Women in the Wind International
Know Before You Go
Click Here to Download this information as a PDF you can print and take with you.
!!!Weather Warning!!!
Ladies, we've done everything we can to make your visit to Calgary an awesome one, but we can't control the weather. Be mindful as you ride that there's a lot of smoke in the air from the wildfires in British Columbia and that temperatures this Friday could go as high as 37°C (that's 98.96°F for those coming from south of the 49th). Remember to carry lots of water to keep yourselves hydrated and get out those wet bandannas and ice packs to keep your chill as you ride. Ride safe and see you soon!
Saturday Night Banquet Theme: Cowgirl Up!
The theme for the banquet is Cowgirl Up! If you want to pick up a little something Western to get in the swing of things, there are some shopping districts near Deerfoot Inn & Casino.
South Trail Shopping district:
4307 - 130 Ave SE, Calgary (map)
Deerfoot Meadows shopping district:
8180 - 11 St SE, Calgary (map)
Tax on most purchases is 5% GST (Goods & Services Tax) in Alberta. Other provinces will also have 5% GST and in addition will have a provincial sales tax.
Border Information
BE SURE TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!!
For general information see the Visiting Canada link here:
Border Crossings
You can find information on all US/Canada border crossings here:
Border crossings closest to Calgary are:
From Montana Hwy 17 - you will enter at Chief Mountain border crossing into beautiful Waterton National Park south of Calgary.
Border hours are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
From Montana Interstate Hwy 15 - you will enter at Coutts border crossing South East of Calgary.
Border hours are 24 hours/7 days a week.
From Montana Hwy 89 - you will enter at Carway border crossing South of Calgary.
Border hours are 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
From Idaho Hwy 95 - you will enter at Eastport/Kingsgate border crossing and can enjoy a scenic drive through British Columbia on Hwy 3 towards Calgary.
Border hours are 24 hours/7 days a week.
Conversions - Metric to Standard/Imperial
Canada is on the Metric System.
Mileage (Kilometers = km):
1 km = 0.6 miles, and 1 mile = 1.6 km
110 km/hr = about 65 mph
100 km/hr = 60 mph
80 km/hr = 50 mph
70 km/hr = 45 mph
50 km/hr = 30 mph
All playground and school zones in Calgary are considered playground zones, and there is a 30 km/hr speed limit (20 mph) from 7:30 am to 9 pm, every day, year-round.
Temperature: (Canada is in degrees Celsius)
Celsius to Fahrenheit: double it and add 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32, and divide by 2
0°C = 32°F water freezes
100°C = 212°F water boils
20°C is “room temperature”
30°C it's getting hot out! About 92°F
Weight/Mass: 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds
Currency
We no longer use pennies; your cash total will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 or 10 cents. Card transactions are processed at the exact amount.
American coins can be used in Canada, and are treated as par.
Our gold $1 coin is called a loonie, from the picture of a loon on one side.
Our gold/silver $2 coin is called a toonie, combining two + loonie.
Legal (Helmets, Guns, DUI, Marijuana)
Driver’s Licence
Your U.S. driver’s licence is valid in Canada.
Helmet Law
Motorcycle helmets are required by law across Canada.
Marijuana
Please check the Government of Canada website for information on legalization. Legalization is not expected until October 17, 2018.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/justice/legalization-regulation-marijuana.html
DO NOT attempt to bring any product across the border.
Be sure to check current regulations for any other concerns before travelling across the border.
Guns
Check out regulations at the Border Crossing you intend to use to enter Canada regarding bringing firearms into the country. Generally speaking, guns are not permitted. As long as you don’t feed the bears, you shouldn’t need one here.
DUI Conviction
Entering Canada if you have a DUI conviction in the US:
Anyone with this issue needs to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit before coming to Canada. They may also have the option of applying for a waiver if the offence was over 5 years ago.
Additional DUI information can be found here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/402/~/entering-the-u.s.-and-canada-with-dui-offenses
Elevation: Prepare to Get High!
Elevation in Calgary is 3429 ft (1,045 m) above sea level and some travellers may be affected. It may feel like a hangover, so drink lots of water and it should pass in a day or two.
More information on altitude sickness:
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ug3357
Walk-In Clinics/Hospitals
FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL 911 in Canada.
You will want to purchase travel medical insurance prior to your visit to Canada, in order to be covered if medical care is required.
Closest Walk-In Clinics
The Doctors Office
4701B - 130 Avenue SE Calgary
Douglas Square Medical Centre
11520 - 24 St SE Calgary
The four main hospitals in Calgary:
Note that wait times in Emergency are usually long, so a walk-in clinic may be preferable.
South Health Campus (SE) (map)(closest to Deerfoot Inn)
4448 Front St SE, Calgary
Foothills Medical Centre (NW) (map)
1403 - 29 Street NW, Calgary
Rockyview General Hospital (SW) (map)
7007 - 14 St SW, Calgary
Restaurants
Breakfast in the Deerfoot Inn & Casino:
Mojave Grill: This choice is onsite, but more expensive.
Deerfoot Casino: This affordable breakfast option is in the Deerfoot Casino, however it does not open until 9:30am.
Breakfast right across the road from Deerfoot Inn & Casino:
Denny’s Restaurant at the Flying J Truck Stop - 11511 40 St SE, Calgary
Other Coffee/Breakfast/Meal Options:
Check out the Live Google Map or view the options listed below.
Other Coffee/Breakfast/Dinner Locations:
Douglas Square at 11566 24 St SE, Calgary has the following:
- McDonalds
- Ricky's Restaurant (breakfast all day!)
- Tim Horton's Coffee (just up 24th Street)
- Starbucks Coffee
- Subway Sandwiches
- Bull & Finch Pub
- And more...
South Trail Crossing at 4307 130 Ave SE, has the following:
Note: for those of you who like to vape, there is also Calgary VAPE here!
- Bento Sushi
- Ricky's Restaurant (breakfast all day!)
- Tim Horton's Coffee
- Co-op Grocery Store
- Starbucks Coffee
- Subway Sandwiches
- Woody's Taphouse Pub
- Cora Restaurant (Breakfast)
About Canada
Canada will be 151 years old in 2018, as we just celebrated the big 150!!
We have 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Our Canadian capital city is Ottawa, in Ontario.
The capital of Alberta is Edmonton, host city of the Canadian National Rally to be held the weekend following the 2018 International Rally. Edmonton is about 3 hours north of Calgary, by direct route. Or there is a stunning ride on the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, which is longer but certainly worth the ride!
Canadian indigenous peoples are known as our First Nations Peoples. Indians are from India.