A 35-minute drive east of Edmonton takes you to the rolling hills, aspen forests, rich wetlands, pretty lakes and starry skies of Elk Island National Park. It is an ‘island’ of natural wonders and a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by agriculture. This wild inland island is home to free-roaming bison herds, elk, deer, coyotes, beavers and over 250 bird...
Alberta is home to some of the most famous national parks in the world. These parks offer opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, paddling, camping and connecting with nature. In addition, you’ll find interactive programming and educational opportunities through Parks Canada, as well as a range of accommodations, restaurants, shops and attractions. We’ve put...
Waterton Lakes National Park is one of Alberta’s five national parks, located in the southwest corner of the province. It offers pristine lakes, sweeping mountain vistas, waterfalls, hiking trails, campgrounds, the famous Red Rock Canyon, the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, and the quaint Waterton Village. The park’s land area is relatively small compared to...
Chester Lake: A go-to snowshoe (or hike) in Kananaskis Country, Alberta The Chester Lake Trail in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park stands out as a go-to hike in Kananaskis, especially in the winter. The trail gives the best samplings of scenery in the Canadian Rockies, including Christmas card spruce and pine trees, snow-covered meadows and a beautiful frozen lake with...
When researching ski resorts in Alberta to visit over the holidays with my 8-year-old beginner/intermediate skier, I debated travelling to Southwestern Alberta to Castle Mountain Resort. It is clichély and incorrectly known as “Canada’s best-kept secret” because it is off the beaten path and slightly smaller than the ski resorts in Banff and Jasper National Park. The...
Edmonton, Alberta, is known for its cold winters, but that doesn’t deter locals from celebrating and making the most of the chilly season. This northern city embraces winter, and there are plenty of things to experience and do in the snow, including skiing in Edmonton. The North Saskatchewan River valley is the largest urban parkland in North America and home to four...
If you’re a diehard skier or snowboarder, waiting for the ski resorts to open might make you feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. Thanks to snow machines and tireless snow-making crews that work through the night, the resorts can open a few runs in early-mid November. Is it worth making the trip when only a handful of runs are open? This year, Lake...