Alberta's Rockies
Encyclopedia
Alberta's Rockies comprises the Canadian Rockies
in the province of Alberta
, Canada
. It is a region on the southwestern part of the province
, along the British Columbia
border. It covers all but the south of Census Division 15
.
The main industry in this region is tourism.
ecozone. The region contains the Central Front Ranges
and the Continental Ranges
of the Canadian Rocky Mountains
, and includes the Banff National Park
and Jasper National Park
, as well as the Kananaskis Country park system and the Willmore Wilderness
.
The main transportation corridors run through the Kicking Horse Pass
and the Yellowhead Pass
from east to west, while the Bow Valley
and Athabasca River
valley are followed by the longitudinal Icefield Parkway. Another important waterway that crosses this region is the North Saskatchewan River
.
s of the Rockies are located in this region, and are important tourist destinations. They include Fortress Mountain
, Lake Louise
, Marmot Basin
, Mount Norquay
, Nakiska
and Sunshine Village
.
Other tourist attractions include the glaciers of the Columbia
, Wapta
and Waputik Icefield
s such as the Athabasca
, Bow
, Crowfoot
, Hector
, Peyto
, Saskatchewan
and Vulture Glaciers.
Glacial lake
s line the Icefield Parkway and dot the surrounding valleys. Some of the more spectacular are Bow
, Hector
, Louise
, Maligne
, Moraine
, Peyto
, Pyramid
and Vermilion
lakes.
and Jasper
are the main communities in the region. The length is defined by the Icefield Parkway, and it is crossed by the Trans-Canada Highway
and the Yellowhead Highway
into British Columbia. David Thompson Highway leads from the Rockies into central Alberta
from Saskatchewan River Crossing
, and Banff Windermere Parkway leads from Castle Junction (south of Lake Louise
) through the Kootenay National Park
to the Columbia River
valley. The Bighorn Highway defines most of the eastern limit of the region.
Calgary Health Region
is the health region
ensuring well-being in the south of this region, while the north is supervised by the Aspen Regional Health Authority
.
Health care centres established in the area are:
by MLA's elected in the ridings of Banff-Cochrane
and part of Rocky Mountain House
and West Yellowhead
.
The towns of Grande Cache
and Hinton
, located on the eastern edge of the Rockies, are sometimes considered as part of this region.
Rural municipalities
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. They are the eastern part of the Canadian Cordillera, extending from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA...
in the province of Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is a region on the southwestern part of the province
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
, along the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
border. It covers all but the south of Census Division 15
Division No. 15, Alberta
Division No. 15 is a census division in Alberta, Canada. The majority of the division is located in Alberta's Rockies, while the southernmost portion of the division is located within southern Alberta...
.
The main industry in this region is tourism.
Geography
This human region is almost identical to the Alberta Mountain forestsAlberta Mountain forests
The Alberta Mountain forests are a temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of Canada.-Setting:This ecoregion covers the grand Rocky Mountains of Alberta including the eastern outliers of the Continental Ranges. Located almost entirely in Alberta and taking in the Alberta-British Columbia border from...
ecozone. The region contains the Central Front Ranges
Ranges of the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are a segment of the North American Rocky Mountains found in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.-List of Ranges:There is no universally accepted hierarchical division of the Canadian Rockies into subranges....
and the Continental Ranges
Continental Ranges
The Continental Ranges is a name for a major grouping of mountain ranges in the Rocky Mountains located in eastern British Columbia and western Alberta...
of the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, and includes the Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 kilometres west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine...
and Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
, as well as the Kananaskis Country park system and the Willmore Wilderness
Willmore Wilderness Park
Willmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometre wilderness area adjacent to the world famous Jasper National Park...
.
The main transportation corridors run through the Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Americas of the Canadian Rockies on the Alberta/British Columbia border, and lying within Yoho and Banff National Parks...
and the Yellowhead Pass
Yellowhead Pass
The Yellowhead Pass is a mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies. It is located on the border between the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and lies within Jasper National Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park....
from east to west, while the Bow Valley
Bow Valley
Bow Valley is a valley located along the upper Bow River in Alberta, Canada.The name "Bow" refers to the reeds that grew along its banks and which were used by the local First Nations peoples to make bows; the Peigan name for the river is "Makhabn", meaning "river where bow weeds grow".-Parks:Bow...
and Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
valley are followed by the longitudinal Icefield Parkway. Another important waterway that crosses this region is the North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
.
