"ALBERTA - CANADIAN MAGNIFICENCE" Top 5 Page for this destination Province of Alberta by mtncorg

Province of Alberta Travel Guide: 5,993 reviews and 10,651 photos

Snow crowned Mt Victoria across Lake Louise

Canadian provinces are the size of countries anywhere else. The province stretches from the US border in the south to far into the sub arctic regions of the Canadian Shield to the north. Much of the south is devoted to vast wheat fields, looking similar to what you find across the border in Montana, only with a few more people. Plopped down out in the plains are two of Canada’s more pleasant cities - Edmonton and Calgary. Of the two, I have to admit a more fondness for the southern metropolitan area, if not for the simple fact that they are closer to Alberta’s gems - the Rockies. The Canadian Rockies are normally experienced by the tourist in Alberta for good reason. Here the mountains are simply glorious squared. The tourist can experience mile after mile of jaw opening alpine views when driving from Banff in the South towards Jasper along the Icefields Parkway. As glorious as the mountains look from the highway, the experience is multiplied exponentially as you walk away from the road. The season is fairly short. Weather can always be a factor in the Rockies. Preparation is essential for your visit. I especially like the ‘boot-tested’ trail guide written by Kathy and Craig Copeland, “Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies, An Opinionated Hiking Guide”. There are so many trails to tread - and unless you are like MadamX living in nearby Calgary - your time here will not be unlimited. I have hiked more of the trails they have recommended in their similar book on the North Cascades of Washington State and have found their opinions to be right on for the most part. If they give a trail four boots (‘premier’), rest assured, it will be a grand experience. If they say don’t waste your time - ie The Teahouse Trail at Lake Louise - don’t waste your time! There is too much else out there. That said, even some of the hikes that rate two boots (‘worthwhile’) are superior to what you find in most of the rest of the World.

Gems to be looked towards? Valley of Ten Peaks, Plain of the Six Glaciers, Mt Assiniboine, Tonquin Valley and the Ramparts, Lake Annette/Paradise Valley and remember the outstanding options across the border in British Columbia: the Rockwall-Floe Lake, Lake O’Hara, and maybe one of the grandest in the entire region - Berg Lake and Mt Robson. But here we are talking BC, the trek to Assiniboine in Alberta will be almost as marvelous.

Alberta is a bit hockey-mad. They support their teams in a fervent fashion, whether it is the Flames of Calgary, Edmonton’s Oilers or the myriad of WHL junior teams. The Great One played his best years in Edmonton when they owned the NHL for much of the 80’s. There is plenty to keep one busy in Alberta’s cities, though for that I refer you to Calgary’s own MadamX.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Unbelievably glorious mountain ranges, grand plains with a couple of comfortable-sized cities thrown in
Cons:Crowds at the National Park hubs can take away a little of the Magic; What to do in Calgary/Edmonton without the NHL?
In a nutshell:Jann Arden would die for you here.

Intro Written Apr 30, 2005
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Reviews (16)

The Chateau floating on Lake Louise - Province of Alberta

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLORY Hotels (1)

It's a great hotel, but when I am out in the mountains, I am not so lucky as to stay at a huge hotel like this. I am... more travel advice

Peyto Lake from the Icefields viewpoint - Province of Alberta

PEYTO LAKE VIEWPOINT Tourist Traps (2)

A little over 20 miles north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, you will come to a viewpoint over Lake Louise that... more travel advice

Mountains soar over outlet of Lake Agness - Province of Alberta

LAKE AGNESS Tourist Traps (2)

The teahouse is the magnet for sweating masses out of the Chateau Lake Louise. The lake is named for the First Lady of... more travel advice

Trail leading from Lk Agness to the Six Glaciers - Province of Alberta

HIKING - WHAT THE ROCKIES ARE ALL ABOUT! Sports & Outdoors (1)

The hikes that await you in the Canadian Rockies are some of the World’s best. Imagine a more primeval version of the... more travel advice

Things to Do (12)
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Comments (10)

Darby2 Oct 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM Report Abuse

Do visit us again.
karenincalifornia Sep 10, 2007 at 9:00 PM Report Abuse

Amazing photos! I would give all of these hikes four boots. Unlike the hike we just took near Walla Walla, which I would give maybe 3 toes. Of course, the wines there get 4 cork screws.
girladventure Apr 28, 2006 at 3:01 PM Report Abuse

WOW! Awesome pics. I'm so jealous. I have relatives in Alberta...I should go one of these days. It's beautiful. Hope all is well.
KristaB Feb 21, 2006 at 5:10 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful, but looks like lots of walking, eh? I got a book about heli-hiking from someone who was heli-skiing in the Northern Selkirks a week ago - I loose my breath even while watching the videos!
Karolina01 Feb 19, 2006 at 6:36 AM Report Abuse

Very good overview about the National Parks of Alberta. The pictures are excellent. I'll wait for your new Toronto page.
Bwana_Brown May 29, 2005 at 2:09 PM Report Abuse

A fantastic page, Mark! These mountains are truly among the best in the world! Your excellent tips are spot on!! Alberta is a province that should be fully explored!
mim95 May 26, 2005 at 6:31 PM Report Abuse

The Rockies are on the top of my Canadian to go list! Great page...as usual! :)
Nemorino May 19, 2005 at 2:50 PM Report Abuse

Another one of your great mountain pages! I stopped to click on each and every photo. Too bad the mosquitoes and bears don't need permits.
XenoHumph May 10, 2005 at 8:38 AM Report Abuse

You went to Alberta, hey?? You did not forget your tuque, did ya? Several years living in Canuck's land, and i never went to this province... seems I missed a lot there. BTW, great picts, great tips, great page as usual.
madamx Apr 30, 2005 at 9:58 PM Report Abuse

Did I hear someone mention my name? ;o) Very nice start! More please! Bow Lake is one of my favorite places; and IMHO I think Waterton is every bit as grand as Banff. Lovely page ~ Helen