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Places to stay in
Alberta
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Activities Pass/Road book
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Glacier Viewing/Ice Walking
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Helicopter Sightseeing Tour
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The province of Alberta is located in western Canada between the provinces of British Columbia (B.C.) to the west and Saskatchewan to the east. At our northern border is the Northwest Territories. The state of Montana marks our southern border.
Considered one of Canada’s three “Prairie Provinces”—along with Manitoba and Saskatchewan—Alberta differs in that it shares the Canadian Rockies with British Columbia. Our natural border is the imaginary line of the Continental Divide that separates Alberta from B.C. Alberta is the fourth largest province in Canada. It is similar in size to Texas, three times the size of Great Britain or equal to the combined areas of France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Land accounts for 97% of the area with the remainder made up of numerous lakes, rivers and streams. The province has a diversity of natural terrain—parklands, grasslands, primordial badlands, vast tracts of wildlands, boreal forests and plains, ancient glaciers, thousands of lakes and rivers, and the oldest mountain ranges of the “backbone” that runs the length of North and South America. Its variety of natural areas and ecosystems supports hundreds of species of wildlife, many of which are endangered or protected. Coupled with the intriguing history of Aboriginal cultures and prehistoric dinosaur remains, it is easy to see why the United Nations crowned Alberta with five of Canada’s 13 designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bragging Rights: -Canada's largest mountainous national park - Jasper National Park -Canada's first/oldest national park - Banff National Park -World's largest shopping and entertainment complex - West Edmonton Mall -World's first international "Peace Park" - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park -World's second largest and Canada's largest national park - Wood Buffalo National Park -Largest ski area in Canada - Lake Louise -World's largest Ukrainian Easter Egg (Pysanka) - Vegreville -Second largest glacier fed lake in the world - Maligne Lake (Jasper National Park) -One of the world's most photographed lakes - Moraine Lake (Banff National Park) -North America's largest outdoor music festival - Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose) -World's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex - Drumheller -One of the most scenic highways in the world - Icefields Parkway -Canada's largest public display of live reptiles - Reptile World (Drumheller) -World's largest herd of free roaming bison - Wood Buffalo National Park -North America's largest, oldest and best preserved buffalo jump site - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump -World's largest oil sands development - Suncor/Syncrude Oil Sand Plant (Fort McMurray) -Only city in Canada found within two provinces - Lloydminster, "Canada's Border City" -Largest museum in Western Canada - Glenbow Museum (Calgary) -Bird capital of Canada - McLennan -North America's largest theatre festival - Fringe Festival (Edmonton) -Second largest zoo in Canada - Calgary Zoo (Calgary) -One of the richest dinosaur fossil discoveries in the world - Dinosaur Provincial Park -Home of Iceland's greatest poet - Stephansson House (Markerville) -World's largest cable suspended roof "reverse hyperbolic paraboloid" - Pengrowth Saddledome (Calgary) -North America's first covered speed skating oval - Olympic Oval (Calgary) -The richest show jumping contest in the world - The Masters at Spruce Meadows (Calgary) -One of North America's largest collections of antique and classic cars, trucks and planes - Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Wetaskiwin) -Greatest outdoor show on earth - the Calgary Stampede (Calgary) -World's tallest wagon wheel and pick axe - Fort Assiniboine -World's first Indoor bungy jump - West Edmonton Mall (Edmonton) -World's tallest teepee - Medicine Hat -North America's largest collection of horse drawn vehicles - Remington Carriage Museum Source: Travel Alberta
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Calgary is a vibrant city that offers the best of both worlds - a cosmopolitan metropolis of over one million plus the awe-inspiring outdoor adventure of the Canadian Rockies only an hour away. With a wealth of cultural attractions, award-winning cuisine, parks and pathways, specialty shops and hip night spots, plus outdoor activities such as golfing and hiking, fishing and mountain biking, skiing and dog-sledding - there's something for everyone.
