Image © Courtesy Travel Alberta

GETAWAY TOUR COMPANIES

On clear days when the Rockies loom over Calgary’s skyline, the call of the wild can be irresistible. To get a customized tour or to simply leave the stress to a professional, check out these getaway tour companies.

At 115 years old, Brewster is the granddaddy of tour companies in the Rockies. Their menu covers just about every activity, including sightseeing tours of Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. But, Brewster’s real claims to fame are their trips onto the Athabasca Glacier, boat cruises on Lake Minnewanka and the Banff Gondola.

Based in Jasper, Sundog Transportation & Tours has two distinct businesses: shuttles between the Calgary International Airport and Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise, and tours of the Canadian Rockies. Their winter activities are heavily centred around Jasper and include snowshoeing, icewalking, dogsledding and snowmobiling.

Image © Courtesy Travel Alberta

CITY SKIING

In Calgary you don’t have to leave the city to go skiing. Canada Olympic Park, one of the main venues of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, still operates a ski hill, as well as a bobsleigh track (open to beginners) and cross-country ski trails. The complex also hosts competitions such as the The Viessmann World Cup Feb 13 to 14, as well as a Sunday brunch in the Naturbahn Teahouse, a cozy venue with a picturesque view over the city.

Image © Photos.com

TIPS FOR GETTING AROUND TOWN

TRAVELLING BY CAR?
• Avoid the rush. Rush hour in Calgary is roughly 6:30 am - 9 am and 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
• Meter parking is generally available on downtown streets Mon to Sat 9 am - 6 pm. But watch for no stopping or parking signs, and parking is restricted for many of the major roads during rush hours (cars will be ticketed and towed). Cost varies; $1.00 to $3.50 an hour during the week; $0.75 an hour on Saturdays. Parking is free after 6 pm, on Sundays and statutory holidays.
• Look for Green P parking lots throughout the downtown core. Cost ranges from $2 to $8 an hour.

PUBLIC TRANSIT
• The CTrain runs approximately every five minutes during rush hour, and every 15 minutes at other times. The train operates from about 4:30 am - 2 am during the week, and 5:30 am - 1 am on weekends.
• For train and bus routes and schedules, visit www.calgarytransit.com
• Cost: adult fare is $2.50, and an adult day pass is $6.75. Youth (6-14) fare is $1.50 and children under six travel free. You can purchase a book of tickets ($21 for 10 adult tickets) at any Safeway, Calgary CO-OP, 7-Eleven or Mac's Convenience store. Tickets/transfers are good for 90 minutes on any bus or train, in any direction. —Tina McFadden

Image © Courtesy Travel Alberta

WHERE TO RUN

This urban trek takes you along the Bow River and Elbow River pathways, from a tranquil bird sanctuary to a commercial hub. For a more detailed description, pick up Lori Beattie’s Best Bike Rides and Trails, $19.95, available at Pages Books.

• Start at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, located at 2425 - 9 Ave SE.
• Head west and pick up the Bow River Pathway.
• Follow the pathway until you reach the Elbow River, which crosses the Bow River in front of Fort Calgary.
• Cross the bridge, then follow the path under it.
• Continue west on the Elbow River pathway.
• Once across the river from Stampede Park, go through the chain link fence, take the uphill path to 25 Ave S, and continue west on the sidewalk.

• When 25 Ave S meets 4 St SW, turn north and discover international eateries, funky boutiques and heritage homes.