Canada travel advice

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

A few years ago a ranger in Jasper told me a colleague was swiped off a bike by a grizzly. His bear spray was in his backpack, out of reach. He survived the attack only because the bear bit into the backpack and set off the spray.

We camp in Jasper and Banff National Parks quite frequently and have never had any negative interactions with bears. Although I do carry bear spray when on the trails. I did have two bear encounters (black bears) within a week of each other last summer while running on mountain trails in the Banff back-country.

For the first bear encounter I was with another runner on a relatively wide trail in the back-country behind the Lake Louise ski area. We saw the bear well in advance of passing it. It was on the edge of the trail eating berries and was not very interested in us. We had our bear spray out and yelled at it a lot, and it eventually moved off the trail so that we could pass. After we passed, it moved back to its berry bush.

The second bear incident was less than a week later. This time I was running solo on a narrow single-track trail on a steep cross-slope between Mt Assiniboine and Sunshine Meadows. I had been calling out regularly to warn bears of my presence all morning but had not done so in the past few minutes. As I came around a sharp bend on the trail, I saw a black bear eating berries in the middle of the trail about 20 ft in front of me. I think the bear jumped first and then I jumped, and we both looked at each other for a few seconds before the bear went back to eating its berries. I did have my bear spray out and ready to go but it was not needed. It took quite a lot of yelling and arm waving before the bear was willing to leave its berry bush so that I could pass by.

So far, from my last years experiences and other experiences with bears in previous years, most bears are generally more interested in other things besides me.

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I go through my life without using cash even once in a typical month, so you are unlikely to need cash in a ten-day visit.

There's the occasional odd thing such as a public transit system that takes cash fares and not credit or debit cards, but you can usually purchase a ticket or day pass for them with a card.


This is the practical way to avoid exchanging currency or dealing with trying to use a foreign currency. That's what I have done for decades in the USA and Mexico - just take out local currency where I need it, or when I arrive to have some emergency cash. I wouldn't want to take out too much, because I don't want to convert it back (and currency exchanges typically don't handle coins at all).

I have a few follow up questions.

When you reference taking "out local currency" where/when needed, how are you going about this? Debit card? Bank withdrawal? We are going to Newfoundland. Our plans include things like several boat excursions and dinner theatre. Some of these activities state: "cash only". I'll assume that means CAD cash since much to the shock of many of my fellow citizens, life doesn't just revolve around what happens (or doesn't happen) in the US of A. Our first stop before we get on the Atlantic Ferry for Newfoundland is St. John. We want to witness the Reversing Falls. Would it be smart to go to a bank and exchange say $300 US for CAD money? I don't have a debit card. I guess I could get one of those as well...

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

I have a few follow up questions.

When you reference taking "out local currency" where/when needed, how are you going about this? Debit card? Bank withdrawal? We are going to Newfoundland. Our plans include things like several boat excursions and dinner theatre. Some of these activities state: "cash only". I'll assume that means CAD cash since much to the shock of many of my fellow citizens, life doesn't just revolve around what happens (or doesn't happen) in the US of A. Our first stop before we get on the Atlantic Ferry for Newfoundland is St. John. We want to witness the Reversing Falls. Would it be smart to go to a bank and exchange say $300 US for CAD money? I don't have a debit card. I guess I could get one of those as well...

Debit card is easy to use to get cash from almost any banking machine, and that is what I would recommend. If you don't have a debit card, you could probably exchange US cash for Cdn cash at most Canadian banks. There may also be locations at the border crossing that will provide currency exchange services.

[emers382]

Yes your debit card should work fine. Ours did in Mexico this winter when I used it a number of times (at our Canadian bank branch so no fee) at the ATM. The receipt even showed my account balance which looked pretty high until realising it was in pesos

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

I have a few follow up questions.

When you reference taking "out local currency" where/when needed, how are you going about this? Debit card? Bank withdrawal? We are going to Newfoundland. Our plans include things like several boat excursions and dinner theatre. Some of these activities state: "cash only". I'll assume that means CAD cash since much to the shock of many of my fellow citizens, life doesn't just revolve around what happens (or doesn't happen) in the US of A. Our first stop before we get on the Atlantic Ferry for Newfoundland is St. John. We want to witness the Reversing Falls. Would it be smart to go to a bank and exchange say $300 US for CAD money? I don't have a debit card. I guess I could get one of those as well...

