Planning a trip to Alberta

Fast Facts

American Express -- Calgary: 300-605 5th Ave. SW; tel. 403/294-7100. Edmonton: 850-10060 Jasper Ave. NW; tel. 780/429-3355. Banff: 100 Gopher St.; tel. 403/760-6900.

Area Codes -- Southern Alberta: 403; Northern Alberta: 780. The area codes change to the Northern Alberta code just north of Red Deer.

ATM Networks/Cashpoints -- You'll be able to find ATMs in even the smaller centers throughout the province. Overall, Alberta is thoroughly modern, and if there's a gas station, there'll be an ATM. Be wary of independent cashpoints, as the user fee can be C$2 or more; major Canadian chartered bank ATMs (CIBC, BMO, TD Canada Trust, Scotiabank) typically charge non-customers C$1 to C$1.50. You'll find hundreds of these in the big cities, almost anywhere you go -- in malls, office buildings, and even 7-11 stores (which have a nationwide deal with CIBC to carry their ATMs); even the smaller centers have many options. Look for branches on main streets or shopping plazas.

Automobile Organizations -- Motor clubs will supply maps, suggested routes, guidebooks, accident and bail-bond insurance, and emergency road service. The Alberta Motor Association (tel. 800/222-6400; www.ama.ab.ca) is the provincial arm of the Canadian Automotive Association (tel. 800/866-9677; www.caa.com), the major auto club in Canada, and an affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA); members can obtain maps of Alberta from either CAA or AAA. If you belong to a motor club in your home country, inquire about CAA reciprocity before you leave. You may be able to join CAA even if you're not a member of a reciprocal club.

Business Hours -- Standard business hours in Alberta, and Canada in general, are similar to those in the U.S., usually 10am to 6pm (office hours are more like 8am to 4:30pm).

Outside the cities and major tourist areas it is common for stores to be closed on Sundays.

Drinking Laws -- The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Alberta is 18, making it, along with Quebec, the youngest jurisdiction in North America; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out.

Alberta also has a very late "last call" (3am), so night life tends to be very pronounced here. And unlike most Canadian provinces, where liquor is sold only in government-owned stores, Alberta privatized its liquor sales in the 1990s. Specialty liquor and wine shops are found all over the province; in the cities, they often keep late hours -- as late as 11pm.

Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption; the police can fine you on the spot. And nothing will ruin your trip faster than getting a citation for DUI ("driving under the influence"), so don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Electricity -- Like the U.S., Canada uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in Canada, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- A great many countries keep consulates in Alberta, based in both Calgary and Edmonton.

The American consular office is in Calgary, at Suite 1000, 615 Macleod Trail SE; tel. 403/266-8962.

Among other major English-speaking countries, the closest consular services for Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are in Vancouver.

For a complete list of consulates in Alberta, go to www.alberta.ca/home/255.cfm.

Emergencies -- In life-threatening situations, call tel. 911.

Gasoline (Petrol) -- At press time, in Canada -- as in most of the world -- the cost of gasoline (also known as gas in Canada, but never petrol), is abnormally high. In the fall of 2008, gas was hovering around C$1.20 per litre. Taxes are already included in the posted price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters, or .85 imperial gallons. Fill-up locations are known as gas or service stations.

Holidays -- National holidays are celebrated throughout the country; all government facilities and banks are closed, but some department stores and a scattering of smaller shops stay open. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is observed.

Canadian national holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (in mid- to late May, the weekend before U.S. Memorial Day), Canada Day (July 1), Labor Day (first Mon in Sept), Thanksgiving (in mid-Oct), Remembrance Day (Nov 11), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (Dec 26). Alberta also celebrates Family Day, usually on the first Monday of August.

Hospitals -- All major Alberta hospitals offer 24-hour emergency services. A complete list of Alberta hospitals and their services can be found at www.informalberta.ca. In Calgary, Rockyview General Hospital (emergency tel. 403/943-3449) is at 7007 14th St. SW. In Edmonton, the University of Alberta Hospital (tel. 780/407-8433) is at 8440 112th St.

Hotlines -- There are a number of medical hotlines in Alberta. They include AADAC, a 24-hour drug and alcohol abuse hotline (tel. 1/866-33AADAC [2-2322] or 403/297-4664); Kids Help Phone (tel. 800/668-6868); Parent Help Line (tel. 866/603-9100); Poison Center (tel. 403/944-1414); Missing Children Society of Canada (tel. 800/661-6160); Distress Center (tel. 403/266-1605).