Source: Tourism Calgary
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With a history of coal mining until 1979, Canmore came into its own after hosting the Nordic (Cross Country and Biathlon ) events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It was this signature event that truly exposed Canmore to the world for the first time, and in truth exposed the residents of Canmore to their true calling. The next sixteen years would see incredible changes; the evolution of a wide selection of stunning full service hotel accommodations and self catering or all suite chalet style units, charming bed and breakfasts, an eclectic gathering of incredible restaurants, pubs and patios capable of sating the most discerning palate, all this built around a community of active outdoor access, with year round recreation opportunities which just have to be experienced.
A visit to downtown Canmore reveals a low key Alpine village atmosphere, with a significant selection of exquisite galleries and unique gift shops. This very contemporary character is not immediately visible, but as one explores business after business, the experience takes shape, and you begin to sense the true character of the place. Simply put, Canmore is a place of understated excellence.
Location, Location, LocationEnviable geographic placement positions Canmore, conveniently just West of Calgary, only 1.5 hours from Calgary’s International Airport, 5 minutes East of Banff National Park (20 minutes to the town site of Banff ), and virtually nestled into the northwest corner of Kananaskis Country, which is home to a multitude of Provincial (equivalent of state parks in the U.S.) and Wild-land Parks. Stand most anywhere in Canmore, turn around 360 degrees, and you will fully appreciate the term “Mountain” community, we are surrounded.
Canmore is the base camp of choice for the discerning traveler who recognizes the value of an authentic mountain community oriented to sharing a passionate sense of place with its guests.
Source: Tourism Canmore
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Come play, shop, or just relax in a city known for its style, sports, history, and adventure. Go for a walk or cycle the paved trails in the longest, most continuous river valley park in North America. Or grab your golf clubs and play until sundown at one of 71 regional golf courses. Whatever your taste – folk, jazz, symphony, theatre, dance, visual arts, street performers or the Canadian Finals Rodeo – Edmonton is known as Canada’s Festival City. Escape to enjoy world-renowned musicians, actors and stage shows in state-of-the-art venues. Explore acclaimed museum and gallery exhibits downtown. Enjoy a warm latte in historic Old Strathcona. Snap on the skis or tie on your skates in the river valley. Shop until you drop at West Edmonton Mall, the World’s largest entertainment and shopping centre. Alberta’s capital is a modern, major city with small-town friendliness and traditional western hospitality.
Source: Travel Alberta
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Fort Macleod is at a crossroads that once hosted Indian encampments, wagon trails and buffalo grazing grounds, in view of the Porcupine Hills that front the ancient and majestic Rocky Mountains. The last frontier in the west is home to Alberta's only Provincial Historic Area.
The Fort - Museum of the North West Mounted Police, the most famous attraction in Fort Macleod, documents and explores the challenging early years of the NWMP, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jumps in North America. The interpretive centre explores the buffalo hunting culture of the plains people from ancient times to the arrival of the European.
The Empress Theatre has been operating since 1912, making it Western Canada's oldest continually operating theatre and one of Fort Macleod's most recognizable attractions. This historic resource continues to be a favourite stop because of its many exciting summer events.
The River Valley Wilderness Park, located along the banks of the Oldman River, is home to a multitude of wildlife including deer, rabbits, beavers and fish.The 120-acre park is one of the few places where the narrow-leaf cottonwood tree species still survives. The park has an extensive pathway system and playground that allows visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.
Source: Town of Fort Macleod
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Northern Alberta’s grandiose lakes, mighty rivers, abundant wildlife and untapped wilderness are the backdrop for an outdoor adventure of a lifetime. Experience it with a rod and reel in hand, by horseback, canoe, kayak, dogsled or snowmobile. Famous for its native and migratory bird populations, experienced guides and interpretive programs, this region is an outdoor paradise for naturalists.
Located along the gateway to the Alaska, Big Horn, and the Mackenzie Highway routes, the region of Grande Prairie offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery in a diverse landscape of pristine rivers, boreal forests and mountains.
-Enjoy the wild side of our region in guided backcountry camping and fishing adventures.
