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TRAVELALBERTA.COM
1-800-ALBERTA
vacation GUIDE
explore
your
passion
From peaks to plains, Alberta has one of the finest settings ever handed to
a province. The snow spackled Rocky Mountains. Shimmering wheatfields.
Northern lights. The Calgary Stampede. West Edmonton Mall. Guest
ranches. Sunny skies. Canadian Badlands. Powder-perfect ski resorts.
28
Each one captures particular experiences and adventures across Alberta.
Edmonton
Known as Canada’s Festival City, this
& Area
bustling metropolis has always put
its arts and culture on centre stage.
38
TravelAlberta.com/Edmonton
Edmonton
calgary
& Area
cosmopolitan dynamo is also the natural
gateway to the Canadian Rockies.
TravelAlberta.com/Calgary
48
Calgary Stampede
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are legendary
for their breathtaking beauty,
canadian
rockies
charming villages, backcountry
lodges and alpine castles.
TravelAlberta.com/Rockies
58
Herbert Lake, Banff National Park
Alberta South
Loaded with natural and cultural
wonders, southern Alberta is famous
alberta
South
for the Canadian Badlands, buffalo
jumps and dinosaur bone beds.
TravelAlberta.com/South
66
Hoodoos, near Drumheller
Alberta Central
Checkered with golden prairies, grassy
foothills, shimmering lakes, sandy
central
alberta
beaches and rural charms, Alberta’s
heartland is a naturalist’s paradise.
74
TravelAlberta.com/Central
Crimson Lake
Alberta North
Can’t decide between remote lakes and the
comforts of home? Have both, as well as
alberta
north
the longest daylight hours in the summer,
prime birdwatching and historical sites.
TravelAlberta.com/North
Golden Eagle Resort, Fort McMurray
Wonders of Alberta..............2–3
Natural Discoveries............. 4–5
Outdoor Adventures.......... 6–7
Western Ways..................... 8–9
Families Matter..............10–11
Cities & Towns................12–13
Dining & Shopping.........14–15
Golf Getaways................16–17
Waterways......................18–19
Spas & Wellness.............20–21
Winter Escapes...............22–23
Resort to Perfection.......24–25
Festivals & Events...........26–27
Travel Essentials.................. 82
National Park
Edmonton & Area Calgary & Area Canadian Rockies
You weigh your options carefully. Swim It’s early July and the Calgary Begin your day with a hefty feed of
with sea lions. Bungy jump over the Stampede has revamped its streets bison sausages and free range eggs in
world’s largest indoor wave pool. with hay bales, wooden fences and Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper and then
Watch hockey under a glass dome. free pancake breakfasts. After you head out to the Icefields Parkway, one
Barrel down a 14-storey, triple loop scarf that freebie down, you’ll realize of the most scenic drives on Earth.
roller coaster. They all sound like a gas. you’ve got to look the part so hustle Tumbling glaciers, lacy waterfalls,
off to Alberta Boot for the right meadows, saddles, cirques and tarns
And that’s before you discover there
footwear, Smithbilt Hats for an – this drive alone comes with its own
are 800 stores and services, 13 movie
authentic cowboy hat and Lammle’s distinct alpine language. You’ll learn
theatres, a casino and a colony of
for some serious western duds. Now these terms at the Columbia Icefield
African penguins at West Edmonton
that you’re geared up, swagger down Centre, located at the toe of North
Mall (WEM). And now you can explore
to Stampede Park, nab some rodeo America’s most accessible “living”
this mammoth place by hopping on a
tickets and head for the midway. glacier, the Athabasca. A specially
nifty battery-operated Segway. In a
designed all-terrain coach, the Ice
flash, you’re weaving and bobbing Cap off the day with a feast of prime
Explorer, takes you on a guided tour
between the throngs of faces trying to Alberta beef in a suite at the Lazy S
up the glacier’s belly as it slowly and
decide where to start. And then you club or join the masses for Beef on a
imperceptibly recedes into history.
hear it ... duelling keyboards at the Bun on the midway. Then it’s back to
Snow that fell thousands of years ago
new Red Piano Cajun Bistro where the stands for the No. 1 crowd-
crunches beneath your feet, at times
you must order a lobster Po’Boy and pleaser, the chuckwagon races, before
300 m (984 ft) thick. You’ll see miles
some Louisiana Crab Cakes. the fireworks that end every
of snowy icefields, recessional
Sometimes you just have to indulge Stampede evening with a literal bang.
moraines, a few of its 30,000
every urban need and there is no Still want more of our western ways?
crevasses and the dramatic effects
better place than at WEM. Would you Join the cowboys headin’ to
of global warming.
expect anything less from North Ranchman’s and two-step until the
America’s largest shopping and cows come home.
entertainment complex?
2 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Jasper National Park
Northern Lights, Assumption Reserve
Hoodoos, near Drumheller
Leave the arid, lunar-like landscape of We’re not suggesting you paddle the Cuddle up next to the other star
today’s Canadian Badlands and tiptoe 66-day voyageur route from Rocky gazers in your party and blow snow
back 75 million years to the land the Mountain House to Old Fort William rings into the frosty night air. Ah yes,
dinosaurs once roamed. Time travel that David Thompson did some 200 there’s one. No, that’s two explosions
is what you get on a hike or an years ago – but you wouldn’t be the you see. Everyone is spellbound as
archaeological dig at either the Royal first! Canoeing in these parts is still an that taut, black Alberta sky bends
Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in ideal way to see vast stretches of and stretches with strings of colour
Drumheller or Dinosaur Provincial untrameled wilderness. Independent that dance across the largest screen
Park. However unlikely it seems, paddlers can canoe many stretches you’ll ever find. Gold, red, purple,
guides will convince you that today’s of the North Saskatchewan River green – the entire night sky glows
swirl of canyons, coulees and hoodoos (Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House with the mesmerizing brilliance of
was once a lush tropical Eden for is very popular) or you can join a pulsing light. Think of yourself at
dinosaurs, crocodiles, sharks and voyageur canoe outfitter for a Mother Nature’s drive-in movie
turtles. Sit on the lip of Horseshoe multi-day paddle on this historic theatre … that’s what a northern
Canyon today and marvel at the waterway. When you’re in the bow of lights blockbuster looks like. Except
history of this place – it’s all laid out for your boat and round the leafy corner that you’ll likely get hot chocolate
you in stripes of bedrock, reminding us of the river to see the peak of the fort, instead of popcorn and your guides
of the last ice age that ended some known as Rocky Mountain House, it’s will come with telescopes, binoculars,
13,000 years ago. While you can hike an emotional moment for it’s a sight extra toques and loads of local lore.
independently through some of the that hasn’t shifted much since the Wild, electrifying, otherworldly these
badlands your appreciation for fossils, days of Thompson. Be sure to stop in lights in Alberta’s northern skies will
the ways of the dinosaurs and these at the interpretive centre for a cup of dazzle you with one of nature’s most
peculiar land formations will only be lavender tea, some Métis fiddling glorious performances.
heightened by a guide on a day dig or and jigging. Learn the ways of some
a week-long field experience. of our First Nations people, just as
Thompson did.
Look for this green symbol throughout this year’s Vacation Guide and you’ll discover
bargains galore – from free museum passes to pancake breakfasts.
Official Alberta Vacation Guide 3
In Alberta, sustainable tourism is about protecting our five UNESCO World
Heritage Sites and our network of 500 parks and protected areas. It’s
about seeking the delicate balance between wildlife demands and tourism
needs in Banff, Canada’s first national park.
It’s about inviting visitors to dig up our of thousands of boreal birds. It’s about
past in dinosaur beds in a manner that being culturally sensitive to spiritual
follows rigorous environmental sites run by our First Nations people. It’s
principles. It’s about conserving habitat about being a responsible traveller with
for massive flyways used by hundreds every step you tread. Go softly.
4 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Banff, Waterton Lakes and Jasper National Parks First established as
sanctuaries for wildlife, these parks are crisscrossed with hiking paths and
Wood Buffalo National Park From a bush plane, zoom in on the largest
herd of free-roaming wood bison in the world – and discover other
conservation projects such as the remarkable return of the whooping crane.
Elk Island National Park Less than an hour from Edmonton, this park is
home to 250 species of birds and herds of free-roaming plains bison, wood
naturalist
bison, moose, deer and elk. The park protects aspen parkland, one of the
most endangered habitats in Canada.
Provincial Parks With more than 500 protected sites and parks throughout
Bruce Bembridge
Alberta, the list is too lengthy to repeat. Some of Alberta’s signature parks
include: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Cypress
Hills Interprovincial Park and Kananaskis Country, which cradles nine
provincial parks. Want to loll about in powdery sand and bask in warm “I get to work at Lake
water? Head north to Cold Lake or Moose Lake provincial parks. Louise – what many say is
the most romantic place in
HooDoo You Believe? For centuries, the Canadian Badlands provided protection Canada. This is the place
for Aboriginal peoples as well as for gangs of outlaws – mostly renegade horse that artists, poets and
thieves. Blackfoot and Cree thought the huge pillars of wind-blasted sandstone writers describe as having the
(hoodoos) were petrified giants who came alive after dark. These oddly capped perfect composition. When
and twisted pillars are scattered all over the badlands with some of the finest people talk about getting
examples along Highway 10 South (a.k.a. the Hoodoo Trail). gripped by Rocky Mountain
fever, they’re talking about
Hiking How-To Parks Canada provides interpreters who run programs throughout being love struck with the
the summer, ranging from lakeside strolls to full day hikes. Private guides and place. Be warned – it’s a
knowledgeable tour operators span the province offering bird watching (Grande contagious condition.”
Prairie, Lesser Slave Lake and the Lakeland area are birding bonanzas), wildlife
safaris, full moon night hikes and other nature-related activities. Eco-adventure
guides can add an Aboriginal angle to an adventure and are found in the north.
Banff National Park
From food foraging to animal tracking – in places such as Fort McMurray, the
Peace River area, Lesser Slave Lake and Lac La Biche.
over the tiny northern town of McLennan at the confluence of three major
Mountain Goat,
migration paths – the Mississippi, Pacific and Central. Every June, the
shores of Lesser Slave Lake twitter with thousands of songbirds that the
townspeople celebrate in a weekend Songbird Festival. While you’re in this
neck of the woods, visit the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, the only
place on Earth that studies boreal birds exclusively. Birders also flock to many
of the 250 lakes found in Alberta’s Lakeland region – prime habitat for more
than 230 resident and migratory birds, including warblers, woodpeckers,
ospreys, owls, turkey vultures and bald eagles.
you’ll get in for free! All gate entrance fees are waived.
Independent hikers can just lace up (2,485 mi) of trails in our Canadian
their boots and trek along classic, multi- Rockies. Or, history buffs can follow the
day backpacking routes such as Jasper’s era of steam train travel in northeastern
Skyline Trail, Banff’s Nigel-Jonas Pass Alberta, by hiking, cycling or horseback
Trail and Waterton’s Tamarack Trail. riding along the Iron Horse Trail, once
Ridge walks, high alpine meadows full used extensively by homesteaders and
of wildflowers and above-treeline European explorers.
rambles can be found on the 4,000 km
6 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Gear Up Riders of all levels will find the perfect mountain bike ride amidst
thousands of trails zigzagging through the mountains. There are about 600
km (373 mi) of designated trails – including fire roads or old logging roads –
Fly High Get a bird’s-eye view of icefields, alpine lakes, wildlife and the
majestic Canadian Rockies by helicopter. Whether you use Canmore, Grande
Cache or the area around Nordegg, you’ll find helicopter operators equipped
to transport you to a world where you can heli-ski, heli-fish, heli-hike, or,
even do heli-yoga or heli-paint. If they can use a chopper to get you to some
remote wedge of wilderness, they will.
Grab the Roof of the World Climbers can scale dozens of routes at the
Wasootch Slabs, the Weeping Wall, the backside of Lake Louise and Mt.
Athabasca. Hire a qualified mountain guide (through the Association of
Canadian Mountain Guides) who will help you summit a peak in the Rockies.
Devils Thumb, Lake Louise
Or, if you just can’t get enough of our are part of the worldwide Willing
Driftpile Powwow
8 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Calgary Stampede Don’t miss this 10 day summer whoop-up, known as the
“The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” where you can pony up to the bar
with rootin’, tootin’ cowboys or two-step till the cows come home.
Farm Tours If you thought Stampede grub such as cotton candy, corn dogs
Alberta Central
and Tom Thumb donuts were the foods that settled the West, you definitely
need to go on a farm tour. Daylong trips organized by the Calgary Stampede,
include a visit to a berry farm, a Hutterite colony, ranch and dairy farm,
where you learn about the origins of good food.
Chuckwagon Racing,
Aboriginal Adventures Tipi sleepovers are popular in the summer at
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Elk Island Retreat and Blackfoot Crossing
Vermilion
Historical Park. The latter, an award-winning First Nations interpretive centre,
features a museum, dozens of medicine wheels, a tipi village and numerous
programs run by the Siksika people. Authentic Aboriginal programs offered in
the north are spots such as Métis Crossing, the Narrows Cultural Resort on
Lesser Slave Lake, O’Kimaw Peya ‘sew skwao traditional cultural camp near
homeplace ranch
Lac La Biche – plus there’s a fascinating network of museums known as the
Spirit of the Peace.
