Alberta is one of Canada’s western provinces that is home to both a diverse population and a world – renowned landscape of lakes, forest, prairies, Rocky Mountains – including glaciers, and badlands scenery. With five national parks, over 100 provincial (and wildland provincial) parks along with six UNESCO sites, there is plenty to see and explore. After living in the province for over 10 years, I am still discovering interesting facts about Alberta – many of which lead to travel.

After co-authoring the book, 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, I can also tell you that Alberta is a nature lover’s destination. Join my husband John as he showcases over 50 fun facts about Alberta.

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Interesting facts about Alberta related to geography

• For those that have never heard of us, we are a province in western Canada in the northern hemisphere. 
• The shape of Alberta is nearly the same as Saskatchewan to the east except it looks like British Columbia bit off our southwest corner.
• Alberta stretches from the 49^th parallel on the southern border with Montana to the 60th parallel, our northern border with the Northwest Territories, a distance of 1200 km (750 miles).
• Our eastern boundary with Saskatchewan is the 110th Meridian west. Our western boundary with British Columbia starts in the north on the NWT border, on the 120th Meridian and goes south about two thirds of the way and then angles down to the east about the 114^th Meridian on the southern boundary, cutting off the southwest corner!
• The longest east – west distance is 640 km or about 400 miles.
• Not trying to start a war here, but wouldn’t it be nice if BC would just agree that our border was the 120^th Meridian so we could have that southwest corner. Then, we could brag about fine Albertan Okanagan wine and get a few more ski hills as well.
• Area wise, we are about 661 thousand square kilometres or about 225 thousand square miles.
• If we were a state in the US, we’d be the third biggest state after Alaska and Texas. 
• In European terms, we are bigger than France although they make better croissants.
• We along with Saskatchewan are land locked.
• The highest point in Alberta is Mount Columbia at 3,747 metres (12,293 feet) above sea level. No bragging rights here because BC and the Yukon have higher peaks.
• Much more air though, on the Slave River where it exits Alberta on the 60^th parallel (on its way to the Arctic Ocean) at an elevation of 210 m (690 feet).
• Alberta has mountains in the west and flat and rolling plains to the east except the Cypress Hills in the southeast that we share with Saskatchewan. The Cypress Hills, 1,468 m (4,816 feet) above sea level, are the highest part of Canada between the Rocky Mountains and the Torngat Mountains in northern Labrador and Quebec which rise to over 1,646 m (5,400 feet) above sea level.
• The northern part of the province is boreal forest with some large lakes and more trees than you can shake a stick at. 
• Alberta has lots of glaciers and water from various glaciers and mountains flow to the Pacific, Arctic and Hudson’s Bay which is connected to the Atlantic (and Arctic Oceans).

Alberta weather

• Travel Alberta says we have 312 sunny days a year. Now that may not be sun 312 days all day long but nevertheless the sun appears 312 days a year.
• Apparently, the hottest temperature recorded in Alberta was 43.3 °C (110 °F) on July 21, 1931, at Bassano Dam.
• On the other side of the equation, it was reportedly -61.1°C below zero in Fort Vermillion on February 3^rd, 1911.
• Alberta is also famous for chinooks. These are warm winds that come out of the mountains and can warm a day by 4.4°C or 40°F in a hour or so.

Parks in Alberta

• We have lots of parks in Alberta! In fact, Banff National Park, established in 1885, was the first one in the country. Since then, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper National Parks which are contiguous to Banff National Park have been added, forming a large area of mountain parks (and they make up one of the six UNESCO sites). When you add in the provincial parks on both sides of the border there is a whole lot of protected land in the Rockies!
• Alberta has five national parks: Jasper, Banff, Waterton Lakes, Elk Island and Wood Buffalo.
• Alberta has more than 100 provincial and wildland provincial parks according to the Alberta Parks’ website.
• Alberta has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites! 

#1 – Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park straddles the Canada – US border.

#2 – Wood Buffalo National Park is in both Alberta and the NWT and is one of the largest land parks on the planet. Notice the word land, as there are some crazy big marine parks.

#3 – Rocky Mountain Parks – only has majestic mountains, spectacular scenery and wildlife.

