A handful of extraordinary incentive destinations near Calgary
Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains, Calgary, Alberta provides the perfect gateway for truly enriching experiences. Along with its proximity to towering mountains, stunning lakes and an abundance of wildlife, this cosmopolitan city is also within driving distance of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Read on to discover how to incorporate these jaw-dropping natural wonders into your next incentive reward trip — and leave your team feeling inspired, connected and filled with unforgettable memories.
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
A one-hour trip west of Calgary will take you to one of the country’s most sought after incentive reward destinations: the strikingly beautiful Canadian Rockies. Here, mountains soar to jagged peaks, while pristine glacial lakes shimmer in varying shades of brilliant blue below.
Alberta is home to Banff and Jasper, which offer an exciting mix of adventure, gourmet dining and luxurious resorts to celebrate your hard workers. In the day, take your pick of experiencing the Rockies by gondola, exploring the rugged landscapes on guided hikes or get a rush of adrenaline with one-of-a-kind mountain adventures.
Calgary’s location provides an excellent basecamp for so many enriching experiences. When you make Calgary your hub for your next incentive reward, you'll get an urban playground and diverse natural wonders right at your fingertips.
David Woodward, Executive Director, Meetings + Conventions of Tourism Calgary
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Just a two-hour drive south of Calgary, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is one of the world’s oldest buffalo jumps, which preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture.
Inside the interpretive centre, your team will discover artifacts that date back some 12,000 years, as well as exhibits that explore the history of buffalo hunting culture and the significance of the cliff to the Plains People. The site also offers guided hikes that visit a variety of interesting landscapes and archaeological features, which will be returning as of summer 2022.
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
A must-see day adventure from Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park connects to Montana’s Glacier National Park to form the world’s first International Peace Park. The Park has also recently installed dark sky-friendly lighting, receiving full certification as a Dark Sky Park. Immediately upon arriving, you will be amazed at the landscape, which is defined by soaring mountains, deep canyons and lush forests.
Along with taking in the scenery, your top performers can enjoy a traditional afternoon English tea (complete with delectable sandwich squares and pastries) at the Prince of Wales hotel, take a scenic boat cruise on Waterton Lake or explore this lesser-known part of the Canadian Rockies on a guided horseback ride with Alpine Stables.
Writing-on-Stone / Aisinai’pi
One of the more recently recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi contains the greatest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains: there are over 50 petroglyph sites and thousands of works. A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary, the site serves as both a nature preserve and protected area for many First Nations rock carvings and paintings.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
About a two-hour drive east of Calgary, Dinosaur Provincial Park is home to one of the world’s richest deposits of dinosaur fossils. In fact, over 150 full dinosaur skeletons have been unearthed in the park and over 50 species have been discovered.
Book a guided hike, interpretive tour or expedition to discover dinosaur fossils on the dig site. On the way back, stop for dinner at the Rocking R Ranch near Strathmore for a customized western feast, complete with hayrides and cowboy style gourmet smores.
Getting there
Getting to Calgary is easy with direct or one-stop service available from many major international airports. As one of the world’s most modern and welcoming airports, YYC Calgary International Airport is just 20 minutes from downtown.
Unique experiences await
The ultimate corporate reward, a trip to Calgary’s surrounding areas will leave 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