Home on the Range For real western hospitality, book a night at a guest
ranch. Some stays include guided trail riding through secluded canyons and
Mac Makenny
over mountain-top ridges and lodging in heritage log cabins. In the north, on
“My favourite time is
the shores of Whitefish Lake, you’ll find the Kikino Ranch, home to a herd of
springtime in the foothills.
bison and a cluster of log cabins. In the south, you’ll find the classic western
Feeding horses at 6:30 in the
movie ranch experience. The Rockies are known for their multi-day camps morning, saddling and grooming
that combine lodge stays with base camps. Certain expeditions are co-guided until breakfast. And then
by professionals who may be grizzly bear experts, professional photographers breakfast – coffee, eggs,
or botanists – depending on the theme of the trip. pancakes, bacon, toast, fruit
and more coffee. Then I like
Rootin’ Tootin’ Rodeos Sometimes it’s best to lean back and watch how the
to go riding in the sunshine
pros do it. Almost every small town in Alberta hosts a summer weekend rodeo. when the grass is turning
Watch real cowboys wrestle snorting steers into the mud, rope lightning-fast green and the crocuses are
calves and hold on for life atop buckin’ broncs. And remember – there’s also the starting to come up. Summer
Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton each November and the Ponoka Stampede, is in front of us and life is
Alberta’s second largest outdoor rodeo and chuckwagon event. going on ... “
bigvalleyjamboree.com royalalbertamuseum.ca
Calgary Stampede Spirit of the Peace
calgarystampede.com albertaaboriginaltourism.com/
Glenbow Museum experiences
glenbow.org The Galt Museum
Heritage Park Historical Village galtmuseum.com
heritagepark.ca Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village whyte.org
kootenaibrownpioneervillage.org Wild West Shooting Centre
shootingcentre.com
Official Alberta Vacation Guide 9
In many families, certain holidays are like yardsticks, marks on a
doorjamb as the children grow. Perhaps you start off on a half-kilometer
ramble or a sleepover at the Calgary Zoo. Next, when they’re old enough to
sit on a horse, you might go on a multi-day horsepacking expedition.
Or take them to Alberta’s equivalent of things are common, and children can
Disneyland, a stay at West Edmonton learn firsthand about animals and
Mall. For family togetherness, try places they otherwise might only see
camping in a tipi at one of our five on TV or in zoos – and you don’t even
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In need to charter a bush plane. Although
Alberta, intimate encounters with wild you could do that too!
10 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Teen Awakenings Fly off the 90 meter (295 ft) ski jump tower at Calgary’s
Canada Olympic Park, just like elite ski jumpers, and experience an
adrenaline rush that will knock your breath away. North America’s fastest
zipline rockets you through the air up to 140 km/h (86 mph). Also new is
the 3.3 m (10 ft) Z-pod, a giant bubble-like contraption (a.k.a. a Zorb) that
Hoodoos, Drumheller
lets you roll down the slopes like an insect in a cocoon.
West Edmonton Mall Bounce upside down on a bungy cord over a massive
indoor waterpark, scream down the Mindbender roller coaster, a ride that
brags of having the highest G-force on the planet, or jump on the spinning
roller coaster, Galaxy Orbiter. Meet the Pirates of Hollywood at Sea Lions’ Rock
where daily interactive shows feature the antics of California sea lions and take
an underwater Sea Life Cavern tour in the world’s largest indoor lake. “When our four
menus, plus welcome packages. But the ultimate family-friendly dream the thrill of quadding. The
lodging goes to the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton for its theme rooms such days still end around a
as the Truck Rooms, Sports Rooms, Igloo Rooms, and so forth. Other unique campfire where everyone
stays include family camps, where activities and guides arrange the works, now roasts Mom, and
available at the YMCA’s Camp Chief Hector and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of fewer marshmallows!”
Palaeontology. Or, fall asleep in a tipi while listening to the coyotes howl at
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park or at Elk
Island Retreat.
exhibits – the TELUS World of Science in both Edmonton and Calgary has fun
down to a science. Find five interactive galleries in Edmonton’s science centre
plus an Imax theatre. In Calgary, exhibits that are part of the 2011 Project
Prototype Lab are now rolling out.
Sleep with the Wild Things Sleep next to an elephant or a giraffe in the
Destination Africa pavilion – at one of the Calgary Zoo’s popular sleepovers.
No time? Then just marvel at the 1,000-plus animals that inhabit the various
ecosystems on display. Whether you find yourself eye to eye with a giant
hippo, feeding an elephant or giggling over a gorilla – try to tear away from
Africa for a peek at the Canadian Wilds, a safari-type area devoted to many
of the mammals that call Alberta home.
Royal Tyrrell Museum,
12 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Olympic Legacy If you didn’t nab tickets to the 2010 Olympic Games – you
painter
The Play’s the Thing Prime time for dance and theatre performances is
typically October through May, but the season doesn’t stop then – it just
moves outside and takes on a different beat. During the fall and winter you’ll
Dean Stanton
find the Alberta Ballet and both Calgary and Edmonton’s opera companies
perform at the Jubilee Auditoria in both cities. The Calgary Philharmonic
Orchestra, one of Canada’s top orchestras performs at the Jack Singer Concert
Hall. The province’s large resident theatre companies perform at the EPCOR “I’ve lived in
CENTRE in Calgary (home to four theatres) and Edmonton’s Citadel (with five
Calgary all my life and I
love city life, even when it
halls), the TransAlta Arts Barns and the Francis Winspear Centre. Described as
gets hectic. We’re lucky
one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in Canada, the Winspear
because we can take detours
Centre is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and hosts a wide to mountains, badlands and
variety of shows every year. It houses the $3 million Davis Concert Organ, beautiful landscapes. It’s no
the largest concert organ in Canada. wonder people come here to
see what I have! I’m
Exit, Stage Left Step outside our main urban hubs and you’ll also find
interested in pop culture,
top-notch facilities at The Banff Centre (don’t miss its summer-long,
current events and things that
international arts festival and Mountain Film and Book Fest in the fall) and on are playful. You’ll find
a smaller scale, Drumheller’s Rosebud Theatre, the Centre for the Arts in cowboys, horses, rockets and
Lethbridge and the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod. astronauts in my art.”
Come spring and summer, theatre buffs will find Shakespeare in the Park (in both
major cities), the International Children’s Festival (every May, in Calgary and
Edmonton/St. Albert), Edmonton’s Fringe Festival (North America’s biggest), Fort
McMurray’s Interplay Festival and the unique Passion Play in the badlands.
Shakespeare in the Mountains, Banff
From Whimsy to World-Class If you want to see just how big visual arts
projects can get, visit Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta (slated to open its
$88-million renovation in early 2010), Calgary’s Glenbow Museum and the
Art Gallery of Calgary, all internationally recognized galleries renowned for
Grande Prairie
Hockey Night in Alberta Streak your face with red paint and you’ll be
baptised into the Calgary Flames club. Do the same with blue and you’ll be an
instant Oilers fan – the point is to attend a hockey game, in either Calgary (at
the Pengrowth Saddledome) or Edmonton (Rexall Place). Canada has only six
National Hockey League teams so both cities are wildly passionate about their
players, always evident at the post-game recaps which take over bars, pubs
2008 Ballet Prefigured Effect,
– and certain streets (The Red Mile in Calgary/The Blue Mile in Edmonton).
The Banff Centre
Such exotic fare is served in equally towers. In Calgary, amble down historic
eclectic spots, from hip martini bars to Stephen Avenue Walk, known as
casual bistros and classic steakhouses. Restaurant Row, where handsome
17 Avenue SW, Calgary
14 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Made in Alberta More than 70 per cent of Canada’s $15 billion beef industry
comes from this province and half of the cattle are exported to nearly 70
markets world wide. Remember, beef in Alberta is linked to pride. Albertans
Edmonton
For samples of Alberta’s freshest fare and a chance to meet locals, pop by
our farmers’ markets in Calgary and Edmonton. Both have hundreds of
booths, little food stands, artisan wares, buskers and are great spots for
food-for-the-road and Made in Alberta gifts. “I step out of my door
Gail Hall
Calgary and Edmonton; and Banff’s über-swanky International Wine & Food
to Alberta
Festival, also in October. beef. Now,
Retail Therapy Nothing will yank you out of the doldrums faster than a day because of the
at West Edmonton Mall (WEM). Imagine a space with 58 entrances, 100 move toward
nurturing local
eateries, 13 movie theatres, three postal codes, the world’s largest car park
producers, it
(holds 20,000 vehicles), wave pools and water parks, penguins and of
is a very
course, more than 800 stores and services plus two hotels. In keeping with exciting time
“big,” visit the newest covered mall to be built in Alberta in the past 20 to be involved
years – the massive CrossIron Mills in Balzac. in food.”
Go Beyond “the” Mall After you’ve shopped at WEM, hit Edmonton’s
bohemian, boutique-laced Whyte Avenue in the neighbourhood of Old
Strathcona, packed with one-of-a-kind shops that sell everything from
The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Edmonton
Many of Calgary’s shopping malls have been themed, from food to furniture to
fashion with the latter ruling at Southcentre, Chinook, Market Mall and the
Calgary Eaton Centre. Boutiques and art galleries line 17 Avenue SW, Kensington
Road and the Mission area. Calgary is also a great spot to pick up unique western
goods from cowboy boots to Stetsons, belt buckles, bolo ties and blue jeans.
Alberta golf burst onto the world stage relaxing atmosphere. Fairmont Hotels
in the 1920s when the Jasper Park & Resorts operates Jasper and its
Lodge Golf Club opened for business. famous cousin, The Banff Springs Golf
Today, it’s billed as the No.1 golf resort Club. Combined, these two Stanley
in Canada, by Score Golf. Players Thompson masterpieces provide
praise Jasper for its scenery, playability, players with a formidable one-two
and most importantly, its fun and punch in the world of golf.
16 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Fairways to Heaven Golfing at a historic Stanley Thompson creation goes
beyond the game. Be sure to lunch at The Fairmont Banff Springs’
charming clubhouse with spectacular views of the castle-like hotel that
looms over the 14th hole. The par 3 Devil’s Cauldron (#4) is considered one
of the best golf holes in the world. Photographers say the 14th tee box at
Shaganappi, Calgary
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s course rivals Pebble Beach for natural
Silvertip, Canmore
golfing beauty. Another Thompson work of art is Waterton Lakes Golf
Course, which is fun, not too tough and brags of mountain vistas, trees and
abundant wildlife. Designed in 1929, this course has recently been restored
to its original splendour.
golf director
course exploits the site’s dramatic elevation changes, nearly 183 m (600 ft),
to create epic tee shots. While you’re in Canmore, golf Stewart Creek, loaded
with par 4s and a thoroughly modern design. Other notables like the
Kananaskis Country Golf Course include two 18-hole Robert Trent Jones
Ryan Vold
designed courses – Mount Lorette and Mount Kidd – named for the 3,048 m
(10,000 ft) peaks behind them. “Purists say a links course,
where sand is the base, is
City Greens In preparation for the 2007 CN Women’s Open, the Royal Mayfair
where the grass grows best
in Edmonton sunk $3.5 million into its course, installing a waterfall, a pro and what you can do the
shop and upgrading its landscaping. The Links of GlenEagles, on the outskirts most with in terms of design.
of Calgary, was another stop on the circuit in 2003 when the Professional That’s what Rod Whitman did
Golf Association’s Nationwide Tour was held here. Two other new favourites on my father’s land when he
in the Calgary golf scene include the River Spirit Golf Club, which last year designed Wolf Creek – built
earned the reputation of having the best and truest greens in the city and entirely on a natural sand belt.
the Sirocco Golf Club, which just opened a swanky new restaurant. But Alberta has so many
different land masses that
RedTail Landing Golf Club in the Edmonton area is a high-end links-style golf experiences here are
public course designed for all levels of players. Blackhawk Golf Club is incredibly varied, we blow many
tucked along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River just 10 minutes U.S. visitors away.”
west of Edmonton. Jagare Ridge Golf Club has bumped up the golfing
landscape of Edmonton to that of the Canadian Rockies. Northern Bear Golf
Club, southeast of Edmonton, is the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course
in Alberta. Stop in at the clubhouse, constructed of glass and featuring a
seven m (23 ft) waterfall.
Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club,
The Wolf Creek Golf Resort 27 hole course, on the skirts of Ponoka, was
designed by Rod Whitman and has aptly transplanted Scottish traditions into
a stunning and surprising prairie landscape. Or, try your clubs at the St. Paul
Golf Club, home of long ball champ, Jamie Sadlowski.
Drumheller
“clubhouse” that’s hosted the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, King George VI,
William Lyon Mackenzie King, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
But if canoeing isn’t your thing, rent a 245 rivers and 315 creeks to choose
cottage on a northern lake, a cabin on from – this province is a water-fed
an alpine pond or check into a fishing dream. Whatever your fancy, fancy
lodge. Want to water ski, jet boat or our waterways.
go whitewater rafting? With 600 lakes,
18 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Hooked on Alberta For a world-class fishing holiday, circle Alberta on your
map – it attracts both novice and expert with its waterways. If you love
fishing, this province is a dream. Rated as one of North America’s top 10
Northern lakes such as Colin, Cornwall, Burstall and Charles are famous for
their lake trout, lake whitefish and northern pike (in the 9-13 kg/20-30 lb
range). Prime walleye pickings can be found at McLelland, Ryan and Barrow
lakes. Easy spots to haul in trout, burbot, emerald shiner and yellow perch “The Lake of Kastyn Stone
Jaret Llewellyn
After that I often go golfing
Mellow canoe excursions can be arranged at some of the most photographed
with friends, then for a
lakes in North America – namely Moraine and Lake Louise. Other top bike ride over the ski hill and
mountain lakes to paddle include Two Jack, Minnewanka and Vermilion in back to my parents for a
Banff plus Pyramid, Patricia and Maligne lakes in Jasper National Park. barbeque.”
