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Medicine Lake, Alberta

Alberta & The Rocky Mountains

The breathtaking jewel of Canada's natural world

Alberta & Rocky Mountains holidays

Introduction

It’s hard to imagine a place more beautiful than Alberta. A land of soaring mountains, deep turquoise lakes, wildlife-rich forests and majestic glaciers, it’s home to two of the world’s oldest national parks – Jasper and Banff.

Alberta's national parks

It’s these spectacular swathes of wilderness that form many people’s first impressions of this uniquely beautiful province. Connecting it all is the Icefields Parkway, a 232-kilometre highway that traces the line of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide, cutting through broad, sweeping valleys as it links Jasper and Banff with the vast expanse of the Columbia Icefield and the deep blue-green of iconic Lake Louise.

Moraine Lake and mountains, Banff National Park, Alberta
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

Alberta through the seasons

Summer in Alberta brings with it the chance to explore on scenic hikes, bike rides, kayak paddles and white water rafting adventures, while wildlife tours might introduce you to the likes of black bears, grizzlies, wolves and coyotes. For an altogether different summer experience, journey east across the prairie to the barren, rock-strewn landscapes of the Alberta Badlands. Perhaps take time to visit Drumheller and the UNESCO-listed Dinosaur Provincial Park, explore the remarkable Red Deer River Valley, or journey to Alberta’s southern borders for a closer look at the province’s unique aboriginal culture. Then, as winter sets in, the deep snows arrive in the west, with Banff, especially, host to some of the world’s best alpine skiing.

Badlands of Alberta, Canada
Badlands, Alberta

Edmonton & Calgary

Lastly there are Alberta's cities – the provincial capital, Edmonton, and Calgary, host to the self-proclaimed ‘greatest outdoor show on earth’. Each July, the Calgary Stampede brings together the world’s finest and most famous cowboys to battle it out in chuckwagon races and one of the richest rodeos on earth. It’s a fun-packed festival set against a backdrop of fairground rides and the best of Calgary cuisine.

Calgary Stampede

 

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Top itineraries in Alberta & The Rocky Mountains

Banff National Park

Winter in Alberta's Rockies

8-day tailor-made holiday from £1,885 pp incl. flights

Based in the pretty town of Banff, this tailor-made holiday includes a host of winter activities, including snowshoeing, guided ice walks, husky sledding, sleigh rides and ice skating. There's also plenty of free time for those who want to hit the slopes.

Alberta, Badlands

Alberta's Buffalos and Badlands

13-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,655 pp incl. flights

Compare the snow-capped beauty of Banff with Calgary's cowboy culture and the prehistoric landscapes of Alberta's Badlands on this tailor-made fly-drive.

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Alberta’s Summer Sensations

10-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,365 pp incl. flights

This summer escape introduces you to the exciting cities of Calgary and Edmonton, followed by a journey along the spectacular Icefields Parkway to visit Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff.

Yellowknife Northern Lights, Canada

Northern Lights in Yellowknife & the Rockies

8-day tailor-made holiday from £2,085 pp incl. flights

This tailor-made winter holiday sees you travel to north to the remote city of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories and Canada's most reliable location for spotting the Northern Lights.

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Top places to stay in Alberta & The Rocky Mountains

Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff

Contemporary hotel

This rustic mountain-style lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful setting just outside the centre of Banff.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Historic hotel

Built originally as a base for outdoor enthusiasts over 100 years ago the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise boasts one of the most memorable settings in the Rockies.

Pontoon, Moraine Lake Lodge

Moraine Lake Lodge

Contemporary lodge

Moraine Lake Lodge is tucked into a peaceful valley and is almost entirely self-sufficient, working in harmony with the beautiful landscape in which it sits.

Three Bars Ranch

Three Bars Guest & Cattle Ranch

Accommodation

Experience the ultimate horse-riding holiday in the heart of Canada's spectacular Rocky Mountains at Three Bars Guest & Cattle Ranch, located between the Banff and Glacier National Parks.

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Where to go in Alberta & The Rocky Mountains

Maligne, Lake Alberta

Jasper

The mountainous wilderness, snowy peaks and beautiful lakes of Jasper National Park are among Canada's most beautiful. Explore it all on self-drives and luxury rail journeys, enjoying summer hikes, kayak paddles and, in winter, world-class backcountry skiing.

Canoes on Lake Louise, Banff

Lake Louise

Clear waters surrounded by snow-topped mountains make the impossibly scenic Lake Louise an unmissable part of your Alberta trip. Truly the ‘Jewel of the Rockies', it's famed for its canoeing and surrounding hiking trails and, come winter's chill, skiing, dog sledding and ice skating.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff

Canada's first national park is a land of wild beauty, whose landscape of towering peaks, plunging canyons, creaking glaciers and pretty alpine meadows is home to some of the country's most iconic wildlife.

Chuckwagon Racing, Calgary Stampede

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and sits between the foothills of the Rockies and the Prairies. Calgary travel offers a great escape from the mountainous wilderness of nearby Banff National Park.

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When to go to Alberta & The Rocky Mountains

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The peak summer months (June to August) see the highest visitor numbers, especially during the Calgary Stampede, which takes place each July. Winters (November to March), when skiing conditions are at their prime, can also be busy. If you're hoping to make the most of the great outdoors, but prefer to avoid the crowds, head to Alberta in April or October, when you'll miss the coldest weather and benefit from the best prices.

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Alberta & The Rocky Mountains articles

  • Albert Canyon - Rocky Mountaineer

    All aboard: Canada's Rocky Mountaineer

    Canada is a country made for train travel, given its size and variety of landscapes that travellers can enjoy from the rails. Rocky Mountaineer offers some standout itineraries for great luxury rail journeys throughout Canada's West.

  • Barrier Lake, Alberta, Canada

    Alberta: Home of the Canadian Rockies

    From soaring mountains and glittering lakes to dinosaur fossils and the world's greatest rodeo - Alberta has it all, and plenty more besides.

  • Castle Mountain views from Rocky Mountaineer

    Rocky Mountaineer - North America's Greatest Rail Journey

    Wexas rail specialist Alison Nicolle reports back from the Rocky Mountaineer’s signature journey – a weeklong itinerary that winds up through the Rockies to link Vancouver and Calgary.

  • Chuckwagon Racing, Calgary Stampede

    A Visitors’ Guide to Canada’s Calgary Stampede

    The Calgary Stampede is easily the most popular rodeo event in the world, but it’s so much more besides: a celebration of Western heritage and First Nations Indian culture, a thrilling theatrical production, Canada's largest music festival, and, for ten days, a city in its own right.

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Meet our Alberta & The Rocky Mountains experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0635

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0635 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected