"The best ten days in July Calgary is famous for the Calgary Stampede, ten days of cowboys, rodeo events, chuckwagon races, a midway (complete with deep fried Mars bars and corn dogs) and great music. No one’s kidding when they call it The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. By jennifer allford + jean roe"

"Refreshing Cocktails Poolside At Raw Bar, sip a well-made, Asian-inspired cocktail by the heated outdoor pool. The refreshing menu features premium liquors and is the creation of the bar’s award-winning mixologists. The best poolside concoctions include the “Canton Swizzle” (whole lychees and grapes crushed with fresh lime and ginger ale) and the “Lemon Tree” (a Champagne flute of sparkling plum wine, blended with lemon sorbet). Though the patio is open year-round, it might be best to stick to a “Morello Kilauea” (espresso, house-made grenadine, morello cherry, and Canadian spiced whisky) at the cozy indoor bar in months when the thermostat hits -40°F. The poolside patio is open until 7:00 p.m. daily, with lunch service 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m."

"Refreshing Cocktails Poolside At Raw Bar, sip a well-made, Asian-inspired cocktail by the heated outdoor pool. The refreshing menu features premium liquors and is the creation of the bar’s award-winning mixologists. The best poolside concoctions include the “Canton Swizzle” (whole lychees and grapes crushed with fresh lime and ginger ale) and the “Lemon Tree” (a Champagne flute of sparkling plum wine, blended with lemon sorbet). Though the patio is open year-round, it might be best to stick to a “Morello Kilauea” (espresso, house-made grenadine, morello cherry, and Canadian spiced whisky) at the cozy indoor bar in months when the thermostat hits -40°F. The poolside patio is open until 7:00 p.m. daily, with lunch service 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m."

"A Haunted Haunt The Rosedeer Hotel is one of the first buildings you see in Wayne, sitting squat on a narrow piece of land between the railroad tracks and the hills behind. It looks like a movie set, and has been. Running Brave, Shanghai Noon, and In Cold Blood were shot here along with numerous commercials and music videos. A ten-gallon hat riddled with bullet holes wouldn't look out of place. Don't expect fancy cuisine—burgers are the norm, and if you want a steak, you'll be delivered the meat and instructions on how to use the BBQ out back. But people don't come for the food. Wayne is an authentic Western outpost, built before the road and at one time a thriving town, thanks to the nearby Rosedeer Coal Mine. People come in now for photo ops, for a chance to see one of the few remaining holdouts of the Wild West, and because the 100-year-old hotel and adjacent saloon are said to be haunted. But owner Fred Dayman, who was born and raised in the hotel, won't talk about it. Book a room, if you dare, and find out for yourself."

"From a distance, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump looks like any other Canadian Rockies foothill area, but closer inspection reveals a UNESCO World Heritage site that holds 6,000 years of First Nations (native peoples') history beneath its grassy surface. Buffalo used to be plentiful on the great plains, and aboriginal peoples hunted the species for millennia by running them off steep cliffs throughout the foothills. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is the best preserved of these sites. The five-floor interpretive center, which is cleverly disguised in the hillside, is considered a Canadian Signature Experience for how it guides visitors through the area’s rich history chronologically. Open year-round. Entrance from $10. 1-403-553-2731."

"Fairmont Banff Springs Set in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Banff National Park, the year-round Fairmont Banff Springs was the brainchild of Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. On arrival at Banff, the tourism visionary made the canny observation, “Since we can’t export the scenery, we’ll have to import the tourists;” thus, he set about building a string of great railway hotels across Canada. The original wooden hotel that opened here in 1888 burned down in 1926, but was replaced two years later with the grander castle-meets-baronial-Scottish-hall structure that exists today. The public lobby spaces are vast, and there are countless nooks to curl up in with a book where guests will remain undisturbed.With its signature stone walls, turrets, and winding staircases, Van Horne’s gambit paid off: The Fairmont Banff Springs feels for all the world like an elegant and ancient castle, albeit one with all the modern conveniences. Rooms in the main building come with quirky period details such as chandeliers and crown moldings, while those in the Stanley Thompson Wing (the old staff quarters) are more spacious and a solid bet for families—who will also enjoy the kids’ club packed with activities such as campouts, science projects, and arts and crafts. The hotel also has 11 different restaurants, cafés, and bars, with the choices so diverse—from sushi, fondue, and Italian to Canadian steakhouse and southern U.S. barbecue—that guests are issued a food guide upon check-in to help them make the most of the hotel’s offerings. Of course, there are also a wide array of activities to help round out your time between meals, from skiing and rounds on the resort’s 27-hole championship golf course to downtime in the expansive Willow Stream Spa, which features indoor and outdoor whirlpools, a European-style mineral pool, and 23 rooms for therapeutic treatments."

