The ever-present wind in Alberta blows through the mountains in the west, past Banff's Lake Moraine, tousling the wheat on the open prairie, crossing the industrial pits of the oil sands before swirling over the ancient dinosaur bones in the arid grasslands of the southeast.
The varied landscapes give outdoors enthusiasts plenty of options to explore, while the urban areas offer a surprising number of world-class festivals. From screaming yourself hoarse the Calgary Stampede rodeo to snowshoeing to Banff's Lake Agnes Teahouse, the articles below offer some good starting points to begin exploring this vast province.
Get to know the location of Canada's first national park.
Glaciers, nature walks, and a cute downtown await
The crystal-clear waters aren’t the only reason to visit Lake Louise
Luxury in the middle of the wilderness.
Plus, you get a personal photographer.
An epic Pride parade and special events meet year-round LGBTQ entertainment.
See the region through the eyes of its original guides.
Check out Canada's most underrated city.
To truly travel is to throw yourself into experiences that transform you – moments that lead to growth, to changed perspectives, to open hearts. Similar to viewing a powerful piece of art, perhaps a photograph that unlocks the door into another space, travel reminds us that although we come from different places, the commonalities that bring us together are stronger than the differences driving us apart.
Blaire Russell is a member of the Blood Tribe – Kainai First Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. With his art, created through the lens of a camera, he works to capture the energy of his people’s ancestral home, land that spans from the prairies to the mountains in Alberta, Canada, and across the border into the USA. He tells us how he was taught that the Blood Tribe has inhabited this landscape forever, that their DNA goes deep into the soil.
Here, “everything’s alive, everything has a spirit, everything has a presence,” says Russell. "I want to invite people in to learn about us, and to break barriers."
Meet Indigenous peoples across Canada through one-of-a-kind travel experiences, as they share their knowledge, stories, and history.