#4 – Dinosaur Provincial Park where it shouldn’t surprise you if you come across a dinosaur bone or fish bit emerging from the badlands outcrops.

#5 – Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (this is not a word salad, it’s a real name!) where Indigenous peoples drove buffalo over a cliff and recovered the buffalo bodies below.

#6 – The latest edition is Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. It was designated because “the park demonstrates recognition and respect towards the Blackfoot and other First Nations by highlighting its global cultural significance.”

Glaciers and other interesting natural things to see

• Alberta emerged from the ocean bottom during the building of the Rocky Mountains, but it has not been all wild roses (Alberta’s provincial flower) since then. For instance, there have been a few glacial periods where most of the plain, except some parts of the Cypress Hills, were covered by continental glaciers over 1 km thick. And most of the mountains except the tallest peaks were covered in alpine glaciers. The glaciers haven’t all melted, and you can still enjoy seeing or actually walking on them in places like the Columbia Icefield.
• Alberta had large areas of sand dunes although they are now well disguised by a lush green carpet of vegetation. These were probably formed as the glacier was receding and there was lots of loose sand around for the wind to push around. Around Red Deer and east of Vulcan are two areas that come to mind but keep an eye out when you are driving about the plains, and you’ll be surprised how often you see “green sand dunes”.
• Canada’s worst natural disaster was the Frank Slide in southwest Alberta when a huge chunk of Turtle Mountain broke off. It slid down the mountain killing 76 people in the town of Frank on April 29, 1903. The highway now goes through the slide area which is 3 km wide and up to 30 m deep. Sixteen miners were trapped in a coal mine but dug themselves out. Turtle Mountain is closely monitored and one day some more of it is going to slide down. Don’t linger on the highway!

Interesting facts about Alberta with regards to wildlife

• There are no rats in Alberta because they are not welcome in Alberta from a crop perspective. Also, it is not legal to have a pet rat here. Alberta is reported to be the largest rat-free inhabited land area in the world.
• The province has majestic species of wildlife including the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the provincial animal, which at one point roamed well into the plains. Interestingly bighorn sheep run a car washing service in winter when they lick the salt off cars. The service is free, but they are not very thorough.

• Buffalo, moose, grizzly bears, and elk are amongst the larger animals of the total of 587 species cataloged to live in Alberta.
• You may not be surprised that we had mammoths after the Ice Age, but did you know we had camels in Alberta too? Regrettably, both are extinct.
• Apparently, our provincial stone is petrified wood which is almost as confusing as having a bull trout as the provincial fish.
• We do have the largest beaver dam in the world which is 850 m long in Wood Buffalo National Park. 
• If there is anyone else who likes to look at and seek out birds, 437 bird species have been spotted in Alberta. In case you didn’t know, the great horned owl is the provincial bird. Spoiler alert! It doesn’t have horns just feathers.

People and history of Alberta

• As the glaciers retreated, it is only natural that people followed the ice front north. The earliest evidence so far is from Wally’s Beach which is now underwater behind St. Mary’s Dam in southern Alberta. Some artifacts from there have been dated at 13,300 years old and that site rendered over 3,000 artifacts including the surprisingly unexpected, slightly mesmerizing fact that camels lived here.
• Alberta was home to many Indigenous groups through the millennia as archaeological evidence gives us a window into the past including their adaptations to previous changes in climate.
• Tragically, Indigenous populations were decimated by the arrival of Europeans although Indigenous peoples are gaining back their pride and presence in Alberta.
• Alberta, the province, was established in 1905.
• The province was named after a daughter of Queen Victoria – Louise Caroline Alberta. They used her other names too e.g. Lake Louise and the Town of Caroline. 
• Louise lived in Canada as her husband was Governor General of Canada. She was bilingual, a supporter of women’s rights, a patron of the arts but also liked tobogganing, curling, and skating. That’s my kind of Princess!
• Here are some notable firsts in Alberta and by Alberta Women.

1916 – Women were first granted the right to vote in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. 

1916 –Emily Murphy was appointed the first female judge in the British Commonwealth.

1917 – The first women in the entire British Empire to be elected to a legislature were here in Alberta: Louise McKinney and Roberta MacAdams – no relation.

