Canada Olympic Park
The Canada Olympic Park harks back to Calgary's shining moment as the host of the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Visitors are able to practise skiing and snowboarding, or try out luge and bobsleigh rides. The 90m (295ft) ski jump towering over the park is the highest point in Calgary. Fly down North America's fastest zipline on a 500m (1,640ft) cable from the ski jump tower at speeds up to 140kph (87mph). From May to September, visitors can speed down the ‘Road Rocket' bobsleigh track at 95kph (60mph) (no experience is required) or take to the 25km (16 miles) of mountain biking trails. Other attractions include the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, which offers interactive video displays and bobsleigh and ski jump simulators.

88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Tel: (403) 247 5452.
Website: www.canadaolympicpark.ca  
Admission charge.

Heritage Park
This 22-hectare (66-acre) historical village and theme park feeds visitors' fascination with the ‘Wild West' by recreating life in the Canadian West before 1914. This working museum comprises more than 150 restored buildings, each functioning as part of a specific type of community (such as a native village, a fur-trading post or a homestead) with characters in authentic heritage costume. Visitors can also ride aboard a steam locomotive or the SS Moyie, an early sternwheeler. In summer, a free pancake breakfast (0900-1000) is included in the entry fee. Brave wintry weather each December for Twelve Days of Christmas, a recreation of Christmas past. The park is otherwise only open from May to 1 September and weekends in September and October.

1900 Heritage Drive SW
Tel: (403) 268 8500.
Website: www.heritagepark.ca  
Admission charge.