Advertorial • April 2015
Six adventurous ways to explore Calgary
Calgary, Alberta is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies – and the place to go for a high-adrenaline break. And with British Airways running non-stop daily flights from London Heathrow, there’s never been a better time to visit
Watch the cowboys at the Calgary Stampede
Want to watch some real cowboys in action? Head to the Calgary Stampede – an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July. Billed as ‘the greatest outdoor show on earth’, the ten-day event attracts more than one million visitors each year and features stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions and a parade. Of course, the rodeo is the main attraction – especially as there’s more than $2m to be won by the competitors.
Walk on a glacier
Want to get closer to the Columbia Icefield Glacier? The Glacier Skywalk features a 400-metre cliff-edge walkway that extends along the Sunwapta waterfalls. For the best views, head to the glass-floored observation platform, which stands at 280 metres and overlooks the glacier-formed valleys and falls below. There are guides at each station to answer questions.
Go white-water rafting
Whatever your ability, there’s a river to suit you. For family trips, try the Kananaskis River 45 minutes west of Calgary. For older children and adults, head for Horseshoe Canyon, with its big waves, optional cliff jump and spectacular scenery. For those looking for something even wilder, try Kicking Horse River with its Class 4 rapids and soaking waves. Book a session with Chinook Rafting.
Climb mountains
If you’ve always fancied mountain climbing but lack confidence, this is your chance to brave the heights. Opened in June 2014, Banff Norquay’s Via Ferrata is a series of ladders on the side of a mountain, which you explore with a guide and an anchoring system of cables. The half-day Ridgewalker route takes you up the Norquay cliffs to climb the Memorial, Sunrise and Vista buttresses and cross the 30-metre suspension bridge.
Take a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer
For an adventure that requires less physical effort, take a trip on Canada’s most famous train, The Rocky Mountaineer. Start your journey in Jasper – the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies - and travel through the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide to Kamloops, taking in the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo mountains as you go. After a night in a Kamloops hotel, your journey continues west towards the coastal city of Vancouver. Highlights of this leg include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon.
Try mountain biking
With more than 190km of mountain bike trails, cycling is an excellent way to explore Banff National Park. Rides here will take you through sub-alpine forest, past glacier-fed lakes and under Banff’s most iconic peaks. There are routes suitable for all abilities, from those who are content to glide along scenic roads to cycling enthusiasts eager for a rocky, root-laden challenge.
British Airways runs non-stop daily flights to Calgary from London Heathrow
This article has been tagged Adventure, Travel Tips