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| Calgary
Skyline at Night1 |
Born of cowboys and the wild frontier back in 1875, Calgary
is a city that today boasts the best of both the old west and a modern metropolis.
Located in southern Alberta,
Calgary is known as the Heart of the New West™ and its deep-rooted western
hospitality nurtures a familiar small town spirit in what is actually a big, bustling,
cosmopolitan city. Gleaming skyscrapers sprout from the plains, proud monuments
to the success of the area's booming oil industry, while clean streets wind between
them, jammed with a diversity of restaurants,
bars
and world-class shops.
As the road leads west from the city, prairie quickly gives way to the magnificent
Rocky Mountains; it's
Calgary's location and weather that inspires a love of the outdoors within its
inhabitants. The biting cold brings with it a snow sports culture that thrives
in the city, while the sunniest summers illuminate Calgary’s beauty. No matter
what time of year it is, Calgarians typically go about their days under the biggest,
bluest skies that stretch over a city that combines the best of a rich, western
heritage, a vibrant urban lifestyle and a unique climate.
THE BEST OF WINTER
Renowned for its chilling winter climes, the city boasts a remarkable saving grace:
Chinook winds. Blowing in a sporadic few days of relief every now and then, these
warming winds can raise mid-winter temperatures to a balmy 15°C (59°F)
. On days that insist on freezing to -30°C (-22°F), Calgarians soldier
on, getting to and fro via the heated +15
– a network of elevated corridors that connect major downtown buildings and
make up the world's longest skywalk system.
Hockey Hype
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Home
of the Calgary Flames, the Pengrowth Saddledome2 |
As the city begins to cool
in preparation for winter, Calgary's pride and joy – the Calgary
Flames – prepare to set the ice on fire during the National Hockey
League season. Beginning in October, the NHL sends Calgarians into a fevered frenzy
as they scream cheers in support of their team at home games held at the state-of-the-art
Pengrowth
Saddledome, centrally located in the southeast of downtown. The energy
inside this impressive stadium is truly electric but for those unable to get there,
live, televised action can be caught at Calgary's most popular sports bar, Melrose
Cafe & Bar. Located on the hip 17th
Avenue, also known as the Red Mile during hockey season, Melrose packs
in hundreds of fans raising the local brew (namely Big Rock Traditional Ale) to
over 150 flat-screen TVs on three floor levels. Getting swept up in the hockey
hype is unavoidable during the NHL season and for those wanting to look the part,
the best place to get Flames jerseys and paraphernalia is at one of the Fan
Attic stores.
Winter Woolies and Gear
Once in the throes of a Calgary winter, one needs the proper gear in order to
survive. The proudly Canadian co-operative, Mountain
Equipment Co-op (MEC), has all the winter apparel one could possibly want
with locations across Canada, including an expansive store in downtown Calgary.
Anyone can become a member of this environmentally-friendly co-operative for a
nominal fee, gaining access to high-quality, durable and sustainable products
that include outerwear, thermal under-layers, fleecy mid-layers, athletic and
sports wear, as well as an unlimited range of outdoor equipment and accessories.
This exciting store is all about the outdoors and is the best browse for clothing
and gear any time of year. Just north of downtown on 14th Street, Ski
West also gets Calgarians' votes for the best place to equip oneself for
winter. As Calgary's largest ski shop it's the favoured destination for an extensive
selection of top brand skis and equipment, including stylish, high-tech ski wear
that looks good both on and off the mountain.
Slippery Slopes
Of course, with world-renowned ski resorts like Banff's
Sunshine
Village and Lake
Louise within a two hour drive from Calgary, the city's residents are
a bit spoiled for choice when it comes to weekend skiing and boarding. However,
for a few quick runs after work, Calgarians are even luckier to have Canada
Olympic Park right on their doorstep. Just a 15-minute drive west from
downtown, off the Trans-Canada
Highway, Olympic Park made a name for itself during the 1988 Olympic Winter
Games in Calgary. Since then, it has continued to play host to recreational skiers
and snowboarders, training athletes and competitions. A great place to learn,
this ski hill offers instructional programs and lessons for all ages and abilities.
Bobsleigh and luge rides are also very popular, and in summer North America's
fastest zipline and mountain bike trails draw visitors to this top site.
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| Canada
Olympic Park3 |
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To wind down after a day out
taming the slopes, pull up a stool and grab a local brew (try the Wild Rose Raspberry
Ale) at Calgary's favourite downtown pub, the Rose
& Crown. Or, for serious après-ski therapy, book a massage
at one of the city's prime spas, Oasis
Spa & Wellness Centre.
Warming Up the Insides
One of the best ways to warm up during winter is by enjoying a hot, satisfying
meal and nothing satisfies more than a fat, juicy steak of grade AAA Alberta Beef.
Buzzard's
Restaurant & Bar serves up some of Calgary's best beef within an extensive
menu of cowboy cuisine that also includes organic, local bison (buffalo) and Alberta
lamb. Centrally located on 10th Avenue, this extremely popular restaurant offers
guests a real southwestern experience with rustic ranch decor and friendly hospitality.
For something a little fancier, The
Ranche is an elegant, heritage experience that is well worth the drive
to Fish
Creek Provincial Park. Set in a restored century-old farmhouse, this fine
restaurant indulges the palate with regional gourmet cuisine, including Alberta
beef, caribou and Rocky Mountain seafood.
