Alberta

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Calgary

The home of the Stampede. Home to the Saddledome and home to the sprawling suburbs. Calgary doesn’t have the best rep when it comes to a lot of things. However, the city boasts affordable housing, a yearly event that defines the city and a very close proximity to the great Canadian Rockies. Most of the visitors of the mountains usually go through this city.

I personally think that Calgary is often underrated. No, it is not the 15-minute walkable paradise a city should be. Instead, it is the dream paradise spot for a family looking for an affordable place to live, a lot of space for their drives through the roads, malls, and so much more.

Its got the iconic Bow River flowing throughout the city with its pristine chilling blue mountain waters. Its got a spacious and pretty underrated downtown area. I personally like hanging around Prince’s Island Park and the surrounding areas. One of my favourite views to see the city and even the distant mountains is right on top of Scotsman’s Hill.

Calgary may not have the best public transport system but for any car owner out there, you wont need one. Calgary may not have the best unique businesses but look inside one of its many malls and you’ll find anything you would ever want or need. Calgary doesn’t fit inside a mold of what an amazing city should look like, instead Calgary does things in its own way and could not be any happier.

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Banff is a town I called home for many months. Banff the town and the National Park could be compared to the ever-popular eldest brother who constantly attracts all the spotlight. All the tourists first flock here. All the pictures from the ads are taken from here.

I first visited on a summer holiday and fell in love with the town and the surrounding mountains. I yearned to come back when I left. I have seen this town in all the seasons and everyday has always got something to offer. Whether it be a relaxing day of doing absolutely nothing, laying on a hammock by the river or a never ending sunday funday on one of the crowded greasy floors on Banff ave.

But let’s be for real; the Mountains all around take the spotlight and every corner has got a surreal backdrop of peaks and unimaginable heights. To see it all for the first time, a feeling of “fake” wallpaper background is quite common.

Aside from the parties and the meandering in nature, Banff also provides many different ways to spend your time. Going up the gondola to the peaks of Sulphur Mountain is a great and easy way to have an amazing view of the surrounding areas. Conquering Tunnel Mountain is an initiation for anyone visiting. Taking a peak of the infamous Fairmont Banff Springs from the Surprise Corner outlook is always a nice treat. If thrifting is your jam, I’d heavily recommend Last Temptation Vintage. Along the many different choices of amazing places to eat, Banff also offers many different shops and stores and stays to choose from. Ranging from the priciest hotels, to the Samesuniest hostels, from the hiker’s dream stores of Patagonia, Monod, Atmosphere and more, to the snowboarder hoarder’s paradise of Rude Boys. Banff has got it.

It also greatly helps that the town of Banff is basically the center of all things happening in the National Park. If you’re looking for camping gear, groceries, hiking guides, ski passes, buses, and much much more, Banff is the place to get it all.

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Banff National Park is one of my favourite national parks. I’ve spent many months living, playing and working here. An absolute paradise for any outdoor enthusiast and anyone who’s got eyes. The picturesque mountains and views and glaciers and rivers and canyons and caves and natural abundance is enough to fill one’s soul and tire one’s soles.

Camping, hiking, Wildlife sightings, trekking, rock climbing, alpine summitting, van life-ing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rope-swinging, RV-ing and basically anything and everything an outdoor enthusiast could want can be found in Banff National Park.

Read Here for our dedicated Banff National Park hiking section (*in progress*)

Check out our dedicated Gallery of the Canadian Rockies here!

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If the towns in the mountains are like a family, Canmore is the sister town to the more famous star child town of Banff. Canmore is no pushover; since its not in the National Park boundaries, there is more freedom in this town. Freedom to build and own properties; one could definitely notice a stark difference in buildings and housing when comparing the two towns. The views is also different but its beauty and grandeur is just the same. Canmore has its own iconic set of peaks, is also a popular hub for outdoor enthusiasts and is a gateway to many hikes all around.

One thing that Canmore has over Banff is the amount of beautiful public art and murals on the buildings. If you’re looking for good quality, second-hand equipment, I would highly recommend Switching Gear. This is mostly a consignment and thrift store for outdoor enthusiasts and related equipment. Just across the road is Hello Vintage , a personal favourite thrift store of mine.

If you’re passing by in the area, I’d highly recommend visiting its less crowded streets, quiet neighborhoods, and beautiful sights.

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Jasper National Park and Jasper the town is the cool uncle in Canadian Rockies family. Jasper is around 3 hours up north from the ever popular Banff. Along the way, a road trip could see many many many sights and views just by the road. Arriving in Jasper, you’re treated to a quieter town, moving at a slower pace. Still offering the same grand beauty views of peaks and clear lakes but with less crowds. The town left me an impression of what a sleepy mountain town in the Rockies looks like.

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Kananaskis is the forgotten sibling in this metaphorical family feud happening in Canadian Rockies that I’m trying to piece together. Kananaskis is often overlooked and overshadowed but it is arguably just as good or even better than its counterparts. The area is not considered a National Park so there are less restrictions in backcountry activities. There is still plenty of hiking to be done, camp sites to be made, slopes to ski and peaks to conquer. Some of my fondest memories in the Canadian Rockies were made here.

Coming in from Calgary, you’re first greeted by Barrier Lake‘s impressive size with the surrounding peaks mirroring in its calm waters. Mt. Baldy stands proud and tall in the background forming an iconic sky line around the lake. Going further in, you’re treated to wildlife sights, sharp peaks reaching for the skies, expansive untouched nature and countless possibilities of adventures and memories to be made.

I can argue that I prefer Kananaskis to remain the forgotten sibling. It leaves more room for those who can truly appreciate its beauty.

If you know, you know.

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