-Get on your ATV (or rent one) and take in the Kakwa Wildlands or day trip by car to one of the last remaining native upland vegetation areas at Kleskun Hills.
-Live it up on the modern side of the Grande Prairie region, which hosts year round special events.
Source: Travel Alberta
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Fort Macleod is at a crossroads that once hosted Indian encampments, wagon trails and buffalo grazing grounds, in view of the Porcupine Hills that front the ancient and majestic Rocky Mountains. The last frontier in the west is home to Alberta's only Provincial Historic Area. The Fort - Museum of the North West Mounted Police, the most famous attraction in Fort Macleod, documents and explores the challenging early years of the NWMP, now known as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jumps in North America. The interpretive centre explores the buffalo hunting culture of the plains people from ancient times to the arrival of the European. The Empress Theatre has been operating since 1912, making it Western Canada's oldest continually operating theatre and one of Fort Macleod's most recognizable attractions. This historic resource continues to be a favourite stop because of its many exciting summer events. The River Valley Wilderness Park, located along the banks of the Oldman River, is home to a multitude of wildlife including deer, rabbits, beavers and fish. The 120-acre park is one of the few places where the narrow-leaf cottonwood tree species still survives. The park has an extensive pathway system and playground that allows visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings.
Source: Town of Fort Macleod
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Jasper National Park is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jasper spans 10,878 square kilometres (4200 square miles) of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta.
This parkway offers unparalleled beauty as you travel alongside a chain of massive icefields straddling the Continental Divide. The Columbia Icefield borders the parkway in the southern end of the park.
Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and other large animals, as well as their predators make Jasper National Park one of the great protected ecosystems remaining in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.
Source: Parks Canada
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With a history of coal mining until 1979, Canmore came into its own after hosting the Nordic (Cross Country and Biathlon ) events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. It was this signature event that truly exposed Canmore to the world for the first time, and in truth exposed the residents of Canmore to their true calling. The next sixteen years would see incredible changes; the evolution of a wide selection of stunning full service hotel accommodations and self catering or all suite chalet style units, charming bed and breakfasts, an eclectic gathering of incredible restaurants, pubs and patios capable of sating the most discerning palate, all this built around a community of active outdoor access, with year round recreation opportunities which just have to be experienced.
A visit to downtown Canmore reveals a low key Alpine village atmosphere, with a significant selection of exquisite galleries and unique gift shops. This very contemporary character is not immediately visible, but as one explores business after business, the experience takes shape, and you begin to sense the true character of the place. Simply put, Canmore is a place of understated excellence.
Location, Location, LocationEnviable geographic placement positions Canmore, conveniently just West of Calgary, only 1.5 hours from Calgary’s International Airport, 5 minutes East of Banff National Park (20 minutes to the town site of Banff ), and virtually nestled into the northwest corner of Kananaskis Country, which is home to a multitude of Provincial (equivalent of state parks in the U.S.) and Wild-land Parks. Stand most anywhere in Canmore, turn around 360 degrees, and you will fully appreciate the term “Mountain” community, we are surrounded.
Canmore is the base camp of choice for the discerning traveler who recognizes the value of an authentic mountain community oriented to sharing a passionate sense of place with its guests.
Source: Tourism Canmore
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...The quiet, uncrowded National Park. The Perfect place to view spectacular scenery, wildlife and enjoy outstanding recreational opportunities. Discover nature at its best...Year Round!... A rare gem tucked into the southwestern corner of the province of Alberta, Canada. In this breathtaking part of the world, the majestic Rocky Mountains rise suddenly out of the rolling prairies. Amid the peaks are the lakes of Waterton Lakes National Park, carved out of the rock by ancient glaciers.
...Waterton Lakes National Park borders Glacier National Park in Montana to the south, and together they make up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first of its kind in the world. A place like no other, the uniqueness of Waterton Park is a blend of unusual geology, mild climate, rare wild flowers, and an abundance of wildlife. It is a scene which has remained unchanged for centuries.
Source: Waterton Park
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