Cities of Alberta

• Edmonton was picked as the capital because it’s the geographic centre of the province.
• Edmonton has the worlds largest indoor mall but unfortunately, we are not mall people.
• As you have seen, Alberta likes to share eg. parks, borders, air etc. but we also share a city as Lloydminster is in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
• The Trans-Canada railway reached Calgary in 1883 and on the way here, they accidently discovered natural gas near Medicine Hat when they were drilling a water well.
• Calgary has a network that is now over 18 km (11 miles) long that has more than 60 bridges that interconnect many buildings downtown. It is called the Plus 15 because most of it is about 15 feet (4.572m) off the ground.
• One more Calgary thing is the Calgary Stampede which is billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. I think nature puts on a greater show but that’s just me. But, the Stampede is fun and you get free pancakes!
• The population of Alberta is now about 4.4 million people of which about 116,000 identify as First Nations People. 
• Alberta has two NHL hockey teams; the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames who are currently working on their golf games so let’s not talk playoffs, especially in 2021.
• We also have two CFL football teams: the Edmonton Elks and the Calgary Stampeders.

Random, irrelevant but fun Alberta fact

• Alberta is only worth 9 Scrabble points. Too bad they didn’t name us Mozambique because that is worth 34 Scrabble points.

Further reading about interesting facts in other provinces

This guest post was kindly written by my husband, John McAdam.

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There is no extra romantic doing the job great than starting to be an au pair in France. Real operate aside, it conjures visuals of strolling along boulevards, stylishly rocking the beret, contemporary, crusty baguette under your arm, wishing the locals a hearty ‘bonjour.’ It is not all this, but it confident is aspect of it, so let us obtain out just what you can assume from getting an au pair in the remarkable nation of France?

What does au pairing in France look like?

Au pairing in France is generally the most immersive way to explore the tradition of the nation and, reward, you get paid out to do it! Residing with a French family and hunting after their children although they perform indicates that you never have to be concerned about the expenses of lodging and foods, all of this is incorporated, even though you may possibly also be cleansing the household and cooking some of the foods. 

You get to working experience day-to-day daily life in France, genuinely immersing your self in its customs and culture and sharpening up your language expertise as you shell out your times interacting with the locals. It is the excellent chance to grow to be a cherished section of a family’s daily life, establish your self-assurance, get out there and examine France like a regional. 

How to grow to be an au pair in France?

There are a wealth of au pair agencies in France and based mostly in quite a few nations all-around the entire world that will enable you get established up with a French loved ones. This is the key component and distinctive companies will charge distinct amounts to established up this placement. Usually, all they will provide will be the placement and all other components, flights, visas, etc, will be up to you to manage yourself. 

Working with World wide Perform & Vacation, for case in point, eliminates all of the further stresses, offering you with a environment-class pairing method as properly as making ready you for your posture. With on the net courses, airport transfers, added accommodation and a distinctive incompatible loved ones rematch, to make absolutely sure you are solely at ease when you get there in France, they are targeted on all of the very little specifics so you really don’t have to. 

Seeking for organizations or platforms that give you self esteem and guidance is crucial for a fantastic operate and travel encounter in France or any place in the globe. 

Demands for turning into an au pair in France

Not everyone can just rock up and come to be an au pair in France. There are pretty specific specifications, which is good more than enough when you are entrusted to look following someone’s small children. Each individual country differs, but to be an au pair in France you will have to: 

• Have 14 times provable boy or girl-caring encounter
• Have a significant college certificate or diploma
• Fulfill french visa prerequisites
• Be a non-smoker (yes, even in France!)
• not have endured from any mental well being concerns or consuming ailments above the preceding two years

If this all applies to you, then you are in! 

Now, if this does not apply to you, there are even now lots of approaches to function and travel, au pairing is not the only way to go. You can take functioning vacations in several pieces of the globe, rocking the ski year in Canada, doing the job in Australia at the great barrier reef, or bossing one particular of the majestic resorts of the Usa. 

You can volunteer, creating a big difference in pieces of the globe wherever the experience is extra adventurous and the perform you do would make a genuine impression on the locals. Aid with turtle conservation in wonderful Costa Rica, assistance train young children who don’t have considerably in the beautiful metropolis of Buenos Aires, or aid preserve the mindblowing Massive 5 in South Africa. 