Internet Access -- Alberta's general connectedness is great; almost all hotels have at least hard-wired access, if not wireless, and there are hundreds of hotspots province-wide.

Legal Aid -- If you are pulled over for a minor infraction (such as speeding), never attempt to pay the fine directly to a police officer; this could be construed as attempted bribery, a much more serious crime. Pay fines by mail, or directly into the hands of the clerk of the court. If accused of a more serious offense, say and do nothing before consulting a lawyer. Here the burden is on the state to prove a person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and everyone has the right to remain silent, whether he or she is suspected of a crime or actually arrested. Once arrested, a person can make one telephone call to a party of his or her choice. International visitors should call their embassy or consulate.

Legal Aid Alberta (www.legalaid.ab.ca) provides legal services for those who cannot afford their own legal representation. They can also refer you to a local lawyer if in fact you can afford those services.

Legal Aid Alberta has offices all over the province; the head office is in Edmonton at tel. 780/644-4971.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa's U.S. emergency number is tel. 800/847-2911 or 410/581-9994, the same as in Canada. American Express cardholders and traveler's check holders should call tel. 800/678-5523. MasterCard holders should call tel. 800/622-7747 or 636/722-7111. For other credit cards, call the toll-free number directory assistance at tel. 800/555-1212.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- At press time, domestic postage rates were 52 cents Canadian for both a letter or postcard. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 96 cents to the U.S., or C$1.60 overseas; a first-class postcard costs the same as a letter. For more information go to www.canadapost.ca.

If you aren't sure what your address will be in Alberta, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. General Delivery is offered free of charge for up to 4 months to traveling customers. (Call tel. 866/697-6301 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license, passport, etc.). Most post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Always include postal codes when mailing items in Canada. If you don't know the correct postal code, visit www.canadapost.ca to search by address.

Newspapers & Magazines -- Drugstores, grocery stores, as well as newsstands carry most of the major daily papers for their respective regions. There are two national newspapers in Canada, the National Post and The Globe and Mail, and both Calgary and Edmonton have large daily papers, the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal.

You'll also find Canadian newsstands to be filled with American magazines, so if you're traveling from the U.S. you'll feel right at home. Major U.S. papers, like the New York Times and U.S.A Today, are available throughout Alberta.

Police -- Dial 911 in emergencies province-wide.

Smoking -- Alberta banned smoking in public places in January 2008. There is no smoking indoors in any business or establishment open to the public, including bars and restaurants. Some hotels still have smoking rooms; smoking is typically allowed on outdoor patios.

Taxes -- Alberta has no provincial sales tax -- the only province to do so -- which makes shopping there a relative bargain. You'll still pay the 5% federal GST, and an additional 5% accommodation tax on hotel rooms.

Telephones -- Many convenience stores, grocery stores, and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to C$50; for international visitors these can be the least expensive way to call home. Many public pay phones at airports now accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards. Local calls made from pay phones in most locales cost 50 cents. Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. For calls within Canada to the U.S., dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling.

Calls to area codes 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free.

For reversed-charge or collect calls, and for person-to-person calls, dial the number 0 then the area code and number; an operator will come on the line, and you should specify whether you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For local directory assistance ("information"), dial tel. 411; for long-distance information, dial 1, then the appropriate area code and 555-1212.

Telegraph, Telex, & Fax --

Telegraph and telex services are provided primarily by Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com). You can telegraph (wire) money, or have it telegraphed to you, very quickly over the Western Union system, but this service can cost as much as 15 to 20 percent of the amount sent.

Most hotels have fax machines available for guest use (be sure to ask about the charge to use it). Many hotel rooms are wired for guests' fax machines. A less expensive way to send and receive faxes may be at stores such as The UPS Store or Kinko's.

Time -- Alberta is in the Mountain Time Zone, one hour later than Pacific Standard Time and two hours earlier than Eastern Standard Time.

North America is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. For example, when it's 9am in Los Angeles (PST), it's 7am in Honolulu (HST), 10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York City (EST), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time is in effect from 1am on the second Sunday in March to 1am on the first Sunday in November, except in most of Saskatchewan, Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight saving time moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time.

