Plan your road trip from Calgary to Nature’s Getaway Mountain Resort!

Looking for awesome? You’ll find it all along the way on your road trip from Calgary to Nature’s Getaway Mountain Resort in Nordegg, Alberta.

Before you get to Nature’s Getaway

There’s lots to see and do on the way. Begin your adventure the minute you start your car because the journey should be an integral part of the best road trip from Calgary you’ve ever had.

Experience Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary!

Why not take the longer route? Head to Cochrane on Highway 1A, northwest out of Calgary. Just past Cochrane, you can stop at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Take a guided tour and experience close encounters with wolfdogs (they look just like wolves)! You might even be lucky enough to have one eat a treat from your hand. It’s worth the stop!

Go Rafting!

Leaving Cochrane and just before Kananaskis, get ready to see Alberta from the water line. Time for a thrilling ride on the Kananaskis River with Chinook Rafting! Exciting, whitewater fun for all ages 5 to 95 years. Spend two hours on the water on this rafting adventure (rated at level easy). This memory you’ll retell over and over again. Remember to book ahead.

Have you ever thought about going “into” the Rockies?

Why not go spelunking and head into one of Canada’s longest caves? Just outside Canmore is the best adventure ever, complete with ancient pictographs, 7000 year old bones, and beautiful cave formations. Rain or shine, gear up and come on a tour into Rat’s Nest Cave with Canmore Cave Tours.

When planning your 3-day trip from Calgary, do you want to try something cool? I mean hot?

Check out Canada’s first national park: Banff’s Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Check out the large cave full of hot mineral water complete with a very strong sulphur smell. At this historic site, there’s so much to see and do, but the Banff Springs Snails are certainly an unexpected delight. After you’ve finished exploring this awesome natural cave, go outside and swim in the be autiful, emerald-coloured pool. Slow down and enjoy this serene place with picturesque views.

If you want to soak up nature, then walk the trail to Lake Agnes Tea House.

The trailhead starts along the Lake Louise lakeshore and consists of a well-groomed trail that ends at a popular lunch spot. There are some stairs but all ages can tackle this 2-3 hour (3.5 km one way) hike to Agnes Lake. This hike is rated as “easy” due to the hike’s length and the 400-meter climb. If possible, arrive before 9:00 am as there’s limited parking.

Why not experience Alberta’s pristine mountain wilderness on the back of a horse?

Brewster Adventures near Lake Louise offers an extraordinary way to see the Rockies! Book in advance to make this part of your 3-day road trip from Calgary.

Leave fear behind. See Alberta from the sky!

Just outside of Innisfail is Alberta Skydive Central. This team of professionals are ready and waiting to introduce you to the experience of Tandem Skydiving. Call ahead and book an experience of a lifetime! Get your feet off the ground and wow all your senses. It’s a surreal kind of magic to fly through the air. Push yourself to the limit. Book your best weekend trip from Calgary! Take the jump!

Looking for an unusual piece of Albertan history?

How about a house tour with a side of poetry? Have you ever heard of Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site west of Red Deer? In 1889 an Icelandic man named Stephan Stephansson brought his family to Alberta and eventually became known as “the poet of the Rocky Mountains.” Touring through his house is like being transported back to the 1920s. No electricity, an old record player, a cast iron stove … it’s like walking into history.

Tired of the Rat Race? Take the slow road to Nordegg.

Try wandering up Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) up to Rocky Mountain House. This two-lane road is definitely off the beaten path. Bobbing and weaving among farms and ranches is a wonderful way to see rural Alberta. You’ll slow down and feel more relaxed as you journey to your best weekend ever at Nature’s Getaway in Nordegg. Once you get to Rocky Mountain House make sure to stop by Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. Learn about the history of fur trading in this area and immerse yourself in the legendary stories of Indigenous Peoples. Check out the website so you don’t miss an event, tour or trail. It’s an interesting cultural hot spot. At Rocky Mountain House you’re going to take Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway) west towards Nordegg. This route is the most scenic part of your road trip from Calgary so make sure to travel during daylight hours and leave time to stop for photos along the way. Some even stop off at the many rivers and lakes for a quick fishing trip.

Your best weekend trip is only a short drive to Nordegg but make sure to allow for lots of stops. Whether it’s to look at the scenery, take photos, have a picnic lunch, check out historical sites, or take a hike.

Once in Nordegg, plan to visit Brazeau Collieries Mine National Heritage Site.

Established in 1909, Brazeau Collieries is one of Canada’s largest industrial heritage sites and has many structures still standing. This Discovery Centre is home to guided mine tours and an Interpretive/Exhibit Centre. Kids love it here. Check their website for hours of operation. Abraham Lake is one of those places you just have to stop at and take photos.

