Explore AAA Travel
Western Canada
Road Trips
Calgary Sports & RecreationCanada Olympic Park
Calgary was an appropriate choice as host of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games—opportunities for adventurous things to do indoors and outdoors abound. For information about recreational activities, programs and facilities visitors can phone the city's recreation department by dialing 311 in Calgary or (403) 268-2489.
In winter public skiing facilities at WinSport and in numerous areas nearby are available. Canada Olympic Park also is where to go for other winter sports, such as bobsledding, luge, ski jumping and snowboarding.
At Repsol Sport Centre, 2225 Macleod Tr. S., swimming, track events and weight lifting are among the popular activities; phone (403) 233-8393. Similar facilities are offered at the following leisure centers: Gray Family Eau Claire YMCA, 101 3rd St. S.W.; phone (403) 269-6701; Southland Leisure Center, 2000 Southland Dr. S.W.; phone (403) 648-6555; and Village Square Leisure Center, 2623 56th St. N.E.; phone (403) 366-3900. The latter two offer wave pools.
StephanHoerold/iStockphoto.com
Ice-skating is featured during the winter at Olympic Plaza as well as year-round at more than two dozen other locations. The Olympic Oval, at 288 Collegiate Boulevard N.W., is the site of the 1988 Olympic speed-skating events; skate rentals are available.
AAA/Katie Broome
Several parks are in the city, particularly along the Bow River. Fish Creek Provincial Park has a visitor center and a small lake providing swimming in summer and ice-skating in winter. Joggers and bicyclists use the park's extensive trail system. Other recreation sites include Bowness, Edworthy and Riley parks in northwest Calgary and Prince's Island Park in the city center, which is easily accessed from the Bow River Pathway system. The 145-hectare (360-acre) Glenmore Reservoir provides ample space for sailing and canoeing; the Dragon Boat races are held in late August.
AAA/Katie Broome
With spectacular natural areas nearby, many visitors to Calgary will be lured to the wilds to enjoy canoeing, camping, rafting, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Walking and bicycling trails meander through these regions, as do cross-country skiing routes. Tennis and swimming enthusiasts will find courts and pools throughout Calgary.
Golf lovers can play at more than 40 local courses, including 18 holes at Maple Ridge, 1240 Mapleglade Dr. S.E.; McCall Lake, 1600 32nd Ave. N.E.; McKenzie Meadows, 17215 McKenzie Meadows Dr.; and Shaganappi Point, 1200 26th St. S.W. Nine-hole courses are at Confederation Park, 3204 Collingwood Dr. N.W.; and Lakeview, 5840 19th St. S.W. Some private courses accept visiting golfers; check locally for greens fees and restrictions.
The Calgary Flames play ice hockey at Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E. in Stampede Park; phone (403) 777-4646.
The local Canadian Football League team, the Calgary Stampeders, pounds the turf at McMahon Stadium, off 16th Avenue at 1817 Crowchild Tr. N.W. Tickets can be obtained by phoning the box office at (403) 289-0258 or (800) 667-3267. Ticket prices are $36.50-$123.50.
jewhyte/iStockphoto.com
Spruce Meadows, an outdoor equestrian center and show jumping venue 3 kilometres (2 mi.) west on Hwy. 22X (Spruce Meadows Trail) from Macleod Trail at 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W., has world-class programs, including international show jumping events. On days when no shows are scheduled the grounds are open free to the public, daily 9-6. Visitors are invited to wander the grounds, picnic and view horses as they are exercised by the trainers; phone (403) 974-4200 for a schedule of Spruce Meadows events.
Spruce Meadows is also home to the Cavalry Football Club; soccer matches are held from early May to mid-Oct. Phone (403) 974-4567 for the ticket office.
Calgary, AB
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
Sponsored Listing
Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
The Westin Calgary Downtown320 4th Ave SW. Calgary, AB T2P 2S6
Book NowSponsored Listing
Save 5% or more when booking AAA/CAA rates plus earn bonus points with the AAA Preferred™ BWR Program
Best Western Premier Freeport Inn & Suites86 Freeport Blvd NE. Calgary, AB T3J 5J9
Book NowSave 5% or more when booking AAA/CAA rates plus earn bonus points with the AAA Preferred™ BWR Program
Best Western Plus Port O'Call Hotel1935 McKnight Blvd NE. Calgary, AB T2E 6V4
Book NowMembers save up to 10% and earn World of Hyatt points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Hyatt Regency Calgary700 Centre St SE. Calgary, AB T2G 5P6
Book NowCity Population
1,096,833
Elevation
1,048 m/3,440 ft.
Sales Tax
The federal Goods and Service Tax is 5 percent and applies to most goods, food/beverages and services, including lodgings. Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax but does impose a 3 percent Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) as well as a 4 percent Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT).
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(403) 266-1234
Fire (non-emergency)
311
Temperature
(403) 299-7878
Road Conditions
(877) 262-4997 or 511
Hospitals
Foothills Medical Centre, (403) 944-1110; Peter Lougheed Centre, (403) 943-4555; Rockyview General Hospital, (403) 943-3000.
Visitor Information
238 11th Ave. S.E. Calgary, AB T2G 0X8. Phone:(403)263-8510 or (800)661-1678
Air Travel
Calgary International Airport
Rental Cars
Hertz, with multiple downtown locations and one at Calgary International Airport, offers discounts to CAA and AAA members; phone (403) 221-1676 or (800) 654-3131.
Rail Service
The nearest VIA Rail stations are in Jasper and Edmonton; phone (888) 842-7245.
Buses
Red Arrow Express operates luxury motor coaches between Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Lethbridge; phone (403) 531-0350 or (800) 232-1958.
Taxis
Taxi companies include Associated Cab, (403) 299-1111; Checker Yellow Cab, (403) 299-9999; and Mayfair Taxi, (403) 255-6555. Allied Limousine provides town car and limo service; phone (403) 299-9555. Taxi rates begin at $3.80 for the first 120 metres (about .074 mi.) or portion thereof, plus 20c for each additional 120 metres (about .074 mi.) or portion thereof (unless departing from Calgary International Airport, where rates are $8.30 for the first 120 metres, then 20c for each additional 120 metres with a $4.50 surcharge). Cabs can be hailed on the street, but phoning ahead is recommended.
Public Transportation
Calgary has both bus and light-rail transit (LRT) service; the latter, known as the CTrain, is free in the downtown core between 3rd Street S.E. and 11th Street S.W. Calgary Transit's office, 125 7th Ave. S.E., has schedules and maps and sells transit passes. Fare is $3.40; $2.35 (ages 6-17). A 1-day pass is $10.75; $7.75 (ages 6-17). Phone (403) 262-1000.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.
