For those of us with spring fever and looking forward to cramming 12 months driving into - hopefully at least 5! I'd like to find out where we each think the best roads are to test what our cars are made to do best - you know what I mean!

Not that we personally do this but maybe a friend of a friend knows some good trails.

Criteria could be: paved; longer than a 30 second sprint; danger level low(safety and ahem - the beam);clean air; green grass; blue sky; wind in my hair - sorry got carried away; in Alberta (could stretch the borders a bit) and above all else a great deal of fun whether novice or expert. Hopefully not asking for too much.

 

I'm not familiar with the area around Edmonton well enough to comment.
As for around Calgary, my "official" view point is that there are no roads where one can legally use the car to even close to its full capability.
That having been said:
-Highway 1A to Canmore is quite picturesque and entertaining.
-Kananaskis highway over the Highwood Pass to Longview.
-Switchbacks going up Mt. Norquay.
-Road going up to the Canmore Nordic Center.
-although short, the Old Banff Coach Road just west of Calgary.

And a bit farther away:
-the Rogers Pass.
-the highway between Kelowna and Sicamous.
-Hope/Princeston highway.
-the switchbacks going up Cypress Bowl Rd. overlooking W. Vancouver.
-Port Alberni to Tofino/Uclulet road. This is my all time fav.

 

I agree Highway 1A is the way to Canmore and the Port Alberni run is fantastic except for the big rigs and motor homes but that's part of the experience.

It seems that Calgary - I hesitate to say, has more to offer than Edmonton! Is this true - C'mon there must be curves out there somewhere?

 

If Seks sees this, he'll tell ya. I think he's driven them all up your way.

 

Here in deadmonton..

1. Groat Road obviously

2. Either start from groat road heading down river valley road going east or start from east of kinsmen heading west on river valley road

3. going south on 99 st then head west on sask drive. Yeah i know, kinda small road but I usually rip thru there anyhow during the mornings when i go to work

4. airport road between yellowhead and kingsway ave. not much of a curve but it's ok

that's all i know

 

I'd agree with Seks. Groat road is obviously quite interesting But a bit dangerous since its all pretty much blind...

River Valley road is great too, especially since there are usually a lot of people walking around down there... but thats more of a "cruising" road.

 

Yeah those are interesting and also the short run down hill to the zoo but all are a little risky and well patrolled now since the bike incidents last summer.

I was hoping there were some country roads - probably are but will need to tour to find them I guess. Oh well more driving - what a shame (sic).

 

I took Hi way 3 back from vancouver to Nelson, It was unbelievable , I felt like mario on a Tuesday afternoon in the fall , top down and the awesome colors of fall!

 

Striker,
I did that highway 3 a few times in my 98 Prelude SH, now that I am picking up my 2002 S2000 I cannot wait to head back out to the coast for a trip.

 

Welcome to the club; I made the exact same upgrade.