When to fly
Summers in Calgary are typically warm, with temperatures up to about 23 degrees Celsius. The majority of the rainfall occurs during this period so make sure you pack clothes suitable for the weather.
If you book your flight for between June and August, you can experience the many festivals which take place, such as the Calgary Folk Music Festival and the Calgary Stampede, both taking place in July. The Calgary Folk Music Festival features over 50 international artists who perform over 100 concerts in the Prince’s Island Park to daily audiences of around 13,000 people. As well as taking in the diverse music and the forested scenery, you can also visit the interactive family area, taste some global culinary delights and sip a cold beer under the tree-shaded beer garden. The cool and relaxed atmosphere, of this 4-day festival, is sure to appeal to all ages. Promoted as the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’, the Calgary Stampede is North America’s premier rodeo and western festival. During this event you can expect to see a whole host of events including a rodeo, derby, grandstand show and parade.
The weather during autumn can make it a pleasant time to visit. September is particularly rewarding with warm days and beautiful fall foliage appearing slowly.
The winter months are cold and experience snowfall, with temperatures on average dropping as low as -13 degrees. Due to the climate and location, Calgary is a great place to head to during winter, especially if you’re a snow sports lover, as it is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. After stepping off your flight to Calgary, you can easily get to Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore, the ski resorts, in just a couple of hours by heading west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Lake Louise Ski Area is one of the largest ski areas in North America, with over 4200 skiable acres. This is the perfect ski destination for groups and families as there are a variety of beginner, intermediate and expert runs which go down from the same ski lift.
Destination overview
There’s more to Calgary than oil, cowboys and beef. The southern Alberta city, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, has grown from pioneer settlement to cosmopolitan city in the space of 120 years. Visitors will find that the city has a thriving music scene – traditional and modern – and Canada's third-largest Chinatown. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the central area and an added bonus is the absence of a provincial sales tax.
Calgary hasn’t grown too far from its roots however. The world-famous Calgary Stampede celebrates its heritage. Fort Calgary, the 1880s North West Mounted Police post in Inglewood, encompasses a historic park, and even the Pengrowth Saddledome, home of NHL's Calgary Flames, the WHL's Calgary Hitmen and the NLL's Calgary Roughnecks, which is shaped like a saddle.
Calgary’s real story is the great outdoors. Fish Creek Park, in south Calgary, is Canada’s largest urban park, three times bigger than Stanley Park in Vancouver. Within a couple of hours’ drive is Banff National Park and Lake Louise, Canada's first national park, a mecca for winter sports and nature enthusiasts.