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Minnewanka Lake. Banff National Park. Alberta. Canada. by Breev Sergey

With so many beautiful parks, trails and hidden gems around Calgary, there is hardly enough weekends in the summer to visit all of the outdoor destinations that we would like to explore.  My family and I are always looking for new places that we haven’t yet discovered, but there are several favorites that keep us coming back every year. 

The hiking trails in the Bragg Creek area are one of our favorite places to enjoy nature and the outdoors.  The Elbow River and Elbow Falls are just a short distance away.  Although most of the picnic and camping areas were damaged during the flood, the river is still accessible, and the spring water flow has transformed the falls into a spectacular sight,

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is located about 90 kilometers west of Calgary along the Kananaskis Trail.  This is one of the largest provincial parks in Alberta and there are about a dozen regular and back country campgrounds to choose from.  This park is a great place to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.  Grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep and cougars are just some of the animals that roam around in this area.  If you are feeling really adventurous, you can plan a 3-4 day backpacking trip exploring the Northover Ridge and the Kananaskis Pass.

Of course, no summer would be complete without a trip to Banff.  One of our favorite activities in canoeing on Lake Minnewanka.  This glacial lake is located on the east side of Banff National Park.  There are several glacial streams that feed into Lake Minnewanka. Although there are hiking trails that surround the lake, exploring the shore in a canoe gives you a unique perspective and allows you to enjoy the landscape from a different point of view. Riding bikes on the fantastic trails between Canmore and Banff is also something many families enjoy.

Taking a break from our busy lives to enjoy the great outdoors leaves us feeling energized, relaxed and recharged.  We are looking forward to another busy and adventurous summer this year.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Bryon and wife Shirley at the first Alberta Cup Race of this season in Canmore. Shirley won a Silver Medal for her age group in the Skate Category!

I love skiing; it’s great exercise but even more than that, it gets me out in our spectacular winter environment. These events bring out a big crowd ready for a little competition and a lot of fun. Many of the events are family-oriented. In February, there are two events worth noting. Try one out yourself.

Canadian Birkenbeiner Ski Festival

The premier ski event in this area is the Canadian Birkenbeiner Ski Festival. It’s held the second Saturday in February every winter (7th and 8th this year). The event is east of Edmonton at Cooking Lake. It usually attracts about 2,000 skiers and has something for everybody, so bring the family! The five events offer an opportunity to participate no matter what the age or ability. I’ve done this race before. If you’re not up to the skiing, volunteer. There are over 600 volunteers who take part as well. People come from all over Canada to this event. Enjoy the very festive atmosphere, the great skiing and the scenery.

Cookie Race

This year, I’m also considering the 37th annual Kananaskis Ski Marathon, better known as the “Cookie Race.” Yes, there are cookies along the way and yes, it’s a marathon, so lots of cookies. This year, it will be held at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on Saturday, February 22. I can’t imagine how many cookies it takes to satisfy over 600 skiers.

Here are some tips for participating in ski events:

• Show up on time. This means get there in plenty of time to park, suit up, prep your gear and not rush to the start line. It can be nerve-racking to cut it too close and have to rush. Put energy into skiing, not in worrying about the time.

• Dress right; this can be challenging. It’s cold, sure, but you warm up quickly and need to shed layers. Not too cold and not too hot.

• Get the right wax for your skis. If you’re not sure, ask someone or go to a ski shop. The right wax makes a big difference in the amount of effort and energy you have to put out.

I’m looking forward to getting out and enjoying the scenery we are so fortunate to have here in Alberta. Skiing is great exercise and good for the entire family. Let me know if you will try one of the events I’ve mentioned!

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 8% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.