Do you have an ATM card from your bank in the US? Why not use that? The exchange rate at the ATM would be as good or and likely much better. The exchange rate on ATM / Debit card transactions are set by Visa/Mastercard and likely to be better than what you might get from the bank.

You don't need a debit card. Look on the reverse side of your ATM card. It will list the networks your bank is part of, e.g., Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, etc. The ATMs in Canada will accept your ATM card. Sometimes they offer you to withdraw in local (CDN) currency. Decline. That 'offer' is to allow the ATM operator/bank to do the exchange (rather than the network) and it is almost always disadvantageous. That's why the upsell is offered.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

Some of these activities state: "cash only". I'll assume that means CAD cash since much to the shock of many of my fellow citizens, life doesn't just revolve around what happens (or doesn't happen) in the US of A.

Canadian businesses that take cash are fully used to the question, "do you take American?" It's always OK when it's asked respectfully but not when the US cash is smacked down as a right. The oft heard, "how much is that in American" kind of indicates that the person is a little on the, umm, how shall I say it, less experienced side.

Ron

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Canadian businesses that take cash are fully used to the question, "do you take American?" It's always OK when it's asked respectfully but not when the US cash is smacked down as a right. The oft heard, "how much is that in American" kind of indicates that the person is a little on the, umm, how shall I say it, less experienced side.

Ron

I agree about the issue regarding respect. I referenced that in my question to Brian. In particular we are paying close attention to the cultural sensibilities re: the people in Newfoundland. We planning some events which will allow us to interact with the people there. That is why we will be going to some dinner theatres in different parts of the island. We want to learn how they look at their own history both from the point of view of hardships and the humor which is expressed in order to lighten the load. We are also going have dinner with a family in St. Anthony.

Regarding all of the suggestions. Thank you. I'm heading to my bank and will see about getting an ATM card.

[HBGH]

On our camping trips we shop (or try to) at Costco for food and gas where possible. On a trip in January we learned that Costco would not accept our Visa credit cards for payment of either. It of course accepts its own membership/credit card. You may wish to call ahead to determine which card(s) it will accept. In this particular Costco there was an ATM where we were able to withdraw cash for purchases.

[Mike Lewis]

The last time I shopped at a Canadian Costco they would take MasterCard. The ones in the U.S. take Visa. Fortunately I had one of each.

[LarryandLiz]

Re Jasper and Banff

It’s not only bears. Depending on the time of year Elk can be aggressive if it’s calving time (and I guess breeding). In Jasper a few years ago, the park closed several trails due to mom elk.

My wife came out of a washroom and almost walked into a doe (correct term?) elk. It was just grazing but gave her a bit of a start.

[Starbrightsteve]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

We camp in Jasper and Banff National Parks quite frequently and have never had any negative interactions with bears. Although I do carry bear spray when on the trails. I did have two bear encounters (black bears) within a week of each other last summer while running on mountain trails in the Banff back-country.

For the first bear encounter I was with another runner on a relatively wide trail in the back-country behind the Lake Louise ski area. We saw the bear well in advance of passing it. It was on the edge of the trail eating berries and was not very interested in us. We had our bear spray out and yelled at it a lot, and it eventually moved off the trail so that we could pass. After we passed, it moved back to its berry bush.

The second bear incident was less than a week later. This time I was running solo on a narrow single-track trail on a steep cross-slope between Mt Assiniboine and Sunshine Meadows. I had been calling out regularly to warn bears of my presence all morning but had not done so in the past few minutes. As I came around a sharp bend on the trail, I saw a black bear eating berries in the middle of the trail about 20 ft in front of me. I think the bear jumped first and then I jumped, and we both looked at each other for a few seconds before the bear went back to eating its berries. I did have my bear spray out and ready to go but it was not needed. It took quite a lot of yelling and arm waving before the bear was willing to leave its berry bush so that I could pass by.

So far, from my last years experiences and other experiences with bears in previous years, most bears are generally more interested in other things besides me.

It is my opinion that running on trails in grizzly country is risky and likely to get you a Darwin Award.

[SWCO]

Originally Posted by LarryandLiz

Re Jasper and Banff

It’s not only bears. Depending on the time of year Elk can be aggressive if it’s calving time (and I guess breeding). In Jasper a few years ago, the park closed several trails due to mom elk.

