Alberta: Wild Rose Country

Rediscovering the Great Canadian Outdoors

Ready to hit the road and see the great Canadian outdoors? Yes, COVID has changed our travel plans but, on the bright side, it has given us the opportunity to rediscover our country and fall right back in love with it. And, if there is one place to start, it is definitely in Alberta. Known as the Wild Rose Country, the province is home to some of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes with serene prairies, beautiful snowcapped peaks, as well as six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This makes it the ideal destination for those who want to satisfy their wanderlust. And for those of you that are outdoor enthusiasts, be assured that you will get your fill of activities.

SWISSGEAR MAMMOTH COLLECTION EXPANDABLE HARDSIDE LUGGAGE 3-PIECE SET

This 3-piece lightweight hardside luggage set is ideal for long stays or multiple travelers, the ensemble has lots of packing capacity for the whole family. Take it on the plane, train, or throw it in the trunk, rest assured that all your belongings are getting there safely.

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As every Canadian knows, wearing the right gear definitely makes winter more enjoyable. Packing well is therefore high on the priority list. Make sure you have everything you need in your Swissgear Mammoth Collection Extensible Hardside Luggage 3-piece set. Designed to make carrying luggage easier, this lightweight luggage set is exactly what you need to go on this awe-inspiring adventure. And, don’t forget to take your Swissgear 1456 17-inch Computer and Tablet Backpack as a carry-on. With these two in hand, you are sure to be ready for anything.

Ice Bound

With COVID, we’ve all gotten the chance to develop a newfound love for walking. So, how about mixing it up and trying ice walking? The Banff National Park is one of the best places to do this. This park is Canada’s oldest national park and is situated on the province’s border with British Columbia. As one of four contiguous parks within the Canadian Rocky Mountains Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts incredible mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls that make it the ideal place to enjoy winter activities. For your excursion, we suggest you pack your Swissgear 0407 Collapsible Backpack. This backpack is the perfect companion for any adventure. It folds into its front pocket to form a small pouch making it easy to tuck away in any suitcase. The durable material help to make it capable of enduring pretty much anything.

SWISSGEAR 0407 COLLAPSIBLE BACKPACK

This lightweight foldable backpack is a traveler’s dream. Easily stowed away in its front pocket to form a pouch, it is made of quality rip-resistant nylon and has a lot of organization space to keep all your daily necessities at hand. Whether you need a backpack to go on an excursion or want extra storage space just in case, this is just what you’ve been searching for.

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Once you get to the national park, you will want to head towards the frozen waterfalls in Johnston Canyon. With COVID restrictions currently in place, the trail is closed to the public so, you need to book your visit through tour operators such as the Banff Tours. A walking path of 5 km leads you through the canyon and near waterfalls to witness the incredible ice sculptures created by the current. If you are looking for something a little bit more adventurous, ice climbing is right up your alley. This sport can be practiced in the Banff area or around Canmore and Lake Louise.

Winter Poetry

Continuing on the ice theme, two Albertan landmarks really worth seeing are the world-renowned Lake Louise and the frozen bubbles on Abraham Lake. Nested within the Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a glacial lake that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. How could this get any better you ask? Skating on the turquoise waters. We therefore suggest that you lace up your skates to take in the jaw-dropping scenery. A little further north, you will find Abraham Lake which offers an unbelievable sight in winter when the methane released by decaying trees and grass is captured by the freezing water and creates layers of ice bubbles on the surface. It is a beautiful thing to behold and is definitely worth the detour.

There are numerous backcountry lodges throughout the Rocky Mountains region that are open this winter. And, they are the perfect way to get engulfed in the experience. Our Swissgear 0579 Hanging Toiletry Bag will be the perfect companion for your stay. With its hanging hook, you will have all of your products easily at hand which will make packing and unpacking a cinch.

SWISSGEAR 0579 HANGING TOILETRY BAG

Durable and full of organizational features, this toiletry bag will make keeping your things accessible easy. Other features include a zip around closure, a zippered mesh pocket as well as a water-resistant pocket.

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Into the Wild

If you wish to take things up a notch, fat biking through the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park might just be what you are looking for. Known worldwide as one of the best mountain bike playgrounds, it has, in recent years, it has developed miles of incredible groomed and ungroomed trails due to the growing popularity of fat bikes. If you are already a fan of the sport, you are sure to fall in love with it all over again.

To rent your gear, head down to Canmore where local sports shop rent bikes for the day. However, as there are COVID restrictions in place, make sure to book your reservations online before arriving. A little further south, you can experience snowshoeing up Fortress Mountain. Just to give you an idea of how spectacular the landscape is there: it was the backdrop for such films as The Revenant and Planet of the Apes. The site gives you access to pristine snow-covered terrains that will make your snowshoeing adventure one for the books.

SWISSGEAR 1456 17-INCH COMPUTER AND TABLET BACKPACK

This bag is jampacked with space for your devices and personal belongings. It’s dedicated mesh charger and padded compartments for your computer and tablet will help you stay connected while traveling. Padded shoulder straps and Airflow back will make carrying it easy on your body while you venture out unto your next adventure.

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Before going home, make sure that all your belongings get home safely, with our Swissgear Luggage Security Set. Because, as it is the case for many of us, suitcases are always fuller on your way back. And, isn’t that reassuring in a way? It just goes to show that although some things have changed in the last year, some haven’t. Just like the pleasure of discovering new places whether they are near or far.