Minibus Hire Canada

Coaches for ski trips and winter weekends

On a ski trip the road sets the schedule. Mountain highways carry winter tire and chain rules, park gates need passes, and snow can slow or close a mountain road.

British Columbia

Whistler is about 2 hours from Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, and about 2 to 2.25 hours from Surrey. From October 1 to March 31, that road requires winter tires or chains, starting just north of Horseshoe Bay. Commercial drivers heading outside Greater Vancouver in winter must carry chains or traction devices. Commercial vehicles of 11,794 kg or more must carry steel chains on most major highways.

Drivers who ignore the signs can be turned back and fined. A coach that fits the rules will still wait out a closure, so leave slack in the return time.

MAN 57-seat coach, exterior
MAN 57-seat coach, exterior

Alberta and the Rockies

Banff is about 1.5 hours from Calgary; Lake Louise about 2. Inside Banff National Park, any commercial vehicle with at least 11 people aboard needs two things: a park business licence and a displayed commercial pass. Commercial groups pay group admission, not family passes.

The Town of Banff keeps coaches off its streets except for 15-minute bus zones beside most hotels. Longer parking is at 300 Hawk Avenue. The Icefields Parkway needs snow tires or chains from November 1 to March 31.

Rules that apply

  • In BC, winter tires or chains are required on most designated routes from October 1 to April 30; some routes end March 31
  • Drivers who ignore BC winter tire and chain signs may be turned back and fined
  • Commercial groups pay Parks Canada commercial group admission; family/group passes do not apply

Ontario and Québec

Blue Mountain is about 2 hours from Toronto. Mont-Tremblant is about 1.5 hours from Montreal and 2 from Ottawa. Mont-Sainte-Anne is about 40 minutes from Québec City.

Québec requires winter tires from December 1 to March 15, but the rule exempts heavy vehicles, and anything registered in another province. The law does not settle a coach's winter equipment, so ask the operator.

Questions

Where do the skis go?

In the underfloor bays of a coach. Tell us how many ski and board bags, not just suitcases.

What happens if a highway closes?

The coach waits or reroutes. Build a buffer into the return and keep the group's flight times loose.

Do we need a park pass for Banff?

Yes, for any stop in the park. Commercial group admission is arranged through Parks Canada's group office.

Cities

Vehicles