Visit Abraham Lake!

You may have seen it if you approached Nordegg from the west. It’s a strikingly teal coloured lake called Abraham Lake. In the winter it freezes crystal clear and you can see frozen methane bubbles dotting its surface. You can expect rock climbing, wilderness canoe trips, whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and more!

Whether you’re on your way to Nature’s Getaway Mountain Resort in Nordegg, or heading home after a perfect 3 day weekend, plan to incorporate one of these many adventures. Some are relaxing, some are thrilling, but all will make you glad you came. Create great memories. Have the best road trip ever!

Do you have a bucket list? Is it full of things like “see the Mona Lisa” and “go to the Grand Canyon”?

Here is a new bucket list item for you to discover:

The Ice Bubbles at Abraham Lake!

Abraham Lake is such a beautiful lake. It’s renowned for its astounding teal colour. During the summer many day-trippers love to hike the hills to get a better view and take photos, while others love to kayak the lake and have a water-level experience. Either way, it’s always a lovely stop. And most notably, the winter season is visitors’ favourite time to come because of the frozen bubbles!

A Bit of History on Abraham Lake…

Abraham Lake, an artificial lake, came into being in 1972 when the Bighorn Dam was built on the North Saskatchewan River. Originally constructed by the Calgary Power Company, this beautiful, glacial lake is Alberta’s largest reservoir. And it has an unusual phenomenon. What is the draw to Abraham Lake? Methane bubbles. In the winter this clear, teal water freezes and in the ice you can see stacks of bubbles. It’s amazing to see. You won’t regret stopping by.

The Best Time to Visit Abraham Lake

The best time to visit the Abraham Lake Bubbles is in the winter is mid-January to mid-February. The ice bubbles are visible into March and April but the ice surface isn’t as clear and so may affect your viewing experience. Also, ice bubble visibility varies depending on the weather so check the explorenordegg.ca website and, while you’re there, read their safety guide. In the safety guide section, you will find the ice condition updates. They also have some great tips on what gear to bring and how to be safe while exploring the Abraham Lake ice bubbles. Do consider renting ice cleats and signing up for a guided tour as this makes for a more enjoyable visit. 

Is it easy to get to the Abraham Lake ice bubbles?

Yes! Access is from the David Thompson Highway, just 35km west of Nordegg which makes it the perfect place to stop for a visit. Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles viewpoint with the safest access is between the Ice Bubbles Parking Lot and Cline Creek because of its gently sloping shoreline. 

There are a few companies in Nordegg who will take you around the lake and introduce you to the awesome, teal, frozen waterfall known as Crescent Falls. They also help to keep you safe and teach you what to look out for and avoid. Often tours include a professional guide, a picnic lunch, ice cleats, and transportation from Nordegg. Hiring a guide is worth it.

What causes the ice bubbles in Abraham Lake?

It’s vegetation that has been submerged. As it decomposes it releases methane bubbles. In the winter as the lake ice thickens, the bubbles get caught in the ice at varying levels creating stacks of bubbles. Couple that with the white horizontal cracks in the ice and the deep blue colour of the ice around the bubbles and you get gorgeous photos. Clear winter days with blue skies and bright sunshine. It truly is a beautiful place. You can even take photos at night on the lake just remember to bring a light. This is a must-stop for photo enthusiasts.

So whether you are looking for a quick winter stop where you can have lunch and see some methane bubbles in the ice, or you want an awesome day trip with a guide, Abraham Lake methane bubbles are a great addition to your bucket list. If you’re wanting to embark on a full-day experience, plan to stay at Nature’s Getaway. The fully appointed, modern cabins, complete with hot tubs, are a great way to end the perfect day.

Plan to stay the weekend and take in some other great adventures around Nordegg.

Are you into winter hikes or fat tire biking? Try one of the many trails which offer stunning views of Abraham Lake and the surrounding mountains. There’s something about traipsing along a winter trail unmarked by footprints that heals your soul. The sunshine on your face, the fluffy pure white snow, the clean, crisp air… it is a winter paradise.

Bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis and enjoy the sparkling terrain, brilliant blue skies, and bird calls. Nature is all around you. You’ll come across deer and mountain goats feeding along the trails amongst the pines. Climb a frozen waterfall. Gain elevation and take a heli sightseeing tour. Try a heli snowshoe and ice bubble adventure tour towards the Cline River valley. Nordegg has it all… majestic mountains, stunning glaciers, and awesome lakes.

This winter, why not put Abraham Lakes’ ice bubbles on your bucket list and come to Nature’s Getaway – the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate? We hope to see you this winter.