Calgary Holidays - Travel Guide

Calgary holidays present an attractive city that has embraced the ruggedness of the surrounding countryside in the very culture of the city. Situated on the banks of the Bow River in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the residents of Calgary Canada are in love with the great outdoors. Although the more northerly city of Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, Calgary is the cultural and commercial centre where much of the tourism in Alberta is focussed.

Calgary holidays put you right in the middle of the winter sports playground that is the Rocky Mountains. This makes holidays in Calgary a very attractive prospect for skiers and snowboarders. Of particular interest is the nearby town of Banff, which at an elevation of over 4,500ft is the highest town in Canada.

The awe-inspiring scenery of panoramic mountain vistas with rivers and lakes interspersed makes the whole Calgary holiday experience one of breathtaking beauty. The facilities at Banff are second to none and the superb natural environment is a treasure for winter sports fans.

Away from the slopes Calgary holidays offer great opportunities for shopping and dining out and the city is brimming with old-fashioned cowboy culture. To witness the true culture of Calgary enjoy a bit of people watching in some of the bars, cafés and bistros.

In July the city becomes obsessed with all things cowboy in the annual Calgary Stampede that features a rodeo, concerts and all manner of outdoor festivities.

A big attraction of holidays in Calgary is obviously the facilities it offers for winter sports. But leave the slopes behind for a while and you'll have the opportunity to explore the region at a far more leisurely pace. The national parks in the area, which cover miles and miles of incredible landscape, are very popular with hikers and walkers. Another attraction of Calgary holidays, the largest museum in Canada, The Glenbow, has three huge floors of exhibition space. The museum features over a million interesting and educational artefacts from the original native Indian inhabitants of the area and European settlers that followed. Calgary Zoo is another popular Calgary holiday attraction that offers the opportunity to see some of the wildlife of Alberta up close, including some rare birds and animals.