For my last few weeks in Canada, I decided to travel and explore more of the country to ensure I wouldn’t have any regrets. Since I had the opportunity to move around more, I chose to visit Calgary and Banff in Alberta.
My trip to Calgary
I decided to go Calgary by plane explaned by the extent of Canada, espacially because Calgary is in Alberta and Toronto, in Ontario, wich mean at least 3 413 km. By the way, if you’re flying from Toronto to Calgary with WestJet, here’s a piece of advice: allow extra time for checking in your luggage, as there is usually a long line when the check-in counter opens. However, I highly recommend this airline—it’s much better than Flair Airlines. The price of my flight was CAD 131.
Here’s a refined version of your sentence for better clarity and flow:”After arriving at the airport, I had to wait for the bus. It’s different from Toronto—you need to pay with a ticket, which is more expensive at 4 CAD compared to Toronto’s 3.30 CAD. In Toronto, you can pay directly with your credit card on the bus, but here, you have to scan a QR code.”Let me know if you’d like any further adjustments!
I went there on February 19th, and the weather was harsh—much colder than in Toronto. I enjoyed the beautiful snow during the ride, but the temperature was almost minus 20 degrees. Even my hair froze, and I couldn’t move my fingers anymore, even with my gloves on!
The city of Calgary
Calgary, located in the western part of Canada, in Alberta, is the third-largest city in the country. The city is influenced by the rich heritage of the First Nations, who lived there long before the arrival of the European population in the 18th century.
Known for its stunning skyline, proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and strong economy, it is a hub for energy, technology, and business.
My first day in Calgary
I booked a studio in the southeastern part of the Bow River, so it wasn’t right in the city center, but the neighborhood was lovely. You can find great coffee shops and vintage stores, which create a very attractive vibe, in my opinion. Plus, getting to the center is easy—either by bus or on foot, as it’s only about a 25-minute walk. For two nights, I paid CAD 234.16.
I visited the Central Library, and the most interesting part was a special room dedicated to gardening for children. I also walked along Stephen Avenue Walk, which is near the Calgary Tower. There, you can find the famous shopping center called The Core, which is accessible via the skywalk. Inside, there’s a beautiful green space—a peaceful spot where I stopped to read for an hour.
One unique feature of Calgary is that almost every building is connected by the skywalk system. On the second floor of each building, you can walk through enclosed pathways, and sometimes you’ll find food courts and restrooms along the way. This is especially convenient during the winter when it’s extremely cold outside. I recommend taking a picture of the skywalk map because it’s easy to get lost, and Google Maps doesn’t always accurately track your location. Also, be mindful of the closing times: the doors close at 7 PM on weekends and 9 PM on weekdays.
My second day in Calgary
If you walk through the city, you can admire various types of buildings, some of which are truly impressive—like The Bow and its famous Wonderland sculpture. After that, you can take a stroll through Eau Claire Park, a peaceful spot where you’ll find buildings on one side and, on the other, a scenic view of the Bow River and Prince’s Island. You can reach the island by crossing any of the bridges or pathways. The view was especially fascinating with the frozen river and snow-covered landscape. f you walk through the city, you can admire various types of buildings, some of which are truly impressive—like The Bow and its famous Wonderland sculpture.
After that, you can take a stroll through Eau Claire Park, a peaceful spot where you’ll find buildings on one side and, on the other, a scenic view of the Bow River and Prince’s Island. You can reach the island by crossing any of the bridges or pathways. The view was especially fascinating with the frozen river and snow-covered landscape. f you walk through the city, you can admire various types of buildings, some of which are truly impressive—like The Bow and its famous Wonderland sculpture. After that, you can take a stroll through Eau Claire Park, a peaceful spot where you’ll find buildings on one side and, on the other, a scenic view of the Bow River and Prince’s Island. You can reach the island by crossing any of the bridges or pathways. The view was especially fascinating with the frozen river and snow-covered landscape.
Chinatown is also close to this park, so don’t hesitate to explore the area. You’ll find a lot of traditional architecture, especially at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.
I love spending time comparing nightlife when I travel, and I highly recommend taking the time in Calgary to explore the city views. There are several great spots for photography, but my favorite was the eastern part of the Elbow River.
However, in Calgary, I did experience some moments of fear due to encounters with homeless individuals, especially at night, as a solo female traveler. A large homeless community is located near the Central Library and the Real Canadian Superstore. Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend booking accommodation in this area, where the HI youth hostel is also situated. Many struggle with drug issues and can be very persistent or sometimes unfriendly.
My third day: exploring the Rockies
I decided to book a guided tour to Banff to visit the main attractions with the help of a local expert. I booked through Viator (you can find the link here) for 102 CAD and had the pleasure of meeting Mike, a Canadian-born guide. He shared many cultural and historical insights with me, and we also discussed the current situation in Canada in general.
The first stop was in the Marble Canyon, Mike provided us with crampons since it was a bit slippery. We walked for about 30 minutes to explore the area.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park, is one of Canada’s most iconic natural landmarks. This part of the park was originally an important area for the First Nations of Canada, who believed the nature was in connection with their ancestors, making it sacred. The Indigenous lived there by hunting, fishing and gathering, before the arrival of Europeans. In 1884, the lake was renamed in honor of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the daughter of Queen Victoria. With the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century, Lake Louise became a popular tourist destination. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was built in the early 1900s to accommodate visitors. The cohabitation became difficult, especially after the creation of the Banff National Park, in 1887, the tourism leading to exclure the Indigenous.
Since fifty years, this policy changed, make possible a relationship between the tourism, the gobvernment and the Indigenous. The main purpose is to celebrate the history of this land and the values of the local population. The “Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks” became UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
I was surprised to see people skiing and playing hockey on the lake, but we could also walk on it. During this time of year, everything is covered in snow and ice. In front of the Fairmont Hotel, we admired beautiful ice sculptures.
Yoho National Park
The next stop was Yoho National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. Again, First Nations lived there before the settlement of Europeans. Today, Yoho National Park is famous for its breathtaking lakes (like Emerald Lake), powerful waterfalls (such as Takakkaw Falls), and fossil-rich Burgess Shale, which contains some of the world’s most significant prehistoric fossils. We stoped for our part in Emarald Lake, and Mike told me to come back later, in summer to see the different shade of colours that we can admire during sring and summer.
Banff
Finally, our last stop was in the town of Banff, which was established in 1885 to support tourism. The town is small but lively during this time of year, thanks to skiing and hiking. You can find cafés, bars, and restaurants serving traditional food, as well as various shops. The architecture is similar to that of other ski resorts, creating a charming and enjoyable atmosphere for walking around. In one hour, I made a fast tour of the city.
At the end of this trip, I truly enjoyed experiencing a different side of Canada—the one that everyone dreams of discovering. The Rockies are world-famous, and I felt so proud to see them with my own eyes. I was speechless in front of these breathtaking landscapes.I also really enjoyed talking with locals, something I didn’t have the chance to do as often as I wanted in Toronto. This trip allowed me to explore Canada’s natural beauty, and thanks to Mike, I also learned a lot about the country’s history and culture.
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