Of training course, you can educate English all close to the entire world also, basing your self in the clash of ultramodern and super conventional in Japan, or move on these English capabilities to little ones who are determined to find out in Thailand or Korea. If the au pair does not function out for you, by no indicates is the conclude of the line to your operating and touring strategies. 

Now again to au pairing in France. For the host household, they must be able to provide you with:

• At minimum a single youngster underneath the age of 18 to look right after
• An personal space for you to continue to be in
• More than enough time to show up at a language program all through your continue to be
• Willingness to host you for at least 3 months

Jobs and Obligations of an au pair

An au pair could be asked to conduct a vast wide variety of tasks, and the information of these tasks are ironed out in your au pair contract right before signing up for your family members. This legally binding document covers you to make certain that you are not requested to do something above and past, like getting still left on your own with the kids for two weeks though the moms and dads go off to sunshine on their own. 

Common duties for an au pair in France would be: 

• Food Preparing – Making ready foods and treats for the little ones. 
• Early morning Regimen – Waking the small children and assisting them get dressed, fed and completely ready for the day
• Transportation – Taking the young children to their many actions and clubs all over the regional location
• Playtime – Retaining the youngsters entertained and joyful with online games and pursuits
• Washing – Washing and folding laundry for the children
• Homework – Serving to the small children with any homework they might have
• Tidying up – Helping to continue to keep the kids’ place clean 
• Bedtime – Assisting the youngsters get ready for bed

Although not an exceptional record, these are the most common tasks that any au pair can anticipate to undertake all through their time in France. 

How to journey all around as an au pair in France

When having trapped into the job alone is a fantastic matter, we all truly know that touring and experiencing France and the rest of Europe is the real attract. Although you will discover and improve as an au pair, insert to your CV, and blossom as a human becoming, finding out and exploring France is an essential aspect of the expertise. 

The range of France is one of its most attractive features and with an outstanding rail network you are mere hrs away from discovering a fully distinctive side of the place. From stylish, historical Paris, bursting with artwork, to the breathtaking all-natural splendor of the Alps, winding your way by way of majestic valleys, breathing in the crispest air acknowledged to humanity. Examine fairytale Alsace, the opulence of the Cote d’Azur, or uncover the finest rural landscapes in Provence or Languedoc. 

And the joy of France is that it is not just just one state and society that is open up to you. With a shorter flight or practice journey, you can be in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy or Switzerland, to name but a couple. Europe is compact, unbelievably assorted and you will be living right at the coronary heart of it all. 

However, we all know that the finest way to vacation is to genuinely immerse your self and this is what the au pair expertise excels at. You will be staying locally, exploring on a modest scale and embedding on your own into French life. There is also the possible for your family members to take you with them when they choose their summer season holiday getaway, so you get to see a entire distinctive element of Europe on the very same intricate scale, including to the sophisticated attractiveness of your touring encounter. 

Staying Safe and sound when au pairing in France

Rather rightly, protection will be a problem right before you go, on the other hand it has to be pointed out that turning out to be an au pair is just one of the most secure solutions of touring. With your host family as a backup, you have a strong foundation, locals who know the spot well, and a household to return to just about every night. You will get to know your regional space intimately and know if there are places that must be averted. 

It is not only your physical protection that is vital, on the lookout immediately after your mental well being is essential way too. Location up your au pair experience with specialists like Worldwide Function & Travel also implies that you have ongoing aid during your excursion, a focused travel concierge to assistance you with your arrangements and a certain household re-match if you don’t sense like it is operating out with your first loved ones.

Talking about protection, just take some time to browse our information about very long-time period travel insurance policy, it could be useful for your au pairing career in France. 

Financial investment and gains of au pairing in France

3 months in a foreign nation, controlling a house and a loved ones is an superb achievement and we have discovered that it is typically just after returning from this style of journey that individuals make excellent strides in figuring out wherever their everyday living is major them. We know extraordinary wellness care workers, journalists, designers and restauranteurs, all of whom obtained their spark from immersing them selves in the cultures and customs of a further country though au pairing. 

Currently being an au pair seems great when making use of for employment. The volume of accountability you are assuming, in a fully distinctive place with a new language, customs and tradition shows your resilience, your drive to choose challenges and working experience new matters which are all incredibly fascinating characteristics for potential personnel. 

