Get to know the naturally appealing province of Alberta in autumn where welcoming Canadians, majestic wildlife, cultural cities, stunning sightseeing and outdoor adventures set the scene for epic experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Embrace radical openness in Canada with open spaces, open minds and open hearts on an autumn adventure through Alberta’s enticing cities, epic resorts and resplendent natural wonders.
Radical Openness reflects the storytelling heart of Canada where travellers can connect directly with welcoming locals, diverse communities and the pristine natural environment for an enriching and unforgettable travel experience that is uniquely Canadian in context.
Explore Jasper, Alberta, with Estelle Blanchette of Jasper Food Tours.
Access all areas

Air Canada flies direct from Australia to Vancouver and then onwards to Calgary or Edmonton in Alberta and other Canadian cities via its domestic network. You can also fly nonstop to Vancouver with Qantas from Australia.
It’s also easy to get around Canada by road and rail so you can explore beyond the urban gateways. Car hire is readily available from Calgary and Edmonton.
Or let someone else do the navigating for you. Take the VIA Rail sleeper train from Vancouver to Jasper or Edmonton to wake up refreshed in the Rockies or enjoy the scenic route with Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper or Lake Louise-Banff.
Why you’ll fall for Alberta in autumn

There’s no better time to get among all that Alberta has to offer than the pleasant autumn months where the days are still long and the temps are mild, making it the ideal time to explore the outdoors and walkable cities.
Best of all? There are fewer tourists around in the Canadian autumn, so you can enjoy all the tranquil outdoor appeal of the shoulder season minus the summer crowds.
Don’t forget your annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass for admission to more than 80 sites for 12 months and check individual park access info before you go.
Calgary

Feed your senses on an urban walking adventure in Calgary’s eclectic neighbourhoods. Tap into Inglewood’s arty and craft brewery scene, check out the multicultural markets and shops on East Calgary’s International Avenue or savour a self-guided street art and food tour through Kensington Village with Alberta Food Tours.
Be immersed in Indigenous culture in the city. Go on an Indige-scape tour with Buffalo Stone Woman, featuring 11 Indigenous-guided hikes in and around Calgary to sites such as Tsuut’ina Nation Culture Museum, Grey Eagle – Little Chief Restaurant and Nose Hill Park.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

More cultural immersion awaits at the intriguingly named Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site of the world’s oldest and best-preserved Buffalo Jumps – an Indigenous practice on the North American plains dating back 6,000 years.
Go on a deep-dive into the traditional knowledge of the Blackfoot people during an interactive session with a Blackfoot guide and discover what it was like to be one with the buffalo.
Banff

Located within Banff National Park, the historic mountain town of Banff is the ideal base for Canadian Rockies adventures and cultural experiences. Seek out local gems, such as Surprise Corner, the hoodoos and Bow Falls, on a Guided Banff Tour or uncover the secrets of Cave & Basin National Historic Site’s hot springs and intricate cave systems.
Learn about the Indigenous heritage and pioneering history of the area on a Mahikan Trails Banff Medicine Walk in Cascade Ponds with Cree knowledge keeper Brenda Holder and uncover more stories among the town’s many galleries, spaces and exhibits.
Lake Louise

This sublime turquoise glacial lake needs no introduction – it’s an image that’s most synonymous with Canada. And it’s not the only one. Visit Peyto Lake – one of the most-photographed sites – with Discover Banff Tours and RADventures for sunset selfies of Alberta in autumn.
Autumn is the ideal time to ride the Lake Louise gondola up Mount Whitehorn for sweeping vistas of alpine meadows, wildflowers and foraging grizzly and black bears in their protected habitat.
Almost as iconic as Lake Louise are the bright red canoes. Hire a canoe to glide across the water, framed by the hanging Victoria Glacier above, or embark on hiking, horseback riding and fishing activities plus mountain biking and river rafting in the summer.
Icefields Parkway

With autumn foliage ablaze, autumn is also the perfect opportunity to go on a road trip in Alberta. The 253km-long Icefields Parkway gives you a front-row seat to even more pristine lakes and breathtaking glaciers on the three-hour drive from Lake Louise.
The Columbia Icefield is a standout and the largest in the Canadian Rockies – best viewed from the custom-built Ice Explorer or glass-bottomed Glacier Skywalk.
Jasper

Jasper National Park is full of awe-inspiring wildlife, autumn foliage and crystal-clear lakes that you can easily spy while hiking and biking the trails in Alberta in autumn. Head out on a guided walk and Jasper Hikes & Tours to spot creatures big and small from caribou, elk, moose and bears to birds, marmots and pikas.
Take an even closer look at the natural world with Cree knowledge keeper Matricia on a Warrior Woman Wapakwanis Plant Walk, Make & Take Tour to uncover the hidden medicine in Jasper National Park.
Fast facts about Alberta in autumn:

- How to get there: Air Canada flies direct from Australia to Vancouver with domestic flights available to Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, and the capital, Edmonton. You can also fly nonstop to Vancouver with Qantas or with one stop in Auckland through Air New Zealand or via Nadi with Fiji Airways then onto Calgary or Edmonton with Westjet or Air Canada.
- When to go: September, October and November for autumn in Alberta.
- Did you know? You don’t need to visit Alberta during summer to spot the epic wildlife. Grizzly and black bears are still frolicking in the wild during autumn along with mountain goats, big horn sheep, moose and wolves, to name just a few.
- Another wild fact: Banff and Jasper national parks contain hundreds of ancient glaciers, which are believed to have been around for 45 to 120 million years.
- Fore a fact: Keen golfer? You won’t find a more scenic spot to tee off with golf courses nestled into the Rockies for amazing views. Popular golf courses in Alberta include Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Greywolf in Panorama, Eagle Ranch in Invermere and Kananaskis.
Radical Ambassadors famil wrap

Destination Canada recently hosted 10 travel advisors aka Radical Ambassadors on a curated famil in British Columbia and Alberta in autumn to capture one-of-a-kind content and share the natural wonder of western Canada.
The group enjoyed a range of epic activities on the nine-day Radical Ambassadors famil from 3-12 October 2024, including a two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Vancouver to Banff.
Keep your eyes peeled, as Karryon has a full fam wrap coming your way soon!
Sign up for the Canada Specialist Program

Want to level up your Canada expertise? Join the Canada Specialist Program to learn more about Radical Openness and its diverse landscapes and experiences, gain access to exclusive content and valuable tools to help you promote and sell Canada plus network with other agents via the closed CSP Facebook group.
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