Here's an email from Bill Rode about his travels to Canada:
>Subject: Canadian racing and travels
>Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 00:54:24 -0800
>
>Hi Chris,
>
>
>I was just making plans for attending the Canadian National races in Feb
>and remembered that you had asked for some travel stories.
>Attached is the link for everyone to the information and registration for
>these upcoming races at Canmore AB, Feb. 19th - 23rd.
>http://www.biathlonnationals.com/invitation_title_page.htm
>I heard that some of our Colorado masters are heading up for the week too.
>
>
>My travels to the December races at Canmore went very well. These were the
>North American Championship races on Dec. 14th and 15th. The folks at
>Canmore have an awesome facility and put on a great race and event. There
>are wax rooms, test slopes, meeting rooms, showers and changing rooms all
>at the biathlon center, and a very well stocked nordic ski shop with great
>CN discounts.
>
>I usually fly from either Vancouver or Abbotsford to Calgary for an average
>of $120-150 US, round trip. West Jet Airlines usually is the cheapest. I
>rent a car in Calgary, and there are a number of hotels in Canmore for $50
>US or less per night, many with all the amenities and breakfast. The
>Marriott Residence Inn is just a mile or two from the Nordic Center, and
>many of the hotels will give you a discount rate as a participating
>biathlete.
>
>After 9 great days of skiing at Silver Star BC in November we were hopeful
>for good conditions at Canmore. However they were in very rough shape and
>had only a one kilometer loop with enough snow for skiing. That meant that
>for some races like the men's sprint we had to ski it many many times.
>When there is plenty of snow the trail system is fantastic. The multiple
>trails are easily negotiated and can be utilized in a variety of ways so
>each race has a little different profile. There are 24 shooting stations
>and the volunteers well organized and helpful. We had the Men's Senior
>races in the morning and the Masters in the afternoon. Last year I raced
>in both divisions for a total of 4 races in 2 days and did the same this
>year. Always fun to race against the fast boys just for good measure and
I
>was able to win the Masters Class races again this year too. After the last
>race on Sunday I think I skied that 1k loop 40 times or more. Conditions
>were good with a firm track and warming weather so it softened as the day
>went on. Sunday it was mixed snow and rain with the usual "splat"
on the
>mat when going prone. Reminds me of the downpour we raced in at Stevens
>last year when we had to break trail in the 12" of new slop on a section
>that was not groomed. Wish I had a picture of us all in a line that day.
>In all it was a fun weekend and we managed to slip in a few days of Alpine
>skiing at Sunshine Village in Banff.
>Other hits were the Sushi Bar in Banff and the French Quarter Cafe in
>Canmore.
>
>The BC and Alberta biathlon clubs have been very active in supporting and
>promoting biathlon at the junior level. As a result there must have been
>almost 60-70 junior competitors for their races. Nice to see and I'm sure
>with the Methow folks gearing up we will have more young folks becoming
>involved.
>
>Firearms and boarder crossings... This year didn't bring any changes in
>the way we register to bring firearms into Canada and back. You still need
>to stop at a US Customs office prior to your departure and receive a
>Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. Customs
>Form #4457. They verify the registration number on your rifle and this is
>to be presented to the US official when you re-enter the US.
>For Canada you need to have their " Non Resident Firearm Declaration"
form
>filled out, ( available online and is in the attached document on Firearm
>Laws). They will want $50 CN and it's good for a year.
>Here are some tips, trivia and stories from my border crossings.
>I always travel with it in a locked case, bolt out, laying on the side that
>that you can see the registration numbers up. This keeps from having to
>remove the rifle and having you or them handling it to inspect the
>registration.
>Ammunition in a separate case. The stated limit is 1500 rounds.
>
>For me the border crossing usually goes like this:
>Traveling to Canada. Declare you have a firearm at the crossing. The
>guards will have you pull out, park, and go into the customs office to
>present your paper work to the official inside. They will then either come
>out with you to your vehicle to verify the registration # on your rifle
to
>just tell you to have a good day. I always keep a copy of the race
>invitation to prove that you have a reason to bring your rifle in.
>Officially I believe this is a requirement but I have never been asked to
>show the invitation but always get asked why/where/what type of
>competition/etc. They do not want you to bring the rifle, in a case or
>not, into the building. I had a crossing guard tell me to do that once,
>after he had asked me to hand it to him through the window of the van!
>When I walked into the main office with my gun case I got a lot of
>attention FAST. When they found out I had been instructed to do so I
>believe he was taken out back for a little talk. The Canadian's have
>always been very courteous and helpful and I've never had any problem so
>far.
>
>Coming back to the US is pretty much the same, but oddly enough they seem
>less stringent with their concern to inspect my firearm. Last year they
>would ask to see the rifle and confirm the registration, followed by the
>usual where/ why/ and how long in Canada. This year when coming back from
>Silver Star, I was in the drive through lane and the when I declared my
>rifle the guard looked at me and in a shocked voice he said, " They
let you
>take that into Canada?" I said yes, every time. He then asked all kinds
>of questions about what biathlon was all about and then said that I would
>have to pull out and have a thorough inspection. I said I would be glad
to
>but I've never been asked to do that before and he said, " OK, have
a nice
>day", and I was waived through!
>
>One last comment on rifles and air travel. My experience this fall in
>Canada was a bit concerning as on both legs of my trip from Vancouver to
>Calgary there was NO Baggage Claim control of any kind. No security in the
>baggage area, no claim ticket inspection. Literally anyone could have
>grabbed my rifle, skis, or baggage and no one would have known any
>different. Same thing happened in the Denver and Seattle terminals
>earlier. You do have to declare your rifle at check in and fill out a
>simple registration form.
>
>In all it's pretty easy to transport your rifle and I hope this information
>helps you to do the same.
>See you at Stevens Pass this Jan. and in Canmore for the Feb. Canadian
>Championships!
>
>Bill