Crystal clear lakes, sparkling waterfalls and glaciers, snow-capped mountains, bison prairies and forests populated by wolves, elk, moose… You are in Alberta, a province in Western Canada which owes its name to one of the girls of Queen Victoria, Louise Caroline Alberta. Focus on 5 unmissable sites, meeting preserved nature and First Nations.
5 must-see sites in Alberta
Good news: Calgary is accessible by direct daily flight from Paris with Westjet. Yet another reason to jet off to the outdoor paradise of Alberta.
1- Banff National Park
It is in the middle of the Canadian Rockies that nestles the oldest Canadian national park (created in 1885), a kingdom of fabulous outdoor adventures listed as a UNESCO heritage site: Banff. Among the unmissable discoveries: Moraine, Louise and Peyto lakes, tinged with emerald or turquoise; Sulfur Mountain, whose ascent by cable car offers breathtaking panoramas of the snow-capped peaks; or Cave and Basin, thermal springs discovered by railway workers in 1883. Wonders abound and the disconnection is total in this original nature, in the middle of exceptional wildlife: moose, bighorn sheep, elk, grizzly bears, black bears, caribou, mouflons, marmots, beavers…
2- Jasper National Park
Following the grandiose Icefields Parkway, we reach Jasper National Park, to the north, the largest Canadian national park and the 2nd largest dark sky reserve in the world, classified like Banff as a UNESCO heritage site. A world of superlatives: the Athabasca Glacier, the most visited in North America; Athabasca Falls, the most famous in the region; Spirit Island, the most photographed in the world; Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies… Embark on a cruise on its turquoise waters, conquer the Columbia Icefield or the Athabasca Glacier, observe wildlife, raft down the Athabasca River, in the wake of the fur trade. Outdoor experiences are plentiful.
3- The Kananaskis Valley, land of the First Nations
Off the beaten track, the confidential and picturesque Kananaskis country is no secret for Calgarians who like to recharge their batteries there in summer and winter to hike, fish, paddle a kayak, go on horseback excursions, cycling, snowshoeing or skiing. Here, always lakes, waterfalls, rivers and a more intimate atmosphere. We are at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and the setting seems straight out of a movie. Don’t miss hiking at Troll Falls, in the middle of the forest, with a guide from the Kainai nation. The spotlight turns on the history and identity of the indigenous peoples of Canada, who wish to share their cultural identity, between spirituality, humility in the face of nature and respect for the elders, the cement for the transmission of their heritage.
4- Calgary
In this “cowboy town”, green nature meets ultra-modern buildings, in the middle of the agricultural plains of Alberta. The largest city in the province owes its prosperity to black gold. Visitors discover the Glenbow Museum of art and history, Fort Calgary or the Heritage Park Historical Village which bear witness to the arrival of pioneers in the 18th century, fur traders or explorers. Street art lovers will happily follow the artistic journey initiated by the Beltline Urban Murals Project, revealing more than 180 frescoes. In July, Calgary celebrates with the Stampede, a major festival celebrating western traditions. On the program: rodeo, cart races, barrel races and even lasso demonstrations. Unavoidable.
5- The Badlands
East of Calgary, another face of Western Canada is revealed, arid, timeless. Lunar canyons sculpted by water and erosion outline the landscape, with fairy chimneys streaked with ocher and coal (“hoodoos”), old abandoned mines and a large concentration of dinosaur fossils. Paleontologists at heart, don’t miss the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller and the Dinosaurs Provincial Park, a UNESCO heritage site. The region is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Wild West of yesteryear. In the saloon of an old mining town, sleepy or even ghostly, like in Wayne, we are certainly in the setting of an old western.
HOW TO GET THERE ?
With Les Maisons du Voyage, driven by the desire to share more than 30 years of experiences and passions. Their rare, authentic itineraries favor intellectual curiosity, encounters and the vision of responsible tourism. Dedicated to each region of the world, the Maisons’ experts offer you a personalized service: a promise of quality demonstrated by a demanding clientele.
Discover all of Maisons du Voyage’s trips to Alberta on https://www.maisonsduvoyage.com/amerique/canada/ouest-canadien
Alberta Tourism Authority