It also boosts your self-self-confidence immeasurably. You will return with the expertise that people all close to the globe are the very same, that you can speak to anybody from a pauper to a prince and how easy it is to hook up no issue how daunting somebody may perhaps appear. 

What to know prior to touring to France

There are a few of genuine, factual things that will support when touring to France for your au pair adventure. The evident types are information of the language, customs and cultural components of France, with the language becoming the most significant. The greatest obstacle you will face will be the language barrier and even though you are allowed time absent from your duties to attend language courses, you must arm you with at minimum the fundamentals before you go. Duolingo, Mondly and Rosetta Stone are good applications to assist you with this merely and cheaply. 

It is also well worth reading into the lifestyle of France as it can, at very first, seem a minimal overwhelming. People’s mannerisms in France may well not be what you are utilised to. Portray them with a broad brush, French folks can appear chilly and indifferent. They might mock you for your flawed language techniques or feel impatient with you if you do not comprehend, but this is all just conditioning and is very considerably surface area deep. When you study to have as thick a pores and skin as the French by themselves you will obtain them to be interesting and welcoming persons, keen to share their adore for their nation. 

We can hugely advocate Global Do the job & Travel, who have been arranging profitable au pair outings globally due to the fact 2008. In that small time, they have develop into one particular of the world’s leading function & journey brand names aiding around 58,000 tourists to switch journey desires into truth. Their au pair procedure is 2nd to none, heading further than most to make sure that you have not a one be concerned when you come to book your cultural immersion as an au pair in France. 

And if you want to look into international locations other than France, there are lots of other European prospects. Au pair in Italy and filling your earth with pizza, pasta and parties. Head to au pair in the Uk, taking time to discover its extraordinary towns and wild, untouched areas. Or find out superb Spain, the lively country the place the parties never get started right until the compact hours of the early morning and social existence is lived out on the streets. 

You can of training course head south and au pair in Australia or New Zealand, giving you time to investigate both (or equally) with out any language problems. The identical could be mentioned for deciding on to au pair in either the Usa or look just after kids in Canada, and all of these fantastic au pair possibilities are expertly dealt with on the World wide Operate & Journey internet site. 

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If you want a stellar hike or backpacking trip, without the crowds, in the heart of the Moraine Lake – Lake Louise area, I’d highly recommend the Lake Annette – Paradise Valley – Giant Steps trail. Many people stop at Annette Lake – 5.7 km in, but then you miss some of the dramatic scenery, along with the option to hike up to Sentinel Pass. However, it’s a 20.3 km return hike to Paradise Valley – too much for many in a day. That’s where the camping option comes in. Spend a night at the Paradise Valley Campground, something you can only book 24 hours in advance.

As many of you know, just getting a parking space so you can hike in the Moraine Lake area is problematic. Because the trailhead for Annette Lake and the Paradise Valley is off the Moraine Lake Road, you’ll be able to access the trail – and shouldn’t have any waits. Read on for all the details.

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Getting to the trailhead

The trailhead isn’t hard to find but it is awkward to get to in summer as the traffic patrol people don’t usually let you make a left-hand turn from Lake Louise Drive onto Moraine Lake Road. Instead, you must drive up at least a kilometre to do a U-turn, perhaps at the pullover where the Kingmik sled dogs start in winter. But if there is any traffic, you’ll have to go all the way up to the Lake Louise parking lot and turn around there.

Drive back down Lake Louise Drive so you can make a right turn on Moraine Lake Road.  You will have to stop and tell the traffic people you are hiking into Lake Annette and the Paradise Valley. You can also present your camping permit for proof. The trailhead is 2.5 km up the road on the right.

Hike details

Round trip distance to Lake Annette – 11.4 km with 250 m of elevation 

Round trip distance to Paradise Valley – 20.4 km to Paradise Valley with 400 m elevation gain

Time needed – 4 hours for the lake, 7 hours for Paradise Valley or overnight

The hike to Lake Annette

Before you set off on your hike to Lake Annette and Paradise Valley, be sure that you have a full can of bear spray that’s accessible – and you know how to use it. There is a sign at the start of the trail suggesting that you hike with a group of four or more but according to my guide on the Eiffel Lake hike, it hasn’t been mandatory for years.

