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SUMMER 2022 The 11 Best Things to Do in Western Canada RV Lifestyle 1. Hit all seven of the Rocky Mountain Parks Renowned for their scenic splendour, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are comprised of Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes national parks in Alberta, Kootenay and Yoho national parks in British Columbia, and Mount Robson, Mount Assiniboine and Hamber provincial parks in British Columbia. The seven parks of the Canadian Rockies form a striking mountain landscape. With rugged mountain peaks, icefields and glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes, waterfalls, extensive karst cave systems and deeply carved canyons, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks possess exceptional natural beauty attracting millions of visitors annually. Your Canada bucket list just got (a lot) longer… We could all use a break this summer. The last two summer travel seasons have been especially challenging for everyone − travellers, destinations and small businesses alike. But 2022’s summer could be the biggest one yet for travel within Canada. The best things to do this summer in Western Canada include many hidden gems and unique experiences. You’ll find plenty of tried-and-true staples, too. But I tend to embrace under-the-radar spots as well as famous attractions. You’ll likely find things to do that you didn’t even know existed! Believing that the most authentic recommendations are derived from personal experiences, the list highlights the places which I’ve discovered and explored on one or more occasions. But no matter where you plan to travel, you’re bound to find something unique and fun to do this summer! 2. Snap postcard-worthy photos of Banff National Park Explore pine forests, glacier-carved valleys and snow-capped peaks in Alberta’s Banff National Park. If you Google “Canada nature,” you’ll see pictures of Banff National Park in the Rockies − and for good reason. Canada’s oldest and most popular national park is Mother Nature’s best. Anywhere you look, there are jagged peaks sprinkled with fluffy powder, bluer-than-blue glacial lakes, and majestic wildlife including bears (black and grizzly), elk, wolves, big horn sheep and foxes. Despite being busy year-round, Banff is big enough that you can find something to do without being shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists (well, except perhaps if you’re waiting for that photo of Lake Louise). Banff National Park is a hiker’s playground, withmore than 1,600 kmof trails. Following these trails up ridges leads to impressive viewpoints of craggy peaks, surprise waterfalls and massive glaciers. The higher you go, the more you’ll see of the 6,641 square kilometres that make up the park. 32 | www.snowbirds.org

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