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An image of a young woman watching rock climbers scaling a cliff above the Grassi Lakes in Canmore, Alberta - Grassi Lakes hike.
The Grassi Lakes hike is a fun family hike near Canmore, Alberta that leads to beautiful lakes, Photo by Greg Olsen
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

10 Best Easy Hikes in Kananaskis

Some of the best easy hikes in Kananaskis lead to waterfalls, mountaintops and glistening lakes. Kananaskis is a year-round outdoor paradise that runs along the edge of Banff National Park and includes some of the prettiest scenery in the Canadian Rockies. It is a vast recreation area with many incredible hiking trails, so it was difficult to pick a top ten list. There’s a hike for every level of hiker in Kananaskis County and everyone has his or her own idea of what classifies as an “easy hike.” We’ve included some amazing family-friendly hikes on this list – everything from a stroller-friendly lake loop to a short and steep summit hike. If you have suggestions or comments about any of …

Debbie Olsen
View 10 Best Easy Hikes in Kananaskis
An image of a couple taking in views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches on the Larch Valley hike.
Views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches are the highlight of the Larch Valley Trail.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Larch Valley Hike – Have a Magical Autumn

The storied Larch Valley Trail is the signature larch hike of the Canadian Rockies and with good reason. Snow dusted mountain peaks and golden yellow larches make for one of the most beautiful hiking experiences on the planet. It gets crowded during peak season, but it’s worth braving the crowds to hike this iconic trail. Here are some tips for how to hike Banff’s most popular trail in peak season.

Debbie Olsen
View Larch Valley Hike – Have a Magical Autumn
An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Jasper Icewalk – Discover Maligne Canyon in Winter

Hiking the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park is an incredible experience in any season, but it’s particularly special in winter. When the canyon freezes, you get the opportunity to see frozen waterfalls and other incredible ice formations. It’s nature’s artistry at its finest. It’s wonderful to walk along the snow-covered trails near the canyon’s edge, but a Jasper icewalk lets you walk on the frozen Maligne River and see the ice formations close up. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Jasper Icewalk – Guided or On Your Own I …

Debbie Olsen
View Jasper Icewalk – Discover Maligne Canyon in Winter
An image of a couple standing in front of the frozen Star Creek Falls in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.
The frozen falls are just one of the highlights of the Star Creek Falls ice walk. Photo by Heather Davis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Star Creek Falls Ice Walk

There’s something magical about seeing a deep craggy canyon from the ground up and the Star Creek Falls ice walk lets you do that and much more. It’s a chance to see the power of erosion from an entirely new angle. You technically have to walk on water to get the view – which in summer, spring or fall is impossible. That’s what makes winter so special. When the creek is frozen, you can make your way carefully along the ice taking in the geology and the incredible ice formations that showcase nature’s artistry. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a couple standing in front of one of the Grassi Lakes - Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails
An image of a couple standing in front of one of the Grassi Lakes – Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Winter Hikes & Snowshoe Trails Near Canmore

Midway between Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, the charming town of Canmore makes a great base for exploring the Canadian Rockies in winter. It’s a destination that absolutely sparkles when the snow falls. One of the best ways to enjoy the frosty season is to get outside and enjoy Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails. There are plenty of wonderful pathways and trails both inside and outside Banff National Park to explore and the scenery can’t be beat. Here are some suggested Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails outside the national park. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission …

Debbie Olsen
View Winter Hikes & Snowshoe Trails Near Canmore
An image of a female moose and a calf crossing a river along the Maligne Lake Road in Jasper National Park, Alberta - Jasper Wildlife Watching
An image of a female moose and a calf crossing a river along the Maligne Lake Road in Jasper National Park, Alberta – Jasper Wildlife Watching
Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Virtual Zoo & Wildlife Tours for Canadians Stuck at Home

With schools closed across the country and parents and children at home, getting out to visit a zoo or another wildlife attraction simply isn’t possible. Fortunately we live in an age where a wealth of information is available online. In this case, “If Mohammed cannot go to the mountain, the mountain must go to Mohammed.” Here are some great virtual tours of zoos, wildlife and other animal attractions for Canadians. Check out these webcams and make plans for an in-person visit later. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Related: Check out our post …

Debbie Olsen
View Virtual Zoo & Wildlife Tours for Canadians Stuck at Home
An image of a couple holding a sturgeon in a river.
An image of a couple holding a sturgeon in a river.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Fraser River Sturgeon – How to Catch a 50-Year-Old Virgin Sturgeon

“This one’s a virgin!” our guide Chad pronounced as he scanned the body of the 39-kg (86 pound) white sturgeon we had just pulled out of the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia. Fortunately for the fish, he wasn’t referring to sexual status, but to the fact that it had never been caught and tagged before. When I asked him to estimate the age of the massive fish, Chad said he figured it was about 50 years old. Our guide carefully examined the fish, recorded several measurements and then placed a tiny electronic PIT tag just under the skin using a special needle. Then we gently lowered the fish back into the water and watched it swim away. There are …

Debbie Olsen
View Fraser River Sturgeon – How to Catch a 50-Year-Old Virgin Sturgeon
An image of a brunch plate in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
An image of a brunch plate in Jasper, Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, On a Budget, Where To Eat

Jasper Brunch – Best Food and Coffee Restaurants

Brunch is the perfect meal for those of us who prefer dining a little later in the morning. It is not breakfast and it isn’t lunch either – it’s a little bit of both. The word itself is a portmanteau generated when you put parts of two words together to create a new word. When you splice the “br” from breakfast with the “unch” from lunch, you get the word “brunch.” The word “brunch” first appeared in print in a Pennsylvania newspaper in 1896, so the idea has been around a long time. On a recent visit to Jasper National Park, we spent several days exploring the best spots to enjoy a Jasper Brunch. There are affiliate links in this …

Debbie Olsen
View Jasper Brunch – Best Food and Coffee Restaurants
An image of the Edmonton downtown skyline.
An image of the Edmonton downtown skyline.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Things To Do, Travel Tips

The Best Edmonton Museums for Families

Alberta’s capital city is a fantastic place to experience the arts, culture and history of the prairies. Edmonton museums and art galleries provide memorable learning experiences that inspire imagination, introduce new ideas and allow a family to learn and grow together. On top of all that, modern museums are a lot of fun. After a weekend family escape in Edmonton, we asked our 3-year-old granddaughter what she liked best about the trip. We thought she might talk about the water park she visited, but she said she liked the museum visit best. We were surprised and pleased. Appreciating a museum is a first step to becoming a lifelong learner. Here are our picks for the best Edmonton museums. There are …

Debbie Olsen
View The Best Edmonton Museums for Families
An image of the Medalta Potteries site in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada - Things to do in Medicine Hat.
An image of the Medalta Potteries site in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada – Things to do in Medicine Hat.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Things To Do, Travel Tips

Incredibly Cool Things to do in Medicine Hat

We had three days. Even though that isn’t much time, my husband and I managed to find a ton of fun things to do in Medicine Hat. There are many unique attractions, restaurants, breweries and activities to enjoy in this little oasis on the prairies. Some are popular attractions and others are real hidden gems. With an average of 330 days of sunshine per year, Medicine Hat is purported to be the sunniest city in Canada. Next time, we’re going to stay longer. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Golf & Stay Packages …

Debbie Olsen
View Incredibly Cool Things to do in Medicine Hat
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