Alberta

Alberta is where Canada’s wild beauty takes centre stage: glacier-fed lakes, snow-capped peaks and vast national parks lie waiting to be explored. From the adventure-filled trails of Jasper to Banff’s alpine charm and Calgary’s urban edge, this is the Rockies at their most cinematic.

Covering more than 4,200 square miles of Rocky Mountain scenery, Jasper, the country’s largest national park, offers year-round adventure, from white-water rafting on the Athabasca River to canyon hikes, horseback rides and serene canoeing on majestic Maligne Lake.

The 142-mile Icefields Parkway links Jasper to Banff, passing through an unbroken panorama of glacier-topped peaks, waterfalls and turquoise lakes flanked by spruce and fir forests. A highlight of the route is the Columbia Icefield, where you can ride across the ice in massive all-terrain vehicles and take in the views from the glass-bottomed Skywalk.

The Parkway ends in Banff, Canada’s highest town, known for its vibrant dining and refined hotels. Banff National Park, the country’s first, offers access to Moraine Lake and magical Lake Louise, dramatically set at the foot of the Victoria Glacier.

Just east lies Calgary, a dynamic city with a flourishing arts scene, some splendid parks and many excellent restaurants, including one that revolves around the top of the Calgary Tower.