Provincial Legislature
Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton, the capital city of Canada's Alberta province, is nicknamed the City of Champions. A center of government, business and culture, the city is alive with activity. After much anticipation, Edmonton is excited to announce the opening of the new Art Gallery of Alberta building downtown. Open to the public on Jan 31, 2010, the structure adds a unique contemporary showcase to the city skyline. To see the building is worth a visit alone, however, with Degas and Goya exhibits through May, consider visiting this spring.

Wayne Gretzky, who led the NHL's Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships, earned the title “The Great One” during his hockey career. Featured in the 2010 Winter Olympics to light the Vancouver Olympic flame, Oilers followers will never forget Gretzky's contributions to the team. Oilers Fans, act quickly to catch a regular season game before they end in mid-April.

Edmonton travelers for the 102nd Kiwanis Music Festival have a choice of four Best Western Hotels in the city. Best Western's locations are convenient for the various venues of the 2010 festival, held in April and May. Showcasing students and musicians in over 2500 performances, over nearly three weeks, this is an opportunity to perform, take instruction and witness future music professionals.

Winter snow was slow to get to Vancouver, but not Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. A room at The Best Western Jasper Inn and Suites is in the heart of Jasper's winter wonderland. Choose skiing at Marmot Basin (season ends April 25th), an icewalk in Maligne Canyon or simply relax in a suite with an in-room jacuzzi.

Visitors north in Grande Prairie can attend the 4th Annual Reel Shorts Film Festival near the end of April. The 2010 schedule includes 10 Oscar-nominated short films and films from across the globe. Five regional and another five Canadian films will also be featured. Stay at the Best Western Grande Prairie Hotel and Suites and visit the tanning salon for some Hollywood color.

The Grande Prairie Stompede, held the last week in May is a region favorite. You know Alberta's true sport may not be hockey, but chuckwagon racing, it tops the list of popular stompede events, along with the rodeo, midway and entertainment. The Stompede parade, kicks things off and also marks the beginning of the 2010 Grande Prairie Summer Showdown.

Start training now for the 2010 Canadian Death Race. The 10th anniversary race, held in Grande Cache, Alberta on the August long weekend, is registering racers now. Individuals and teams can enter and there is a mini-extreme kids race. Training camps are held in June and July and are recommended for participants. This 125km, all terrain extreme race is popular, book the Best Western Grande Mountain Getaways and Hotel now for convenient lodging.

The town of High Level, Alberta, founded in 1965 after the discovery of oil and gas, became a strategic service center for the industries. Known as the Gateway to the South it serves as a transportation corridor to and from northern Alberta communities. At the crossroads of highways 35 and highway 58, the Best Western Mirage Hotel and Resort in High Level makes a convenient stop for travelers between Yellowknife and Edmonton or the region's oil and gas fields. With single rooms or suites up to two bedrooms, Best Western can accommodate groups of all sizes.

There is a lot of ground to cover between Edmonton and it's northern Alberta neighboring cities. Destinations, events and activities abound and are waiting to be discovered. Whether you are passing through on business, need a weekend get-a-way or taking a family vacation, there is plenty to enjoy in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.

Calgary Tower
Calgary, Alberta

Alberta, the western most prairie province of Canada, is anchored by the majestic Rocky Mountains to the west. Calgary, the business and cultural center of Southern Alberta is an energetic and vibrant city. A gate way for travelers west to Banff and Lake Louise, two of Alberta's most beautiful and popular destinations. Medicine Hat called the gas city, to the southwest, and Lethbridge are two of Alberta's sunniest and warm cities, on account of both the weather and the people.

Calgary, the largest city in Alberta, hosts its most well know event, The Calgary Stampede, for ten days in July. A world class city, remember, Calgary's 1988 Winter Olympic games introduced the Jamaican bobsled team to the world, and curling was just an exhibition event. The Calgary Tower, remains the world's largest Olympic Torch, as a flame burned at the top for Calgary's Olympics. In honor of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics the cauldron was lit each day a Canadian athlete or team won a medal. That's a lot of fire, with Canadian athletes winning an unprecedented fourteen gold medals.

Winter sticks at Banff and in the Canadian Rockies with excellent boarding and skiing into May. Late season and closing day festivities at Mt Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village resorts add to the fun of spring skiing and boarding. The 7th Annual Big Mountain Challenge is held mid-April, drawing competitors from across the country to compete in a challenging freesking event.

Banff hosts the BoZo Cup, April 30th through May 2nd 2010. This event honors the legacy of a former employee and benefits the Canadian SADS foundation. Featuring three days of head to head racing starting with the Gentle Giant Slalom and includes Pro-AM and Kinder Cup races. A fun event to watch or participate in, while enjoying springtime in the Canadian Rockies. The Best Western Siding 29 Lodge, three blocks from downtown Banff, is convenient for the BoZo Cup event, as well as downtown restaurants and nightlife.

Kids need a change of surroundings? Pack up the family for the World of Wonders, the 11th Annual Canmore Children's Festival, May 21st and 22nd. An hour west of Calgary and 15 minutes from Banff, this award winning event is worth the trip. Begin the day with a pancake breakfast, and set off to enjoy two days of workshops, crafts, games and on-stage performances. Geared for the kids, but moms and dads may well find the day entertaining too.

The Best Western Pocaterra Inn in Canmore is the perfect place to stay. An indoor pool with a large waterslide will keep the kids entertained until bed time. If you need to travel, Best Western Hotels are conveniently located along the Trans-Canada Highway and Alberta Highway 2, and with affordable rates, be safe - stop and rest if you need to.