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Calgary Canada Trip
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Looking to take a trip and visit Calgary around the end of May beginning of June. I know for sure we will make a trip to Banff and definitely want to explore Calgary and all it has to offers. Anyone have any suggestions or places that are must sees/try?
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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If you want to visit the city of Calgary - I can’t help you. I’ve only been up there once, but coming from Florida, we flew into Calgary and drove straight to Canmore, then Banff, and Jasper. Only spent a brief time in Calgary, and was unimpressed (but I was looking for scenic views). On the flip side, Canmore was awesome and the drive from Banff to Jasper is an incredible drive.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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Wouldn't this be a better question for the lavender room?
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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I'm Calgary, and I know there are a few others on here too, so I can try to help.

Like you mentioned, easiest suggestion is Banff and Canmore. If you want to be active and have access to a bike, there are some great places to ride around there too in addition to hiking. Another destination outside of the city would be Drumheller area and the Royal Tyrell Museum.

Likewise, if you're in Calgary, as long as the weather is nice, there is great biking around the town and to the west of the city as well. There is also great river pathway network and green space accessible right from downtown. In the city there are some great walkable neighborhoods with some good restaurants, breweries, etc depending on what you're looking for. Inglewood, Kensington, Beltline. We have a decent zoo, a few museums, and good beef.

Where are you coming from?

Strava
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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Another Calgarian here. Canmore is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Drumheller and the badlands would be another place to visit.
You can PM if you like.

Eric Lagerstrom will have good Canmore / Banff content for the next while.



Travel Alberta video with different music:

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2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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Clearly those that live there have better options than I do, that said - the wife and I do Banff/Kananaskis Country once per year and always make sure to get a full afternoon in Calgary brewery hopping prior to spending a week on the trails. Extremely clean town that is very easy to get around.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [Vols] [ In reply to ]
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I would give about the same advice; Calgary has good things to do, but the mountains are more scenic and Drumheller is cool too.
Here’s another Travel Alberta for you. Makes me homesick every time I watch it. Enjoy your trip!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFCg0tBDck
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [realAB] [ In reply to ]
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Eric and Paula may have to add some fat bikes and snowshoes to their repertoire if they want to keep on putting out their good content based on the weather today. :(

Strava
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [mstewarttri] [ In reply to ]
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Ill be coming from Memphis, TN. I’m definitely interested in riding options. Plan on bringing a bike. My wife and 4 year old will be joining as well though and they won’t care much for the biking. Definitely would like to go hiking and enjoy any great outdoor options. Been watching some of Eric’s videos and other videos on the area. Looks beautiful.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [Vols] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah most people visiting just tend to think of Calgary as just a place to fly into on the way to Banff, but I would definitely spend at least a day or so in Calgary if you have the time.

Strava
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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TNTRI wrote:
Looking to take a trip and visit Calgary around the end of May beginning of June. I know for sure we will make a trip to Banff and definitely want to explore Calgary and all it has to offers. Anyone have any suggestions or places that are must sees/try?

Lots of things to do... but May / June is a little in between season, depending what you are looking for
(ski season is over, but still too much show for many hiking trails, MTB in Bragg Creek should be ready, could be a little chili on a road bike)


Note: canadian boarder is still closed. Unclear if the situation will be resolved by May.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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Hey TNTRI,

I'm a pro based out of Calgary. Happy to point you in the direction of things to do and see. Others have made some great suggestions already, but here are a few of my favourite spots to check out in the area.

  • Highway 1A ride in Banff

    • One of my favourite rides in the world. This summer it was made even better by having the whole highway closed to cars. For the full experience, start in Canmore at the rest area, take the legacy trail to Banff, hook onto the 1A to Lake Louise, and then make the ascent to Moraine Lake, then turn around and come on back. Don't forget the bear spray!

  • Open Water Swim in Quarry Lake in Canmore

    • One of the most scenic OWS spots around. Don't forget your camera! Water will be cold in May/June, but it's not unheard of to get in there with no wetsuit by mid-June.

  • Scotsman/Crescent Hill

    • Great city and mountain views that are easily accessible by vehicle or bike.

  • Prince's Island Park

    • Awesome urban park right downtown. Pick up some take-out at Eau Claire market and have a picnic lunch in the park on a sunny day.

  • Nose Hill Park

    • Largest urban park in Canada. Great views of downtown and the mountains. Solid hiking/MTB trails in addition to some "rail-trail" style walking paths.

The food scene in Calgary punches well above its weight class. It's no Toronto/NYC, but not that far off. There's no real distinct Calgary culinary offering (maybe steak?), but a lot of the ethnic restaurants are fantastic and fly in their ingredients from overseas. You can't really go wrong by checking out the Google reviews for places around here.

