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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta crew
Final up to date on November 12, 2022
For a lot of, these beloved moments surrounding a glittery tree within the wee hours of Christmas morning are among the most memorable of our lives. The enjoyment of gift-giving and receiving is tough to duplicate, and is without doubt one of the the explanation why that vacation is so particular.
However have you learnt what’s even higher than that? When you possibly can flip that valuable reminiscence into extra recollections by giving the reward of expertise. Not solely can or not it’s higher for the surroundings (by saving this yr’s items from subsequent yr’s landfill!) however science additionally means that in our endless pursuit of happiness, you (and the recipient) will truly be happier by gifting experiences as a substitute 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 may carry on giving for years to come back, because of the distinctive recollections that might be constructed.
Distinctive Alberta Christmas Reward Concepts
Final Household Experiences
For everybody from toddlers to seniors, there’s every kind of enjoyable available throughout winter in Alberta. And there’s no scarcity of actions for the entire household.
Take A Fairytale Trip
For those who’ve acquired younger children who stay for the fantastical, plan for a fairytale night time 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 may permit the children to stay out their fairytale desires!
Household Images in Banff
There are such a lot of superb photograph spots in Banff. And never solely does a household photograph shoot present items for everybody (you understand that Grandma desires 10 copies!) but it surely additionally generally is a actually enjoyable expertise to play within the mountains whereas recording valuable household recollections. E book this hour-long non-public photograph session in Banff as part of a weekend away, and have keepsakes that you’ll cherish for years.
Snow Tubing Down a Mountain
As part of that winter weekend in Banff, additionally get pleasure from a day of tubing at Mt Norquay! Not everyone seems to be a thrill-seeking skiier or snowboarder, however tubing is really an journey for everybody, and for many ages (should be at the very least 4 years previous).
Spend a Night time in a Theme Room
It’s nonetheless fairly exhausting to dispute the enjoyable that may be had at West Edmonton Mall. From the Waterpark to Galaxyland to countless buying and an evening in a themed room on the Fantasyland Lodge, there’s – fairly actually – one thing for everybody.
Experiences For the Romantic
This checklist was exhausting to slender down! Alberta is made for lovers, and never solely will we encourage sweeping the one you love off their toes with a winter getaway as a Christmas reward, however we’ve paired some resorts with beautiful actions to amp up the romance.
Keep on the Springs
In fact, our first go to is a weekend at Fairmont Banff Springs. Not solely is the lodge a historic attraction by itself that oozes romance, however staying there at the very least as soon as in your lifetime must be on everybody’s bucket checklist. Add to it this non-public horse-drawn sleigh experience, 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 checklist that you could make occur this Christmas season – plan a keep at Chateau Lake Louise! Whereas there, plan a elaborate spa day with the one you love, or e book a 30-minute non-public photograph session to memorialize that point you lived like royalty (if just for a couple of days).
Spa and Keep in Silence
Mount Engadine Lodge is a real gem set within the attractive nature of Kananaskis. Get cozy in a cabin or attempt considered one of their glamping tents – both means we’re certain that you just’ll love this all-inclusive keep that features regionally sourced substances and household desk dinners. Whereas within the space, e book a while to snuggle up on the Knordic Spa, or absorb a stargazing tour, each will make sure to deliver you nearer collectively!
Expertise an Genuine Alberta Ranch
Mix ranching and luxurious with a keep 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 stunning space, then return to benefit from the many facilities of the lodge at night time.
Sleep in a Dome or Yurt
Get in on among the distinctive stays which might be popping up round Alberta! Spend a coupel of nights at this yurt in Bragg Creek, this dome within the boreal forest close to Wetaskiwin, or if you wish to reward an expertise into 2023, attempt the brand new geo domes at Elk Island Nationwide Park. You don’t want further actions for these stays – having fun with the distinctive lodging.
