Calgary & Alberta Addons | Add ons

Calgary is probably most synonymous with the annual ten day Calgary Stampede in July. First staged in 1912, the Stampede has developed into what is known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”.

For many, the highlight of the Stampede is Parade Day, which provides two hours of intricate floats, marching bands, Western riders and more. Every afternoon there is a world class event from bareback riding to bull riding, and the evening Grandstand Show includes the daily chuckwagon races. There are various stages and venues around the Stampede grounds which include an authentic First Nations village, a recreated frontier town and a variety of animal and agricultural events.

COWBOY TRAIL

Driving north or south from Calgary in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains you pass through a landscape of mixed forests and grasslands. The Cowboy Trail is a scenic drive taking in some of the historical sites of Alberta such as the Bar U Ranch, where Harry Longabaugh (better known as the Sundance Kid) contributed to the ranch’s colourful past. No visit to Alberta is complete without visiting “Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump”, one of the world’s oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jump sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of these sites are accessible by car, using either of the ranches in Alberta as your base or you may wish to extend your holiday in Alberta.

BANFF, LAKE LOUISE AND JASPER

An alpine community nestled in the Rocky Mountains, at an elevation of 1,383m Banff is the highest town in Canada. Tall peaks, open wooded valleys, crystal clear waters, and narrow canyons are all preserved in their natural magnificence, and Banff lies at the heart of it all. Lake Louise, with its famous turquoise waters, is a spectacular 40 minute drive from Banff through the Bow Valley. Dominated by the majestic Victoria Glacier this is probably the most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies.

The road north to Jasper is also renowned for its breathtaking vistas. Just 6km from Lake Louise is Herbert Lake, a typical example of the roadside scenery along the Icefields Parkway. Deep in the Alberta Rockies, peaks crown the horizon in every direction. The vast majority are pristine and will remain that way, preserved under the aegis of Canada’s national parks system. Mountain sheep, bears, wolves, elk and mountain goats have a secure home here, and can often be seen when simply driving down the road.2009:  £2,303

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