A huge perk of visiting in June is the length of the days in Calgary. Daylight lasts over 16 hours in June, with the sun rising around just before 5:30AM and setting just before 10PM. With such long days, it will make it much easier to get a full day of activities in!

Canadian Professional Triathlete

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Last edited by: Ben Rudson: Oct 13, 20 8:55
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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Weather is usually warmed up by that time of year, but it can be WINDY AF.
And conditions at higher elevations for hiking and such can be marginal.

Calgary is meh. Decent place to live, but not much to see.
Well... running along the river ain't bad.
I say take the bypass from YYC around the city and head straight to the mountains.

If you get lucky, Highwood Pass might be clear of snow as it is car free until June 15. Out and back over the pass is 130km(?) IIRC.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are superb. I've been to some beautiful places and they always impress me.

Someone said swim Quarry Lake. In early June? Insanely cold.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [mstewarttri] [ In reply to ]
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mstewarttri wrote:
Eric and Paula may have to add some fat bikes and snowshoes to their repertoire if they want to keep on putting out their good content based on the weather today. :(

Frozen Thunder should open soon.
Someone has to rent/borrow them some skis.

The lower elevation trails should be good without snowshoes for most of the winter around Canmore.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [NordicSkier] [ In reply to ]
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Luckily, we've got a pretty solid collection of skis in Paula's family garage here đź‘Ť

Personally, I think I'll buy/rent a fatbike, as I really enjoyed that last year, but as I look out the window at falling snow, I'm glad we've got zwift and the treadmill as we prep for maybe racing Daytona.

On recommends:

Riding the 1A as we did last week in our video is incredible, but Canmore/Banff really doesn't have a ton of road options beyond that. You can climb Norquay once for fun and ride the loop out to Lake Minnewanka. There's also a fun loop through the golf course area in Banff, but it's really short as well. If you can, I'd bring a gravel bike, and you could maybe ride Spray lake road from Canmore, or the trail from Canmore to Banff. Or bring a road bike and rent an MTB and you'll have plenty of options, including the Canmore Nordic Center trails.

I don't really understand Calgary, but most locals I talk to say it's best feature is that it's close to Canmore/Banff :)

Eric Lagerstrom
Professional Triathlete
https://www.youtube.com/c/ericlagerstrom
http://www.ericlagerstrom.com
https://www.instagram.com/eric_lagerstrom/
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [Eric_Lagerstrom] [ In reply to ]
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Eric_Lagerstrom wrote:
Luckily, we've got a pretty solid collection of skis in Paula's family garage here đź‘Ť

Personally, I think I'll buy/rent a fatbike, as I really enjoyed that last year, but as I look out the window at falling snow, I'm glad we've got zwift and the treadmill as we prep for maybe racing Daytona.

Right on. I forgot about Daytona. I suppose sport specific is more appropriate then.
I imagine logistics would mean coming back to Canada and another 14 day quarantine... ugh.

I'm hoping for early snow as I might be in Canmore area mid-November and hit Frozen Thunder.
Maybe ski up to Moraine Lake as the road usually has enough snow, albeit not groomed in early November.

BTW, my wife loves your videos. She bought me a TTL sweatshirt... so comfy.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [Eric_Lagerstrom] [ In reply to ]
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Eric_Lagerstrom wrote:


I don't really understand Calgary, but most locals I talk to say it's best feature is that it's close to Canmore/Banff :)


Calgary has overall weather that is bearable despite reaching -40. Even though its cold, humidity is low so it's not bone chilling and you get so much sun even in winter. Chinooks give a break to the winters so you can get +5-+10C on some winter days. Yes its cold, it's Canada, but it is not too bad considering the alternative is doing Vancouver where its over 140 days or something stupid of no sun and just rain. I have friends who lived there and say people actually wanted to kill themselves last year when they never saw the sun for half the year. Also its expensive af.

Calgary has a small town vibe but it's a city. Great for outdoorsy activity and as you said, close to the mountains, but there's a massive park in the city that runs through it basically all the way north to south. Lots of quiet roads outside the city for summer riding. The only down side is the lack of pools for the size of the city, but eh, every city has it's down sides.

Food scene here is also really good, we are world renown for beef. If you have a chance, theres also a pretty big coffee scene here; Monogram, Analog, Phil and Sebastian's to name a few. I am not sure if you are heading back into the city but check out Eight Ounce Coffee, they have a show room (might be closed with covid still) but the owner is an awesome dude and they are a primary distributor of both high end coffee gear and beans all over North America; they have some really, really nice shit.

