Heading to Canada. Any tips for riding through our Northern Brothers Border?

1. You need your passport to enter Canada
2. Helmets are required in all jurisdictions; no other equipment requirements
3. Leave your firearms at home
4. Speed limits, ambient temperatures and fuel measurements are metric
5. Fuel is just the same as the U.S.
6. If you’re traveling Highway 1 (aka the Trans-Canada Highway), you will be riding through Glacier, Yoho, and Banff National Parks. IF YOU PLAN ON STOPPING IN A NATIONAL PARK, YOU MUST PURCHASE A PARK PASS. You don’t need a pass if you’re just riding through the park. You’re coming a long way; I recommend stopping, at least to take pics and eat in the Banff townsite. It will be busy. It’s a major tourist town, but worth the effort.
7. Highway 1 is heavily patrolled by RCMP. Stick to a max 10 km/h over the posted speed limit and you will be good. The speed limit in Banff National Park may seem painfully slow. Just enjoy the Canadian Rockies.

Welcome to my part of the world.

Edit: Police in British Columbia can and do seize vehicles clocked at 40 km/h over the posted speed limit. A motorcyclist standing on the footpegs is considered “stunting” and is a ticketable offence.

Edit 2: I don’t know what date you plan to arrive in Calgary. Heads up, the world famous Calgary Stampede is July 7-16, 2023. The region’s lodgings will be booked solid and the city will be jammed with visitors.

Tim

Don't come here! You'll love it and then you'll want to move here! LOL! I live in Calgary, Alberta so ask me any questions you want.

As mentioned by others, don't even think of bringing a gun near the border. They WILL find it. They WILL seize your bike ( and sell it at auction) and they WILL arrest you. Unlike what you may think, the border is a special zone where NEITHER Canadian or USA citizens have any legal rights. This is true. Your ass belongs to them, and I know this from first hand experience (nothing illegal). Anything you say/speak out loud/talking near the border is RECORDED, especially in a car (yes, the technology is there and it works, I've seen it), I even 'tested' it one time. Just be honest, REMOVE your sunglasses AND helmet and have your passport ready to present immediately upon stopping. Any delay will be frowned upon. Answer ONLY the question asked, DO NOT venture or say another word. Once you are approved (hopefully) to enter Canada, merely say thank you and get the hell out of there. Pull over when safe to relax, adjust your things and check your map.

For instance: Q: how long do you plan to be in Canada? A: 10 days. Do NOT say anything more. If you do you will be dragged down a rat hole of misery. They will always ask OPEN ENDED questions. Respond only to ONE question at a time with as few words as possible.
Q: How much money do you have on you? Why? A: I have $XXXX. I prefer cash at times in case Interact is down or for small purchases. Say NO more. Don't ask why they are asking that question, or you will get pulled aside for further "discussion" inside.

They are NOT there to be your friend. They are there to catch bad people. One time I had tylenol in my pocket. I was inside the border office to pay tax on an imported item. They frequently let their sniffer dogs loose and they jump up on the counter just to watch people's reactions. The dog smelled my tylenol and immediately 2 guards were on high alert. FREEZE. Hands on guns. TURN AROUND. What is in your jacket pocket? REMOVE your jacket and put it on the counter, MOVE away 3 meters (10 feet). I wanted to pet the dog after, but NOT allowed, it is trained to bite you if you reach for it!

People don't realize exactly how dangerous the border is and that you have NO rights. Just be efficient, honest, direct eye contact, appear to be slightly submissive and NEVER ever challenge them, NEVER, or you will learn what's inside the building while they tear apart your motorcycle in record time AND it is YOUR responsibility to reassemble it, broken or not by them.

And finally, do have a nice visit up here!

1. No guns. Criminal record or DUI may be denied entry.
2. No drugs. Dont imbibe for a few days before crossing the border.
3. There are 4 local border crossings within an hour of Vancouver from west to east they are Douglas (Peace Arch), Pacific, Aldergrove Huntington. Douglas is busiest tourists) and expect an hour wait but may be longer, Pacific was a truck crossing but getting more popular. I usually cross at Aldergrove but rode by Huntington Thursday and it was vacant.
4. Have a destination, accommodation, booked for your trip. Border guards may ask some stupid questions but they do this all day long and are trained to listen for lies. Don't engage in conversation just direct answers. Have the duration in mind and have some means of support (cash/credit card).

5. Vancouver Day rides: go to Whistler BC. and back just a few hours.
6. I hate the Trans-Canada Hwy #1 and avoid it and rode across Canada avoiding it but for 2 hours. Instead:

As you can see if you want to go to Banff its better to do it as a day trip from Calgary. But you have already seen mountains on Hwy 95.
7. You may as well tell us why Calgary as there may be better options.