Explore Calgary & the Canadian Rockies Host of the 59^th COA Annual Meeting

Minutes from adventure in an unspoiled mountain playground, Calgary is clean and safe; a big city without big city problems.

Adventure

Get away to a world of adventure and freedom. Spring ski in the high country and golf in green valleys on the same day. Walk, jog or bike along winding paths that follow sparkling rivers. Float over the city in a hot air balloon on a warm summer morning. Go trail riding, heli-hiking, fishing, touring or whitewater rafting under bright blue skies.

Attractions

Throughout the year, shopping, theatre, galleries, symphony, ballet, concerts and dazzling nightlife are close at hand. Chase a dragon through Chinatown. Gasp at the almost-touchable images of a giant-screen movie. Be a kid again at a children's festival, or jump to jive at a jazz festival.

Explore prairie history at a pioneer settlement, museum or fort. Spend a day at the zoo or an international-calibre equestrian facility. Tour Winter Olympic sites. Try your luck at a casino. Cheer on professional hockey, football and baseball teams.

Do it in a Day

Relax at mountain resorts in Kananaskis Country, Canmore and Banff National Park. Travel back in time at a world-famous dinosaur museum or peer over a cliff at an ancient buffalo hunting ground.

Howdy Pardner!

Kick up your heels in July at "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth", The Calgary Stampede. Join the crowds cheering on the cowboys at "The Half Million Dollar Rodeo." Enjoy an outstanding horseback riding experience any time of the year or visit an attraction dedicated to the history of the ranchers and ranch hands.

Western Hospitality

Calgarians will treat you with warm western hospitality during your vacation, convention or business meeting. Relax in the pleasant surroundings of a wide selection of accommodation ultra-modern suites, quaint bed and breakfasts, or moderately-priced hotels and motels

Family Time

Bring the kids. Stay an extra day in Canada's child-friendly city. There's plenty you can do to turn that business meeting into a family adventure.

Culinary Delights

Choose from hundreds of restaurants guaranteed to suit every taste and every budget. Sample a wide variety of international cuisine or chow down on Alberta beef. Browse through a boutique in a unique retail district and find that one-of-a-kind treasure or gift.

Unbeatable Value

U.S. visitors will find their American dollars go further in Canada, by about 40 per cent. Everybody wins in Alberta because there is no provincial sales tax.

What's the weather/temperature like?

Calgary and area has a moderate four-season climate, with large variations in temperature between seasons and from one locale to another. Summer days in the city of Calgary are usually warm and dry with cool evenings because of the altitude and proximity to the mountains. However, a summer day in Drumheller is often very hot and dry, approximating desert-like conditions. A summer day in the mountains can be hot but the evenings are always cool.

Alberta has more hours of sunshine in a year than any other province in Canada and Calgary is known for its blue skies. A unique phenomenon called a Chinook wind can raise temperatures more than 20 degrees in one day, turning winter days into spring. A strong wind and an arch of clouds form over the mountains, heralding the Chinook.

Average Temperatures

Summer (June to August) 20^o C 68^o F

What should I bring?

Summer
For the city, pack lightweight clothing with a sweater, raincoat or light topcoat for cooler evening temperatures. Temperatures in the mountains are always a little cooler than in the city.

If you are planning outdoor activities in the mountains, bring good hiking shoes or boots and carry warm clothing that can be layered. The University of Calgary's outdoor program rents equipment for outdoor activities, for very moderate fees. Calgary also has excellent outdoor clothing and equipment stores.

Photos and information kindly provided by Tourism Calgary: www.tourismcalgary.com

Legend

Photo 1: Calgary Skyline

Photo 2: Experience the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains while cycling, strolling or in-line skating.

Photo 3: The TELUS Convention Centre expansion opened in June 2000 adding about 70,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space to total approximately 130,000 square feet.