- Calgary is the gateway to Banff, about 90 minutes away by road
- The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is one of the world's great drives
- UK visitors flying to Canada need an eTA
- National parks need a Parks Canada pass for every day
- Airports
- Calgary International (YYC), about 90 minutes' drive from Banff; Edmonton (YEG) for Jasper
- Best time to go
- Mid-June to September for the Rockies; December-March for skiing
- Type
- Province
Alberta is where most people's image of the Canadian Rockies comes from. On its western edge sit Banff and Jasper, two of the most visited national parks in the country, with glacier-fed lakes, ice fields and abundant wildlife. East of the mountains the land drops into rolling foothills, ranch country and wide prairie, dotted with oil towns and badlands full of dinosaur fossils.
Most UK visitors fly into Calgary and head straight for the mountains, but the province rewards a little more time. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Things to do
- Banff National Park – Banff is home to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the busy but charming town of Banff itself. Expect elk, bighorn sheep and, with luck, bears.
- The Icefields Parkway – the roughly 230km road from Lake Louise to Jasper passes glaciers, waterfalls and the Columbia Icefield. Allow a full day with stops.
- Jasper National Park – Jasper is larger and quieter than Banff, with Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls and some of the darkest skies in the Rockies.
- Calgary – Calgary is a modern city with a good food scene, and in July it hosts the Calgary Stampede, a huge rodeo and festival.
- Drumheller and the Canadian Badlands – the Royal Tyrrell Museum is one of the world's best dinosaur museums, set among eerie hoodoos and canyons.
- Waterton Lakes National Park – in the far south-west, where prairie meets mountains abruptly; a lovely, less crowded alternative.
- Edmonton – the provincial capital, with a lively festival calendar and a large river valley park.
Where to stay
- Banff town – the most choice for hotels and restaurants within the national park.
- Canmore – just outside Banff's park gate, often better value and less hectic.
- Lake Louise – for early starts at the lakes and the Icefields Parkway.
- Jasper town – a relaxed base for the northern Rockies.
- Calgary – for the first or last night near the airport, or for Stampede.
Getting there
There are direct flights from London to Calgary with Air Canada, WestJet and British Airways, taking roughly nine hours, and seasonal routes from other UK airports are sometimes available. Edmonton is reached by connecting flights. British citizens flying to Canada must get an eTA online from the Government of Canada website before travel. A GHIC does not cover you in Canada, so arrange travel insurance.
Calgary airport to Banff is around 90 minutes by car, and shuttle buses run regularly. A hire car is the most flexible way to tour the Rockies, though the Icefields Parkway has very few services and no phone signal in places.
Best time to visit
July and August bring the warmest weather and fully thawed lakes, but also the biggest crowds and highest prices. June and September are excellent compromises, though some higher trails can hold snow into early summer. Winter offers skiing at Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Marmot Basin, frozen lakes and very cold temperatures. Spring is muddy shoulder season in the mountains.
Fill up with fuel in Lake Louise or Jasper before driving the Icefields Parkway, as there is only one seasonal fuel stop along the way.
Top attractions in Alberta
Alberta on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to fly into Calgary or Edmonton?
Calgary for Banff and most Rockies itineraries; it also has direct flights from the UK. Edmonton is closer to Jasper, so an open-jaw trip in one and out of the other works well.
Do I need an eTA for Alberta?
Yes, if you are a British citizen flying to Canada. Apply online on the official Government of Canada site; it is usually approved within minutes.
How many days do you need in the Rockies?
Five to seven days covers Banff, the Icefields Parkway and Jasper at a comfortable pace.
Can I see the Rockies without driving?
Yes. Buses run from Calgary to Banff and Lake Louise, and coach tours cover the Icefields Parkway, but a car gives far more freedom.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
