Alberta is often thought of as a destination for world-class skiing in winter and mountain exploration in the summer. But autumn in the province, which lasts from early September until late October, is not to be missed.
Hike amongst the larch trees
Larch trees make their presence known come autumn, turning a golden shade of yellow from mid-September to early October. Uniquely, larches are the only conifers that shed their needles each year, making this seasonal transformation especially striking.
Banff National Park is replete with larch hikes, and Larch Valley is the most well-known of the bunch. Accessing the trail requires a trip to Moraine Lake followed by a 2.67-mile hike to reach the valley. Go early in the day before the trail gets busy and book a spot on the Parks Canada shuttle to get there.
Kananaskis Country is another great place for larch hikes – and it’s often quieter than Banff. Ptarmigan Cirque, Mount Lorette Ponds, and Arethusa Cirque take in stunning mountain scenery and are more accessible options for international travellers. Be sure to dress in layers as the weather can change rapidly, and take sturdy shoes, water, snacks – and bear spray.
Watch for wildlife
With five national parks and a plethora of provincial parks, wildlife is abundant in Alberta. Over 600 species call the province home, including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, cougars, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, bison, and plenty more.
Autumn is an especially great time for wildlife viewing, as bears prepare to hibernate, deer and bighorn sheep bulk up for the winter ahead and many species follow their seasonal migration paths.
The mountain parks are a great place to spot wildlife, too. Head to Jasper, Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain park, for an all-ages wildlife discovery tour with Sundog Tours, or explore Waterton Lakes National Park, which brims with native species thanks to its diverse mountain-meets-prairie habitat.
Marvel at the dancing night sky
Did you know Alberta is where you’ll find the two largest dark sky preserves on the planet? These areas are protected from light pollution and you can see the stars (and possibly even the aurora borealis) twinkle like nowhere else.
Jasper National Park is one of these preserves (the other being Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta), and every autumn the night sky is celebrated during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
Held in October, the festival hosts a roster of free and ticketed events for all ages to enjoy, including presentations from renowned scientists and artists. Advise clients to dress in warm layers and check out the festival’s tips for night-sky photography to capture the dazzling sights up above.
Discover Alberta’s hockey rivalry
Did you know Alberta is where you’ll find two of the largest dark sky preserves on the planet? These areas are protected from light pollution, allowing you to see the stars (and possibly even the aurora borealis) twinkle like nowhere else.
Jasper National Park is one of these preserves (the other being Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta), and it’s also home to the Planetarium in Jasper, where visitors can enjoy immersive astronomy experiences year-round. Every autumn, the night sky is celebrated during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
Held in October, the festival hosts a roster of free and ticketed events for all ages to enjoy, including presentations from renowned scientists and artists. Advise clients to dress in warm layers and check out the festival’s tips for night-sky photography to capture the dazzling sights up above.
Visitors can also continue their celestial exploration at unique locations across Alberta, such as the sky-watching domes at Métis Crossing, which offer cosy, guided stargazing experiences under pristine dark skies.