"Opened in 1915 as Tent City—a string of luxury canvas tents along Lac Beauvert, with vistas of Whistlers Peak and Pyramid Mountain—the iconic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge was possibly North America’s first “glamping” site. The destination proved wildly popular, and in 1922 a main lodge was opened, as well as a series of luxury log cabins spread across 700 acres in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bristling with Douglas firs and pine trees, the property sees herds of elk nibbling the grass, chipmunks scurrying through the trees, and even the occasional bear. The 442 rooming options—all of which were renovated between 2015 and 2017—include cozy spots in the main building, fireplace-equipped Junior Suites, and bring-the-whole-family Signature Cabins, all with views across the lake or the forest and mountains. The newly introduced Estate Cabins, located near the golf course, feature a private gated entrance for a more residential feel. Classic lodge-style interior design is the order of the day in the cabins, with wood beams and a combination of earthy and granite tones, while rooms and suites are clean-lined and decked out in fresh white bedding and light wood accents. Play a few rounds on the Stanley Thompson-designed 18-hole golf course—regularly voted among the best in Canada—enjoy scenic walks and mountain hikes, or take advantage of the 10-room spa, which includes a sauna, steam room, and panoramic relaxation lounge. The restaurants celebrate regional flavors and fresh local produce, thanks to partnerships with local farms; don’t miss a sunset drink at The Emerald Lounge & Patio, which overlooks the lake, Whistler’s Range, and the east face of Mount Edith Cavell.Thanks to the picture-perfect views and the family-friendly accommodations, the Lodge is also a popular venue for destination weddings."

"Dancing on a Glacier Standing on the white-blue ancient ice of the Athabasca Glacier in Alberta , Canada , fulfilled a lifelong dream I never knew I had. The Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of ice 6 kilometers long and one kilometer wide, is part of the Columbia Icefields, located at the Continental Divide. While doing my second artist residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Banff National Park, I felt compelled to take an excursion up to the Icefields. Last year, I had come across the tour brochure and rejected it outright, but the idea had stayed with me: I could be an ice explorer. Me! I've been known to say, "I hate snow." I don't like to be cold; therefore, walking on infinite layers of ice didn't seem like me. When my tour group arrived at the base of the Athabasca Glacier, we got into a massive bus that took us down a sheer incline and out onto the ice. It felt like we were on the surface of the moon. The crevices and craters revealed wild streaks of electric blue. I filled my water bottle with water from the gurgling stream. Crisp. It tasted like crispness. The ice on the glacier is said to be as deep as the Eiffel Tower is high, and I was on top of it all. I danced with joy; I danced with gratitude; I danced because I felt like dancing. This could be you. You can drive to the Columbia Icefields, where you can buy a ticket for admission. My tour was through Explore Rockies. By Wsl"

"Sipping Espresso at Duchess Proud pourer of Vancouver 's Matchstick coffee, this well-lit cafe/bakery dares you to come in for just a caffeine boost. Chances are you'll find the Dutchess's pastries—all baked from scratch using natural ingredients—too perfect to resist. Care is taken, from the France-imported Valrhona chocolate to the fluffy meringues."

"Sleeping on Whyte Whyte Avenue is in Old Strathcona, Edmonton’s du jour neighborhood that is lined with locally owned shops, trendy restaurants and bars, and, on Saturdays, the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. Metterra Hotel on Whyte brings hip style under one roof. This boutique hotel has a fire and water theme throughout, including spa-like jetted tubs and bedside fireplaces, along with stunning artwork with a strong earth motif. Just don’t get so comfortable that you forget to go out and explore Edmonton!"

"Best known by locals for its stunning views of the Canadian Rockies (nab a seat by the giant windows to make other diners jealous!), the Bison’s best-kept secret is its addictive dinner and Sunday brunch menus. Chefs Liz and Kirk are geniuses at creating special dishes that show off the region's bounty, like bison carpaccio, venison striploin with maple parsnip purée, and a bison breakfast sandwich with bison sausage, fried egg, and foie gras butter. Ask the servers for help pairing the perfect regional beer or national wine with your order—they know their stuff."

"Saddle Up in Banff National Park Warner Stables might be on the fringes of the booming resort town of Banff, Alberta ; however, even a one-hour trail ride leads far enough from the hustle and bustle main street to feel like the Wild West. Horseback journeys have a long history in Banff National Park and Banff Trail Riders has trips that retrace all the classics. Saddle up for the one-hour Bow River trail ride that traces the Bow River and crosses the Cave and Basin, or trot into the wilderness for a five-day horseback fishing expedition. Cowboy hats and chaps are optional."

"Road Cycling in Jasper National Park When the 2015 Tour of Alberta passed through Jasper, it showed the world what many locals already knew: Jasper National Park is one of Canada 's best cycling destinations and likely the most underrated. Parks Canada is buying into cycling in a big way and the Marmot Basin road is now designated as a Tour of Alberta classic. Signs were recently put in place, counting down the 10-km distance and listing the current road grades. Aside from the Marmot Basin Road, absolute classic rides include the Edith Cavell Road, the Athabasca Falls Loop and the out-and-back to Maligne Lake. Contact the Jasper National Park information centre for more details: +1 780-852-6176"

"Feast Your Eyes at the Art Gallery of Alberta Sprawled over three floors, the recently renovated Art Gallery of Alberta—the oldest cultural institution in the province—maintains a collection that exceeds 6,000 objects. Welcoming and diverse, the AGA houses works from a variety of eras using a plethora of media and attracts top-tier touring exhibits."