Tipping -- Tips are a very important part of certain workers' income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. (Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip bellhops at least C$1 per bag (C$2-C$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff C$1 to C$2 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant C$1 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff 15% to 20% of the check, tip bartenders 15%, tip checkroom attendants C$1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants C$1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least C$1 per bag (C$2-C$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

Toilets -- You won't find public toilets or "restrooms" on the streets in most Alberta cities but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, railway and bus stations, and service stations. Large hotels and fast-food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons.

Useful Phone Numbers -- Travel Alberta (tel. 800/252-3782); Crisis Services Provincial Help Line (tel. 800-779-5057); Provincial Fire Bans/Forest Closures (tel. 866/394-3473); U.S. Dept. of State Travel Advisory (tel. 202/647-5225, manned 24 hrs.); U.S. Passport Agency (tel. 202/647-0518).

Visas -- Citizens of the United States, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the U.K. do not require visas to enter Canada.

A complete list of those countries whose citizens do require a visa can be found at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.

Water -- Water quality is very good and of no concern anywhere in Alberta.

Getting Around

Alberta's a big place, and the car rules here. It's your best bet for traveling from center to center, as well as picking up on beautiful scenery along the way.

Once you're in the big cities, you can fairly rely on public transit (both Calgary and Edmonton have extensive bus and light rail services) or your own two feet to explore the neighborhoods to be found there. Calgary in particular has an impressive network of bike paths -- one of the largest in North America -- so that's a nice way to explore that particular city as well.

Still, as you navigate Alberta, it's a real benefit to have four wheels under you, for the freedom to explore.

By Car

Even in the cities, here, in the heart of the new west, you'll either miss out on a lot of the action or spend a fortune on cabs if you don't have a car. Plus, if you plan to explore the countryside, some of the most incredible scenery can be seen from behind the wheel.

If you're visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in Canada, keep in mind that foreign driver's licenses are usually recognized, but you should get an international one if your home license is not in English or French.

Check out Expedia.ca, Travelocity.ca, and Priceline.ca, all of which offer competitive online car rental rates.

The roads in Alberta are generally top-rate; speed limits on the major highways -- those with four lanes -- are typically 110kmph (about 70 mph), with secondary routes usually at 90kmph (55 mph). In the cities, unless otherwise posted, the maximum is 50kmph (30 mph).

Running east-west, through Calgary and on to Banff, is Hwy. 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. Once there, perhaps the most gorgeous drive on the continent, the Icefields Parkway (Rte. 93), stretches through 230km (140 miles) of spectacular mountains and glaciers, between Lake Louise and Jasper.

The Queen's Highway, or Hwy. 2, connects Calgary and Edmonton, a distance of 286km (177 miles) to the north, and Calgary and Montana to the south, where it becomes U.S. Rte. 89. From Edmonton, the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy. 16) links the city to Jasper and then continues on to Prince Rupert, BC.

By Bus

Bus travel is often the most economical form of public transit for short hops between cities, but it's certainly not an option for everyone. Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) is the sole nationwide bus line. International visitors can obtain information about the Greyhound North American Discovery Pass. The pass can be obtained from foreign travel agents or through www.discoverypass.com for unlimited travel and stopovers in the U.S. and Canada.

Greyhound links all the major and minor centers in the province. There are several departures daily from the major centers, and usually at least one per day in the smaller centers. Consult the website for prices and a timetable.

By Plane

Air Canada recently instituted flight passes for unlimited travel. The least expensive, and most relevant here, is the Western Commuter pass, which offers ten flights between the cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria. The pass is good for one year, and costs C$2,160. Consult www.aircanada.com/en/offers/wallet/flightpass for more information.

Staying Connected

Telephones

The Canadian telephone system closely resembles the U.S. model. All operators (dial 0 from Canada to get one) speak English as well as French, and respond in the appropriate language as soon as callers speak to them.

There are two area codes in Alberta: 403 in the south and 780 in the north. Calgary and Edmonton require ten-digit dialing.

Pay phones in Alberta require 50¢ for a 3-minute local call. Directory information calls (dial tel. 411) are free of charge. Both local and long-distance calls usually cost more from hotels -- sometimes a lot more, so check. As in the U.S., paper directories come in White Pages (residential) and Yellow Pages (commercial).