Cruise Control If you love the leisurely days of bygone paddlewheels, slip
onto the S.S. Moyie in Calgary or the Edmonton Queen Riverboat and enjoy
the gracious elegance of another age. The leisurely three hour Miss Mermaid
Cruise on Sylvan Lake combines cruising and dining on a 40 seat houseboat
as you glide from the Sylvan Lake marina to Honeymoon Bay and back. To
view the Rockies by boat, you can cruise among the towering peaks on
Waterton Lake, Lake Minnewanka in Banff or to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake
in Jasper, winner of the “Best Cruise in Canada 2007” award, by Reader’s
Digest magazine.
Waterton Lakes
National Park
mighty Smoky, Sheep Creek and Kakwa Rivers or tone it down a notch on the
still-roiling waters of the Athabasca, the Maligne, Red Deer, Kananaskis and
Slave. For a lazy canoe trip, float down the Milk River through the badlands
to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, home of North America’s largest
collection of ancient, mysterious petroglyphs. Or, paddle the Lower Red Deer
River to Dinosaur Provincial Park, where you can go on a guided hike through
Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park
From our bike paths and yoga studios Alberta will refresh your spirit and
to our gyms galore, Alberta is a healthy nurture your soul. For a higher state of
place. Whether you’re at a spa or on a consciousness, consider a heli-yoga
fitness retreat, a wellness getaway in holiday in the Rockies.
20 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Canada’s First Spa So historic are Alberta’s hot springs that most Canadians
know precisely the link between our natural hot pools and how Banff
National Park was established. It was in the late 1800s that three railway
yoga instructor
Inn as well as others in Fort McMurray. In central Alberta, discover The Inn &
Spa at Heartwood Manor in Drumheller that boasts of body polishes,
wellness soaks, hot stone therapy and numerous facials. The Rocky Mountain
towns of Canmore, Banff and Jasper are other spa hubs. At The Fairmont
Banff Springs is one of Canada’s largest spas, still partially fed with the
Kim Wiebe
natural mineral waters that first put this town on the map. Be sure to test the “Alberta
waters, so to speak, at Banff’s Red Earth Spa, which uses natural ingredients is a great place to
in their Essence of Canada treatment. If you’re visiting Banff in the winter, be in the health and wellness
warm up with a desert heat wrap at the Rimrock Resort Hotel or an Alpine industry. Although Albertans
Aroma-Detox at the Temple Mountain Spa in the Post Hotel in Lake Louise. work hard, they’re also very
Other spas in the Rockies include the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, Verde in aware of health and fitness
Canmore, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and the Beloved Natural Healing and have the disposable
Centre in Jasper as well as Waterton’s Bayshore Inn. income to invest in their
health. The yoga community
Urban Day Spas Back in Alberta’s two main urban centres are scores of spas, here is very strong – you
ranging from the spacious high-end Stillwater Spa, in Calgary’s Hyatt Regency feel it in studios, in our
Hotel, to Edmonton’s Dtox Natural Hair and Skin Care. This salon is for clients parks, and even on our
concerned with allergies or who have sensitivities to the chemical mountaintops where I’ve
components often found in cosmetics. Other notables include Edmonton’s led a heli-yoga practice.”
Carrie’l Salon & Spa – a multiple award winner for best salon team and other
services. There’s also the Eveline Charles Salons & Spa group, as well as
Swizzlesticks, with salons in both Calgary and Edmonton. All of these day
spas offer individual treatments as well as full day packages, which often
include various massage therapies, reflexology and a multitude of esthetics.
Have you always wanted to soar like an Calgary, and rocket off the 90-meter
eagle, specifically Eddie “The Eagle” (295 ft) ski jump, just like Eddie. While
Edwards ... the Coke-bottled Brit who there, discover the heart-pounding thrill
stole the hearts of millions during of a bobsleigh ride. You may not be an
Calgary’s ’88 Winter Olympics? Then, Olympian but in Alberta you can
strap into North America’s fastest certainly pretend – this is where going
zipline at Canada Olympic Park in for gold is a winter pastime!
22 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Downhill Skiing/Riding Deep in the south lies an unknown powder hound’s
heaven with basic slopeside accommodation called Castle Mountain. Just west
of Calgary lies Nakiska, home of the XV Winter Olympics. Farther west is Ski
Norquay, legendary for its hang-on-tight steeps and proximity to Banff.
Nordic Skiing Nordic racers from around the planet annually flock to the
Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival (every February), held in Edmonton and “Almost every day in Canmore
eyes couldn’t
to rev up any engine.
handle so
Anglers – Drop Your Line If you just can’t get enough of fishing in the much beauty.
summer, don’t stop. Winter is when anglers build temporary sheds or simply I was
drill holes and drop lines in popular lakes such as Spray Lake (near Canmore) overwhelmed.”
and Upper Kananaskis Lake (stocked with rainbows). Combine a unique fly-in
ice fishing trip with snowmobiling on North Leland Lake. Various eco-tourism
lodges offer multi-adventure packages that combine ice fishing with
ski-joring, nordic skiing, ice climbing and winter camping.
Harness the Huskies Dogsledding will thrill every historical bone in your
body. Plenty of operators run services out of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise,
Lake Louise, Banff National Park
Jasper and Rocky Mountain House – and will take you into the backcountry
for a gourmet picnic or a mug of hot cocoa ’round a ripping bonfire.
Star Gazing One of the most spectacular sights that link together many
northern towns such as Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Slave Lake and
Grande Prairie, is the northern lights. Tours are available out of Fort McMurray
and other northern communities.
Crawling the Canyons Canyons that roar with whitewater fury in the
summer and are utterly inaccessible get transformed in the winter into
wonderlands of ice. Curtains, walls and chambers of ice glow pearly shades
of iridescent blue and literally pop and hiss with beauty. Guided walks in
Waterton Lakes National Park
Start here and discover eco-friendly fishing resorts, CPR bungalow camps,
lodges like Aurum, on the cliffs of even tipi stays and canvas-sided tent-
Abraham Lake or Mt. Engadine Lodge, cabins in spectacular wilderness settings
near an alpine meadow in Kananaskis are detailed at TravelAlberta.com/
Country. Charming backcountry accommodation.
properties, cottages, cabins, B&Bs, fly-in
24 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Living the High Life Three of Canada’s most iconic properties have been built
in Alberta, at the toes of glaciers, alpine lakes or tucked in the crevices of rocks.
Ranch, Berwyn
in our national parks, operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. Typically they
cater to those looking for a humble property that will launch them into
remote adventures.
From Baker Creek in Banff to the Whistlers in Jasper are historic CPR
Charming Inns and B&Bs You’ll find them in cities, small villages and
sometimes in the middle of nowhere. Most are owner operated and offer
intimate surroundings, hearty fare and the opportunity to meet other
Aurum Lodge
travellers. History buffs should hop on a horse-drawn carriage at Fort
Edmonton Park and check into the Hotel Selkirk (a 1920s-style hotel), right in
the middle of this urban park.
Alan and Madeleine Ernst
Lodging Options
Alberta Hotel & Lodging Charming Inns of Alberta
TravelAlberta.com/accommodation charminginnsofalberta.com
Alberta Bed & Breakfast Hostelling International
bbalberta.com
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
hihostels.ca
Alberta Country Vacations Alpine Club of Canada
albertacountryvacation.com alpineclubofcanada.com
26 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Edmonton & Area Expo Latino Aug 27-29 Alberta Central
International Children’s Jun 1-5 Calgary Highland Games Sep 4 Kinsmen on the Pond Mar 6
Festival, St. Albert BBQ on the Bow Festival Sep 4-5 Hockey Tournament,
The Works: Art and Jun 25-Jul 7 Lac La Biche
Spruce Meadows, Masters Sep 8-12
Design Festival History Road, Reynolds- Jun 12 & 13
Calgary International Sep 23-Oct 3
Freewill Shakespeare Jun 29-Jul 25 Alberta Museum,
Film Festival
Festival Wetaskiwin
WordFest; Banff-Calgary Oct 12-17
Edmonton International Jul 9-18 Ponoka Stampede Jun 28-Jul 4
International Writers
Street Performers Festival Festival Ukrainian Pysanka Jul 2-4
Rexall Edmonton Indy Jul 23-25 Festival, Vegreville
Zoolights at the Nov 26-Jan 2
Edmonton’s Capital EX Jul 23-Aug 1 Calgary Zoo Westerner Days Fair Jul 21–25
and Exposition, Red Deer
A Taste of Edmonton Jul 23-Aug 1 Canadian Rockies Big Valley Jamboree, Jul 29-Aug 1
Edmonton Heritage Jul 31-Aug 2 Jasper in January Jan 15-31 Camrose
Festival
Ice Magic International Jan 22-24 Haying in the 30’s, Mallaig Jul 31-Aug 1
Edmonton Folk Aug 5-8 Ice Sculpture Competition,
Music Festival Voyage Days, Metis Aug 28-29
Lake Louise Crossing
Cariwest-Edmonton Aug 6-8 Rocky Mountain Wine & Apr 30-May2
Caribbean Arts Festival Thunder in The Valley, Sep 3-5
Food Festival Drayton Valley
Edmonton International Aug 12-22 Banff Summer Arts Festival May 1-Aug 31
Fringe Theatre Festival Canadian Professional Sep 10-12
Wild River Rendezvous, Jun 4-6 Chuckwagon Association
Edmonton Dragon Aug 20-22 Grande Cache Finals, Lloydminster
Boat Festival
Wild Mountain Music Jul 9-11 Canadian Pony Sept 10-12
Edmonton’s Labatt Aug 20-22 Festival, Hinton Chuckwagon Races,
Blues Festival Vegreville
Parks Day, All Jul 18
Symphony Under Sep 3-6 National Parks 22nd Annual World’s Oct 2-3
the Sky Festival Pumpkin Fair, Smoky Lake
Canadian Death Race, Jul 31-Aug 2
Edmonton International Sep 24-Oct 2 Grande Cache
Film Festival Alberta North
Mary Reimer Memorial Jul 31-Aug 2
Canadian Finals Rodeo Nov 10-14 Alberta Pond Hockey, Feb 11-14
Rodeo, Hinton
Peace River
Grey Cup Festival Nov 28 Canmore Folk Festival Jul 31-Aug 2
Winterplay Festival, Feb 26-28
Calgary & Area Behind the Scenery Aug 29-30 Fort McMurray
Wildlife Festival, Jasper
High Performance Rodeo Jan 7-31 Arctic Winter Games, Mar 6-13
20th Annual Canmore Sep 5 Grande Prairie
Enbridge playRites Festival Feb 3-Mar 7
Highland Games
of New Canadian Plays Reel Shorts Film Festival, Apr 19-25
Banff Mountain Book Oct 30-Nov 7 Grande Prairie
Calgary International Apr 1-30
and Film Festivals
Spoken Word Festival Slave Lake Songbird Fest, Jun 5-6
Christmas in November – Nov 6-19 Lesser Slave Lake
Calgary International May 25-29
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Provincial Park
Children’s Festival
Winterstart Festival, Nov 27-28 & Magnificent River Rats Jul 1-2
4th Street Lilac Festival May 30
Banff & Lake Louise Dec 4-5 Festival, Athabasca
HSBC Calgary Marathon May 30
Alberta South Riverboat Daze, Slave Lake Jul 8-10
Spruce Meadows, National Jun 9-13
Spectrum Festival, Jun 4-6 Peace Fest, Peace River Jul 9-10
Calgary C-Jazz Festival Jun 21-27
Medicine Hat Alberta Open Sand Jul 17
Spruce Meadows, Jul 7-11 Sculpture Championship,
North American Waterton Wildflower Jun 19-26
Festival, Waterton Lakes Slave Lake
Calgary Stampede Jul 9-18 National Park interPLAY Festival, Aug 6-8
Fiestaval Latin Festival Jul 16-18 The Medicine Hat JazzFest Jun 21-27 Fort McMurray
Calgary Folk Music Festival Jul 22-25 The Canadian Badlands Jul 9-11 & Golden Walleye Classic, Sep 4-5
Calgary Fringe Festival Jul 30-Aug 7 Passion Play, Drumheller 16-18 High Prairie
Calgary International Aug 5-8 Rum Runner Days & Jul 16-19
Blues Festival Thunder in the Valley,
Afrikadey Aug 9-14 Crowsnest Pass
28 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Capitalizing on Culture Edmonton is Canada’s Edmonton Attractions
Festival City with more than 30 annual music, arts Alberta Aviation Museum
albertaaviation
and cultural festivals. Some of the biggest crowd
museum.com
Rutherford House
3.1 km (1.96 mi) race track at the city centre airport rutherfordhouse.ca
makes this one of the most thrilling stops on the Telephone Historical Centre
Indy Car Series calendar. telephonehistorical
centre.com
Oh Naturale Visit a steaming jungle and a hot desert TELUS World of Science
under the Muttart Conservatory’s four glass pyramids edmontonscience.com
located in the heart of Edmonton’s spectacular river Ukrainian Cultural
Heritage Village
valley. Walk through 190 acres of gardens and
tprc.alberta.ca/uchv
natural areas at the University of Alberta’s Devonian
Valley Zoo
Botanic Garden near Devon. Take advantage of the valleyzoo.ca
largest urban park system in North America, 22 West Edmonton Mall
Alberta’s capital lies in the geographic times that of Central Park in New York City. There are westedmall.com
heart of the province. Pulsing with more than 20 major parks in the river valley offering Attractions, Museums
cultural events, Edmonton is known for off-leash sites, playgrounds, picnic sites, outdoor & Art Galleries
edmonton.com
its historic neighbourhoods, superb skating as well as 150 km (93 mi) of walking and
museums and lengthy roster of biking trails. At the TELUS World of Science, gaze
festivals. However, the No. 1 crowd- upward at the stars in the largest planetarium dome
pleaser continues to be West in Canada. You’ll also find an Imax Theatre in this
Edmonton Mall. And shopping here complex as well as five interactive mind-boggling
galleries, loaded with creative programs.
won’t cost you a king’s ransom –
Alberta is the only province without a
provincial sales tax.