Really enjoy the videos Eric. I also sit on zwift/the trainer way too much living in such a beautiful city.
Last edited by: Aid.dre.an: Oct 13, 20 14:56
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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4 year old... Drumheller is a must...

https://www.instagram.com/...igshid=1haun1323fj94


https://www.cbc.ca/...-hadrosaur-1.5764218

___________________________________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/...eoesophageal_fistula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy
2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [Eric_Lagerstrom] [ In reply to ]
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Ready for tomorrow 🤪. Mother nature is about to throw up snow.

___________________________________________
http://en.wikipedia.org/...eoesophageal_fistula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_palsy
2020 National Masters Champion - M40-44 - 400m IM
Canadian Record Holder 35-39M & 40-44M - 200 m Butterfly (LCM)
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [benleg] [ In reply to ]
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benleg wrote:
TNTRI wrote:
Looking to take a trip and visit Calgary around the end of May beginning of June. I know for sure we will make a trip to Banff and definitely want to explore Calgary and all it has to offers. Anyone have any suggestions or places that are must sees/try?


Lots of things to do... but May / June is a little in between season, depending what you are looking for
(ski season is over, but still too much show for many hiking trails, MTB in Bragg Creek should be ready, could be a little chili on a road bike)


Note: canadian boarder is still closed. Unclear if the situation will be resolved by May.

Unless you are Canadian, or like long odds, I wouldn't bet on being able to cross the border by May.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [The Guardian] [ In reply to ]
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The road border is closed, but you can fly in and rent a car. Probably need to present a quarantine plan, though the number of people with American accents driving rental cars in Tremblant on the weekend suggests this is not super well enforced...

Also, one of the joys of Calgary when I briefly lived there was the fact that it could be warm enough to suntan in the Southwest while it was snowing in Nose Hill park. Pack for anything.

***
Last edited by: M----n: Oct 16, 20 3:57
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [M----n] [ In reply to ]
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M----n wrote:
The road border is closed, but you can fly in and rent a car. Probably need to present a quarantine plan, though the number of people with American accents driving rental cars in Tremblant on the weekend suggests this is not super well enforced...

Also, one of the joys of Calgary when I briefly lived there was the fact that it could be warm enough to suntan in the Southwest while it was snowing in Nose Hill park. Pack for anything.

A bit off topic, but can you provide a link, because all my information says the land and air borders are all closed for nonessential travel into Canada by US citizens (other than travel to Alaska by car). The story might be different in May, but as of today you can’t just fly to Calgary and rent a car if you’re American.
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Re: Calgary Canada Trip [TNTRI] [ In reply to ]
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For cycling, popular rides based out of calgary involve alot of highway 22, highway 8, highway 66 and highway 76. Some ideas:

Starting at the Westside Kings Church parking lot, cycling out to Bragg Creek. From there you can head west to Elbow Falls which involves some good climbing, north along 22 to Cochrane and then back into the city on 1A, or down 762 and 549 through Millarville and back up.

Starting in Bragg Creek (Or Turner Valley, or Millarville), cycle to Longview and up the Highwood Pass, or South of longview on 22 past Chain Lakes, this is great riding.

Starting in Calgary (or Cochrane), ride west on 1A. After Cochrane you can keep going on 1A through the reserve (but between the reserve and somewhere before exshaw there's no shoulder so best at low traffic periods). If you've got the legs Cochrane to Canmore or Banff return is a great endurance ride. You could also turn north on grand valley road or the forestry trunk road after cochrane.

Starting at the Stoney Nakoda Casino, ride on Highway 40 up to highwood pass.

From Canmore, you can ride out to Lake Louise on the bike path + Highway 1A (add in Lake Minnewanka, Norquay, loop through Tunnel Mountain if you want some extra riding). Also Highway 93 itself is brilliant cycling as are the rides to the actual Lake Louise and Moraine Lake but timing with traffic is very important.

Bike paths along Fish Creek Park, Bow River, Elbow River, Glenmore Reservoir, Highway 2 - you can easily get in a 100km ride on these paths although speed can be quite restricted to do the multiuse nature of the paths, but great riding in any case.

Highway 2A between Airdrie and Red Deer is also pretty good cycling, relatively low traffic, huge shoulders and towns ever 20-30km to resupply. Probably best to drive out to Crossfield and start from there though.

Highway 546 out to Sheep River Provincial Park is also good

Drumheller is great for tourism and cycling, the Gran Fondo Badlands routes are pretty good so you could look those up and ride them

Good mountain biking in Nose Hill Park.

For things to do in the city, my favorite neighborhoods are Kensington and Mission
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