You have gotten good advise so far. the only comment I will make is with respect to money. Your best option and exchange ate is at a Canadian bank. Any one will do just fine. Then i would try to put as many of my expenses on a credit card as possible. In general, from the Canadian side, they have very good exchange rates.

What I would not do is try to change money in the US, at an airport other than a small amount to get you through the first day, or at any business place. They will hit you hard.

I noticed that the exchange rate was 0.82 and a bit to day so if you get about 1.18 per US dollar you should be close to what is normal. In general they go about 2% either side of the posted exchange rates, depending if you are buying or selling.

Have a nice trip. Maybe one day you will get to western Canada (the island west of the coast that Vancouver is on ). The area you are going to is just wonderful.

BTW, fernie to vernon is about a 6 to 7 hour trip, at least the way i drive.