Only in Alberta
Did you know that Alberta is the sunniest province in the country? Or that Banff was the first National Park to be established in Canada?
Here are some of the reasons that make Alberta a must-visit destination in Canada and the unique experiences you should seek out when planning your trip.
With its crystal clear blue skies and warm, golden rays, Alberta is Canada’s sunniest province.
Calgary tops the list of the sunniest places in Canada as it receives more hours of sunshine than any other large city in the country, an average of 333 days of sunshine a year.
You will never be too far away from green in Alberta. Its forested public lands cover more than half the province – this is approximately the size of Germany.
These include the world famous national parks of Jasper and Banff in the Rocky Mountains, as well as Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada’s largest national park, in Alberta’s northeastern corner.
The Jasper SkyTram is Canada’s highest and longest guided aerial tramway, while Banff Upper Hot Springs are the highest hot springs in the country.
Alberta is also home to the three highest towns in Canada (Lake Louise, Banff and Canmore), as well as the highest paved road, the Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country.
Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park has been recognised as “the world’s most abundant and diverse dinosaur locality”.
It contains some of the most important fossil specimens discovered from the ‘Age of Dinosaurs’ period of Earth’s history, including 58 dinosaur species, dating back 75 million years.
When the turquoise waters of Alberta’s Abraham Lake freeze in the winter, they reveal a mesmerizing display of countless white bubbles.
Even though the bubbles are caused by ‘nature at work’ rather than a rare geological phenomenon, the clarity of the ice and the high concentration of bubbles make the spectacle truly breathtaking.
The annual Calgary Stampede, a celebration of Alberta’s western heritage, is home to the world’s largest rodeo.
Billed as ‘the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’, there are incredible experiences throughout the 10 days of the event, including chuckwagon and relay races and a dazzling Grandstand Show.
Spanning the equivalent of 48 city blocks, West Edmonton Mall is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America.
It features over 800 shops and 100 dining options, as well as a Hasbro-themed park, a waterpark, an aquarium, an ice skating rink, a go-kart track, a casino, a comedy club, a movie theatre and two hotels.
The cave with the hot springs that paved the way for the creation of Canada’s National Parks system is open to the public and can be found at Banff National Park.
Banff National Park also features Canada's longest cave system: the Limestone Castleguard Cave stretches more than 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) and is likely longer but has not been surveyed further.
The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the first transboundary protected area to be established anywhere in the world.
Formed in 1932, it comprises Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the United States, which are linked by Alberta Highway 6/Montana Highway 17.
There are more than 100 glaciers along the iconic Icefields Parkway, including the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Icefield.
There are several ways to experience the majesty of the Columbia Icefield, such as aboard a massive Ice Explorer, going glacier walking or from the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk.
A haven for Alberta’s native fauna, Banff National Park has the most wildlife crossings (purpose-built bridges and tunnels) than any other place on Earth.
The crossings were created to help animals, an integral part of the ecosystem, connect their habitats and migration routes without having to cross the road, keeping both wildlife and visitors safe.
Alberta is the only province with a recognised land base for the Métis people, one of the three Indigenous groups that live in Canada.
A unique combination of a cultural centre and historical village, Métis Crossing near Edmonton is one of the best places to discover more about the past and present of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
