I’m saving to go to Canada for next hockey season (so September to April). The aim is to watch as many games as I can and also see Canada. I reckon I’m gonna do Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal over 10 to 12 days.
What’s the best time to visit? I’m cautious about games being cancelled due to rubbish weather
Depends on how much you want to spend. Do you want to include pre season games, mid season, or chance the play-offs? Do you want to see the Canucks thrash the Leafs? Pick some games where there’s some big rivalries and you’ll enjoy it. These will help you decide where you want to be when. The entire stadium singing of the national anthem gets me every time.
I’m assuming you’ll do plenty of other things in each of the cities. I’m from the West, so I can guarantee you’ll get rained on (umbrella is a must), but the blue sky days are glorious and you won’t freeze like you would back east. The Canucks play in an enclosed stadium, so you’ll enjoy it, but still bring warm clothes. Unless the roof caves in, they won’t likely cancel games.
You can see if you can catch some local games at the Colosseum, too.
Check the cost of seats. Level 100 vs 300 nosebleeds. They can get pricey.
Happy to suggest all sorts of things to do in Vancouver when you’re ready to plan everything else!
Edit: Spelling is hard.
And to be honest, I would pick September or March. September because you get to see the pretty autumn colours, and March because same thing except Spring. Just be aware that there’s two weeks in March that is spring break for the kiddos and uni students. Might want to plan around it so you can do some touristy things without them being overrun.
Edit again: The excuse is that I’m sick and my brain wires crossing so I’m remembering things in pieces. Anyway, season schedule usually is released mid July, so if you’re waiting for the schedule before booking, then you’ve got only a few months to book for flights before December. Going in March/April gives you more leeway for flights. April also gets in to play off season, but you don’t know out of your three cities if they’ll make the play-offs.
Oooooh good tip on spring break! I’m British so didn’t know that. What’s the chances of getting stuck in a city and not getting to the next due to weather? I would love to see the autumn foliage how much do you reckon it’s worth it?
Not likely, though I have not lived in Vancouver full time for some time (about 8 years), I don’t know what the weather is like day to day. It used to be really predictable, but in the last few years, there’s been wild cold snaps. Generally, the lower mainland is pretty sheltered from the weather in the rest of Canada so unlikely to get stuck. Though if there’s a dusting of snow, the rest of the country makes fun of us because most people don’t know how to drive in it.
Someone mentioned the AHL games. Sorry, that’s what I meant when I said Colosseum games. That’s where they host the AHL games. It’s at the Pacific National Exhibition, which is on the east end of Vancouver. Some great tips from the other commenters. I would vouch for not driving across Canada. I’ve done a part of it for work, and though the Rockies are pretty, I wouldn’t do it in mid/late autumn until summer unless you’re comfortable driving in snow, ice and fog.
The autumn foliage will be more October. I love it because I love the cold. If you’re looking to spend a few coins (especially since your currency trumps ours by a lot), the Rocky Mountaineer might be something to look in to.
Nice one thanks!