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Excursions

For a Half Day

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump:
A 90-minute drive south of Calgary, this strange-sounding attraction commemorates the Blackfoot Native's ingenious manner of hunting buffalo. For a period of 6000-10,000 years, Blackfoot hunters would herd wild buffalo over a large cliff where they fell to their deaths by the hundreds. They were subsequently butchered for their meat and hides. The attraction takes its name from the story of a nineteenth-century Blackfoot who met his end by watching the jump from the base of the cliff, directly under the falling animals. An interpretive centre is located directly within the cliff, not far from the original jump, and explores the history and culture of the jump. There is no public transportation. The site can be reached by car via Highway 2.

For a Whole Day

Banff National Park:
Located two hours west of Calgary, Banff National Park is both Canada's first and its most popular national park. Created by the Canadian government in 1885 in recognition of the area's natural beauty and wildlife, it offers a spectacular array of alpine beauty and backcountry walks. The park has 6641 sq kilometres (2564 sq miles) of mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, glaciers and hot springs, and is home to wolves, mountain goats, eagles and grizzly bears, along with the notorious - and sometimes dangerous - elk.
The town of Canmore, situated at the entrance to the park, is a cosy alpine village offering restaurants, craft shops and art galleries. The town is also home to the Canmore Nordic Centre, originally used during the XV Winter Olympics. Further west from Canmore is the town of Banff itself, a friendly and picturesque village housing bars, restaurants, shops and the most famous man-made addition to the area, the luxurious Banff Springs Hotel, completed in 1888. Yet further west is Lake Louise. A popular ski area in the winter, Lake Louise offers superb alpine views in summer months. Although it is possible to reach Banff by coach from downtown Calgary and Calgary Airport, a car is recommended as it allows visitors to explore the park as they choose.

Alberta Badlands:
About 140km (87 miles) east of Calgary lie the Alberta Badlands - a moon-like landscape of hills and flats peppered with hardy brush and scrubby grass, situated in the middle of a seemingly endless green prairie. Formed by the waters of the last Ice Age, the Badlands are fascinating in their own right, but what makes the area unmissable is the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology (tel: (403) 823 8422). With over 50 full-size dinosaur skeletons, the museum boasts the world's largest collection, many of which were dug up out of the Badlands. Admission costs C$6.50 and the museum is open daily 1000-1700. Transportation by car is recommended via Highway 9 and 72.



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