Grand Prix
Gretzky led the Oilers to a
string of Stanley Cup Step Back in Time Old Strathcona Historic Area is
victories. Armchair
ranked as one of the top 10 shopping districts in
quarterbacks should try to
nab tickets to the 2010 Canada. This area is home to eight theatre companies,
Grey Cup or an Edmonton antique stores, a repertory cinema (the Princess),
“When I performed at
singer/songwriter
Eskimos game at
boutique hotels and loads of eclectic restaurants. Fort
Commonwealth Stadium, Capitol Ex in 2008, there was
Edmonton Park is one of the largest living history
where grass, not artificial such energy in the crowd,
I had forgotten what love
turf, rules the day. The parks in Canada where you can glide back in time by
Eskimos were playoff
contenders for 34
strolling through the streets of 1885, 1905 and 1920. there is in my hometown.
consecutive years – from Want to rest your weary feet? Take a ride on a Edmonton’s an easy place to
1972 to 2005 – a record be an artist – any kind
Kreesha Turner
horse-drawn wagon, a stage coach or an old
for a North American
fashioned street car. Pick up the pace with a ride on of artist. With
professional team.
the steam train that was renovated to accommodate the number
of festivals,
Dig a little deeper and
you’ll see how sports is the filming of The Assassination of Jesse James by the
woven into the very fabric Coward Robert Ford. What about rest for your weary concerts and
of Edmonton:
head? You can stay overnight at the Selkirk Hotel (first
performances
• Two former premiers of always going on
built in the 1920s) – featuring 30 new private guest
Alberta were members under our big,
rooms and a 65-seat dining room.
of the Canadian Football blue skies, it’s
amazing we’re
League’s Edmonton
Eskimos: Peter A Capital Tour Begin with a stroll through the
Lougheed and Don Alberta Legislature. Built from 1907 to 1912, the not all artists!”
Getty. Former Edmonton
province’s foremost historic structure is set amidst
Mayor Bill Smith also
played for the Eskimos. beautiful gardens and water displays. The
• The first outdoor hockey interpretive centre and gift shop is a favourite stop
game in National Hockey before or after a free guided tour. Once the site of
League history – the
the original Fort Edmonton, the spectacularly
Heritage Classic – was
played in Edmonton landscaped gardens of this impressive Beaux Arts
on Nov. 22, 2003, building are the perfect spot for a picnic. Its
where the Edmonton
fountains are a very popular place for getting your
Royal Alberta Museum
32 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
history or deep below the snow pack at the Wild Jetting About
Alberta Gallery. Always a hit with the small-fry is a Take a jet boat tour
through the heart of
visit to the Valley Zoo, home to more than 100 exotic
Edmonton or blast up
and native species. the Peace River to a
guest ranch.
It’s all in the Game Streak your face with blue paint
Kings junior hockey teams, and the fact the alone one that travels
over the world’s highest
Edmonton region boasts more than 70 golf courses?
streetcar bridge! The High
Level Streetcar operates
Just a Short Drive Away Elk Island National Park is
spring through fall giving
one of the finest spots to view wildlife in Alberta visitors a trip over the
and it’s just a 30-minute drive east of the capital. High Level Bridge – built
in 1912.
You’re bound to spot a few of the 1,700 elk, 600
plains bison and 375 wood bison, as well as deer,
moose and beaver that call this place home. Take up
a 9-hole round of golf in the park and then wind
down with an overnight in an authentic tipi at Elk
Island Retreat. In the early 1900s, this region was
home to the largest Ukrainian settlement in Canada.
Devonian Botanic Garden
coal? Take a walking tour of the more than 10 acres, various messages get cut into
the corn each year. While you’re on the fringes of the
capital and learn that much of the
capital take an amble through St. Albert, home of a
original coal seam remains unmined,
top-notch International Children’s Festival and the
right below the downtown streets.
site of western Canada’s largest farmers’ market.
Official Alberta Vacation Guide 33
Go Fish From Mennonites to single operators, you’ll find
Did you know that Edmonton has
Even city slickers fish, as more than 200 vendors selling fresh, local produce –
there are operators and hosted the Commonwealth Games, the
every Saturday from July to September.
prime fishing holes within World Figure Skating Championships
the urban edges of the
Change Gears The best way to experience the and the World Championships in
provincial capital.
dozens of urban parks and recreation areas that Athletics? Just recently Hockey
Backcountry Bliss
meander through Edmonton is – slowly. Rather than
Dip deep along a perfectly Canada announced that in 2012, the
race through these green belts in your vehicle, rent
designed three day World Junior Championship will be
backcountry canoe circuit a bike or a Segway, or even a canoe for a leisurely
near Lac La Biche. held in Edmonton and Calgary. The
paddle down the North Saskatchewan River.
Options for canoeists include guided or unguided
facilities the public gets to use after
trips through the centre of the city. Edmonton these events are remarkable.
Canoe offers a series of canoe programs and
rentals. Cyclists should check out Velocity Cycle and
Instant Mountain Bike Rentals. For maps and bike
events, the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society
is a terrific resource.
34 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Edmonton & Area
River Valley
EDMONTON IN A DAY
What a cool way to see a city wake Too nice to dine inside so I found a Was able to nab some tickets for an
up – by jet boat. Next to their little great outdoor bistro in Old Strathcona. outdoor concert tonight at Hawrelak
coolers, fishermen cast their lines into I think this is one of the coolest Park so I’m wolfing down an early
the North Saskatchewan River. neighbourhoods in all of Canada. dinner, overlooking the river valley
Cyclists pedal to work. Families of Poets are gathering next door… where I cycled this morning. The
ducks and geese snooze in the reeds. what’s “blink” poetry? Cornish game hen with a juniper
Even kayakers and canoeists seem berrysauce is crispy, almost like Peking
I’ve been seduced. I was trying to
to use the river as an early Duck. It’s sitting on a nest of white
decide which show to attend at the
morning playground. asparagus, crunchy beets and roasted
Fringe Festival when someone on
pine nuts. Sublime.
Rented a cool, new Segway and am stilts started rapping about jolly cows
now cruising through downtown and and lonely canola fields. Now I’m in a I know the Saturday afternoon blues
parts of the North Saskatchewan parade heading toward an outdoor jams at the Commercial Hotel are an
River Valley; biggest urban park in stage and he’s way off in front, like a institution but the nights give you lots
North America. The path system mad Pied Piper. to groove to, as well. Blues on Whyte
meanders from parks to golf courses, is exactly what you’d expect from an
Someone swooped out of a tree and
across historic bridges, past ponds über-swinging, Chicago-style blues
started doing the bunny hop. No one
and through forests. bar. Hot. Thick air. Sultry music. Big
is seated any longer. We’re all hanging
Dreamer brought down the house.
on to the waist in front of us, jumping
forward. Then backward. Then, a-1-2-3.
I’m laughing with absolute strangers.
Hundreds of them.
855
45
36
Elk Island
15
National TWO HILLS
EDMONTON Park
6 4
MUNDARE
1 2
3 VEGREVILLE
60 Beaverhill
Lake
TOFIELD
5
14
2 VIKING
TELUS World of Science
Airport
TravelAlberta.com/roadtrips
36 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Cultural and
Heritage Loop Edmonton and Area road trip
bison up close and take in more festivals than you ever thought possible?
Edmonton. Use the capital as a base and fan out on short jaunts.
1 From Edmonton head east on Hwy 16 to Elk Island National Park. Get there
early as prime time for wildlife viewing is in the morning when the 1,700
elk, 600 plains bison and 375 wood bison are up and about. Whether you
drive, bike or hike through Canada’s smallest national park, there are plenty
of interpretive plaques and points of interest that explain the park’s
historical importance.
3 Make your way back to Edmonton and in keeping with our historic theme,
Fort Edmonton Park
visit Fort Edmonton Park. At one of Canada’s largest living history parks,
discover how our pioneers and fur traders lived, take a ride on a steam
train or relax on a ferris wheel, 1920s style.
5 Drive south on Hwy 2 to Leduc where oil was discovered on Feb. 13, 1947.
This very find transformed Edmonton into the Oil Capital of Canada – neatly
explained at the Leduc #1 Historic Site and the Canadian Petroleum
Discovery Centre and Hall of Fame. Here, you’ll also find a replica oil rig,
drilling equipment, photos and hands-on displays. Head back to Edmonton
on Hwy 60 and stop at the Devonian Botanic Gardens. Blissfully serene, a
walk through its Japanese Garden and around its extensive collection of
native and alpine plants is always a lovely escape.
Bison, Elk Island National Park
6 Spend a day at West Edmonton Mall. Here, you can splash around the
world’s largest indoor waterpark, flip around Galaxyland (home of the
mindbender, the world’s largest indoor triple loop rollercoaster), or enjoy
the one-stop shopping experience at the 800 plus stores and services and
re-energize at one of the 100 dining establishments.
38 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Savour the City Get your bearings with a panoramic Calgary Attractions
sweep of the city from the observation deck of Bar U Ranch
pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/baru
Calgary’s premier landmark, the Calgary Tower,
Butterfield Acres
where you can dare to teeter across its glass floor at
butterfieldacres.com
160 m (525 ft). Time it right and you could dine at
Calaway Park
its newly renovated, ever-revolving, restaurant in the calawaypark.com
air – Sky 360. Then zip down for an amble along Calgary Attractions
Calgary Tower
Stephen Avenue Walk, a lovely historic strip of calgaryattractions.com
handsome sandstone buildings and high-end Calgary Farmers’ Market
calgaryfarmersmarket.ca
restaurants, galleries and shops. Enjoy the dynamic
Calgary Stampede
arts and music scene at a variety of stages including
calgarystampede.com
the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts and the
Calgary Tower
Grand Theatre. Taste the city’s cosmopolitan cuisine calgarytower.com
downtown or at any number of multicultural Calgary Zoo
Downtown Calgary
famed for regional cuisine, with a little architectural
downtowncalgary.com
soupçon and local insight into the regional food
Eau Claire Market
scene as well as the history of the city. eauclairemarket.com
Fish Creek Park
Child Friendly Calgary Look for the bright yellow
tpr.alberta.ca/parks/
sun and green streak of grass if you want the official fishcreek
seal of approval by “kid critics,” employed by an Fort Calgary Historic Park
organization that rates attractions, hotels and events fortcalgary.com
in Calgary according to children’s needs. Top marks Glenbow Museum
glenbow.org
go to the Calgary Zoo, renowned for its spectacular
Heritage Park
Destination Africa pavilion and the Canada Wilds
Historical Village
Glenbow Museum
entrepreneurial energy yet it still Can you Hear the Drums? From the floor of a tipi, The Military Museums
themilitarymuseums.ca
respects its humble roots – most listen to an elder whisper tales of ancient ways. You
TELUS World of Science
evident in the 10 day July whoop-up can almost hear the rumble of buffalo hooves
calgaryscience.ca
barrelling across the dusty prairies as you discover
known as the Calgary Stampede. The
thousands of years of history of First Nations people
city is known as the gateway to the
at Nitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life, a permanent
Canadian Rockies, less than an hour’s
exhibit at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum. And be sure
drive away. Amble down one of the
to tour the Glenbow’s innovative gallery, Mavericks:
longest urban pathways in North An Incorrigible History of Alberta where the story of
America and rub elbows with folks who our colourful province is told through the eyes of 48
are cycling, jogging and roller-blading. mavericks. Ever wanted to wear a Northwest
Public Art
You’ll even see people fishing for trout Mounted Police uniform or spend time in a
in the Bow River – on their lunch hour! turn-of-the-century jail? Step right up to Fort Calgary
Spruce Meadows
10 per cent of Calgary’s
one million plus also newly expanded, Military Museums – full of
population. vintage tanks, carriers and WWI paraphernalia.
