Recreation and Tourism
Wherever you choose to study, you will discover countless natural attractions, cultural and sporting activities to enjoy. From film festivals to national parks, museums to sporting events, Alberta has it all.
Travel Alberta, a government sponsored travel organization, has a wealth of information about traveling around the province.
Discover:
Alberta's Natural Attractions
Alberta is home to the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Icefields as well as over 600 lakes, 245 rivers and 78,000 square kilometers of parkland. Alberta is world-renowned for its three national parks, sixty-nine provincial parks and five of Canada's thirteen United Nations World Heritage Sites.
Alberta's abundance of parks and natural areas provide endless opportunities to hike, camp, ski, mountaineer and fish.
Some of the most popular sites are:
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National and Provincial Parks |
United Nations World Heritage Sites |
Alberta's Cultural Attractions
Alberta offers entertainment and cultural attractions for people of all ages. Residents often:
- attend ballets, plays, symphonies, operas and art shows at fine arts facilities;
- frequent shopping districts or malls; and
- explore their community and environment at space and science centres, zoos, museums and other historical sites
Throughout the summer months, a number of outdoor events are held throughout the province, including rodeos, farmers' markets, street fairs, concerts, and festivals celebrating cultures from around the world.
The Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Fringe Festival are two of the largest and most popular.
Alberta's Sporting Attractions
Like most Canadians, Albertans love hockey. Alberta is home to two professional hockey teams, the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, both of which have won the Stanley Cup, the most prestigious prize in the National Hockey League (NHL). Many young people play hockey and it is not uncommon to find a hockey arena in even the smallest of towns.
There are also a number of other sporting events in Alberta. Soccer is becoming increasingly popular and indoor facilities have been built in some cities so that it may be played even during the colder winter months. While in Alberta, international students can also watch a professional game of lacrosse, Canada's national sport, or learn to play it themselves.
Getting involved in an activity is a great way to acquaint yourself with you new schoolmates. Most schools and/or post secondary institutions offer competitive or intramural sports in North American football, basketball, volleyball and track and field, lacrosse and/or soccer.