THE BEST OF SUMMER
Calgary’s summers can be fleeting, but it is said that the best things come
in small packages. Summer in Calgary is definitely special with temperatures hovering
around 20°C (68°F), one of world’s biggest rodeos, a vibrant city
life that sparkles in the sun, green parks, and the beautiful Bow
and Elbow
rivers that leisurely flow by it all.
The Big Shin-Dig
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Barrel
Racing at the Calgary Stampede4 |
“Black gold” is not
the only thing that has hoisted Calgary onto the world stage. Since 1912, the
Calgary
Stampede has been charging into town every year, bringing the Wild West
to the city in a walloping celebration of cowboy culture. Held in July, Stampede
attracts millions of visitors from around the globe to take part in this world-famous
ten-day hoe-down featuring the best rodeo cowboys in competition, chuck wagon
races, the Midway carnival, “big name” concerts, agricultural shows
and an unbelievable amount more. Although the centrally located Stampede
Grounds are home base, the whole city gets into the spirit and that good
ol' western hospitality is never more apparent. It's not hard to guess the Stampede
fashion statement – cowboy hats can be purchased everywhere during the event
and the best authentic western boots can be found at Alberta
Boot Co.
Shakin’ Those Boots
While things don’t completely slow down along the popular bar trails during
winter evenings, the city’s nightlife attains renewed energy when the weather
heats up. Skin warms to the late evening sun and soothing beverages on outdoor
patios, while inside music pumps blood through the veins of those shakin' it on
the dance floors. For the most fun, don that favourite pair of boots and head
to the western-themed Coyotes
Bar & Dance Saloon. Special and weekly events are always highlighted
by rockin' Top 40 tunes and light shows on the dance floor. For a real Honky Tonk,
head south on MacLeod Trail to Ranchman's
Cookhouse & Dancehall. This traditional western experience can't be
beat with live country music performances and dance lessons. Those with diverse
tastes in music will love the HiFi
Club which features talented DJs and live bands playing everything from
rock n' roll and hip hop to jazz and disco.
The Ol’ West
Summer is a great opportunity to discover this province's fascinating western
past and Heritage
Park Historic Village is the best place to do just that. Open from May
to September, the park takes visitors back through time to experience first-hand
the days of the fur traders, prairie living in the 1880s and a complete recreation
of a 1910 town. Historic buildings and shops, a working steam train and river-boat,
character interpreters and interactive exhibits contribute to an impressively
authentic Old West experience at Heritage Park. The Glenbow
Museum is another key to Western Canada's intrepid past, unlocking history
through comprehensive exhibits and stories. The largest museum in Canada's west,
this renowned attraction is a must-see throughout the year.
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| Floating
Down the Elbow River5 |
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Tubing on the Elbow
Perhaps the prime thing
to do on a hot, sunny day off is to join the crowd floating down the Elbow
River. This distinctly Calgary summer diversion is simply not to be missed
and is surprisingly easy to arrange. From late June through August, Calgarians
drift down this shallow, safe, gently-flowing river on almost anything that floats.
Inflatable beds, large pool toys and more sophisticated inflatable boats are hardly
navigated by their reclining passengers soaking up the rays. Easy breezy. Canadian
Tire is the best bet for a variety of floating vessels to fit all budgets.
The popular launch spot is off Sandy Beach, just below the Glenmore
Reservoir, then just go with the flow to Stanley
Park, or if the current allows, a bit further on to the Talisman
Centre. The most complex planning involved is arranging transport to the
launch spot and from the landing point; having use of two cars is ideal. Life
jackets are required by law although Elbow River is extremely safe, not to be
confused with the larger, faster Bow
River, on which tubing is not a good idea.
Sunday Strolls
Thanks to Calgary's prairie location, peaceful, effortless Sunday strolls go with
the territory. The downtown area, residential suburbs, the river and many parks
can all be reached without much of an upward struggle. Located just north of downtown,
across Bow River, the beautifully historic neighbourhood of Kensington
is perhaps the central city's most popular Sunday stroll destination. Complete
with colourful shop fronts of days gone by, street-side cafes, bookstores, boutiques
and an old festival movie theatre, Kensington allows visitors to take a moment
for themselves, where time becomes irrelevant, treasures wait to be discovered
and worries disappear with a steaming, hot coffee. Just east of Kensington, Prince's
Island Park is another central stroller's paradise. Cleaving Bow River,
this attractive 20-ha (49-acre) inner-city sanctuary features tall, leafy trees,
green grass, winding pathways, park benches, squirrels, geese and ducks. The park
can be accessed from the north via a bridge from Memorial
Drive, or from the south by three bridges linking the island to downtown
and Eau
Claire. Prince's Island is en-route along the Bow
River Pathway, part of North America's most extensive path system.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Travel Alberta; Calgary
Skyline at Night; Calgary, AB, Canada
- Home of the Calgary
Flames, the Pengrowth Stadium; Calgary, AB, Canada
- Canada Olympic Park;
Calgary, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Barrel
Racing at the Calgary Stampede; Calgary, AB, Canada
- Germán Rodríguez
Pazo; Floating Down the Elbow River; Calgary, AB, Canada
