Matt,

Here in Alberta we tend to use mostly gravel, with a little salt (but
nothing
like Ontario).  Major highways are "chip sealed" (layer of hot tar, then
small
gravel "glued" to the road).  I'm interested to hear your route,
experiences,
etc., as I am going to Seattle in JAnuary for a wedding, and will go the
same
route you are taking in my Westy.

If you need any other info, etc, just drop me a note.  I'm an hour east
of
Banff.
Keith Adams
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia "Roxy"

Matthew Pollard wrote:

> Hey guys up north, how are the roads up there maintained in the
> winter? Salt, gravel, rocks (like Idaho), heated (like Aspen Colorado)?? I
> am heading up there in late december and need to know if i gotta save my $
> for studded shoes. Oh yeah, i'm heading from Spokane WA to Banff and back,
> through cranbrook area.
> Cheers, eh'
>
> Matthew Pollard            http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
> Dept. of Chemistry              http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
> University of Idaho                  http://www.uidaho.edu