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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on November 17, 2022
For a lot of, these beloved moments surrounding a shiny tree within the wee hours of Christmas morning are among the most memorable of our lives. The enjoyment of gift-giving and receiving is difficult to duplicate, and is among the the explanation why that vacation is so particular.
However are you aware what’s even higher than that? When you may flip that treasured reminiscence into extra recollections by giving the reward of expertise. Not solely can or not it’s higher for the atmosphere (by saving this 12 months’s items from subsequent 12 months’s landfill!) however science additionally means that in our endless pursuit of happiness, you (and the recipient) will really be happier by gifting experiences as an alternative of fabric issues.
The nice factor for you is that if you happen to stay right here or are planning a go to to Alberta, there are SO many outstanding experiences to present and obtain! Under are 24 Christmas reward concepts that can carry on giving for years to come back, due to the distinctive recollections that might be constructed.
Distinctive Alberta Christmas Present Concepts
Final Household Experiences
For everybody from toddlers to seniors, there are all types of enjoyable available throughout winter in Alberta. And there’s no scarcity of actions for the entire household.
Take A Fairytale Trip
When you’ve acquired younger youngsters who stay for the fantastical, plan for a fairytale evening away for the entire household in one of many themed Charmed Resorts within the Crowsnest Move. Sleep in a Gingerbread Cottage, Elvyn Cottage, or others that can enable the children to stay out their fairytale desires!
Household Photographs in Banff
There are such a lot of superb picture spots in Banff. And never solely does a household picture shoot present items for everybody (you realize that Grandma desires 10 copies!) nevertheless it additionally could be a actually enjoyable expertise to play within the mountains whereas recording treasured household recollections. Ebook this hour-long personal picture session in Banff as part of a weekend getaway, and have keepsakes that you’ll cherish for years.
Snow Tubing Down a Mountain
As part of that winter weekend in Banff, additionally take pleasure in a day of tubing at Mt Norquay! Not everyone seems to be a thrill-seeking skier or snowboarder, however tubing is actually an journey for everybody, and for many ages (should be at the least 4 years outdated).
Spend a Evening in a Theme Room
It’s nonetheless fairly arduous to dispute the enjoyable that may be had at West Edmonton Mall. From the Waterpark to Galaxyland to countless purchasing and an evening in a themed room on the Fantasyland Resort, there’s – fairly actually – one thing for everybody.
Experiences for the Romantics in Your Life
This record was arduous to slim down! Alberta is made for lovers, and never solely will we encourage sweeping the one you love off their ft with a winter getaway as a Christmas reward, however we’ve paired some lodges with beautiful actions to amp up the romance.
Keep on the Springs
After all, our first go-to is a weekend at Fairmont Banff Springs. Not solely is the resort a historic attraction by itself that oozes romance, however staying there at the least as soon as in your lifetime needs to be on everybody’s bucket record. Add to it this personal horse-drawn sleigh trip, and your beau might be bragging about this weekend for years to come back.
Skate on the Lake and Sleep within the Chateau
And right here’s #2 in your bucket record that you may make occur this Christmas season – plan a keep at Chateau Lake Louise! Whereas there, plan a flowery spa day with the one you love, or guide a 30-minute personal picture session to memorialize that point you lived like royalty (if just for a number of days).
Spa and Keep in Silence
Mount Engadine Lodge is a real gem set within the beautiful nature of Kananaskis. Get cozy in a cabin or strive one in every of their glamping tents – both means we’re positive that you just’ll love this all-inclusive keep that features regionally sourced substances and household desk dinners. Whereas within the space, guide a while to snuggle up on the Knordic Spa, or absorb a stargazing tour – each will you should definitely convey you nearer collectively!
Expertise an Genuine Alberta Ranch
Mix ranching and luxurious with a keep at The Lodge at Thanksgiving Ranch. Situated on the doorstep of the Rockies close to Pincher Creek, your romantic actions are constructed proper into your keep. Get out on horseback, snowshoes, or fats bikes to discover this lovely space, then return to benefit from the many facilities of the lodge at evening.
Sleep in a Dome or Yurt
Get in on among the distinctive stays which can be popping up round Alberta! Spend a few nights at this yurt in Bragg Creek, in this dome within the boreal forest close to Wetaskiwin, or if you wish to reward an expertise to take pleasure in later in 2023, strive the brand new geo domes at Elk Island Nationwide Park. You don’t want additional actions for these stays – simply luxuriate within the distinctive lodging!
Experiences for the Foodie
Alberta’s culinary scene has definitely exploded prior to now decade, and an entire province of foodies has been borne together with it! There are a few distinctive meals experiences we wish to spotlight, but in addition don’t neglect {that a} particular evening out in town for {couples} or pals who like to dine collectively is a superb reward thought. Give them the reward of extraordinary meals and an evening to recollect (and perhaps by in an Uber reward code in order that they get round safely)!
Get a Style of Jasper
Spend half a day roaming the streets of Jasper and sampling the food and drinks of the small mountain city. This small and intimate strolling Jasper meals tour lasts three hours and also you’ll go to 4 completely different eating places with a beneficiant meals and beverage pattern from every. Plus, you’ll study a bit one thing in regards to the city and its historical past. Be sure you put on stretchy pants!
Self-Guided Meals Excursions
Alberta Meals Excursions provides an array of how to expertise the meals scene in Alberta. From self-guided excursions at numerous scorching spots throughout the province to deep dives into some intriguing locations, your folks or household will love this opportunity to study from true foodies.
