shower and cold tile floor. Lighting was poor for our old eyes however. Flat screen tv's both rooms. Elevator in the hotel was the best set up I've ever seen. Always seemed to be there when called.
Now about being a tourist. The first thing I want to tell you is that you can walk almost anywhere in downtown INDOORS. The have walkways between major buildings that are attached,cross over streets and its warm and dry. Who knew. Took us until too late to figure that out. lol
We did drive the city and its a mess of one way streets in the downtown with a river and train tracks to manage north/south so it takes a bit of planning the first go round. After that the streets are fairly wide and the exchanges on the freeways are HUGE.
We were going to go West into the foothills but as it was snowing lightly and fogged in we didn't go far. We did watch the Men's World's Curling on TV though.
A great fun couple of days at the wrong time of year for Calgary and we had to get up to early for that 6 AM flight.
Rented a vehicle through Hertz and BCAA. Worked great. Friendly and efficient
Oh and if you are of a certain age and don't bend as much as you once did and are over 6 FT. DO NOT rent or buy a Malibu by GM. Once in you are fine but getting out is a another matter.