WeSTOC 1 – Park City, Utah – 1996
Announcing WeSTOC 24!
Boldly going where no WeSTOC has gone before – Alberta, Canada.
It is with great pleasure that the WeSTOC 24 Disorganizing Committee announces the opening of registration for WeSTOC 24 to be held from June 24 – 27, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
This may come as a shock to those of you who were in attendance at WeSTOC 23 in Baker City where it was announced that 24 would be held in Cochrane, AB, but there are good reasons for the change in location. The WeSTOC 24 Disorganization Team would like to thank Tim Graham for his effort in locating our host hotel, The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel & Suites Calgary West, on the outskirts of Calgary when it became apparent we would not be able to get enough affordable rooms in Cochrane. The new location is just 25 minutes from Cochrane so the riding won’t change much.
The theme of WeSTOC 24 – “Boldly going where no WeSTOC has gone before” – was chosen as a wink and a nod to history and science fiction. The historical aspect comes from Alberta being one of only three eligible Western States/Provinces that have never hosted a WeSTOC, with Wyoming and Arizona being the other two. The science fiction nod comes from the Southern Alberta town of Vulcan which has embraced Space Tourism and their titular connection with the Star Trek TV shows and movies. Vulcan, which hosts the annual Spock Days and has a model of the USS Enterprise alongside the highway, is one of the great Alberta destinations to be found on WeSTOC 24 rides.
Speaking of rides, which will be online shortly, there will be no shortage of interesting destinations and scenic wonders to fill your days.
Probably tops on many lists will be the Icefields Parkway that runs between Lake Louise and Jasper and is generally considered to be one of the top scenic drives in the world. This route, also known as Hwy 93, takes you through Banff and Jasper National Parks which are part of the Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. With over 100 glaciers and numerous scenic lakes (Moraine, Louise, Bow, Peyto plus nearby Maligne) and numerous spectacular waterfalls (Johnson Canyon, Sunwapta, Athabasca) the Icefields Parkway is a route that must be experienced.
At 2,206 m (7,328 ft) elevation Highwood Pass is not very high by Colorado standards but can be found along Highway 40 and is Canada’s highest paved road. The trip through Kananaskis Country features amazing Rocky Mountain Scenery.
A day trip to Drumheller takes you to the Alberta Badlands and the Royal Tyrell Museum and its collection of ancient dinosaur skeletons. The Red Deer and Rosebud River Valleys also offer up some terrific riding opportunities in the Drumheller area.
There will be unpaved roads for the dual-sport or adventurous riders and there are a number of options for those who want to camp. Just make your reservations early (some take reservations in Nov; some start in Jan) as Alberta campgrounds fill up fast.
In addition to the aforementioned Banff and Jasper National Parks there are interesting roads and destinations in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks as well.
On your way to or from WeSTOC 24 check out the Spiral Train Tunnels near Field, BC, exhilirating Hwy 93 to Radium, BC, the Frank Slide near Crowsnest Pass, or Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site near Fort Macleod. Waterton Lakes National Park in Southern Alberta offers stunning scenery and pairs up nicely with a trip over Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road in America’s Glacier National Park.
No matter what type of riding or scenery or destinations that you like we are sure you will find something to satisfy your desires in Alberta.
The date for WeSTOC 24 is earlier than recent WeSTOC’s have been so register early at WeSTOC.org and book your hotel room. 2019 has all the hallmarks of a fantastic event and your presence will ensure that is true. Keep checking for the latest updates and ride files at WeSTOC.org.
Your WeSTOC 24 Disorganizing Team of Bruce Thomas, Adam Koczarski, Dan Mulkiewicz, and John Warga, thanks you and looks forward to seeing you in Calgary, AB from June 24-27, 2019.