Tourism
Some of the best ski resortSki resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
s of the Rockies are located in this region, and are important tourist destinations. They include Fortress Mountain
Fortress Mountain
Fortress Mountain is a ski resort in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.Located on the face of The Fortress, the resort spans over 3.8 km² from a top elevation of 2369 m to the base at 2040 m , and is serviced by 3 chairlifts and 2 T-bars...
, Lake Louise
Lake Louise Mountain Resort
The Lake Louise Ski Area is a ski resort located in Banff National Park, near the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It can be reached from Banff, from where it is a 35 to 45 minute drive west on Trans-Canada Highway, or Calgary, a 2-hour drive...
, Marmot Basin
Marmot Basin
Marmot Basin is an alpine ski area located in Alberta's Jasper National Park. It has offered a broad variety of basin and glade skiing since it first served enthusiasts in 1961 with a single rope tow driven by a truck engine....
, Mount Norquay
Mount Norquay ski resort
Mt. Norquay is a mountain and ski resort in Banff National Park, Canada that lies directly northwest of the Town of Banff. The regular ski season starts early December and ends mid-April. Mount Norquay is one of three major ski resorts located in the Banff National Park.-History:The mountain was...
, Nakiska
Nakiska
Nakiska is a ski resort in the Kananaskis Country region of the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located from Calgary, west on Highway 1 and south on Highway 40 ....
and Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village is a Canadian ski resort, located within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is one of three major ski resorts located in the Banff National Park. The Sunshine base area is located Southwest of the town of Banff, Alberta. By car, it is about one hour and thirty minute drive...
.
Other tourist attractions include the glaciers of the Columbia
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield is an icefield located in the Canadian Rockies, astride the Continental Divide of North America. The icefield lies partly in the northwestern tip of Banff National Park and the southern end of Jasper National Park. It is about 325 km² in area, 100 to 365 metres in depth and...
, Wapta
Wapta Icefield
The Wapta Icefield is located on the Continental Divide in the Canadian Rockies, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The icefield is shared by Banff and Yoho National Parks and numerous outlet glaciers extend from the icefield, including the Vulture, Bow and Peyto Glaciers...
and Waputik Icefield
Waputik Icefield
The Waputik Icefield is located on the Continental divide in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. It is developed on the heights of the Waputik Range in the Central Main Ranges....
s such as the Athabasca
Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. The glacier currently recedes at a rate of per year and has receded more than in the past 125 years and lost over half of its volume...
, Bow
Bow Glacier
Bow Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, approximately northwest of Lake Louise, and can be viewed from the Icefields Parkway. Bow Glacier is an outflow glacier from the Wapta Icefield, which rests along the Continental divide, and runoff from the glacier supplies water to...
, Crowfoot
Crowfoot Glacier
Crowfoot Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, northwest of Lake Louise, and can be viewed from the Icefields Parkway. The glacier is situated on the northeastern flank of Crowfoot Mountain....
, Hector
Hector Glacier
Hector Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. The glacier is on the north slope of Mount Hector and extends northward for . In 1938, a large mass of the glacier broke off and covered the valley below with ice up to 60 m thick...
, Peyto
Peyto Glacier
Peyto Glacier is located in the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, approximately northwest of the town of Banff, and can be accessed from the Icefields Parkway. Peyto Glacier is an outflow glacier from the Wapta Icefield, which rests along the Continental divide...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Glacier
Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, approximately northwest of the town of Banff, and can be accessed from the Icefields Parkway. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier from the Columbia Icefield, which rests along the Continental divide. The...
and Vulture Glaciers.
Glacial lake
Glacial lake
A glacial lake is a lake with origins in a melted glacier. Near the end of the last glacial period, roughly 10,000 years ago, glaciers began to retreat. A retreating glacier often left behind large deposits of ice in hollows between drumlins or hills. As the ice age ended, these melted to create...
s line the Icefield Parkway and dot the surrounding valleys. Some of the more spectacular are Bow
Bow Lake (Alberta)
Bow Lake is a small lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies, at an altitude of 1920 m.The lake lies south of the Bow Summitt, east of the Waputik Range and west of the Dolomite Pass, Dolomite Peak and Cirque Peak.Bow Lake is...
