West Country
West Country is a place to push boundaries, face challenges and rendezvous with fellow free spirits. Your connection to the land will only deepen as you traverse the peaks and canyons of the Canadian Rockies.
At a glance
- Western Alberta
- Key City: Rocky Mountain House
- 190 km (118 mi) from Edmonton International Airport
Central Prairies
Here, thousands of acres grow some of the most relied-upon crops in the world. Between fields of barley and wheat, you’ll discover Canada’s Wild Side in its charming towns. Experience the draws of the rural way of life.
Learn MoreFoothills
Acquaint yourself with Alberta’s vast rolling hills and admire the Canadian Rocky Mountains beyond. Soak in the ambiance of a peak-filled horizon as you seek adventure in wide-open plains.
Learn MoreHistoric Plains
Discover a place where archeological and natural wonders divulge secrets of yesterday. Where spaces and skies span as far as the eye can see. Where Canada’s Wild Side awaits.
Learn MoreCanadian Badlands
Featuring landscapes like nowhere else on earth, the Canadian Badlands will transport you to another time and place. From prehistoric fossil beds and rocky canyons, to coal mining ghost towns and cowboy hangouts, there’s plenty to discover in this unique area.
Learn MoreLakelands
The Lakelands is a destination for those in pursuit of year-round adventure, yearning to harness their Wild Side. Break from the beaten path and seek escape in the region’s untamed forests and bountiful lakes.
Learn MoreWood Buffalo
Explore this northern hideaway and allow your Wild Side to run rampant through the region. This is a place for those who push harder, trek further and seek escape from everyday norms.
Learn MoreWest Country
West Country is a place to push boundaries, face challenges and rendezvous with fellow free spirits. Your connection to the land will only deepen as you traverse the peaks and canyons of the Canadian Rockies.
Learn MoreSouthern Rockies
Uncover one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. An absence of crowds in the Southern Rockies makes the views, experiences and journeys that much more special. Take your time to connect with nature and enjoy the sights—there’s nobody else in line.
Learn MoreWildlands
We call them Wildlands for a reason. Boundless undisturbed wetlands, lakes and boreal forest attract all kinds of wild things. Enjoy solitude and natural beauty in this secluded northern region.
Learn MoreNorthern Rockies
Navigate prairie parklands, rolling hills and soaring summits in one of Alberta’s most geographically diverse regions. As you discover Canada’s Wild Side, you’ll ignite yours.
Learn MoreCanadian Rockies
Whether it’s a massive peak, a groomed run or a delicate wildflower, the Canadian Rockies will take your breath away again and again. Formed when continents collided, this is a place for adventure, discovery and serenity—sometimes all at once.
Learn MoreRife with flora and fauna
With plenty of sheep, grizzly bears and other animals running wild through lush forests and wildflower fields, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a nature documentary.
Adrenaline-spiking adventures
Awaken your Wild Side among rugged cliffs and white-water rapids, on ATVs and in vast backcountry trails. Pride will swell in your heart as you conquer soaring peaks.
Traditional experiences
Learn to live off the land with the help of Indigenous guides. Medicine walks, animal tracking and navigation are all skills you can pick up—with the right teachers, of course.
Uncommon natural beauty
Ice bubbles trapped in the ice of winter lakes, frozen and flowing waterfalls and boundless wilderness paths. Rugged yet beautiful, West Country boasts endless exquisite sights.
Take on backcountry hikes and savour the fresh air and absence of crowds.
This is a place to venture beyond your comfort zone—to try new things and explore new sights.
Featured attractions
Banff Canyoning
Journey down hidden pockets and caves around Abraham Lake and rappel through cool mountain waters. Different canyons offer varying difficulty levels, ensuring fun for all types of adventurers.
Learn moreYamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Walk alongside and learn about wolfdogs and wolves at this scenic wildlife sanctuary. Interactive tours dare you to get closer and feed the majestic animals by hand.
Learn morePainted Warriors
Practice a new set of skills in this Indigenous outdoor experience. Animal tracking, archery and snowshoeing are a few of the tasks you’ll face in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
Learn moreRockies Heli Canada
Helicopter through the Canadian Rockies any time of the year. Sightseeing tours offer views of snow-capped summits and heli-hiking trips allow visitors to snowshoe through the wilderness.
Learn moreUnwind in local bistros and themed cafés or cook meals over campfires in the wilderness. Best paired with scary stories and stars overhead.
Wander quaint communities and delve into the stories of their past.
Key towns
Dare to try different stays, foods and excursions in the towns of West Country. When you leave, keep its adventurous spirit as a souvenir.
Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Mountain House balances values of outdoor exploration and historic preservation. The passion for discovery is evident throughout the town's history and is still alive today.
Cochrane
Located just west of the big city lights in Calgary, Cochrane is a playground for adventurers. See stunning views of Alberta’s Foothills and Rocky Mountains, with all the amenities you need right in town.
Nordegg
Formerly a coal mining town, currently a hub for outdoor exploration and the site of the Brazeau Collieries Mine National Heritage Site.
Sundre
Venture through the gateway to Western Alberta. Bordering the Canadian Rockies, vast forests and glittering rivers, Sundre is filled with friendly local trailblazers.
Start building your experience
Stories from the West Country
3 min read
Find Great Eats and Good Times in Alberta’s West Country
Exploring the highways and byways of the foothills is a great way to work up an appetite. There’s lots to see and do. Luckily, there are also plenty of places that will satisfy your hunger. Check out these gems:
4 min read
Five Adventures in Alberta’s West Country that Deliver Wet-and-wild Fun
Head for the West Country for fun and adventure on the water. Try: