For a Half Day

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: A 90-minute drive south of Calgary along Highway 2, this strange-sounding UNESCO World Heritage Site commemorates the Blackfoot Natives' ingenious manner of hunting buffalo. Over a period of 6,000-10,000 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 19th-century Blackfoot who met his end by watching the jump from the base of the cliff, directly under the falling animals. An interpretive centre (tel: (403) 553 2731; website: www.head-smashed-in.com) is open daily 0900-1800 in summer and 1000-1700 in winter and is located within the cliff itself. The centre explores the history and culture of the jump and admission is charged. There is no public transportation, but excursions are available from Calgary (see Tours of the City).

For a full-day excursion, visitors can also include a stop at Waterton Lakes National Park or any of the attractions along the ‘Cowboy Trail' (website: www.thecowboytrail.com) in their itinerary.

For a Whole Day

Banff National Park: Located two hours west of Calgary, Banff National Park (tel: (403) 762 1550; website: www.pc.gc.ca) entices visitors and outdoor enthusiasts to explore the stunning beauty and splendour of the Canadian Rockies. Rising from the plains, the dramatic snow-covered peaks abound with wildlife, glacial lakes, forests, rivers and hot springs. The 6,641-sq-km (2,564-sq-mile) park is home to wolves, mountain goats, eagles and grizzly bears, along with the notorious (and sometimes dangerous) elk. As with all national parks in Canada, an entry fee is payable - camping permits cost extra.

At the entrance to the national park, the town of Canmore (website: www.tourismcanmore.com) is a cosy alpine village offering restaurants, craft shops and art galleries. Continue a short drive into the park to the town of Banff, 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 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Lake Louise, an hour further west of Banff, is the true jewel of the Canadian Rockies. Built in 1890, the sister hotel Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits in pristine beauty on the shores of Lake Louise, overlooking soaring mountains and the Victoria Glacier. In summer the aquamarine glacial Lake Louise is popular with canoeists, and in winter becomes both a skating rink and playground for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

The park is famous for its champagne powder skiing at Banff and Lake Louise, and a never-ending kaleidoscope of summer and winter outdoor pursuits. In winter soak in the steaming Banff Upper Hot Springs, ride a gondola to the 2,281m (7,486ft) peak of Sulphur Mountain, skate inside the glistening ice castle on Lake Louise, scale a frozen waterfall, or snowshoe through the forests by moonlight to a surprise stop in an igloo for hot chocolate.  Explore trails through breathtaking scenery while cross-country skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides and exhilarating downhill skiing on powder snow. In summer, superb hiking trails open up as the snow melts.

Coach transport is available between Calgary and Banff and Lake Louise (website: www.sightseeingtourscanada.ca), although in summertime a car may be a better choice, allowing visitors to explore the park as they choose. More information on the region is available from the Banff/Lake Louise Tourism Bureau (tel: (403) 762 8421; website: www.banfflakelouise.com).

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 Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (tel: (403) 823 7707 or 1 888 440 4240; website: www.tyrrellmuseum.com). With over 50 full-size dinosaur skeletons (many of which were dug up out of the Badlands), the museum boasts the world's largest collection. Transportation by car is recommended via Highway 9 and 72 - the museum is 6km (4 miles) northwest of Drumheller. Further information is available from Canadian Badlands Tourism (tel: (403) 823 8100; website: www.canadianbadlands.com).