• Calgary’s elegant
Stephen Avenue Walk Spine Tingling Fun Want to dazzle your guests or
became a National family with an unusual history lesson that might
Historic District
actually make their blood run cold… well, maybe
in 2002. “When I’m
calgary zoo
just tepid? Consider a night of ghostly entertainment
• The city has a healthy away from
that dips into the mischief, mayhem and murders
culinary scene, boasting Calgary I
miss the
of more than 3,700 of Calgary. All four ghost tours focus on historic
restaurants.
neighbourhoods – Downtown Calgary, Inglewood, space and
Brian Keating
•A
lthough Native
Blackfoot moved
Kensington and 17 Avenue SW – and are led by a freedom we
through the area of guide in a black cape with a proverbial lantern. have here. And
Calgary approximately the clear water
Which is the Biggest Rock of all? Just south of
2,000 years ago, of the Bow
River plus the
nobody stayed put until Calgary in the town of Okotoks is the largest glacial
about 300 years ago
when the Sarcee and
“erratic” in the world, weighing in at 18,000 tons. A easy access to
Stoney natives moved Calgary brewery, Big Rock, and Okotoks itself were mountains where
down from the North named for this giant rock dragged from the Jasper I love to hike and
and began warring on
area and deposited 10,000 years ago by glacial ice. backcountry ski. One of my
this turf.
favourite things to do in
Calgary is snorkel down the
• White settlers first The Adventures of “K Country” Take a short drive
arrived in Calgary in the
late 1700s. In 1875, Fort
west of Calgary, through the foothills of the Rockies, Bow, looking for fish.”
Calgary was built at the to Kananaskis Country. Discover horseback riding,
confluence of the Bow hiking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, bird watching,
and Elbow rivers.
overnight pack trips, guest lodges, heli tours and a
• The name “Calgary”
world-class hotel. An Olympic downhill ski hill, miles
comes from Calgary Bay,
a remote village on the of cross country ski trails and a 36-hole golf course
Isle of Mull in Scotland are all less than an hour west of Calgary.
and is said to translate
from Gaelic to “garden Jump to It! Spruce Meadows is one of the world’s
in the cove.”
top equestrian facilities that hosts 15 major horse
• Calgary is committed to
jumping competitions annually and offers more than
green spaces. We have
Heritage Park
40 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
calgary & Area
Seven Restolounge
42 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
riders through their paces. First, is Bull Riding 101 – The Bar U Ranch
a classroom-based, behind-the-chutes look at the Visit this national historic
site in Longview and
sport of bull riding. This is where you get to test your
discover our rich ranching
skills on the back of a mechanical bull. Get Bucked is history. Use a branding
the second course, aimed at graduates who have iron. Chow down on
buffalo burgers.
demonstrated enough chutzpah to ride a live bull in
Did you know that you can rove All-Star Workouts You might just find yourself
around Stampede Park any old time, working out next to an Olympic athlete at one of
not just during July’s 10 day shindig? North America’s biggest athletic centres, Calgary’s
Explore the grounds and you’ll Talisman Centre or Canada Olympic Park (COP) –
discover who the “Big Four” were. future home of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. At COP,
you’ll discover the legacy left by the XV Winter
These heroes are constantly mentioned
Olympics with its luge, skeleton and ski jumping
in Calgary for they were the four
facilities where Olympians from around the planet
businessmen who bankrolled Guy
still train. You’ll spot even more elite athletes in the
Canada Olympic Park
44 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Heritage
Park
CALGARY IN A DAY
River Cafe
The whoosh of hot air blasting into Raced over to the Calgary Farmers’ The days are long here in the summer
an enormous balloon is surprisingly Market and wolfed down the juiciest so we were able to enjoy a patio table
loud, but that only lasts a couple of Greek Souvlaki I’ve ever had. Bought a at the River Café until very late. Of
moments and then all is silent as we bag of cowboy popcorn for the road. course I had to order Alberta beef but
drift over our hotel. The sun begins to the view of Prince’s Island Park and
I was so close that I just popped over
sneak over the prairies, to the east, the lagoon and the downtown skyline
to Heritage Park where the S.S. Moyie
staining those tidy fields of wheat were just as tasty.
was about to leave the dock.
with streaks of purple, crimson, and
Scrambled on to this sternwheeler Some friendly local at dinner said we
then finally gold. Over the lip of the
and got a great history lesson while had to learn to two-step at the
basket I can see the rocks in the clear
we cruised around the Glenmore Ranchman’s, so we put on our
ribbon of water known as the Bow
Reservoir and then I checked out the western duds and went to this
that winds through Calgary. What’s
new Gasoline Alley. cookhouse and dancehall. We missed
that? A deer in the city? Dozens roam
the free dance lessons but how often
freely in Nose Hill Park. I look west I knew if I got to the Glenbow
do you to get to ride a bull? Sure it
and all I see is a wall of snow-kissed Museum I’d never want to leave so I
was mechanical, but what a hoot.
peaks, the Canadian Rockies. saved it for last. The Aboriginal
section is superb. Tipis were such an
Even though it was more than 20
ingenious design. And those sod huts
years ago that Calgary hosted the
pioneers lived in – with their
Winter Olympics, the spirit’s still very
chandeliers and pianos they brought
much alive at Canada Olympic Park
over from their homeland – must
(COP). I stood exactly where Eddie
have been so chilly in the winter.
the Eagle did on top of the 40 m
(120 ft) ski jump, closed my eyes and
yes, I jumped ... on North America’s
fastest zipline.
Official Alberta Vacation Guide 45
MAYERTHORPE
1 EDMONTON
North r
ve
ewan Ri
Saskatch
DRAYTON VALLEY
22
ROCKY
MOUNTAIN
HOUSE
RED DEER
Banff
2
National SUNDRE
Park 22
COCHRANE
CALGARY
Kananaskis
Country 3 22 Bow River
BRAGG CREEK
BLACK DIAMOND
TURNER VALLEY
LONGVIEW
22
Head-Smashed-In
Buffalo Jump
3
PINCHER
Crowsnest
Pass
4 CREEK
6 5
5 CARDSTON
Visitor Information Centre Waterton
Lakes
UNESCO World Heritage Site National Park
Airport
TravelAlberta.com/roadtrips
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Longview
46 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
The Cowboy Trail CALGARY and Area Road Trip
Explore Alberta’s historic Cowboy Trail and discover how the West
was really won through its art, history, food, hospitality and culture.
Saddlebronc Riding, Tsuu T’ina Nation
2 Head south and use Sundre as a base for wilderness trips or horseback
ventures into the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve.
Remington Alberta Carriage
3 Small-town charmers include Bragg Creek (loaded with artisan and antique
shops plus hiking and mountain biking loops), Millarville (home to a massive
Museum, Cardston
farmers’ market held on Saturdays throughout the summer), Turner Valley (it
was here that Canada’s first major crude oil discovery was made), Black
Diamond and Longview. Just south of Longview lies the Bar U Ranch – full of
original buildings, ongoing archaeological digs and intriguing exhibits.
4 At the junction of Hwy 22 and Hwy 3 you’ll find Pincher Creek where you
can poke around Kootenai Brown’s Pioneer Village and then jog north to
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here you’ll
Tsuu T’ina Nation, Bragg Creek
find the world’s largest, oldest and best preserved buffalo jump – plus a
fascinating museum.
5 To complete the official Cowboy Trail, travel south and then veer east on
Hwy 5 to Cardston where the Remington Carriage Museum houses one of
North America’s largest collections of carriages, buggies and wagons. It’s a
spectacular example of another era … the Wild, Wild West.
Windsor Ridge, near Pincher Creek
48 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Kananaskis Country – Cradles Nine Parks Less than Canadian Rockies
an hour’s drive west of Calgary lies “K Country.” While Destinations
Banff
most of that swath is wilderness, tiny Kananaskis
banfflakelouise.com
Village has everything you need: a couple of fine
Banff Centre
hotels, superb golf courses, a ski resort, bike loops, banffcentre.ca
icefieldsparkway.ca
making it an ideal base for a family vacation. Loads of
Jasper
restaurants, art galleries, hikes, mountain bike trails, jaspercanadianrockies.com
golf courses, theatre, the Canmore Nordic Centre and Jasper National Park
festivals galore translate to something for everyone. pc.gc.ca/jasper
Kananaskis Country
Banff – is that a Castle in the Peaks? Located 130 kananaskisalberta.ca
CANADIAN ROCKIES
km (81 mi) west of Calgary, Banff National Park is a Lake Louise
UNESCO site that offers hundreds of hiking trails, banfflakelouise.com
pristine glacial-fed lakes, wildlife, horseback riding, ski Willmore Wilderness Park
willmorewilderness
resorts and a magnificent Stanley Thompson-designed
park.com
Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park
You’re at the top of Tunnel Mountain, (and cheapest) swimming pool, a rock climbing wall,
breathing in pine-scented air, and art studios, galleries, artist-in-residence cottages, one
now know what Alberta-born folkie, of Canada’s biggest summer arts festivals and a
Joni Mitchell, was on about when she unique mountain film and book festival, in
sang I Can See Clearly Now. Clarity is November. From innovative jazz and poetry readings
all around – in the crisp air, in the to Indie band performances, theatre, ballet, classical
charm of a pretty town called Banff, in music, artists’ talks and workshops – this place is one
the whitewater froth of the Bow River of Banff’s artistic cornerstones.
and in all this Rocky Mountain space. Lake Louise – What Makes it that Colour? Find out
Lake Louise
Good thing you brought your boots, why Lake Louise, nestled at the foot of Victoria
your bike, your golf clubs ... Glacier, is known as the “Jewel of the Rockies,” and
Must-see in
Banff National Park Jasper – the Biggest of the “Jewels” Jasper National Sunburst Canoe Program. It
Bow Valley Parkway. Banff Park is Canada’s largest mountain park, spanning starts at 6:30 AM when I
Gondola. Cascade 10,878 km2 (4,200 sq mi). About a four-hour drive pick up our guests, coffee
Gardens. Banff Park
west of Edmonton, Jasper is known for its canoeing, and fresh croissants and head
out to Pyramid Lake where
Museum. Banff Summer
Arts Festival. Cave and kayaking, fishing, skiing, wildlife watching, cycling and
Basin National Historic hiking. Marvel at seven mountain ranges from the top we have a picnic on an island
Site. Johnston Canyon.
of the Jasper Tramway, take a cruise to picturesque and watch the sun wash over
Banff Upper Hot Springs. the Colin Range.”
The Fairmont Banff Spirit Island, or mountain bike on the endless trails
Springs. Bankhead. surrounding the town. In the town of Jasper, you’ll find
Vermilion Lakes. Bow
world class accommodation, eclectic dining, laid-back
Falls. Whyte Museum.
Lake Agnes Tea House. pubs and great museums.
Moraine Lake and Valley
Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park
of the Ten Peaks. The Rocky Mountain Fringes Veer beyond Jasper and
Fairmont Chateau Lake you’ll discover lesser-known hubs for outdoor
Louise. Lake Minnewanka.
enthusiasts such as the town of Hinton. Rugged
Must-see in scenery, endless outdoor adventures plus interpretive
Kananaskis Country tours about coal mining, forestry and natural resources
Bow Valley Provincial
surround this town on the Athabasca River. Visitors
Park. Kananaskis Village.
Peter Lougheed Provincial keen to hike, fish, camp, water ski or bike won’t want
Park. Sheep River to miss William A. Switzer Provincial Park. High in the
Provincial Park. Spray
foothills of the Rockies, the town of Grande Cache has
Valley Provincial Park.
Highwood Pass (highest a panoramic view of 21 mountain peaks and two river
road pass in Canada). valleys. Built on a mountain plateau, Grande Cache
faces south toward the Continental Divide and the
Did you know that two of Canada’s
Must-see in Canmore
Canmore Nordic Centre. pristine Willmore Wilderness Park and is another most iconic hotels look like castles –
Cougar Canyon. Grassi excellent centre for outdoor adventures. with their turrets, sweeping staircases
Lakes. Riverside Trail
and stunning surroundings? The
Networks. Canmore History Bubbles Up Two of Canada’s most historic
Museum & Geo- Fairmont Banff Springs and The
Science Centre. hot springs are in Banff and Jasper. Both offer
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
jaw-dropping views of peaks and valleys that appear
50 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise,
Banff National Park
52 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
to tumble around them. The Upper Hot Springs in Wildlife Wonders
Banff also offers spa facilities and the newly The chances you’ll spot
bighorn sheep, mule deer
renovated Miette Hot Springs in Jasper is more noted
and elk in our Rocky
for its nearby hikes and interpretive trails. Mountain parks are almost
a given. However,
All-Star Views Sometimes it’s effortless to zoom in on sightings of moose, bear,
a dazzling view – just drive the Icefields Parkway. But cougars, wolves and
caribou are far less likely
others take sweat. Here are a few breathtaking vistas
– apart from seeing them
Lake Louise
where you’re likely to burn through batteries, a displayed in a museum or
memory card and your quads! Peer over the ledge of in a heritage property.