The hike is a moderate one – and straightforward to Lake Annette. Follow well-signed trails, sticking at signed intersections to the Paradise Valley Trail. There are two crossings of Paradise Creek on sturdy bridges before you reach an intersection at the 4.2 km mark. At the second of the bridge crossings, there are particularly good views of the north face of Mount Temple.

From the intersection follow the creek upstream towards Lake Annette. If you went right instead, you’d reach Saddleback after a 4.1 km hike. It’s a pretty pass between Fairview and Saddleback Mountain on the way up Fairview Mountain.

Cross Paradise Creek again at 5.2 km and then hike on a moderately steep trail to reach Annette Lake. It’s a nice place for a picnic lunch. 

Annette Lake to Paradise Valley

Start climbing again from Annette Lake, past the gnarled trees pictured below to reach a large rockslide, 1 km from the lake. The views open to the north across the valley. Make your way through the boulder area on an easy to navigate trail. You’ll reach another intersection at the 8.4 km mark. 

If you take the right trail – which is what we did – you’ll descend to cross a bridged creek. Then follow a trail through pretty larch filled woods to reach the campground, 1.9 km from the intersection. The campground is 200 m past the turnoff to the Giant Steps.

There is an option to climb to Sentinel Pass from the Paradise Valley Trail. It’s an additional 2.7 km but it’s a stiff climb to reach the pass at 2611 m. For comparison’s sake, Lake Annette is at 1965 m. 

Another option adds 1.7 easy kilometres. From the intersection to the Sentinel Pass trail continue on a loop trail for 1.3 km, heading west to get a taste of Horseshoe Meadows. It meets up with the main trail 800 m southwest of the campground. In July, it’s buggy, but this would be a pleasant diversion come mid-August or September.

The Giant Steps

Don’t miss a visit to see the Giant Steps. It’s a quick walk from the campground. You might want to drop your gear and set up your tent first and then return after dinner. A boardwalk takes you over an area of rusty rock  to a lookout at the Giant Steps. Enjoy views all the way to the Lake Louise Ski Resort. The view up the creek is also pretty. 

Camping in Paradise Valley – and how to book

Paradise Valley is the only backcountry campground in Banff National Park – to my knowledge – where you book the campsite 24 hours ahead of when you want to visit. And then it’s by phone. I think it’s because the campground is in a bear corridor, so they close it down if there are any issues.

You can call either the Lake Louise Trails Office at 1-403-522-1264 or the Banff Backcountry Office at 1-403-762-1556. Leave a message with the date you want to do it and the number in your party. A real human will call you back. You can book 24 hours out so call at 9 AM the day before you want to go.

The actual campsite is pretty and there’s a decent amount of privacy between the 11 tent pads. The communal cooking area has several picnic tables and numerous bear boxes. There is also one outhouse nearby. The water source is from Paradise Creek and it’s in a very pretty setting. 

The downside to a summer trip as I found out, is that its buggy and not just a wee bit buggy – but eat as fast as you can and get moving to keep the bugs away kind of buggy. Since the trail winds through pretty larch country, I would recommend a camping trip from late August until about the third week of September. Count on very chilly nights.

A few things to take on this hike – camping trip

If you like paper maps, pick up a copy of Gem Trek Lake Louise & Yoho.

Don’t forget the bug spray.

If you’re camping or you don’t want to carry a lot of water, take a water filter like this easy to use one.

For campers, an MSR Pocket Rocket is a lightweight choice. 

And I always carry a roll of Gear Aid in case I need to make a repair on the fly to my tent, jacket or sleeping pad.

Where to stay in the Lake Louise area

If you want to stay nearby the night before or after, you’ll find plenty of options. It’s best to reserve well in advance.

Near Lake Louise itself, the rustic Deer Lodge is a good choice, especially the renovated rooms.

Paradise Lodge and Bungalows would be great if you could get in. 

Just outside of Lake Louise via a scenic drive on Highway 1A is Baker Creek Mountain Resort – with cabins and fire pits beside the river.

Further reading of hikes in the area

For a look at what this hike looks like dressed in fall colours read Golden Fall in Banff – A Guide to See Larch by Travel Tales of Life.

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