Twice Upon a Time in Alberta

Some trips stick with you. Others pull you back. Our family didn’t just visit Alberta once—we went twice. There’s something magnetic about the way the prairies give way to peaks, the quiet strength of the Rockies, and the charming towns tucked between them. Both times, we flew from Toronto to Calgary, and each visit reminded us that nature has her own rhythm and it’s worth listening to.

Canmore: A Hidden Gem with Front-Row Seats to the Rockies

Forget Banff town if you’re after space, serenity, and a local vibe, Canmore is where it’s at! Nestled just an hour’s drive from the Calgary airport and only 8 minutes from the Banff National Park entrance, Canmore became our home base. It’s postcard-pretty, less crowded, and perfectly placed for mountain adventuring.

We stayed there both trips, and honestly, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Waking up to jagged peaks, strolling quaint streets, and knowing you’re just minutes from alpine magic? That’s the dream.

The Scenic Secret No One Tells You About

Here’s the thing no one really talks about when planning a Rockies trip: there’s a lot of driving! Not stressful driving, scenic driving. The kind where you roll the windows down, breathe in pine and freedom, and gape at the glacier-fed rivers carving their way through ancient stone.

Yes, Banff National Park begins only an hour from the airport, and Canmore is even closer. But if you're aiming for the heavy-hitters like Lake Louise or the towering trails near Mount Rundle (about an hour from the park entrance), you're looking at a couple more hours on the road each day. But trust me: every curve is a postcard!

From Calgary to the Rockies: The Shift Is Real

Calgary itself is an intriguing start—modern, clean, and quietly confident. It’s not trying to be Vancouver or Toronto. It knows who it is. It’s where our plane landed, where we stocked up on snacks, gear, and gas, and then headed west, where the real show begins.

Lessons from the Road (and a Few Tips for Fellow Travelers):

• Stay in Canmore unless you love crowds and pricey parking.

• Plan for drive time. Everything looks close on the map. It isn’t.

• Pack layers. Yes, even in August. The weather flips like a coin.

• Savor the slowness. You didn’t come all this way to rush past the mountains.

• Accommodations don't have AC. The weather is always cool enough that they don't outfit their hotels with one.

  
  

There’s a power in the Rockies, something ancient, humbling, and healing. Alberta gifted us silence in a noisy world, awe when we needed grounding, and family memories we still talk about at the dinner table. Going once wasn’t enough. And I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll be back a third time.

Click here to see what our first day adventure was like!