| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
Straddling two mountain rivers, the Bow and the Elbow, the city of Calgary rests in a deep river valley where the great plains to the east start to buckle and toll on their way to the Canadian Rockies. Calgary has come a long way in a relatively short period of time: From its beginnings as Fort Calgary, an outpost of the Northwest Mounted Police, in 1876, the city has evolved in just over 130 years to a bustling, dynamic urban center of more than a million souls, and a center of international commerce. The 1988 Winter Olympic Games helped put Calgary on the international map, and its legacy has been one of enduring tourism and a noticeable bump in visitors seeking some of the nearby natural splendor and outdoor activities to be found in the Rocky Mountains. Its stamp on the city is one of enduring high-level athletics, as well. Much of Canada's Olympic team training takes place in Calgary, thanks both to its legacy facilities -- the University of Calgary enjoys state-of-the-art athletic facilities that are the equal of any in North America, to say nothing of a full-sized, covered skating oval, thanks to Olympic investment -- and its high altitude (the city sits almost 3,500 feet above sea level, making its thin air ideal for building lung capacity). But despite some Calgarians' protestations to the contrary, this is an oil town, first and foremost. More than 90% of the country's oil, gas, and energy business is right here, as are more than half the coal companies. C
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | The city of Calgary has only been incorporated since 1904, but it is estimated that the Bow River Valley has been inhabited for the last 10,000 years. At the end of the last Ice Age, the ancestors of the present-day native tribes made their way across the Bering Sea from Siberia, traveling down through Alaska before settling in the Rocky Mountain foothills. There they formed the Blackfoot, Sarcee, Blood, Stoney and Shaganappi nations, and subsisted on the seasonal migrations of American buffalo herds. Their way of life remained relatively unchanged until the late 1870s, when Europeans hunted the buffalo to near-extinction. With the buffalo gone, the natives began trapping beaver and other fur-bearing mammals for the Hudson's Bay and North-West Trading companies, who set up trading posts in the Bow Valley and at Rocky Mountain House to the northwest. The local furs were especially prized by designers in Paris and New York for their richness and quality, and commanded high prices from the traders. This lucrative market lured opportunists from the United States, who began selling cheap bootleg whiskey to the traders and native trappers. The resulting anarchy inspired the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to dispatch officers in 1894 to build Fort Calgary and restore order. Meanwhile, farmers were beginning to move into the fertile Alberta prairies. The first settler in the area of what is now Calgary was a cattle rancher who started a small farm near the junction o
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| When To Go (Source: Fodors) | Top | From June through September you're likely to encounter more festivals and the greatest number of open lodgings (some close seasonally). Spring and fall months offer a more tranquil experience for travelers, and September can be particularly rewarding, with a combination of warm weather and some autumn foliage. Although winter can be cold, it's also a magical time to visit, with plenty of fluffy white snow and clear starry night skies that provide good views of the northern lights—visible from mid-August to early April. Winter is also ideal for outdoor sports like skiing, pond skating, or dogsledding.
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There By Air Calgary International Airport ( +1 403 735 1200 / http://www.calgaryairport.com ) offers service on numerous airlines. Its terminals house the following airlines: Alaska Airlines ( + 1 800 426 0333 / http://www.alaskaair.com ) American West Airlines ( +1800 235 9292 / http://www.americawest.com ) Air Canada ( +1 800 776 3000 / http://www.aircanada.ca ) American Airlines ( + 1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com ) Canadian North ( +1 800 661 1505 / http://www.canadiannorth.com ) Continental ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com ) Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com ) Jetsgo ( + 1 866 440 0441 / http://www.jetsgo.net ) Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com ) QuickAir ( + 1 800 551 7845 / http://www.quikair.ca ) United ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com ) US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com ) WestJet ( + 1 800 538 5696 / http://www.westjet.com ) Zoom Airlines Inc ( +1 866 359 9666 / http://www.flyzoom.ca ) Calgary Transit ( +1 403 262 1000 / http://www.calgarytransit.com ) offers service from the airport to destinations throughout the city. Shuttle services are provided by Allied Limousine ( +1 403 299 9554 ), Ambassador Limousine ( +1 403 299 4910 ), Air Linker Limousine Service ( +1 403 250 8300 ), and Limojet ( +1 403 863 5268 ). Rental Cars Avis ( +1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com ) Enterprise
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | A lack of entertainment is never a problem in Calgary. Even though it's known more for its sense of bawdy adventure than refined good taste, there's still an activity to get anyone's blood pumping. As soon as you mention Calgary, most people immediately think of the noise, dust and excitement of the Calgary Stampede, but there is much more to the city. From the world-renowned sports facilities to over 4,000 restaurants of every nationality and culinary discipline imaginable to a vibrant performing arts community, Calgary provides enough entertainment choices to stave off any sort of boredom. Sports Pengrowth Saddledome and McMahon Stadium are Calgary's two largest sports venues, and home to the Calgary Stampeders CFL team and Calgary Flames NHL hockey team. For a unique football experience, drop by McMahon Stadium on any chilly autumn Sunday to see rabid fans, wearing nothing but bathing suits and body paint, as they cheer on the Calgary Stampeders amidst driving sleet and hail. Impervious to cold, such hardcore cheering squads often brave -10° Celsius weather, and fueled by a healthy supply of cheap beer, will remain outside for the three-hour duration of the game. After hosting the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the city gained attention for its excellent athletic facilities, and became a destination for world-class athletes. At 4,000 feet above sea level, the high altitude and thin mountain air enhance training and attract athletes from all over
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