, Hector
Hector Lake
Hector Lake is a small glacial lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies.It is named after James Hector, a geologist and naturalist with the Palliser Expedition....
, Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Improvement District No. 9 Banff . It is named for the nearby Lake Louise, which in turn was named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta , the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, who was the...
, Maligne
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is a lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is famed for the colour of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake and Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the world. The lake is located south of Jasper town, and is...
, Moraine
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park, outside the Village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately . The lake has a surface area of ....
, Peyto
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway...
, Pyramid
Pyramid Lake (Alberta)
Pyramid Lake is kidney-shaped lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It lies at the foot of Pyramid Mountain, a natural landmark that overlooks the town of Jasper....
and Vermilion
Vermilion Lakes
The Vermilion Lakes are a series of lakes located immediately west of Banff, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley, in the Banff National Park, at the foot of Mount Norquay. They are located between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian...
lakes.
Infrastructure
BanffBanff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
and Jasper
Jasper, Alberta
Jasper is a specialized municipality in western Alberta, Canada. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River valley....
are the main communities in the region. The length is defined by the Icefield Parkway, and it is crossed by the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
and the Yellowhead Highway
Yellowhead Highway
The Yellowhead Highway is a major east-west highway connecting the four western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Although part of the Trans-Canada Highway system, the highway should not be confused with the more southerly, originally-designated...
into British Columbia. David Thompson Highway leads from the Rockies into central Alberta
Central Alberta
Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province...
from Saskatchewan River Crossing
Saskatchewan River Crossing, Alberta
Saskatchewan River Crossing is a place name in western Alberta, Canada. It is located in the administrative area Improvement District No. 9 , at the junction between Icefields Parkway and David Thompson Highway....
, and Banff Windermere Parkway leads from Castle Junction (south of Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Improvement District No. 9 Banff . It is named for the nearby Lake Louise, which in turn was named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta , the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, who was the...
) through the Kootenay National Park
Kootenay National Park
Kootenay National Park is located in southeastern British Columbia Canada covering in the Canadian Rockies and forms part of a World Heritage Site. The park ranges in elevation from at the south-west park entrance to at Deltaform Mountain...
to the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
valley. The Bighorn Highway defines most of the eastern limit of the region.
Calgary Health Region
Calgary Health Region
Calgary Health Region was formerly the governing body for healthcare regulation in an area of the Canadian province of Alberta. It was amalgamated with other regional health authorities in 2008 to become part of Alberta Health Services...
is the health region
Health regions of Canada
Health regions of Canada are used to administer public health to Canadians. Public health is primarily a provincial jurisdiction in Canada's federal system, so health regions are organized and given responsibilities by the provinces, causing differences among the health units across the country.-...
ensuring well-being in the south of this region, while the north is supervised by the Aspen Regional Health Authority
Aspen Regional Health Authority
Aspen Regional Health Authority was the governing body for healthcare regulation in an area of the Canadian province of Alberta. The area region included the communities of:* Athabasca* Barrhead* Bonnyville* Boyle* Calling Lake* Cold Lake* Edson...
.
Health care centres established in the area are:
- Seton Jasper Healthcare Centre - JasperJasper, AlbertaJasper is a specialized municipality in western Alberta, Canada. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River valley....
- Hinton Healthcare Centre - HintonHinton, AlbertaHinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
- Canmore General Hospital - CanmoreCanmore, AlbertaCanmore is a town in Alberta, Canada, located approximately west of the City of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. It is located in the Bow Valley within Alberta's Rockies. The town shares a border with Kananaskis Country to the west and south and the Municipal District of...