My wife came out of a washroom and almost walked into a doe (correct term?) elk. It was just grazing but gave her a bit of a start.

Cow is the term for lady elk.

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

The last time I shopped at a Canadian Costco they would take MasterCard. The ones in the U.S. take Visa. Fortunately I had one of each.

We will be reprovisioning at various locations during our approximate 2300 miles jaunt around Newfoundland. That said the only Costco in NL is located in St. Johns.
The grand opening a couple of years ago created quite a stir. People were lined up at 4am.

I've applied for a bank ATM card. Plus we will bring a stash of US dollars.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: ousooner... Our Banks are somewhat friendly and for a fee will supply an exchange if needed. We even have the ability to take debit cards.
My advice would be to bring a tank full of fuel. It's very expensive here and sold by the liter!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Well, as long as folks can still liter-ally obtain fuel...

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

As I came around a sharp bend on the trail, I saw a black bear eating berries in the middle of the trail about 20 ft in front of me. I think the bear jumped first and then I jumped, and we both looked at each other for a few seconds before the bear went back to eating its berries. I did have my bear spray out and ready to go but it was not needed. It took quite a lot of yelling and arm waving before the bear was willing to leave its berry bush so that I could pass by.

So far, from my last years experiences and other experiences with bears in previous years, most bears are generally more interested in other things besides me.

So, what kind of berries were they, and did you sample some?

I certainly hope I never see a bear that "up close and personal," other than maybe at a zoo!

[kavm]

You might want to look at https://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/en and buy Parks Canada's Discovery Pass. There is a senior version too if you qualify. The Canadian posters can advise if it makes sense for your trip.

[Allan Bornestig]

That would have been a cow elk.They can be a good size.

[Sean Murry]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

We camp in Jasper and Banff National Parks quite frequently and have never had any negative interactions with bears. Although I do carry bear spray when on the trails. I did have two bear encounters (black bears) within a week of each other last summer while running on mountain trails in the Banff back-country.

For the first bear encounter I was with another runner on a relatively wide trail in the back-country behind the Lake Louise ski area. We saw the bear well in advance of passing it. It was on the edge of the trail eating berries and was not very interested in us. We had our bear spray out and yelled at it a lot, and it eventually moved off the trail so that we could pass. After we passed, it moved back to its berry bush.

The second bear incident was less than a week later. This time I was running solo on a narrow single-track trail on a steep cross-slope between Mt Assiniboine and Sunshine Meadows. I had been calling out regularly to warn bears of my presence all morning but had not done so in the past few minutes. As I came around a sharp bend on the trail, I saw a black bear eating berries in the middle of the trail about 20 ft in front of me. I think the bear jumped first and then I jumped, and we both looked at each other for a few seconds before the bear went back to eating its berries. I did have my bear spray out and ready to go but it was not needed. It took quite a lot of yelling and arm waving before the bear was willing to leave its berry bush so that I could pass by.

So far, from my last years experiences and other experiences with bears in previous years, most bears are generally more interested in other things besides me.

I have hiked into Mt. Assiniboine several times staying at the Naset Huts. I have come in via Sunshine, Radium side and Shark Mountain. The way in from Sunshine is the nicest in my opinion. The one time we came in from the Radium side we saw a total of 12 Grizzly bears over 3 days. Only one (you only need one) caused us a problem. It decided to charge us at the top of Wonder Pass. Fortunately we were a fairly large group and we stuck together. We did let off two bear bangers, the first one had no effect but the second one did. Technically you aren't supposed to let off Bear Bangers in Provincial or National Parks, but at that point in time I wasn't worried about regulations

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Well, as long as folks can still liter-ally obtain fuel...

Hi: Mike G... Yes we have fuel... but at what cost? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Downsized]

Good morning. Just a heads up for fuel prices as we were checking for someone last night. Gas tends to be a little more than diesel right now. In US dollars per US gallon expect to see it between about 3.60 to 4.50 USD depending on where you are in Alberta or BC. That’s 1.30 per litre in Canadian currency in Alberta and 1.60 per litre in BC. Around Vancouver it will be more than that but that’s because of the Vancouver transpo tax.

Enjoy your travels and stay safe on the road.