Vacation rentals in Alberta

Located in Western Canada, Alberta is known for its vast landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty. Bordered by the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the west and gentle, sloping prairies in the east, the province encompasses a dramatic contrast in scenery, home to towering mountains, glacial lakes, vast boreal forests, rolling foothills, fertile prairies, and desert badlands. Keep a lookout for Alberta’s big seven wildlife all-stars — elk, moose, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, bison, cougars, and wolves — or one of the other 587 species of wildlife that call this place home. In terms of city life, Calgary is an up-and-coming metropolis with a unique Western character and a growing underground music scene. Edmonton, for its part, is the provincial capital, and also happens to be home to the biggest mall in North America — so leave some space in your bags for shopping if you’re planning a trip here.

The weather is at its warmest between June and August. This time of year, the larger cities of Calgary and Edmonton also offer annual festivals, including jazz, beer, and poetry events. Summer is peak tourist season and the most popular time to book cabin rentals in Alberta, so expect it to be busier. The spring months offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and excellent conditions for exploring the region’s vast mountains, whether via camping or ambitious day hikes. Alberta also has a thriving winter sport and recreation scene, with opportunities for skiing, snow tubing, and snowboarding. Indeed, the seven-month-long winter season makes the province a well-known destination for snow sports of all kinds. However, expect freezing and potentially inhospitable temperatures the further north you travel.

Lake Agnes

Located in the southwest of the province on the border of Alberta and British Columbia, Lake Agnes is a must for hiking. Beginning at Lake Louise, the Lake Agnes trail takes you past Mirror Lake, which, as its name suggests, resembles a perfectly reflective surface in the early morning light. At the top of Lake Agnes is a rustic, traditional tea house. Built in 1905, the Lake Agnes Tea House has been serving loose-leaf tea and homemade food to hikers for more than 100 years. Take in the gorgeous scenery while enjoying breakfast or lunch overlooking Lake Agnes and the Rockies.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Sink into warm, thermal waters overlooking Mount Rundle at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. A great way to soothe any aches and pains, the outdoor springs are open all year and in the evenings, so you can relax in a mineral bath after a day of wandering the Rockies, skiing, or hiking down to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

Calgary’s Chinatown

Calgary boasts one of the largest Chinatowns in Canada, and over the decades it’s become a real culinary destination for visitors and locals alike. Come with an empty stomach and spend a few hours walking around, snacking on delicacies from the East-Asian diaspora, like soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and bao.