Dine in Prince’s Island Park Calgary
There are such a lot of nice eating places in Calgary, however we’ll eternally advocate an outdated favorite within the River Café. Located proper on Prince’s Island Park, its cozy really feel will invite your family members to luxuriate over their meal for hours. After that, a fast drive to Main Tom may have them hovering atop Calgary (fairly actually, at 40 flooring about Stephen Avenue Place) whereas sampling a powerful away of drinks.
Wine and Dine Underneath the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights Eating Expertise is again on the U of A botanical gardens. Spots on this distinctive and charming expertise (eating exterior in a transparent dome!) bought out quick final 12 months, so don’t miss your probability to present this one-of-a-kind eating journey.
Craft Brew Tour in Edmonton
Edmonton actually has it happening with its craft beer scene. On this Edmonton Brewery Tour, visitors might be shuttled round to a few completely different craft breweries the place there might be behind-the-scenes excursions and samples of the best beer. It’s an ideal introduction to the standard craft beer scene in Edmonton.
Pattern Canadian Fare in Banff
Ship them to the mountains to dine on particularly Canadian eats like sticky bison quick ribs or Alberta beef tartare at The Maple Leaf, within the coronary heart of downtown Banff. From there, invite them to a post-dinner cocktail and spend a while having fun with the small-batch, award-winning spirits at Park Distillery.
Eat Native in Lethbridge
Want a present for pals in southern Alberta? Lethbridge’s latest fine-dining expertise at Bourbon and Butter lives as much as the hype. With an ever-changing menu of phenomenal meals, we’re positive they’ll be keen to make use of the reward certificates any time of the 12 months. Subsequent, ship them to Water Tower Grill to prime off their night with cocktails whereas overlooking the glowing metropolis from the historic tower. One other (extra festive!) choice can be to additionally go for tickets to Nikka Yuko Japanese Backyard’s spectacular winter lights show.
Dinner and Cocktails in Downtown Edmonton
In Edmonton, get them a present certificates to Woodwork (and you should definitely advocate that they pattern the brussel sprouts). From there, ship them just some kms away to Clementine to cap off their evening for post-meal cocktails.
Experiences for the Adventurer
When you’ve acquired an adrenaline junkie or outside fanatic in your life that’s arduous to purchase for, fill their stocking with the reward of journey! There are, after all, hundreds of choices (that is ALBERTA in any case), however listed here are our picks to get the concepts churning.
Snowshoe On Prime of a Mountain
Your adventure-loving member of the family or good friend will wish to brag to everybody that they went snowshoeing on the prime of the world! After taking the Sunshine Village Gondola, they’ll strap on some snowshoes and be guided on this true backcountry expertise, all in opposition to the backdrop of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.
Go Underground within the Rat’s Nest Cave
In the event that they’ve by no means spent their day crawling in an underground cave, then that is the reward you wish to give! They’ll deal with the Rat’s Nest Cave close to Canmore and be challenged to climb, crawl, and slide by the cave to achieve a crystal-clear pool full with stalactites and stalagmites to admire.
Discover the Ice Bubbles
One of many coolest phenomena you’ll discover in Alberta is the bubbles on Abraham Lake. The natural matter discovered on the backside of the lake produces methane fuel throughout the decomposition and when the lake freezes, these gases are frozen earlier than they will attain the floor creating bubbles suspended within the ice. Take the personal 2.5-hour Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles tour, which features a information bringing you to the perfect spots to see the bubbles, plus they’ll outfit you with boots and ice spikes (you’ll want them).
Take an Ice Stroll By way of a Canyon
Jasper is spectacular at any time of 12 months, however in winter it actually shines, partially as a result of Maligne Canyon (one of many deepest within the Canadian Rockies) freezes over and opens up all types of distinctive experiences. Marvel on the unbelievable formations as you stroll with crampons alongside the ice ground. The Maligne Canyon Ice Stroll is among the should issues to do in Jasper Nationwide Park.
Climb an Ice Wall in Jasper
If simply taking a stroll by the Maligne Canyon isn’t sufficient for the adventurer in your life, then how about getting the blood flowing by climbing an ice waterfall in Jasper Nationwide Park. There are three completely different spots that the tour will convey you to relying on the climate – Maligne Canyon, Tangle Falls, or Fringe of the World.
No matter the place the tour goes, the one you love will expertise and achieve perspective of the park in spots that aren’t accessible to most guests. (This expertise is geared in the direction of newbies who wish to study all about mountain climbing and all of the technical gear one wants is included. All of the attendees have to do is put on correct winter clothes.)
Be a Pilot for a Day
Not all adventures should be outside, and an opportunity to strap in as a fighter pilot on the Altitude Flight Simulation Centre in Calgary would possibly simply make headlines as the perfect reward of the 12 months. The recipient can fly in WW2 aerial fight atmosphere, expertise what it’s prefer to be in a “canine combat”, and even simply see if they’ve what it takes to be a business pilot of a Boeing 737.
Snowshoe and Star Gaze on a Darkish Sky Protect
Ebook a snowshoe and stargazing expertise within the superb Elk Island Nationwide Park, simply east of Edmonton. As a member of the Beaver Hills “Darkish Sky Protect”, the evening stars gained’t get any clearer than this, and it’s excessive time for the northern lights to come back out to play, too. Examine right here for extra particulars.
Take pleasure in! And Merry Christmas!
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