Get a glimpse into an extraordinary incentive trip in Calgary
Situated between the Canadian Rockies and the golden rolling prairies, Calgary, Alberta is full of enriching experiences that make for remarkable incentive trips. For the ultimate reward, time your incentive so that it coincides with what's been dubbed the “greatest outdoor show on Earth”: the Calgary Stampede. For 10 days every July, a sea of denim and cowboy hats take over the city as it transforms into one of the country’s premiere celebrations of music, food and culture.
To inspire your next incentive event, we invite you to join us as we share a sneak peek at a sample itinerary during the Calgary Stampede. Of course, the team at Tourism Calgary can work with you to customize a plan so that’s it’s designed specifically for your team, but here’s a great place to start:
Day one: Get ready for the Stampede Parade
After arriving in Calgary, your incentive experience kicks off with a personal shopping trip to several of Calgary’s most iconic stories: Lammle’s Western Wear, Cody & Sioux, Alberta Boot Co. and Smithbilt Hats Inc. Once you’ve stocked up on attire for the Stampede, head over to The Nash restaurant for an exceptional feast of inventive Canadian dishes and finish your first night with a walking tour of the Barley Belt and the craft microbreweries in Inglewood, one of Calgary’s oldest and trendiest neighbourhoods.
Day two: Experience the energy of the Parade
Start your second day by enjoying a classic pancake breakfast, before watching the Calgary Stampede Parade from your reserved section. Then, meander over to Stampede Park for a private lunch and experience the rodeo from your very own infield suite or reserved section in the grandstand. Wrap up your day by visiting the top-notch restaurants and live music clubs on Music Mile.
Day three: Discover the best of Calgary
With stunning scenery and world-class attractions, Calgary is filled with adventures, and today you’ll have the chance to see what makes the city so special. That starts with a delicious breakfast and 360° view of the city at the top of the 191-meter Calgary Tower. You can then choose to spend your afternoon exploring the city on a Segway tour, fly fishing on the Bow River or on a Western Heritage/Stampede Art Walking tour. Enjoy a private dinner and concert in Stampede Park at 1912 Bar & Grill or a private reception in the Lazy S Suites while watching the Chuckwagon races and the Grandstand Show.
Day four: Head west to Banff National Park
Today, you’ll make the one-hour trip west to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. After checking into your Banff hotel and enjoying a bit of downtime, take the eight-minute gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, looking in awe at the town, lakes and rivers below. Then, choose from adventure options like an assisted climbing experience on the cliffs above Mount Norquay or a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
Day five: Marvel at the beauty of the Icefields Parkway and Lake Louise
After breakfast, travel via luxury motor coach to the Icefields Parkway, named one of the top ten drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Discover the Athabasca Glacier and Glaciology by stepping on to the glacier and walking on the glass-bottomed Skywalk. Next stop: see the breathtaking turquoise water at Lake Louise and have a private Oh Canada! reception at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Day six: Experience the Rockies
After a hearty mountain breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, golf at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or rejuvenate at the Willow Stream Spa. Then, transfer to the heli-pad and discover the jaw-dropping views of the majestic Canadian Rockies. Celebrate this amazing time in the mountains with a glass of champagne and private tour of the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, followed by dinner in the Banffshire Club.
Day seven: Enjoy a day in Calgary
Head back to Calgary and immerse yourself in the history of the west at Heritage Park Historical Village, Canada’s largest living history museum. Private guided interpretive tours, steam train and wagon rides are followed by a Ghosts and Gourmet or Farm to Table lunch at the Wainright Hotel. Check into the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino and choose from afternoon activities like the Azuridge Spa, Priddis Golf Course or a polo lesson and match at the Calgary Polo Club.
Day eight: Tour the scenic Cowboy Trail
Your last full day in Calgary starts with a morning hike at Weaselhead Flats. Head south on the scenic Cowboy Trail to the Bar U National Historic Site and spend the afternoon wandering through rustic buildings and learning about the old-style ranching ways. Continue southeast to the Trail’s End Beef Ranch for a guided tour of this grass-fed beef ranch and complete the evening with an incredible long table dinner in their barn catered by Hotel Arts. Overnight at one of the airport hotels to prepare for departures the following day and mark the end of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
An incentive trip to Calgary is sure to leave a lasting impression on your top performers and an indelible mark on the heart of your organization. To learn more about bringing your incentive travel program to Calgary, visit www.visitcalgary.com/meetings or reach out to info@meetingscalgary.com
