Let me count the why’s of visiting Alberta, Canada By Bev Manzano (At a Alberta Tourism press event held in San Jose, writer Bev Manzano covered this for BAFT and learned much about this extraordinary province.) Alberta is not quite in the middle, but just to the right of British Columbia, making it a Southwestern province. I’ll let you in on a well-kept secret: many of the world’s first, foremost and finest wonders can be found here. It is a land of quite diverse and remarkable attractions, all within its borders. Why wouldn’t you want to visit, is what you might ask yourself after you learn about the myriad of enticing experiences it has to offer. OUTDOOR GRANDEUR Its stunning natural beauty has been framed in many Hollywood movies such as Brokeback Mountain, Cool Runnings, and Dr. Zhivago. Alberta’s Rocky Mountain playground is an outdoor adventurer’s dream—any season of the year. You can choose from many pristine and unspoiled world-class ski resorts within close proximity. Alberta is Canada’s Great West with the city of Calgary its gateway—steeped in cowboy culture and activities. In contrast to the western scene, you can also visit authentic castles in Alberta and discover some of Canada’s European heritage firsthand. If you overdo it in the great outdoors, Edmonton has the great indoors to explore as well, boasting unique artisan centers and the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the world. FIRST, FOREMOST, FINEST Alberta has something for everyone, from city slickers drawn to shopping to museum types to hard-core adventure enthusiasts. Here’s a partial listing of the top attractions on Alberta's brag list:  World’s number one most spectacular natural attraction - Canadian Rocky Mountains  Canada's largest mountain national park - Jasper National Park    Canada's first/oldest national park - Banff National Park  World's largest shopping and entertainment complex - West Edmonton Mall    World's second largest/Canada's largest national park - Wood Buffalo National Park  Among world’s greatest Classic Trains Trip – Rocky Mountaineer  Largest ski area in Canada - Lake Louise  One of the world's most photographed lakes - Moraine Lake (Banff National Park)  Greatest outdoor show on earth - Calgary Stampede (Calgary)  World's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex - Drumheller  World's largest herd of free roaming bison - Wood Buffalo National Park  World's largest oil sands development - Suncor/Syncrude Oil Sand Plant (Fort McMurray)  North America's largest theatre festival - Fringe Festival (Edmonton)  One of the richest dinosaur finds in the world - Dinosaur Provincial Park  World's largest Olympic museum - Olympic Hall of Fame (Calgary)  The richest show jumping contest in the world - The Masters (Calgary)  World's first and only U.F.O. landing pad - St. Paul SKI ALBERTA According to the Alberta Tourism Bureau, skiing within National Parks of Canada (Banff and Jasper National Parks) also has many advantages compared to other places:  Unspoiled wilderness: no on-mountain development other than eateries at ski hills Consistently great snow  Little or no lift lines  3 different resorts within an hour of each other in Banff National Park: Ski Banff @ Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise  Lake Louise resort is the largest in Alberta with 4000 acres of terrain covering 4 mountain faces, was voted number one ski resort in North America for scenery, and hosts major ski races.  Alberta does not consider winter a peak season so the rates for lift tickets, rentals and accommodations are much lower than most other ski destinations. Lower rates combined with the US dollar exchange advantage helps offset the plane fare. WILD WEST Alberta is not just a show for the city folks, for those who love cowboys and all the trappings of western life, this is the real deal. Working ranches, farm families, and country towns capture the spirit of western lifestyle. If you want a more extended experience, stay at a guest ranch, or saddle up with a trail riding guide. The Calgary Stampede is Alberta’s romping showpiece, held on July 7-16 in 2006, and features the million-dollar rodeo, chuckwagon races and grandstand show. ACCOMMODATIONS Alberta’s Rocky Mountain resorts are renowned, and its modern cities boast well-appointed hotels, motels, and upscale inns. For instance, the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire Hotel has been recognized as the 2005 Starwood Hotels Hotel of the Year. The hotel has been ranked highest among all Sheraton hotels across North America for the past five years in a row. For a quaint stay, rural bed & breakfast homes, small inns & lodges offer a special mix of hospitality and privacy. Whether you are looking for luxury, economy or something in between, check out www.explorealberta.com IN SHORT Coupled with storybook scenery, tangy flavors of the wild west, heavenly skiing conditions, and breathtaking hiking trails, Alberta is a definite must see on your where-do-I-go-next list. NOTEWORTHY INFO: Border Crossing for U.S. Citizens Citizens of the United States are required to provide proof of citizenship upon entry into Canada, and MUST provide the following: • A valid Passport or Picture ID (usually a Driver's License), along with proof of citizenship, such as a Birth Certificate. • Visitors from the U.S. who were not born in the United States should carry their Certificate of Naturalization; permanent residents of the U.S. must also bring their "Green Card". • Temporary residents must carry a passport and may also require a visa depending on their country of citizenship. These must be original documents. Canada Customs is under no obligation to accept photocopies, or any other pieces of documentation not specifically mentioned. Appropriate documentation ensures that the travelers will be able to enter Canada and is also integral in facilitating their return to the United States. **** NOTEWORTHY WEBSITES: www.travelalberta.com - General info on Alberta. www.skicanadianrockies.com - Details on ski packages, where to ski, etc. www.rockymountaineer.com - More on this exciting railway. www.cs.calgarystampede.com - Info on the world renown Calgary Stampede. www.albertafilm.ca - Info on films shot on location. www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit - Info on visiting Alberta. Accommodations: www.explorealberta.com www.explorealberta.com/Alberta_Campgrounds.htm www.bbalberta.com/ Bed and breakfasts in Alberta. www.bbedmonton.com/ Bed and breakfasts in Edmonton. www.bbcanmore.com/ Bed and breakfasts in Canmore. www.stayinjasper.com/ Where to stay in Jasper National Park. www.albertacountryvacation.com/ General info on accommodations. www.charminginnsofalberta.com/ Info on inns. www.hihostels.ca/hostels/Alberta/ - Details on youth hostels. PHOTO CREDITS West Edmonton Mall photo courtesy of West Edmonton Mall. All other photos courtesy of Travel Alberta. Bev Manzano is a freelance writer and art director who contributes to BAFT. One of her goals in life is to see the Northern Lights. Maybe in Alberta! [Back to Top]   [Back to Index]