Canada Mega Thread - Information and Advice
Congrats to both of you guys! 19 days left for me!
Hey guys, we’re getting toward the end of our holiday and will arrive in Vancouver on the 9th October. Starting to think about what we’re gonna need clothing wise in the snow and wondering if we should buy it while we’re in America. Can anyone give us any tips on what we’re going to need? We come from a winter where it normally doesn’t get much below 0 degrees so we pretty much have nothing and were just reading up on some other forums about thermal underwear/gloves/socks/boots etc. but not sure where to start…
I know we already talked on Facebook but here is my tips:
I don’t wear thermals but I’m weird (always warm) and Australia is not cold lol. Jeans are fine for wearing if you’re not snowboarding, since you’ll be outside a minimal amount of time just going to or from places. While snowboarding you need snow pants.
I’d suggest getting 1 set of thermals each and maybe a pair of skins. They will help keep your muscles working after you get bashed around on the snow. This stuff you can get with our staff discount on the mountain so don’t go overboard incase you don’t actually need them. If you do like them, buy more up the mountain.
Jackets there are 2 main types. Insulated and Shell. I like Shells because when it’s hot, you are fine, when it’s cold, you wear layers underneath. Insulated jackets can be hot when it’s warm and you just boil sometimes. Make sure it’s minimum 10,000 waterproofing and 10,000 breathability or more. (5000 is too low and you’ll likely regret it)
For yourself, check out guys jackets rather than girls jackets. More than a few of the females here have complained that the female jackets are too short and you get snow down your pants. You want your jacket to cover your butt I ride in a Large jacket even though medium fits better so that I don’t get snow in my pants.
Here is also a basic list of brands you should try to stick to as a beginner / person with minimal knowledge. Otherwise you could get a crap salesperson who talks you into gear that they can’t sell which is heavy or just plain crap. By all means, some of these brands make some great gear but they are on the bad list because you’d likely get their low end stuff unless you know what your looking for. With your board, get a mid flex or park board in my opinion (not stiff). Because it will be more forgiving and easier to learn on.
What TJ has above is great. BUT I do get cold and well Canada is a much colder place than Australia!!
I rarely ride without thermals and or an insulated jacket in Australia let alone overseas!
But I will help by listing some great shops to check out in the US
REI outdoor mecca shop! Love that place.
If you happen to be in California/ San Fran region then Any Mountain and Sports Basement are two great shops as well.
If youre going to whistler definitely recommend 15k + waterproof it gets super wet and very muggy so breathability is important too. Youll need 2 jackets as well, a soft and a hardshell srs.
If youre going to whistler definitely recommend 15k + waterproof it gets super wet and very muggy so breathability is important too. Youll need 2 jackets as well, a soft and a hardshell srs.
The higher the rating the better. I don’t think you’ll NEED 2 jackets though, especially if you are a lifty because they will give you one for working days and you’ll only use your own for your days off.
Maybe the case for liftys but in minus 20 degree weather a softshell wont cut it
Thermals and a hoodie plus a shell jacket would be fine. Unless you’re talking about waterproof hoodie type jackets in which case then no, you need a real jacket for Canadian winter…
For anyone wanting to apply for a BC Drivers licence. Get a copy of your RTA driving Record Mailed to you BEFORE you leave for Canada. The online version you can download from the RTA DOES NOT qualify for the record needed by for BC licensing.
I now have to ring the RTA at $1.50 a min to be on hold for 20 mins only to be told I need to email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and ask them nicely to email a copy directly to the licensing people 
Ok, so this is what I’ve found:
When you get to Canada, you can drive with your Australian license without any issue for a specified period. In British Columbia this period is three months, then it is law that you HAVE to get a BC license if you will be driving on their roads. They can fine you if you don’t for driving without a license, although you may be able to plead ignorance. So if you are planning on an extended stay and driving during that stay then you can go two different ways:
<ul><li>You can go and get your BC license, which involves a written test then a road test.</li>
<li>You can exit and re-enter the country within every three months, as the 3 month period restarts when you do this, even if you only leave for a day or even 5 minutes.</li></ul>
Either way, it’s $28 for a driving record… I just applied for it, may as well I guess…
Ok, so this is what I’ve found:
When you get to Canada, you can drive with your Australian license without any issue for a specified period. In British Columbia this period is three months, then it is law that you HAVE to get a BC license if you will be driving on their roads. They can fine you if you don’t for driving without a license, although you may be able to plead ignorance. So if you are planning on an extended stay and driving during that stay then you can go two different ways:
<ul><li>You can go and get your BC license, which involves a written test then a road test.</li>
<li>You can exit and re-enter the country within every three months, as the 3 month period restarts when you do this, even if you only leave for a day or even 5 minutes.</li></ul>Either way, it’s $28 for a driving record… I just applied for it, may as well I guess…
All I have to do is hand over my nsw full licence with proof of 3 years of driving experience. ( p plates count but l plates don’t ) and then they mail me out a full BC licence
or you can go to your local NRMA office and get an international driver’s license that is good for 1 year (together with your aussie license)
From what I’ve read in BC it’s different Cords. And if I end up doing summer camp work in the summer, or travelling I will probably need a license. Probably better to just do it than risk anything happening.
DON’T get your driving record sent out to you as they won’t accept it if you hand it to them. You have to have it faxed directly to their offices in order for them to exchange your aus license for a BC one. This was the case for me last year and for friends over the past 6 months - they may have changed it recently but I highly doubt it and would suggest calling ICBC first before you pay the money to have it sent out to you.
Haha too late… Aww well only $28, not the end of the world for me… 