Alberta travelers choose from 39 Best Western hotels.

Calgary Tower, Calgary

Banff, less than two hours west of Calgary, one of Canada's most well known destinations, is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies amidst amazing outdoor landscapes. Popular Lake Louise, with the charming town of Banff nearby make a popular Alberta getaway. Spring brings the end of ski season with area resorts including Lake Louise Ski Area, Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay celebrating the last runs of 2012 as sunshine takes over Canada's Rocky Mountains. Nakiska Ski Resort, between Canmore and Calgary ends the winter season mid-April - Nakiska brands April party time. Visit on April weekends for music, events and kids activities on the deck. Get ready for Alberta warm weather fun.

Lake Louise Ski Area celebrates April with weekend music at the Kokanee Kabin. Special events like the Cardboard Box Downhill Derby on April 7th and the Spring Episode on May 5th, highlight the end of the season. Don’t miss 2012 Bikinis for Breast Cancer at Lake Louise also May 5th and the 84th Annual Slush Cup at Sunshine Village. The Slush Cup is the popular ride down the slopes into a slush pond, while you are dressed in your most outrageous outfit.

Banff greets spring 2012 as host of the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival. May 4th and 5th, Banff fills with amazing cuisine from local restaurants, and wine and spirits from across Alberta and the globe. Join special events like the Baby Back Rib Cook Off, Italian dinner Party or the Wine Maker’s Dinner. Or enjoy a session of sampling and tasting at the Festival Grand Tasting Hall. It’s a weekend of great food and drink in Banff.

Looking for a challenge? The Banff Jasper Relay is June 2nd, 2012, featuring 15 stages adding up to 258K from Banff to Jasper. The course runs along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and Ice Fields Parkway making the relay arguably the most beautiful in the world. Gather a team, join a team or sponsor a team and help support the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

Calgary, home of the greatest outdoor show on earth, the Calgary Stampede, hosts spring agriculture events at Stampede Park. April brings Aggie Days, Stock Dog Arena Trials and the Canadian Horseshoeing Championships. The 2012 Calgary Stampede Spring Extreme Cowboy Race is April 22nd, featuring the new sport of Extreme Cowboy Racing. The event is part of Aggie Days and showcases horse and rider skills as they race through obstacles in a multi-faceted equestrian challenge.

Calgary hosts the 48th Annual Scotiabank Calgary Marathon May 27th. Set your training goals for this late spring event, also featuring a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Marathon. The marathon course takes runners through downtown Calgary and is considered on of Alberta’s best road races. New for 2012, the Marathon moves to Stampede Park, with the 2012 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Health and Wellness Expo open for three days.

Provincial Legislature
Edmonton, Alberta

Northern Alberta comes to life in spring and summer. With plentiful snow piled in the Canadian Rockies, spring skiing and boarding Marmot Basin near Jasper is delightful. Shred the slopes of Jasper National Park, Alberta’s highest ski hill, while enjoying spring season’s sunshine. Edmonton, four-hours to the east of Jasper, is known as Alberta’s Festival City. Bringing spring and early summer events like the 104th Annual Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival, Tim Horton’s International Children’s Festival and Improvaganza, Canada’s largest improve festival. Grande Prairie to the north celebrates the season with the Fiddlers Jamboree – as the weather warms, it's the season for a getaway to northern Alberta.

The 2012 season at Jasper’s Marmot Basin runs through early May. Celebrate spring at Marmot’s Paradise Chalet on April 14th with the 2012 Kokanee Freeride. With live music, dancing, BBQ and rail jam, Marmot Basin is a full day of fun. The Caribou Chalet hosts live music with guest Marianas Trench on April 21st, along with the resorts 2nd Annual Aloha Cup Race - another fun day with all ages racing for skiers and boarders.

Edmonton hosts the 104th Annual Kiwanis Music Festival April 16th through May 4th. The 2012 festival features over 2,500 events for students, musicians and music fans. This is a competitive music festival showcasing talented young musicians and providing opportunities for them to face adjudicators. With voice, musical theatre and speech arts, as well as classical music, venues across Edmonton fill with talented young musicians and actors performing for appreciative audiences.

Presented by Tim Hortons, the 2012 Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival comes to Edmonton May 29th through June 2nd. Held in St. Albert, join the festivities at Millennium Park and St. Albert Place. Performances on the Outdoor Stage include Malcom the Magician, Mr. Mark, and The Stars of Tomorrow, while Neatoe the Clown, The Green Fools, and the Tollsons rove the festival grounds.

Kids love the main stage entertainment featuring theatre performances of Alice in Wonderland, The Ugly Duckling, and the Tortoise and the Hare. Venues also include the St. Albert Curling Club and the St. Albert Senior Citizens’ Club. Northern Alberta’s International Children’s Festival is a great early summer family outing.

Grande Prairie, further north in Alberta, begins its spring celebrations in April with the 2012 Fiddlers Jamboree. This 25th Annual festival is Sunday April 15th at Grande Prairie Museum. Join fiddlers and jig dancers from across Alberta for some toe tapping fun and entertainment.

Festivities continue the next weekend in Grande Prairie with the Swan Festival and the Music Festival. Saskatoon Island Provincial Park hosts the Swan Festival April 21st and 22nd, celebrating the return of the Trumpeter Swan to the park. The Music Festival is hosted at Grande Prairie Regional College April 22nd through 24th. Enjoy local and regional talent including voice, speech arts and musical theatre to piano, strings and guitar performances.