Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.

Wildlife

The area is teeming with opportunities for wildlife watchers to explore. There are 587 species of wildlife that live in Alberta. Golden eagles search for prey in the northern forests and on the prairies and can also be seen in the urban city of Calgary. From moose, grizzly and black bears, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, lynx, coyotes, wolves, and wolverines. The areas for sightings for this amazing range of wildlife are Jasper National Park and Banff National Park where you can book wildlife tours with expert guides and go in search of wildlife in their natural habitat and appreciate the natural beauty and surroundings. There is even a wolfdog sanctuary to take a walk on the wild side. This protection of Alberta’s National Parks are helping to boost the populations and help endangered species. This includes a massive 8.2 million hectares that are designated as protected areas.

Canadian Rockies

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies. Full of wonder and exploration there are amazing experiences for you to have on an epic journey. The main areas in Alberta are Banff and Jasper National Parks. You can go climbing & mountaineering, cycling & mountain biking, fishing, golfing, hiking, horse riding, or take to the skies on scenic helicopter flights. For photographic opportunities to create that perfect Instagram shot, there is no better place than the Canadian Rockies. From canyons to sweeping mountains to Lake Louise. There are endless opportunities to unleash the photographer within you. There is also Maligne Canyon and Larch Valley in the vicinity to explore. Larch Valley is in Banff National Park; the area is known for outstanding natural beauty and pristine views, a perfect spot for hiking. Visit Maligne Canyon and Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park, where you can stand on lookout points and see a 360-degree view of the area and take in the complete views. You can hike and even do an ice walk on the canyons floor at Maligne Canyon for the daring traveller! Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park boasts limestone cliffs and caves, catwalks, and waterfalls, it is a sight to see. Why not visit Lake Louise, with stunning views and crystal-clear waters it is well worth the trip. With all sorts of activities from paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and camping there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Waterton Lakes National Park 

Waterton Lakes National Park is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. With summer comes lake activities! With the temperatures in the summer being 20 to 25 Celsius, the lake is the perfect escape. From canoeing to whitewater rafting, kayaking, boating, swimming, and camping with crystal clear waters this destination has something for everyone. This national park is also an IDA, International Dark Sky Park. This means it has been through extensive criteria to receive this notable title. An International Dark Sky status is given to place where land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. This also means you can see the Milky Way and many stars for miles around. With panoramic views and breath-taking constellations try and see how many star constellations you can find. Be sure to explore and take in this unique and magnificent magical experience.

Events

For the traveller who loves wild west culture there is the annual Calgary Stampede taking place this year from July 7-16, 2023. This event is legendary with barrel racing, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bareback competitions. There is also the Grande Prairie Stompede at Grande Prairie May 31- June 14, 2023. These tough as nails competitors will make this experience come to life for visitors. For the more relaxed traveller, there is a stay & apres: prosecco tasting with black stallion wines event at Mt Norquay in March. Sit back and relax with some amazing wines that will explore your taste buds. The Annual fresh air market allows visitors to experience the time-honoured tradition of trading and gathering at Historic Dunvegan. Get to know local artisans and the products they create. Visit for the award-winning Jasper Dark Sky Festival in mid-October and, in addition to the view of the stars, you’ll get hands-on science and astronomy events. Outside the festival, Jasper Photo Tours offers a night photography tour.

Music and Art

If you enjoy music or art, Alberta has the Sled Island Music & Arts festival. This festival takes place June 21- 25 2023. Since 2007, Sled Island's thoughtful, eclectic programming and independent spirit have produced a one-of-a-kind festival experience. Each June, the five-day music and arts festival brings together a community of music, comedy, film and art as well as over 40,000 attendees across multiple venues, earning rave reviews from attendees, artists and media across the globe. This is taking place in Calgary Alberta, Sled Island. To experience a little bit of culture and have a look into the Canadian way of life, why not celebrate Canada day? This fantastic event occurs on July 1. Celebrate all things Canadian and immerse yourself in the culture and traditions this region has to offer and learn about the history of Alberta. The Calgary Stampede as well as being the world’s largest rodeo is also home to one of the largest music festivals in Canada with varying types of music both free to the public and for those who have tickets. For a blast to the past why not visit the Dinosaur Provincial Park. This area is rich with science and exploration, with both past and present discoveries. Immerse yourself in the landscape and learn how these creatures that once roamed the earth lived and the daily challenges they faced for survival.

From the mystic mountains to the clear blue lakes, Alberta should be on your travel list this summer. Call Canada As you Like It today!