Look for the latter at the
Ha Ling Peak in Canmore and spot Calgary’s bumpy
Banff Park Museum in
skyline – about 100 km (62 mi) away. Lake lovers will Banff, the Wildlife Museum
adore all the tarns and little lips of pearly blue lakes in Jasper, the new tourism
and interpretive centre in
along the backcountry route from Lake Louise to Skoki
Grande Cache, Num-Ti-Jah
Lodge. For wildflowers, the slog up Jonas Pass in Lodge (along the Icefields
Jasper National Park is worth every gasp. At the pass Parkway) and the Fairmont
properties in Banff, Lake
Big Horn Sheep, Rockies
CANADIAN ROCKIES
restaurants include the
that’ll stagger you with range upon range of snow posh Three Ravens at The
kissed peaks. Near the entrance to Willmore Banff Centre, the
five-diamond Eden in the
Wilderness Park, north of Jasper, look for the Sulphur Rimrock Hotel in Banff,
Gate Lookout which offers stunning views of the the lobby bar at The
sheer cliffs along the confluence of the Smoky and Fairmont Chateau Lake
Louise and the lakefront
Sulphur Rivers. Those who crave the jaw-dropping deck at The Fairmont
views but can’t hike the distance can always take a Jasper Park Lodge.
gondola ride in Banff, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Wildlife Fence
Banff National Park
and Jasper that’ll whisk you to the top of a peak in That 2.4 m (7.8 ft) high
minutes. Want something divinely decadent? Go fence that stretches along
the Trans-Canada Hwy.,
heli-hiking and stay in a backcountry lodge.
between Banff and Lake
Louise, was built to
Horse Sense Twist around in your saddle and marvel
prevent wildlife from
at the windswept ridges that tumble into each other crossing the busy road.
Did you know that Banff is a Mecca under a taut, blue Alberta sky. You’ve worked hard Research says that 11
species of large mammals
for this view. Sun up, you were helping “cookie” fire
for artists? Guess that’s why there are have used the 24
up a campstove. By 9 AM you’d packed your gear underpasses and
so many art galleries! You’ll probably
and learned why you throw a stick in a cup o’ joe overpasses more than
see more black and white photos shot 94,000 times since 1996.
when you’re brewing a pot over a snapping fire. And
by Byron Harmon than any other That’s a lot of wildlife!
now, you’re high on a mountain pass listening to
photographer. He was an American twigs snap in the woods, searching for signs of What’s that You Hear?
who arrived in Banff in the early 1900s grizzlies. Yes, you can go on guided multi-day
If it’s autumn and you’re
on a golf course in the
and made it his mission to shoot every horsepacking trips with bear experts, biologists, Rockies, it’s likely a bull
major peak in the Rockies. horse whisperers or just plain ol’ cowboys. Plenty of elk bugling for a mate.
You’ll find them clanking
operators, guest ranches and themed “educational”
their racks and locking
horsepacking trips can be found in Canmore, Banff, their egos during the fall
Lake Louise, Jasper and Grande Cache. rut. Wherever you are, do
watch for animal crossings
as many golf courses have
widened their designs to
accommodate wildlife.
If you cycle along the Bow Valley Parkway, between Banff and Lake
Louise, there are at least 15 good reasons to stop – the precise number
of interpretive panels that connect visitors to the area!
Official Alberta Vacation Guide 53
Make Green the Colour
of Your Next Adventure Ski Destinations Marmot Basin
Located in Jasper National Park, Marmot
Choose an Alberta-based Castle Mountain Basin is one of the least crowded family
adventure company that
Just two-and-a-half hours south of Calgary, near the friendly ski areas in North America. Seven
applies sustainable
business principles to their town of Pincher Creek, lies Castle Mountain. Castle lifts (including the longest, new high-
activities. Whether they has long been a Mecca for hardcore skiers, powder speed quad chair, the Canadian Rockies
offer kayaking, rafting,
hounds and riders but with the opening of Mt. Haig, Express, in Alberta’s Rockies) service 84
hiking, biking or
horseback riding – ask if there’s a whole lot more terrain for beginners and trails. skimarmot.com
they use local suppliers intermediate skiers. skicastle.ca
for goods and services
and if each activity Nakiska
is led by a well-informed
Site of the 1988 Winter Olympic ski events, Nakiska
54 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Top of Banff Gondola, Banff National Park
BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE IN A DAY
CANADIAN ROCKIES
Morning Afternoon No need to pack much – hearty
How often do you wake up in a Jumped on a Roam (one of Banff’s soups, loaves, muffins and dozens of
castle? I arrived late last night so I hybrid-electric buses) and was at the types of tea are available at both!
had no idea how big and sumptuous Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Evening
The Fairmont Banff Springs actually in moments. This is a great little
The sun was sliding over Victoria
is. Fossils embedded in their stone museum that tells how the discovery
Glacier when I got back down to Lake
staircases. Knights in armour tucked of the hot springs turned into
Louise so I just nabbed a window seat
in niches. A golf course so stunning I Canada’s first national park. I love
in the Lakeview Lounge and soaked it
wish I played. mountaineering legends so I ambled
all in. Decided I wanted more so I
through the Whyte Museum of the
The concierge told me I could run up drove to nearby Moraine Lake where I
Canadian Rockies. Could have spent
Sulphur Mountain and take the sat outside listening to the lodgepole
all day there, but I wanted to see
gondola back down. Can I actually run pines creak and moan in the breeze.
Banff’s wildlife so I hurried over to
up 1,000 m (3,000 ft) to the summit? What should I order – steelhead trout
the Banff Park Museum. Who knew
It’s supposed to have panoramic views with a mango salsa or Alberta beef?
that Banff once had a zoo? And that
of the Bow Valley and a cool little My waiter tells me there are more
grizzly bears could be blonde or
boardwalk to the Sanson Peak remarkable hikes that fan out from
almost black?
Meteorological Station. If Norm this valley ... perhaps I should stay
Sanson hiked up here thousands of Grabbed a burger in Banff and drove another day?
times – even into his ’80s – to record to Lake Louise where I went on a tea
the weather, surely I can do it once. house tromp. First, I took all those
switchbacks up to the log charmer at
Let’s just agree that Norm was
Lake Agnes and then took the high
extraordinarily fit! Decided to go for a
traverse over to the original tea
dip in the historic Upper Hot Springs as
house at the Plain of Six Glaciers.
they’re just at the base of the gondola.
Perfect antidote for sore muscles.
To Edmonton
TIS
40
H
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McLeod
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Willmore HINTON
Wilderness
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CANMORE
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40
To Kananaskis
Visitor Information Centre Country
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
TravelAlberta.com/roadtrips
56 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
The Icefields Parkway CANADIAN ROCKIES road trip
1 Head west from Edmonton on Hwy 16 to the Cadomin Caves, near Hinton.
These caves are the best known in Alberta. At Hinton take a stunning
side trip north to Grande Cache, home of the Canadian Death Race and
the gateway to the spectacular Willmore Wilderness Park: 4,600 km2
CANADIAN ROCKIES
(1,840 sq mi) of mountain wilderness accessible only on foot or horseback.
2 While in Jasper, take Canada’s most scenic boat tour (according to Reader’s
Digest magazine, 2007) on Maligne Lake, golf, or have tea and a spa
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
treatment at the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Then again, you
could hike the half-day Bald Hills loop, join a multi-day horse pack trip
along the Skyline Trail, explore the old mining town known as Pocahontas,
or simply relax in the newly restored Miette Hot Springs.
3 From Jasper, follow the spectacular Icefields Parkway south to Banff National
Park. Points of interest include Sunwapta Falls, Parker Ridge, Panther Falls
and Peyto Lake Lookout. Just remember – if you make only one stop, let it be
the Columbia Icefield Centre. Here, you can hop on a specially designed Ice
Explorer for a tour up the icy tongue of the Athabasca Glacier, zigzagged by
crevasses, lateral moraines and ice that formed 400 years ago.
Herbert Lake, Banff National Park
4 In the tiny village of Lake Louise, you will find two of the most photographed
lakes in the world – Lake Louise and its neighbour, Moraine Lake. Trek to
backcountry tea houses, rent a canoe for a leisurely paddle across these lakes
or hire a guide for a technical climb – the roster is rich for outdoor enthusiasts
and, actually, anyone who enjoys gazing at grandeur.
5 From Lake Louise, take the scenic Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) to Banff,
stopping at Baker Creek and Johnston Canyon (great spots for a picnic, hike
or overnight). Then use the town of Banff as a base and explore its past by
starting at the Cave and Basin Centennial Centre. In the summer, hop on
the Banff Gondola or take a boat ride on Lake Minnewanka. Culture buffs
Lac Beauvert, Jasper National Park
should check out the summer-long arts festival at The Banff Centre.
58 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Historical Highs Nowhere is the transition from Alberta South
prairie to peak more dramatic than at Waterton- Destinations
Blackfoot Crossing
Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World
Historical Park
Head-Smashed-In
china (once used exclusively by CPR-owned hotels).
Buffalo Jump
Then step outside and if the endless prairie sky head-smashed-in.com
doesn’t make your head wobble, the 20-storey-tall Lethbridge
Saamis Tepee, certainly will. From here, amble down chinookcountry.com
into the Seven Persons coulee, an enormously rich Medicine Hat
tourismmedicinehat.com
archaeological site where experts believe some 83
Waterton Lakes
million artifacts lie buried!
National Park
pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/
Where the Dinosaurs Roamed Prepare to be awed
waterton
by the eerie beauty of the Canadian Badlands. At
Tread Softly
Dinosaur Provincial Park, another UNESCO World
Leave lighter footprints by
ALBERTA SOUTH
Heritage Site, tiptoe in the footsteps of the dinosaurs taking local transit. In the
and see where complete dinosaur skeletons have tiny town of Waterton,
Dinosaur Provincial Park
tipi, this eco-friendly Saskatchewan) and is the highest point between the
museum – Canada’s largest Rockies and Labrador, resulting in a unique
Aboriginal museum – is
artfully decorated with ecosystem. Some 400 plant species, 37 species of
Blackfoot symbols from a mammals, four ecological zones, parkland, foothills
buffalo-jump entranceway and boreal forest have been recorded here. In 2008,
to an eagle-feather fan
above the doorway. Inside Cypress Hills received its “Dark-Sky Preserve” status
you’ll find the requisite – because of its programs that profile the night skies,
museum, artifacts, guided including astronomy, night hikes, and nocturnal
walking tours, art gallery,
gift shop, restaurant, wildlife ‘watching.’
theatre, visual exhibitions
– even tipi sleepovers.
Play chess for free on Medicine Hat’s giant chess board.
Located near the Esplanade, it’s also close to the public
library where there’s free Internet access.
60 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Powwow Teepee Village, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo
Jump, near Fort Macleod
TWO UNESCO SITES IN A DAY
The Fort Museum of the North West
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
ALBERTA SOUTH
Morning Afternoon that date back 5,700 years. The area
Woke up to the smell of bacon and Got lucky and wandered into the Fort on top of the cliff is where it all
coffee and drifted back again. Must Museum when the Mounted Police began … the Blackfoot’s intricate
have been the fluffy duvet and crisp Musical Ride was about to start. system of stone cairns that formed
mountain air in the town of Waterton Learned how those Mounties get their drive lanes forcing the bison to
because I rarely sleep in. Couldn’t get boots so shiny. They buff them with stampede off the precipice.
enough of the views so we took the floor polish. Really. I might get a pair
Evening
scenic boat tour that stops in the custom made for me (at Calgary’s
While the wind whipped the flaps at
United States. Posted a memo for Alberta Boot store).
the top of our tipi, I leaned against an
peace on their park bulletin board
I finally made it to Head-Smashed-In authentic backboard and listened,
and scanned the shores for grizzlies
Buffalo Jump and can see why it’s a really listened, to an elder whisper
on the way back.
UNESCO site. This 305-meter-long tales of Napi and other mythical
Popped into Fort Macleod for a bison (1,000 ft) jump is the oldest, largest, creatures that ruled our First Nations
burger, en route to Head-Smashed-In and best-preserved buffalo jump on people for centuries. The low thud of
Buffalo Jump but got sidetracked at Earth. Blackfoot elders who operate drums and distant yelp of coyotes
The Empress Theatre. Turns out it’s many of the programs at this site say stirred something deep inside me, as
the oldest operating theatre in the it earned its name when a young I slunk deeper in my sleeping bag.
province and once had vaudevillian brave stood at the bottom of the Of all the experiences that have
acts from as far away as New York jump to watch buffalo barrel off the connected me to our Aboriginal
and Australia. I wanted to curl up on edge of the cliff. people, a stay in an authentic tipi on
one of their love seats and watch these hallowed grounds is IT.
The crowds started thinning so I
tonight’s show but I’m camping at
ambled along the grassy cliff tops
the Jump.
peering over into the scrub where
archaeologists claim skeletons lie,
some 11 meters (36.09 ft) deep,
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Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, near Fort Macleod
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Wa
PORT OF PORT OF
SWEETGRASS WHITLASH WILD HORSE
PORT OF CHIEF PORT OF PORT OF
MOUNTAIN PEIGAN DEL BONITA
WEST GLACIER M O N TA N A
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62 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Reel Adventures ALBERTA SOUTH road trips
Alberta has been a popular backdrop for Hollywood for decades with
southern Alberta’s style of frontier history and unspoiled wilderness an
Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller
all-star favourite. On this road trip we sneak behind the camera to look at
places featured in classics such as Unforgiven and Brokeback Mountain.
to Cluny where you’ll see signs for Blackfoot Crossing. Stop at this national
historic site that is steeped in the history of the Blackfoot people and then
ALBERTA SOUTH
carry on westward to Hwy 22 and then drop south to Longview.
2 This stunning ranch country has been the backdrop for numerous westerns
– just ask the folks at the Longview Jerky Shop while picking up a pack of
chewy beef. They served Clint Eastwood while Unforgiven was being shot.
Next, head south along the Cowboy Trail to the tiny town of Cowley, where
some Brokeback Mountain scenes featuring Jack’s 1950 GMC truck were
filmed outside the town’s fire hall. In the Savory Suite Café on Railway
Avenue in the post office building, look for the “Brokeback Mountain was
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
3 From Cowley, head east on Hwy 3 past the wind turbines near Pincher
Creek to Fort Macleod – the backdrop for several scenes in Brokeback
Mountain and Passchendaele. The town of 3,000 has maintained its
historic Main Street where you’ll see the Red Coat Inn, the temporary digs
for the cast and crew for both movies. While on Main Street, head to the
Photo Plus/The Source Apartment Building where you’ll spy the staircase
leading to Ennis and Alma’s apartment. A poster commemorates the
controversial Brokeback smooch scene. While here, look for the Queen’s
Hotel, built of sandstone in 1903. Inside is the dance-floor locale, Cassie’s
Bar, from Brokeback. The streetscape was used in Passchendaele to
represent 1917 downtown Calgary. Just down the block is Alberta’s oldest
Reesor Lake, Cypress Hills
theatre, the enchanting Empress, which still runs movies and hosts top
Interprovincial Park
1 Whether you begin in Calgary or Edmonton, aim for the world’s largest
dinosaur in Drumheller. The information stop at this attraction doubles as
the Drumheller Tourist Information Centre and is the perfect starting point
for several short drives. Head west on the Dinosaur Trail, a 48 km (30 mi)
route through the Drumheller Valley.
ALBERTA SOUTH
Head back to Drumheller to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, home of more than
35 dinosaur skeletons, interactive galleries and innovative programs.
4 Back in Drumheller, look for the Hoodoo Trail, a 25 km (15.5 mi) drive east
along Hwy 10 which takes you to Canada’s most complete coal mine
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site,
experience. Explore the newly excavated 61 meter (200 ft) long tunnel at
the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. At this point zigzag south to Cluny.
5 From Cluny, follow signs to Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. A stylized tipi
serves as the interpretive centre where ancient legends are told through
innovative methods. Outside you’ll find medicine wheels, Chief Crowfoot’s
East Coulee
6 Head east on Hwy 1 and north to Dinosaur Provincial Park on Hwy 36. The
Field station (where 35 species of dinosaurs have been found) offers
guided walks and popular badlands bus tours.
Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
7 S tay east on Hwy 1 to Medicine Hat. Here you can visit the world’s tallest
tipi and tour the Medicine Hat Historic Clay District. Other diversions include
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, the Windmill Museum in Etzikom, Devil’s
Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum in Warner and Writing-on-Stone
Provincial Park near Milk River. Then head back to Calgary or Edmonton via
Hwy 2 or Hwy 22.
66 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Central Wonders Alberta Central is massive, for it Alberta Central
stretches from the tumble of the Rockies in the west Destinations
Alberta’s Lakeland
to the prairies in the east. Within this area lies:
albertaslakeland.ca
Bighorn Country, famous for its 700 km (434 mi) of
Boomtown Trail
hiking trails, crosscountry skiing, horseback riding, boomtowntrail.com
hunting, fishing, rafting, canoeing and kayaking; Brazeau Regional Tourism
Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, southwest of brazeautourism.ca
Nordegg, featuring natural grasslands and dozens of Camrose
Lac La Biche
tourismcamrose.com
species of birds, mammals and amphibians
Kalyna Country
uncommon to other Rocky Mountain passes; David
kalynacountry.com
Thompson Highway, Hwy 11, named after the
Lac La Biche Region
explorer who was one of the world’s most prolific laclabicheregion.com
cartographers and fur traders; Alberta’s Lakeland, Lacombe Tourism
aptly named for its 250 lakes, white sandy beaches, lacombetourism.com
Rocky Mountain House National
prairies2peaks.ca
House National Historic Site? Then head to Lac La
Red Deer
Biche, one of the earliest western hubs of the fur
tourismreddeer.net
trade (1798) and home of the oldest sawn lumber
Rocky Mountain House
building in Alberta. Southeast, near Elk Point, lies Fort whereadventure
George-Buckingham House – two rival trading posts, begins.com
Battle River Trestle, near Wainwright
ALBERTA central
East European settlements, Kalyna Country. This area,
trailofthebuffalo.com
the world’s largest Ecomuseum, includes Lamont
Larger than Life
County, also known as the church capital of North
Every province has them
America, where you’ll find 47 churches – more, per – those wacky, tacky icons
capita, than anywhere else on this continent. Poking that make for goofy
out of the rich ranchland and charming towns are photos. Line up at
Vegreville for a shot with
distinctive “onion-domed” sanctuaries of the Ukrainian the world’s largest Easter
pioneers that reflect architectural traditions that hark egg or head to Vilna,
back to Byzantine Christianity in Eastern Europe. home of the giant
mushrooms or St. Paul,
Pick Away at our Past Just south of the town where you’ll find the
From the dizzying heights of the Rocky world’s first UFO landing
Mountains you drop into central of Provost lies a massive area studded with pad. Don’t forget Andrew,
Alberta. Down heritage rivers that arrowheads, buffalo bone fragments and shards of home to the world’s
pottery that date back 3,000 to 5,000 years. Known largest mallard duck and
David Thompson paddled to forts once Donalda, proud to cast a
as the Bodo Archaeological Site, the centre is open beam from the world’s
lined with beaver pelts and striped
to visitors until the end of August, with new tallest lamp.
Hudson’s Bay blankets. The landscape
programs slated for 2010. Call 1-780-753-6353 to
gives way to boreal forests, tree-lined book a tour.
lakes, lonely grain elevators and
checkered fields. Want cultural and
geographic diversity? You just found it
– magnified – in Alberta Central.
singer/songwriter
June and July). Others will
enjoy the self-guided trails, to visit Stephansson’s house, where he raised eight
educational programs, tea
children. Just south of Markerville is Dickson, the
room and wildlife habitat.
Another great base for oldest Danish settlement in western Canada where
birders is Thunder Lake you can visit the Dickson Store Museum, beautifully
Provincial Park, near
restored to appear as it did during the 1930s.
Barrhead, where “One of my
Ben Crane
favourite lines I’ve ever
numerous colonies of
Even Stephen Halfway between Edmonton and
blue herons reside.
Calgary is Red Deer, a modern, thriving city where written is ‘wherever I go I
More Central Diversions
half the folks cheer for the Edmonton Oilers and the find the last place on that
Sylvan Lake’s sandy
other half for the Calgary Flames. See for yourself dirt road is the first thing on
my mind.’ Besides living within
beaches have made this
resort one of Alberta’s at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum,
favourites since 1901. It’s two hours of mountains,
where more than 6,000 artifacts of sports history,
now just as famous for its grasslands and the badlands
trivia and games reflect their love for anything
waterslide park, boating, what I miss when I’m on
campgrounds and scenic athletic. You’ll find chuckwagon races and livestock the road is the lack of fear
cruises aboard the Miss
Mermaid. Other beaches
shows at Westerner Days plus a reconstruction of a we have here. No banana
worth the drive include fort originally built in 1885 during the Riel Rebellion spiders or snakes will eat us
the ones in Bonnyville, at the Fort Normandeau Historic Site and for lunch – the worst thing
Cold Lake and Lac La Biche. Interpretive Centre. we have are mosquitoes and
they never last long.”
In Innisfail on Wednesday
afternoons in the summer, Unique Urban Landscapes Camrose: Tour the
watch a demonstration at
the RCMP Police Dog downtown district lined with 100-year-old
Service Training Centre – buildings. Country music fans should bring a blanket
the only one of its kind in or a comfy chair for the four-day Big Valley Country
Canada. Or, poke into the
1911 Camrose Railway Music Jamboree, Canada’s biggest country music
Station Museum, full of festival, held annually in early August. Lacombe:
local railway heritage and Named after the famous priest and diplomat,
an archive library. In
Carstairs, visit PaSu Farms Father Albert Lacombe, the town is lined with
Sylvan Lake Marina
Excursions, Stettler
I admit it – I thought I’d be the last Gatsby or Out of Africa. With a scarf Arrived in Big Valley, confused. I’m
person to find a museum devoted to swirled around my head we took off not sure if it’s what I consumed in the
transportation remotely interesting. in the museum’s old biplane and Lone Star Saloon or if I’m just thick,
But I’ve just finished “working” on an swooped around for 10 glorious but I can’t separate the characters
ALBERTA central
assembly line for Model T’s and had minutes. Flying is so different when from the theatre company from the
my photo taken with Tin Lizzie at the the wind is whooshing around you passengers. We’re all wandering
Reynolds-Alberta Museum in and the cows in the fields far below around this cute town trying to solve
Wetaskiwin. Before that I saw a 1929 appear like plastic toys. Still don’t the mystery by chatting to locals
Duesenburg Phaeton Royale Model J understand how the lines separating before we settle down to a country
(only kind in the world) and a 1913 crops stay so straight. It was a dinner, served in the old town hall.
Chevy Classic Six (oldest known Chevy checkerboard of colours up there.
Laughed all the way back to Stettler
in the world), but how they transform
Afternoon with my new friends (one of them
these heaps in the restoration studio is
Arrived in Stettler just in time to the “murderer”).
what really boggled my mind.
scoop up our tickets for the Murder
Mystery run on the Alberta Prairie
Railway steam train. Within
moments of chugging away we’d
witnessed a shoot-out, met a
Mountie, and spied our first coyote
loping across a farmer’s field.
ve
National 36 r Yellowhead
baa
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Trail
See page 73
Visitor Information Centre
Airport
TravelAlberta.com/roadtrips
Abraham Lake near Nordegg
70 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Alberta’s
Yellowhead Highway ALBERTA central road trips
You’ll love what this cultural venture along the Yellowhead Highway
(Hwy 16) has to offer. Named for a golden-haired trapper, Pierre
Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton
Bostonais, who once led fur traders through the Rocky Mountains,
what you’ll find today is a journey through some of Alberta’s most
expansive territories.
3 Visit the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton and discover 11,000 years
Jasper National Park
and 500 generations of history. Next, visit Canada’s largest living history
park – Fort Edmonton.
4 Continue west on Hwy 16 past the murals of Stony Plain, Wabamun Lake
and Pembina River Provincial Park to Edson. Once used by early settlers to
ALBERTA central
access the North, this town now houses the Galloway Station Museum,
jammed with artifacts, as well as a 1917 caboose and 1964 Lockheed jet
that sits in the RCMP Centennial Park. Just west lies Hornbeck Provincial
Recreation Area complete with campground and fishing in Sundance Creek,
Rocky Mountain House National
noted mostly for its trout, perch, burbot and lake chub.
5 Just 20 minutes east of Jasper National Park is Hinton, where coal mining
and the forestry industry still play major roles in the town’s economy. Take
an unusual tour of a coal mine, pulp mill or sawmill and gain a unique
Historic Site
Historic Site
1 Begin in Stettler, where you’ll find one of Canada’s last remaining
passenger steam trains operated by Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions.
This historic adventure links Stettler with Big Valley, and offers a variety
of “themed” excursions.
2 Continue west on Hwy 11 to Red Deer, and visit Waskasoo Park, Fort
Normandeau, Heritage Ranch, Kerry Wood Nature Centre and the Red Deer
& District Museum.
3 Just west of Red Deer lies Sylvan Lake – western Canada’s largest outdoor
waterpark surrounded by sandy beaches, a large marina, fishing, golfing
and camping facilities.
Sylvan Lake
4 Follow Hwy 11 west to Rocky Mountain House, where you should visit the
newly renovated national historic site – home of an excellent visitor centre,
the ruins of four forts and a buffalo paddock.
– precisely the spot where David Thompson traded goods with the
Kootenay Indians in 1800.
6 Keep west to Saskatchewan River Crossing where this trail ends at the
junction of Hwy 93, just inside Banff National Park. It was from here, in
1807, that David Thompson continued his trek over the Rockies into
present-day British Columbia. From Saskatchewan River Crossing, visitors
may journey north via the Icefields Parkway to Jasper and then east to
Edmonton on the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16). Or, turn south on the
Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) to Lake Louise and Banff.
Waskasoo Park, Red Deer
72 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
The Boomtown Trail ALBERTA central road trips
1 Head east of Calgary on Hwy 1 to Strathmore, then zigzag north and east
to the lovely town of Rosebud, famous for its popular dinner theatre and
School of the Arts. Little craft stores, a tiny museum and the actual theatre
have breathed new life into a handful of turn-of-the-century buildings.
2 From Rosebud, meander north and west on to the Boomtown Trail toward
Three Hills. When you see Hwy 581 jog west on it and follow the signs to
the Custom Woolen Mills, a working museum. Here, history is replayed as
raw wool is processed on unique machines that date back to the industrial
revolution. Many items such as comforters, handwoven blankets and
sweaters are sold on the premises.
