Matador's Ultimate Guide to Alberta

Stunning nature and chic urban areas that you'll never want to leave ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Matador's Guide to Alberta]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Alberta Hi all, Alberta stands apart from other Canadian provinces for many reasons. It’s home to not only one but two major cities, along with Canada’s first national park and some of its best outdoor adventures. Even many lifelong residents have barely scratched the surface of what to see and do in this Canadian province. Whether you start in Calgary and travel north or start in Edmonton and travel south, here’s how to plan an epic trip to Alberta. This week, Matador explores Alberta, Canada. [Let’s dive in](. [EXPLORE ALBERTA](  GET INSPIRED [Lake Louise, Banff]( Banff Is Most Beautiful in Winter, and You Don’t Need To Ski To Love It Banff is better in the winter, in part because of the legendary slopes but also because it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful and quite tranquil to boot. You don’t have to be a skier to have a memorable trip to Banff in winter. Here’s the breakdown, including where to rest your head afterward. [READ MORE]( [Calgary cityscape]( Why You Should Add a Night in Calgary To a Trip To Banff Calgary is a city that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It doesn’t see nearly the visitor numbers of Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal. The jumping-off point for many of the four million annual visitors to Banff National Park, this city is a cowtown that’s grown up and found its footing among the country’s modern skylines.  If you’re heading to Banff, here’s why you should spend a night in Calgary en route there or back. [READ MORE]( [Banff]( The 7 Best Canadian Towns for a Long Weekend Getaway From Seattle Alaska Airlines and WestJet/Delta fly nonstop between Seattle and Calgary in 100 minutes, and then you’re just an hour away from the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. [READ MORE]( [Edmonton]( Why You Should Visit Edmonton on Your Next Alberta Trip Many use Calgary as their gateway, not ever making it to the provincial capital of Edmonton, a three-hour drive north up AB-2. As locals are quick to call out, this is a mistake. With unusual malls, expansive parks, multicultural festivals, and quirky museums, Edmonton is a vibrant city that stands apart from other urban hubs in Canada. [READ MORE](  NATURE + ADVENTURE [Peyto lake view]( Why Banff Should Be the Base for Your Next Backcountry Adventure You can embark on your own enchanted journey here, stepping away into the solitude of North America’s most pristine wilderness, pack on your back and map in hand, and quickly escape from the grind of city life. The best time to do this is in winter, when the road-tripping RVers and international sightseers have gone home, and in spring, before the hordes of tourists arrive. [READ MORE]( [dog sledding]( The Best Winter Activities You Can Do in Banff (That Aren’t Skiing) There are many ways to enjoy this area in the winter that don’t require a lift pass and allow you to experience the national park in a different light. From traditional winter pastimes like ice skating or tobogganing to unexpected thrills like descending into the icy heart of the Canadian Rockies, these are the best winter activities you can do in Banff — that aren’t skiing. [READ MORE]( [Canadian Rockies]( 20 Photos That’ll Put the Canadian Rockies at the Top of Your Bucket List Here are 20 photos of the area taken by Marta Kulesza and Jack Bolshaw from In a Faraway Land that will hopefully inspire you to hurry up and come visit. [READ MORE](  FOOD + CULTURE [Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise]( The 6 Best Hotel Bars To Warm Your Soul After a Day on the Slopes When you’ve had enough of the cold and snow, retreat inside to the hotel’s Lakeview Lounge, which looks out onto the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, and Victoria Glacier. Fairmont is known for its excellent cocktail menus, and Lakeview Lounge is famous for its classic cosmopolitan. [READ MORE]( [Edmonton Art Scene]( Destination Art: Explore Edmonton With Kyle Huber Edmonton, Alberta, has a cutting-edge art scene that embraces arts of all disciplines. Kyle Huber, a photographer and visual designer, and his friend Tommy Lundberg team up with local Annaliza Toledo, a graffiti artist and muralist, to explore the Edmonton art scene and the Silver Skate Festival. Watch their experience on video here. [WATCH NOW]( [night life in Calgary]( The Ultimate 7-Day Nightlife Guide To Calgary Calgary's exploding population means there are plenty of sophisticated people with disposable incomes looking to blow off steam when they’re not working. And while that means the city’s got some high-priced entertainment options, you don’t necessarily have to break the bank for a night on the town. Here's a guide to the best that Calgary has to offer on any night of the week. [READ MORE](  TIPS, ADVICE + DEALS [Airbnbs in Banff]( The Best Airbnbs in Banff for a Magical Winter Ski Trip Getting the most out of Banff means choosing the right accommodation, whether it’s a cozy B&B or a luxurious chalet. It’s not always cheap, but it is always worth it. These are the Banff Airbnbs you’ll want to keep on your radar this winter. [READ MORE]( [Fairmont]( A Study Found the 10 Hotels With the Most Beautiful Views Around the World Are you surprised that Alberta, Canada, is on this list? Yeah, we aren't surprised either. Check out where this famous (and luxurious) hotel ranks. [READ MORE]( [Epic Stays TikTok](  [Facebook](  [Twitter](  [Youtube](  [Instagram](  [Tiktok](  [Pinterest]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2022 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States Â