Experiences For the Foodie
Alberta’s culinary scene has definitely exploded the previous decade, and a complete 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 overlook {that a} particular night time out in town for {couples} or buddies who like to dine collectively is a superb thought. Give them the reward of extraordinary meals and an evening to recollect (and perhaps via 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 foods and drinks of the small mountain city. This small and intimate strolling Jasper meals tour lasts three hours the place you’ll go to 4 totally different eating places with a beneficiant meals and beverage pattern from every. Plus, you’ll be taught somewhat one thing in regards to the city and it’s historical past. You should definitely put on stretchy pants!
Self-Guided Meals Excursions
Alberta Meals Excursions provides an array of the way 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 be taught from true foodies.
Dine in Prince’s Island Park Calgary
There are such a lot of nice eating places in Calgary, however we are going to endlessly suggest an previous favorite within the River Café. Located proper on Prince’s Island Park, its cozy really feel will invite them to luxuriate over their meal for ours. 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 formidable away of drinks on provide.
Wine and Dine Beneath 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 outdoors in a transparent dome!) offered out quick final yr, so don’t miss your likelihood to present this one-of-a-kind eating journey.
Craft Brew Tour in Edmonton
Edmonton actually has it happening with their craft beer scene. On this Edmonton Brewery Tour friends might be shuttled round to three totally different craft breweries the place there might be behind-the-scenes excursions and samples of their best beer. It’s an ideal introduction to the standard craft beer scene in Edmonton.
Pattern Canadian Fare in Banff
Ship them to Banff 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 spend time having fun with the small-batch, award-winning spirits at Park Distillery.
Eat Native in Lethbridge
Want a present for buddies 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 certain they’ll be keen to make use of the reward certificates any time of the yr. Subsequent, ship them to Water Tower Grill to prime off their night with cocktails whereas overlooking the glowing metropolis from the historic tower.
Dinner and Cocktails in Downtown Edmonton
In Edmonton, get them a present certificates to Woodwork (and make sure to suggest that they pattern the brussel sprouts). From there, ship them only a few kms away to Clementine to cap off their night time with cocktails.
Experiences For the Adventurer
For those who’ve acquired an adrenaline junkie or out of doors fanatic in your life that’s exhausting to purchase for, fill their stocking with the reward of journey! There are, after all, 1000’s of choices (that is ALBERTA in spite of everything), 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, al 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 via the cave to succeed in a crystal-clear pool full with stalactites and stalagmites to admire.
Discover the Ice Bubbles
One of many coolest phenomenons you’ll discover in Alberta are the bubbles on Abraham Lake. The natural matter discovered on the backside of the lake produces methane fuel through the decomposition and when the lake freezes , these gases are frozen earlier than they’ll attain the floor creating the bubbles suspended within the ice. Take the non-public 2.5 hour Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles tour, which features a information bringing you to the very best 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 yr, 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 every kind of distinctive experiences. It’s an exquisite spot that could be a good place for freshmen to attempt mountaineering – which makes it a incredible reward!
Climb an Ice Wall in Jasper
If simply taking a stroll via the Maligne Canyon isn’t sufficient for you, then how about get the blood flowing by climbing an ice waterfall in Jasper Nationwide Park. There are three totally different spots that the tour will deliver you to relying on the climate – Maligne Canyon, Tangle Falls or Fringe of the World. No matter the place they go, guests will expertise and achieve perspective of the park in spots that aren’t accessible to most guests. This expertise is geared in direction of freshmen who wish to be taught all about mountaineering. All of the technical gear one wants is included, all it is advisable to do is put on correct winter clothes.
Be a Pilot for a Day
Not all adventures have to 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 very best reward of the yr. The recipient can fly in WW2 aerial fight surroundings, expertise what it’s prefer to be in a “canine struggle”, and even simply see if they’ve what it takes to be a industrial pilot of a Boeing 737.
Snowshoe and Star Gaze on a Darkish Sky Protect
E book 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 night time stars gained’t get any clearer than this, and it’s excessive time for the northern lights to come back out to play, too. Verify right here for extra particulars.
