Still trying to lock down details, but I plan to be around Bozeman and driving up towards Calgary in mid-February. I'm curious how many forum members are in the area, if you've got a fun van to show off, recommendations for places to stop/eat/drink, roads to take (or avoid), or any other tips to share! Please post in this thread if appropriate or shoot me a PM. Thanks!
Anyone in Montana (Bozeman) up to Calgary? Want to meetup?
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You absolutely want to take either interstate 15 or "recreation road" between Helena and Great Falls. Recreation road is the frontage road to I-15, and the more twisty of the two. But the interstate isn't very straight there either, at least from Helena to about Cascade. Once north of there, both are pretty much parallel to each other. Recreation road ends at the Great Falls airport.
15 is the only way to get to the Great White North once you get north of Great Falls.
It's too bad that the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier National Park is a) closed until June, and b) too far out of your way, but if you ever come back, it and the Beartooth Highway (also too far out of your way) are absolutely worth doing.
Depending on how much time you can afford to waste, traveling west from Bozeman all the way to Butte along I-90 (over Homestake Pass), then north on I-15 to Helena and Great falls is probably the most scenic option, with the real scenery coming in to view west of Three Forks (the headwaters of the Missouri River). Just north of Butte you'll cross the Continental Divide at about 6,800 feet.
About 15 miles north of Helena on I-15 you'll come across the Gates of the Mountains, so named by the Lewis & Clark expedition. The thing that amazes me is, we're seeing that area today largely the same way Lewis and Clark saw it.
Make sure your insurance is ok in Canada, and that you have a passport to get back IN to the USA.
15 is the only way to get to the Great White North once you get north of Great Falls.
It's too bad that the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier National Park is a) closed until June, and b) too far out of your way, but if you ever come back, it and the Beartooth Highway (also too far out of your way) are absolutely worth doing.
Depending on how much time you can afford to waste, traveling west from Bozeman all the way to Butte along I-90 (over Homestake Pass), then north on I-15 to Helena and Great falls is probably the most scenic option, with the real scenery coming in to view west of Three Forks (the headwaters of the Missouri River). Just north of Butte you'll cross the Continental Divide at about 6,800 feet.
About 15 miles north of Helena on I-15 you'll come across the Gates of the Mountains, so named by the Lewis & Clark expedition. The thing that amazes me is, we're seeing that area today largely the same way Lewis and Clark saw it.
Make sure your insurance is ok in Canada, and that you have a passport to get back IN to the USA.
Thanks @as3ffd for your tips; I appreciate it! This definitely won't be my only visit to the area. My family and I will be planning separate trips to hit Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, etc. when the weather is nicer. I'll be saving the route through Boulder for another time, too.
Thanks again @as3ffd, sounds like plenty of options even in the winter! Do you live in the area? How are the roads this time of year, especially with the stock all-season tires on the van?
Past Great Falls, heading North is such a boring drive, especially on I15. If you want to add a bit more scenery, at Great Falls, navigate up to Browning, Near Glacier park east entrance, and head up north on 89 up through St. Mary across the border to Cardston, Canada. (At least you will see the Glacier park mountains a lot closer than I15.)
OTOH, If you have more driving time. Leave Bozeman and take I 90 to to Missoula. Take 93 up along/Past Flathead lake, and into the Flathead valley up to Whitefish. Then take 93 up to Eureka and go through the Rooseville border crossing. In Canada, drive through Fernie, past Franks slide, and then 22 north. Tons of spectacular scenery driving that way. But it might take you an extra day to drive that way. (Or you could turn it into a big loop.)
OTOH, If you have more driving time. Leave Bozeman and take I 90 to to Missoula. Take 93 up along/Past Flathead lake, and into the Flathead valley up to Whitefish. Then take 93 up to Eureka and go through the Rooseville border crossing. In Canada, drive through Fernie, past Franks slide, and then 22 north. Tons of spectacular scenery driving that way. But it might take you an extra day to drive that way. (Or you could turn it into a big loop.)
I live in the area. "All-season" tires aren't. They are 3-season tires. Winter tires are for winter use, and as I saw today, -40 temperature in West Yellowstone. The rubber on winter tires can handle the cold better than "all-season" tires can.
But I doubt you'll buy new tires for one trip to MT.
The roads can be clear and dry to snowed-over and barely passable in February. Sometimes they close the roads, or have chain requirements over the hills, typically only for towing units. See www.511mt.net for road info.
But I doubt you'll buy new tires for one trip to MT.
The roads can be clear and dry to snowed-over and barely passable in February. Sometimes they close the roads, or have chain requirements over the hills, typically only for towing units. See www.511mt.net for road info.
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I would buy a set of chains if you don’t have dedicated snow tires. A arctic blast like we just got left the roads a sheet of ice and a good foot of snow and wind drifts all over the area.
Thanks for your replies @Tijoe, @Dust Rider, and @as3ffd (again) 
I have chains for the van already (I live in Tahoe at 6,000+ feet elevation), but have never needed them. We also have a Subaru Ascent with stock all season tires and haven't had issues driving in the cold weather and snow. We just try to stay off the roads completely if conditions are bad enough or we drive our one vehicle that does have dedicated winter tires (the improved traction is noticeable).
Of course, temps around here rarely drop below 20F degrees, so I'll admit that I am being cautious and trying to be prepared for Montana/Alberta. Our winter driving also tends to be for shorter trips around town vs. hours and hours of highway driving in freezing weather.
I have chains for the van already (I live in Tahoe at 6,000+ feet elevation), but have never needed them. We also have a Subaru Ascent with stock all season tires and haven't had issues driving in the cold weather and snow. We just try to stay off the roads completely if conditions are bad enough or we drive our one vehicle that does have dedicated winter tires (the improved traction is noticeable).
Of course, temps around here rarely drop below 20F degrees, so I'll admit that I am being cautious and trying to be prepared for Montana/Alberta. Our winter driving also tends to be for shorter trips around town vs. hours and hours of highway driving in freezing weather.
Actually, I will seriously think about this. In addition to my experience noted above, I'm also a car enthusiast and hobbyist race car driver, so I'm cognizant of the benefits of proper tire compounds. And I lived a couple years in Europe where winter tires were required by law. Safety for me and others on the road is top priority.
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The drive up Mount Rose highway from Reno can get interesting (8260!). You will not have issue being from Tahoe region. Blizzaks or Nokians are the ticket.
The biggest issue here is prolonged driving on hard packed snow roads if it’s cold. You get bumped around a bit and the tire paths are loud. Plus the constant vibrating gets old quick. The sustained winds causes drifts, sudden white outs and helps keep the roads iced. Sometimes the road just disappears and you cannot tell if you’re still on it because rumble strips have been packed in. It is rural north of Great Falls to the High Line and Border. Not much traffic other than semis and Hutterites 😉.
Keep the gas tank full, and travel when it’s clear. If you get stuck in Great Falls, check out the O’Haire Motor Inn. It has an iconic bar called the Sip and Dip.
The biggest issue here is prolonged driving on hard packed snow roads if it’s cold. You get bumped around a bit and the tire paths are loud. Plus the constant vibrating gets old quick. The sustained winds causes drifts, sudden white outs and helps keep the roads iced. Sometimes the road just disappears and you cannot tell if you’re still on it because rumble strips have been packed in. It is rural north of Great Falls to the High Line and Border. Not much traffic other than semis and Hutterites 😉.
Keep the gas tank full, and travel when it’s clear. If you get stuck in Great Falls, check out the O’Haire Motor Inn. It has an iconic bar called the Sip and Dip.
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