Embrace Your Wild Side in Alberta
Alberta isn’t an easy place to pin down. It’s more than mountains, it’s more than prairies, and it’s usually more than whatever you had planned for the day. Because just like the bucking broncos in the region’s rodeos, as soon as you get a handle on this place, it has a habit of taking you in a whole new direction.
That’s what happens in the first episodes of Along for the Ride, Outside’s new travel show hosted by comedian Brooks Wheelan. An avid traveler, Brooks brings his distinct spirit of up-for-anything adventure that’s perfectly suited for Canada’s wildest province. Along the way, he uncovers a few Alberta-approved methods to help you embrace your wild side, wherever your plans—or lack thereof—take you.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
With endless miles of pristine nature in all directions, Alberta is filled with opportunities to get out of your comfort zone and give yourself the best kind of perspective-changing scares—the kind with trained guides.
If you want to start by literally changing your perspective, head to Crowsnest Pass, a hub of scenic yet accessible bouldering and sport-climbing routes. Never climbed before? No problem. Brooks was a total newbie, but the guides at Uplift Adventures had him climbing (kind of) and talking (definitely) like a seasoned vet in no time.
For those wanting adventure on the trail, Waterton Lakes National Park—just across the border from Glacier National Park—is home to one of the most unforgettable hikes in the world. The Crypt Lake Trail requires a boat ride to the trailhead, passes by four waterfalls over its 11.8 round-trip miles, and ends at a stunning and secluded glacial lake. And that’s not even mentioning the best part: Just before the end, hikers climb a ladder, crouch through a tunnel, and traverse a cliffside trail with the help of bolted chains.
If you want an experience closer to your comfort zone—or a “day without scares,” as Brooks calls it—saddle up for a horseback ride with Waterton River Trail Rides. It’s a great way to enjoy the best of all things Alberta—traveling through the foothills in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies. Like Brooks, you might end up “a new horse guy.”
Look for a Lake
True to its name, Waterton Lakes National Park has more than a few spots to experience the alpine waters of the Canadian Rockies. In addition to the three lakes that make up the central chain of this underrated Alberta gem—the Upper, Middle, and Lower Waterton lakes—a patchwork of glacial lakes is scattered throughout the park’s rugged terrain. Check out the 0.6-mile Akamina Lake Trail for a family-friendly hike, the 6.4-mile Bertha Lake Trail for a challenging but manageable affair, and any number of longer hikes, like the 12-mile Carthew-Alderson Trail, for a deeper wilderness experience.
But if you’re planning on jumping in, do it quickly. At least that’s Brooks’ advice: “When you get to a glacial lake, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ll swim in it in a little bit.’ No, you won’t.” Embrace the sweat and take the plunge while you’re still hot. Those who brave the icy waters will be well rewarded with an all-natural recharge, but you don’t have to dive in to enjoy the water here. At Cameron Lake, you can rent a kayak, canoe, standup paddleboard, or rowboat for the day. Closer to the central hub of Waterton Village, you can take a guided kayak tour or a scenic boat cruise.
Stay Somewhere Unique
It isn’t a day of true Alberta adventuring if it doesn’t end somewhere special, and there might not be a better way to enjoy the water than by taking it all in from a room at the Prince of Wales Hotel. This chalet-style hotel and national historic site sits on a point overlooking Upper Waterton Lake, with a towering presence to match the mountains around it, and just steps from the park-town charm of Waterton.
Of course, in a wonderfully wild place like Alberta, there are less conventional ways to stay, too. If the landscape makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook, you can do just that at Charmed Resorts in Crowsnest Pass, home to 16 cottages, each inspired by a different fairy tale.
Out on the prairies, meanwhile, you can trade your gingerbread house for a grain silo and be just as cozy. At Twin Butte Silos on Searpoint Cattle Ranch, you’ll have wide-open views and modern amenities while staying in one of three carefully converted silos. It’s the kind of distinctly Albertan experience you should stay open to, no matter what you do or where you stay. As Brooks says, “Don’t overplan; just be open. Go out, have fun, talk to people.”
As the Government of Alberta’s destination management organization, Travel Alberta drives the growth of the province’s visitor economy, creating and promoting must-visit destinations throughout the province. Visit travelalberta.com to learn more.
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