3 Next, weave back to Hwy 21 through towns such as Three Hills and Trochu,
Rosebud Theatre
famous for their excellent golf courses. Also at Trochu is an Arboretum (100
different plant species) plus the St. Ann Ranch & Trading Co. originally built
as a francophone settlement in 1905. Now a provincial historic site, St.
Ann’s features several museums, an interpretive centre, a tea room, as well
ALBERTA central
as a handsome B&B. Another nearby side-trip is a jaunt to Dry Island
Parade, Hivernant Rendezvous, Big Valley
Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, where Cree Indians stampeded bison over a
cliff some 2,000 years ago. Just north on Hwy 56 lies Big Valley, a perfect
replica of a frontier town complete with two art galleries, a fudge factory,
tea room and barber shop.
where one of the finest examples of an early grain elevator, complete with
hydraulic engine, is open to the public.
5 From here, jog north along the shores of Dried Meat Lake or west to
Hwy 21 and then north to Camrose. If you time it perfectly (arriving the
Village, east of Edmonton
74 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Huge, Wild and Right Next Door There’s something Alberta North
about the North that elevates the soul and soothes Destinations
Athabasca
the spirit. Perhaps it’s the fact there are more birds
athabascacountry.com
National Park
provincial recreation and natural areas and dozens of
pc.gc.ca/woodbuffalo
lovely, quiet campgrounds, many of them on the
Fort McMurray
waterfront. Those visitors wanting the comforts of
Take a tour of the Oil
small towns or urban centres – from Grande Prairie Sands Discovery Centre. In
to Lesser Slave Lake, Athabasca, Fort McMurray and the winter, watch the
Peace River – will be pleasantly surprised at the northern lights.
76 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Aboriginal Dancer, near Slave Lake
Provincial Park
Fort Chipewyan
before loading up with furs for their return journey,
Bicentennial Museum
woodbuffalo.ab.ca/ eastward. Robert Service, the renowned poet, lived
visitors at Athabasca Landing for a time and captures those
Fort Vermilion wild and woolly days in much of his early work.
Heritage Centre
Just a couple of hours northwest of Athabasca is
geocities.com/
Lesser Slave Lake, the largest recreational lake in
Sink your chops into a tasty bison “smokie” with coleslaw, potato salad, pickles and lemonade. All for free
– every Wednesday during summer at Grande Prairie’s Visitor Information Centre.
78 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Alberta Open Sand Sculpture Championship,
Lesser Slave Lake
LESSER SLAVE LAKE AND MCLENNAN IN A DAY
Provincial Park
Sandhill Crane
Morning sooooo rare; the chances are less planks were vibrating. I looked up
I yank on my toque and head lamp than one per cent. Learned the and the sky was plastered with white
and swing out of my bunk bed at The Boreal Centre has banded 50,000 flapping wings. I thought I was in a
Nest, a cool little hostel at the Boreal birds in its 15 year history. Nat Geo centrefold.
Centre for Bird Conservation on Lesser
Afternoon Evening
Slave Lake. We wander down to the
Added an American red-start, a I heard there were nightly skits at the
banding lab. We can hear the birds
Tennessee warbler, flycatchers, Marten River Campground, at the
starting to twitter and chirp. The
chickadees, a red-eyed vireo and north end of Slave Lake Provincial
coffee’s on. The mist is starting to curl
a tundra swan to my life list. Park, but I didn’t think they’d haul me
off the lake.
up on stage and dress me up like a
ALBERTA North
Bistcho
Lake
e r LA CRETE
Riv 697
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SASKATCH
sca Riv
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35
Athab
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MANNING
EWAN
FORT McMURRAY
CLEARDALE RED EARTH
64 4 CREEK
HINES
CREEK
GRIMSHAW PEACE RIVER 88 North
FAIRVIEW 2 Utikuma Wabasca
DUNVEGAN 2 Lake Lake
WABASCA
GIROUXVILLE South
SPIRIT Wabasca 63
RIVER 49 Lake
FALHER McLENNAN 754
6 49 Lesser Slave Lake Winefred
Lake
SEXSMITH Calling
BEAVERLODGE 43
HIGH
PRAIRIE 3 SLAVE LAKE Lake
GRANDE VALLEYVIEW 33 2
PRAIRIE
44 2 55
ATHABASCA 55 LAC
LA BICHE
2
Northern Alberta
Heritage Trail
Dunvegan Bridge, near Fairview
LEGAL
MORINVILLE
TravelAlberta.com/roadtrips
80 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Northern Alberta
Heritage Trail ALBERTA north road trip
2 From Athabasca, head east on Hwy 55 to Amber Valley and visit the
museum that celebrates the history of the black pioneers. Be sure to tour the
Lac La Biche Mission, full of role-playing interpreters who’ll spirit you back
150 years. Zip back to Hwy 63 and then start heading north to Fort McMurray
where you’ll find the Heritage Park Museum and the Oil Sands Discovery
Peace River
3 Steer west of Athabasca on Hwy 2 into the Lesser Slave Lake region, where
David Thompson arrived in 1799, via canoe. Whatever you do, don’t miss
Grouard, once a Roman Catholic mission and later a gold-seeker’s hub.
4 Head north on Hwy 2 to Peace River to see the gravesite of Twelve Foot
Davis, named for the fortune he made from a 4 m (12 ft) gold claim in the
Guest Ranch, Beaverlodge
5 Highlights along the Mackenzie, Hwy 35, include the Old Hospital Gallery &
Museum and the Battle River Pioneer Museum in Manning. Stay north until
High Level (home of the Mackenzie Crossroads Museum) and then head
east on Hwy 58 to Fort Vermilion (see the Heritage Centre collection).
Turn south to La Crete, a thriving Mennonite community reflected in its
Mennonite Heritage Village.
Black Bear, Lesser Slave Lake
6 Drive south on Hwy 35 to Grimshaw, jog west and south to Grande Prairie
and stop along Hwy 2, at numerous historic sites. Pop into the Fairview
Pioneer Museum, the original fur trade post at Historic Dunvegan Provincial
Park, Spirit River’s Settlement Museum, Sexsmith’s 1916 blacksmith shop
museum, Beaverlodge’s Centennial Museum as well as the Heritage
Discovery Centre in Grande Prairie.
82 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
You could win a free seven-day holiday to Alberta by simply completing the survey at
TravelAlberta.com/survey. And after reading this Vacation Guide you’ll be able to
customize your trip for two.
Hostelling in Alberta Hostels vary from basic (bed, operate local and regional visitor information centres
Contact
kitchen facilities) to superior standards (family rooms, that offer detailed travel information. A number of
laundry facilities, licensed café, showers, sauna). Alberta these have been recognized as accredited centres that Phone
Toll-free Canada & U.S.
offers 15 hostels in Banff, Jasper (along the Icefields provide a broad range of amenities and services.
1-800-ALBERTA
Parkway), Kananaskis Country, David Thompson Country, Operating hours at visitor information centres vary, and (252-3782)
Calgary and Edmonton. For more details, visit hihostels.ca many are seasonal. International
or contact Central Reservations at 1-866-762-4122, or 1-780-427-4321
Meetings and Conventions There are visitor and
e-mail: centralres.pm@hihostels.ca
convention centres in Calgary, Edmonton, the Canadian E-mail
Fishing and Hunting Regulations Fishing licences Rockies and many of the smaller cities, which are able travelinfo@
outside the national parks can be purchased from select TravelAlberta.com
to host meetings and conventions. The full-service
sporting good stores, convenience stores and some gas resorts, hotels, lodges and restaurants in Alberta’s Fax
stations. For details, call: 1-888-944-5494. 1-780-427-0867
most popular destinations are ideal sites for conferences
Hunting regulations and special licensing requirements and meetings. A Meetings, Convention & Incentive Post
Travel Alberta
vary depending on the type of hunting. Hunting is Travel Guide is also available from Travel Alberta.
Box 2500 Edmonton
absolutely prohibited in the national parks. For Visit: TravelAlberta.com/meetings Alberta, Canada T5J 2Z4
everything you need to know about fishing and hunting Travel Alberta Guides Drop by a Visitor Information Travel Alberta assumes no
in Alberta, visit: mywildalberta.com Centre for a Travel Alberta Vacation Guide, responsibility or liability in
Pets Owners must accompany their pets when entering Accommodation Guide, Campground Guide or connection with the
services listed and
Canada. Owners of dogs and cats must bring a Official Road Map. Call 1-800-ALBERTA (252-3782) to
provided by the operators.
certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian clearly order any of these guides or do so online at: While every effort is made
identifying the pet and certifying that it has been TravelAlberta.com/guides to ensure the information
vaccinated against rabies within the preceding 36 Be Responsible Whether you’re in one of Alberta’s contained in the brochure
months. There are exceptions made for seeing-eye is correct, Travel Alberta
urban centres, the badlands, prairies or the Rockies,
disclaims any liability in
dogs and puppies or kittens that are younger than three you can respect our environment by being a negligence or otherwise
months old. For more details on border crossings with responsible visitor: for any loss or damage
a pet, contact: that may occur as a result
• If you fly to Alberta, consider purchasing carbon offsets.
Canadian Border Services Agency of reliance upon any of
Independent agencies funnel these carbon offsets, or this material. All
Within Canada, call: 1-800-461-9999 voluntary donations, into renewable-energy research, information is accurate at
Outside Canada, call: 1-204-983-3500 or
reforestation projects and other carbon-reduction press time but is subject
1-506-636-5064 or visit: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca schemes. Visit aircanada.ca or offsetters.ca for more to change without notice.
Travel Alberta provides
Renting an Automobile All car rental companies have a details on carbon offset programs.
this publication for
strong network of outlets in Alberta. To rent a car you • Become familiar with local cultures and information purposes only.
must be 21 years old and hold a valid driver’s licence communities, especially those of our First Nations’ Travel Alberta does not
and a major credit card. (A small surcharge may apply people. Take time to listen to the people. Encourage endorse any of the
to drivers under 25 years of age). persons or entities listed
local conservation efforts.
in this publication or make
Renting a Motorhome/RV Renting a motorhome is a • Respect the natural environment of the places you visit. any representations or
convenient way to explore Alberta. You may purchase warranties as to their
• Choose products that are reusable and recyclable.
insurance at the time of rental. For best rates, it is reliability, financial
recommended that bookings be made three to four • Buy goods and services from companies that respect condition and suitability
the environment. for any particular purpose.
months in advance.
You are advised to make
Visitor Information Centres Knowledgeable and • Support the integrity of your destination – whether it’s your own inquiries of any
friendly Alberta specialists await you at the 10 noted for its architecture, heritage, cuisine, aesthetics person or entity in this
or ecology. publication to determine if
provincial Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centres,
he/she/it is satisfactory
strategically located along key highways and at border • Choose those (hotels, airlines, resorts, tour operators for your purposes. All
entry points. Stop in for a variety of province-wide and suppliers) who advance energy and rights reserved. No
tourism information including all Travel Alberta guides environmental conservation; water and air quality; material may be
and official road map. Let our specialists help customize recycling; safe management of waste and toxic reproduced from this
publication without prior
your vacation in Alberta. materials; noise abatement; community involvement;
written permission from
To complement the provincial information services and which provide experienced, well-trained staff Travel Alberta.
network, more than 100 communities across Alberta dedicated to strong principles of conservation.
Some photographs in
this publication are
courtesy of the Canadian
Tourism Commission.
• Beef on a bun
year from the date of purchase and
• Cheemo’s perogies When to Go Alberta is a four-season
• Big Rock beer
comes with a booklet of discount
destination but most visitors plan their
• Bernard Callebaut chocolates coupons. National park fees have been
vacation around the summer or winter.
• Field Stone fruit wine waived until 2011 as have fees to
Summer holidays typically revolve
• Prairie oysters historic sites – more good news for
around outdoor activities such as hiking,
• Alberta game/wildmeats budget-minded travellers!
biking, fishing and golfing – or our
84 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA
Key Destinations
and Driving Distances
For greater detail, please refer to
Alberta Map the Official Alberta Road Map.
Wood Buffalo
National Park
FORT Travel Alberta Visitor
RAINBOW LAKE CHIPEWYAN
138 km Information Centres
86 mi HIGH LEVEL
Canmore
Year Round
271 km Crowsnest Pass
168 mi May – September
6
296 km
184 mi Field, British Columbia
May – October
Grande Prairie
May – September
FORT McMURRAY
690 km
Hinton
439 mi May – October
PEACE RIVER Lloydminster
May – September
198 km Milk River
123 mi
May – October
GRANDE
456 km Oyen
283 mi
PRAIRIE May – September
488 km
303 mi Walsh
May – September
187 km 460 km
116 mi 286 mi
West Glacier, Montana
May – September
1
GRANDE
CACHE
146 km Elk Island Visitor Information Centre
91 mi HINTON National Park
3 UNESCO World Heritage Site
288 km
179 mi 250 km
EDMONTON 155 mi Airport
79 km
49 mi
LLOYDMINSTER
5
158 km
JASPER 98 mi
Jasper
IC
EF
National
IE
XX%
Columbia
LD
232 km
AY
Across the Bow River from The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a series of pocket beaches –
cool little spots to picnic or simply admire Bow Falls and iconic peaks such as Sulphur Mountain and
Mt. Rundle. The area is also a dream for rafters, trail runners, horseback riders, fishers and hikers.
TravelAlberta.com/Rockies
86 TravelAlberta.com 1-800-ALBERTA