- Banff Mineral Springs Hospital - BanffBanff, AlbertaBanff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
Politics
On a provincial level, southern Alberta is represented in the Legislative Assembly of AlbertaLegislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
by MLA's elected in the ridings of Banff-Cochrane
Banff-Cochrane
Banff-Cochrane is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada. This riding is home to the popular tourist destination Banff National Park, environmental issues tend to dominate here....
and part of Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Mountain House (electoral district)
Rocky Mountain House is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 current districts mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting since 1959...
and West Yellowhead
West Yellowhead (electoral district)
West Yellowhead is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 current riding's mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
.
Communities
The following communities are located in Alberta's Rockies- Towns of BanffBanff, AlbertaBanff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
and CanmoreCanmore, AlbertaCanmore is a town in Alberta, Canada, located approximately west of the City of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. It is located in the Bow Valley within Alberta's Rockies. The town shares a border with Kananaskis Country to the west and south and the Municipal District of... - Municipality of JasperJasper, AlbertaJasper is a specialized municipality in western Alberta, Canada. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River valley....
(specialized municipalitySpecialized municipalities of AlbertaA specialized municipality is a type of municipal status used in the Canadian Province of Alberta. Alberta specialized municipalities are unique local governments that can be formed without resorting to special acts of Alberta's legislature...
) - Hamlets of Lake LouiseLake Louise, AlbertaLake Louise is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Improvement District No. 9 Banff . It is named for the nearby Lake Louise, which in turn was named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta , the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and the wife of John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, who was the...
, Harvie HeightsHarvie Heights, AlbertaHarvie Heights is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. It is located within Alberta's Rockies on the Trans-Canada Highway approximately northwest of Canmore and immediately east of the park gate for Banff National Park.- References :...
, ExshawExshaw, AlbertaExshaw is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. Located approximately west of downtown Calgary and east of Canmore, Exshaw is situated within the Bow River valley north of the Bow River....
, Dead Man's FlatsDead Man's Flats, AlbertaDead Man's Flats is a hamlet in Alberta within the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. Statistics Canada also recognizes it as a designated place under the name of Pigeon Mountain. It is located within Alberta's Rockies at Highway 1 exit 98, approximately southeast of Canmore and from...
and Lac des ArcsLac Des Arcs, AlbertaLac des Arcs is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8. It is located on the south side of the Bow River opposite the Hamlet of Exshaw and has an elevation of . Highway 1 borders Lac des Arcs on the south.The hamlet is located in census division No... - Saskatchewan River CrossingSaskatchewan River Crossing, AlbertaSaskatchewan River Crossing is a place name in western Alberta, Canada. It is located in the administrative area Improvement District No. 9 , at the junction between Icefields Parkway and David Thompson Highway....
(unincorporated community) - Kananaskis VillageKananaskis Village, AlbertaKananaskis Village is an unincorporated community in Alberta's Rockies within the Kananaskis Country park system in the Kananaskis Improvement District of Alberta, Canada. It is located approximately south of the Trans-Canada Highway , west of Highway 40 via Mt. Allan Drive and Centennial Drive...
(resort community)
The towns of Grande Cache
Grande Cache, Alberta
Grande Cache is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada, located northwest of Hinton and west of Edmonton. It is located in the Municipal District of Greenview, between Highway 40 and the Smoky River, at the northern border of Alberta's Rockies...
and Hinton
Hinton, Alberta
Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
, located on the eastern edge of the Rockies, are sometimes considered as part of this region.
Rural municipalities
- Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8Bighorn No. 8, AlbertaThe Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 is a municipal district situated in Census Division No. 15 of Alberta, Canada. It is located between Calgary and Banff National Park, north of Kananaskis Improvement District. Highway 1 bisects this county.It was created as a municipal district on January 1,...
- Kananaskis Improvement DistrictKananaskis Improvement DistrictKananaskis Improvement District is an improvement district in Alberta, Canada. It is located within Alberta's Rockies, sharing much of its boundaries with Kananaskis Country.The administrative centre of the improvement district is Kananaskis Village....
No. 5 - Improvement District No. 9 (Banff National ParkBanff National ParkBanff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 kilometres west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine...
) - Improvement District No. 12 (Jasper National ParkJasper National ParkJasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
) - Improvement District No. 25 (Willmore Wilderness ParkWillmore Wilderness ParkWillmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometre wilderness area adjacent to the world famous Jasper National Park...
)