From Wikitravel

Alberta [1] is the second westernmost of the 10 provinces in Canada. (only British Columbia is farther west) It includes parts of the Canadian Rockies and is known for its oil and natural gas fields and cattle farming.

Alberta has a lot to offer visitors. It is a surprisingly diverse province in many ways, from the beauty of the Rockies to the serene flatness of prairie to the wilderness of the northern forests. The two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton offer the amenties that most cities in North America have, and also have some unique attractions of their own.

[edit] Regions

• Central Alberta - rolling hills and agriculture
• Northern Alberta - the untapped wilderness region north of Edmonton
• Rocky Mountains - home to Banff and Jasper National Parks
• Southern Alberta

[edit] Cities

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Red Deer
• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Grande Prairie
• Fort McMurray

[edit] Other destinations

• Drumheller, site of the Royal Tyrell Museum, the largest paleontology museum in Canada.
• Kananaskis Country, major natural recreation area in southern Alberta at the foot of the Rockies south of Calgary.
• Banff, the largest town in Banff National Park.
• Lake Louise, major ski resort and village just to the north of Banff.
• Jasper, Banff's northern sister in the heart of Jasper National Park.
• Waterton Lakes National Park, A true natural gem in the Rockies in Alberta's extreme southwest.
• Off the beaten path in Alberta

[edit] Understand

Alberta was formed as a province in 1905. Its capital is Edmonton, located roughly in the middle of the province, while most business headquarters are located to the south in Calgary. Most of the population of Alberta lives along the "Highway 2 Corridor" between Edmonton and Calgary, although Lethbridge to the south, Grande Prairie to the northwest, and Fort McMurray to the northeast are also major centres.

[edit] Talk

English is the main language spoken by most people in Alberta and French, Canada's second official language is hard to find, except where government services are concerned. Yet Ukrainian, German and Mandarin, Arabic and Hindi can be heard on the street. There is a French-language university in Edmonton - the Faculté Saint-Jean, now a part of the University of Alberta, which offers undergraduate degrees in several disciplines with instruction completely in French.

There are also many First Nations communities across the province whose original languages are spoken, including Cree, Déné, Blackfoot, and others.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Air

Edmonton International Airport [2] and Calgary International Airport both have flights with Air Canada [3] and other international airlines to and from various cities across North America and Europe. There's also a flight from Calgary to Delhi, India, flying only a stone's throw away from the North Pole. Both airports act as collection points, Calgary for the prairie provinces, and Edmonton for regions in the Canadian North like Grande Prairie and Yellowknife.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Car

Like most of Canada's provinces, Alberta is large, so a car or any other road vehicle is probably the most convenient way to get around outside the major cities. It should be noted that Alberta's cities, Calgary in particular, are very large in area, and car travel is near essential.

[edit] By Bus

Greyhound Canada offers service between almost all centres, large and small. Be aware that Greyhound does the so-called "milk runs" stopping at almost every location, usually to drop off or pickup passengers and cargo. There are other bus lines offering service between major centres, such as Red Arrow between Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Jasper and Banff.

[edit] By Rail

VIA Rail is the only passenger rail service into Alberta, and it goes into Edmonton from Vancouver, British Columbia and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. There is no passenger rail service into Calgary.

[edit][add listing] See

Driving west out of Calgary towards British Columbia, the Rockies rise dramatically and quickly. The drive through Banff, Jasper or Glacier National Park can be quite spectacular. The Icefields Parkway between the towns of Banff and Jasper is definitely not to be missed.

In Edmonton, West Edmonton Mall is one of the province's larger attractions. With over 800 retail shops and the world's largest indoor entertainment centre, it's entertaining even for the non-shoppers.

Calgary offers the Stampede, the wild west-themed festival held every July complete with rodeos and fairs. And one should check out the Calgary Zoo and get a view from the top of the Calgary Tower.

[edit] Itineraries

• Off the beaten path in Alberta
• Icefields Parkway

[edit][add listing] Do

The ski resorts of Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Norquay, all in Banff National Park dish up almost every kind of terrain for the hardcore skier, yet allow novice skiers to have fun through green runs and long cruisng runs. If the crowds bother you, there are a number of other ski areas in the province.

Great hiking can be had in the Rockies, and there are a few lakes that allow one to do boating, jetskiing or most other watersports despite Alberta's landlocked nature.

There are many excellent golf courses available to the public across the provinces. Areas of particular interest include the mountain parks where Banff Springs, Jasper Park Lodge, Kananaskis Country, Stewart Creek, and Silver Tip are recognized as some of Canada's best courses. Central Alberta also offers several excellent courses, including Wolf Creek and Alberta Springs. In the Edmonton area, popular courses include the Northern Bear, Cougar Creek, The Ranch, and Goose Hummock. In Drumheller, the back nine of the Dinosaur Point Golf Course features several very dramatic and spectacular holes.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is a surprising array of restaurants to choose from, especially in the major cities. Tastes range from simple burger joints to haute cuisine in the finest restaurants. Alberta is world renowned for its beef and the steak can be considered the regional dish for Alberta.

[edit][add listing] Drink

The drinking age is 18 - younger than most other provinces in Canada. Alcohol is available from the many private liquor stores and beer/wine stores throughout the province. Unlike other provinces, liquor retail is privatized; however, unlike most American states, you cannot buy alcohol directly in grocery stores although most grocery stores and many convenience stores have attached but separate liquor stores.

[edit] Stay safe

The following areas of Alberta are considered higher risk areas with respect to crime.

• Calgary - walking during night hours should be avoided in the East Village, Victoria Park, and the Bow River Pathway between Eau Claire and the zoo. These areas are prone to drugs and prostitution. There are panhandlers in on various downtown streets.
• Edmonton - an area during northeast of downtown is a prostitution stroll. There is also a stretch of Whyte Avenue that can be a problem given its high bar concentration.

Otherwise, Alberta as a whole is a relatively safe area. However common sense should be applied. Do not leave valuables visible in vehicles and lock all vehicle doors.

Growth in urban centers in Alberta has led to increased traffic. Allow plenty of time to reach a destination, especially during rush hour or during adverse weather.

Alberta's weather is very changeable and volatile, especially in the mountains and the foothills and also during the spring season. Driving conditions can deteriorate quickly. Before going out, always check the local forecast. Road conditions are available through the Alberta Motor Association.

Strong chinook winds in the foothills, especially south of Calgary, can blow a vehicle off the road. Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22 and 23 south of Calgary are the most vulnerable to these conditions, with Highway 22 usually being the worst. Extra caution is advised, particularly for higher-height vehicles such as trucks and SUVs.

Alberta has had cases of the West Nile Virus. In the spring and summer, it is wise to be protected using Deet-based repellants.

The area within and around the mountain parks is bear country. Hikers, hunters and campers in these areas should follow all bear safety tips. Campsites should be kept clean, all dishes properly washed, and all tables wiped clean after a meal. Never leave any food or garbage loose or unattended. Hikers should travel as a group, make noise regularly and stay on established trails. Pets should be kept out of bear country.

Taxis can be in short supply in Calgary and Edmonton at times, especially during holidays, poor weather, and on weekends. It is advisable to phone ahead in the daytime for a reservation if you realize you may need a taxi. In most cases, taxis are easily available at the airports.

[edit] Get out

Though probably the most beautiful province in western Canada, neighboring provinces have much to offer. British Columbia has much great scenery as well, but also world-class cities like Vancouver and Victoria

To the east is Saskatchewan, which is mostly flat grassland, and offers some of the most beautiful skyline. With the more action packed Regina and Saskatoon

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