To call Alberta from the U.S.: Calls between Canada and the U.S. do not require the use of country codes. Simply dial the 3-digital area code and seven-digit number.

To call Alberta from the U.K.: First dial the international access code 00 (from Australia, dial 0011). Follow that with the Canadian country code 1, then the area code, and the seven-digit number.

To call the U.S. from Alberta: Simply dial the three-digit area code and seven-digit number.

To call the U.K./Ireland/Australia/New Zealand from Alberta: First dial 011, then the country code (U.K. 44, Ireland 353, Australia 61, New Zealand 64), then the number.

Toll-free numbers: Phone numbers that begin with 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free. That means they're free to call within Canada and from the U.S. You need to dial 1 first. Remember that some hotels will charge you for all phone calls you make, including toll-free ones.

Cellphones -- Phones from virtually all major American wireless providers, such as Verizon and T-Mobile, will function on one of the major Canadian networks (Telus, Rogers, or Bell). However, wireless charges will be very high for roaming.

If you prefer, once you arrive in Canada there are several options for temporary, pay-as-you-go phoning. Places like Best Buy and Future Shop -- big chain stores that are virtually everywhere -- sell pre-paid phones starting at C$50 (plus airtime). Virgin Mobile is your best bet, with no activation charge and a C$10 card that gets you about 40 minutes.

CellularAbroad (www.cellularabroad.com/canada) will rent you a cell phone in Canada starting at C$29 for 7 days, plus airtime at 38¢ (Canadian) a minute.

Hey, Google, Did You Get My Text Message? -- It's bound to happen: The day you leave this guidebook back at the hotel for an unencumbered stroll through Banff, you'll forget the address of the lunch spot you had earmarked. If you're traveling with a mobile device, send a text message to tel. 46645 (GOOGL) for a lightning-fast response. For instance, type "Banff springs, Banff" and within 10 seconds you'll receive a text message with the address and phone number. This nifty trick works in a range of search categories: Look up weather ("weather philadelphia"), language translations ("translate goodbye in spanish"), currency conversions ("10 usd in pounds"), movie times ("harry potter 60605"), and more. If your search results are off, be more specific ("the abbey gay bar west hollywood"). For more tips and search options, see www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/. Regular text message charges apply.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)

If you have web access while traveling, consider a broadband-based telephone service (in technical terms, Voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP) such as Skype (www.skype.com) or Vonage (www.vonage.com), which allow you to make free international calls from your laptop or in a cybercafe. Neither service requires the people you're calling to also have that service (but fees apply if they don't). Check the websites for details.

Internet & E-Mail

With Your Own Computer -- Many hotels have wireless Internet available to guests; Starbucks locations throughout Alberta now offer wireless access through the Bell network for a fee.

Hundreds of cafes in Calgary and Edmonton offer wireless service for free; consult www.jiwire.com; its Hotspot Finder is the world's largest directory of public wireless hotspots. Its Alberta listings top out at nearly 400.

Without Your Own Computer -- Most major airports have Internet kiosks that provide basic Web access for a per-minute fee that's usually higher than cybercafe prices. Check out copy shops like Kinko's (FedEx Kinkos), which offers computer stations with fully loaded software (as well as Wi-Fi).

When to Go

Weather -- Never forget: This is Canada, and that means in the winter, it's going to be cold. Mountain weather can be inconsistent, but you can generally rely on sub-freezing temperatures any time between early December and mid-March, though the southern portions of the province sometimes offer the respite of a mid-winter Chinook, which can temporarily elevate the temperature to springlike warmth. Nonetheless, it would be imprudent to attempt driving in Alberta in winter without at least snow tires, and if you're going into the mountains, some recommend chains as well.

Naturally, the farther north you go, the colder it gets; excursions into the province's far north, like Wood Buffalo National Park, are only for the hardiest in the dead of winter, when temperatures can drop to -58°F (-50°C).

Still, Alberta, with its wealth of activities like downhill skiing, is a popular winter destination; the winter season peaks over Christmas/New Year's, when prices can nearly double, and spring break, usually in March. If you can plan a late January or February winter vacation in Alberta, you'll save a fair amount of money.

Summer, though, is really tourist season, when parks like Banff and Jasper are brimming with tourist buses and campers. Summers are spectacular in Alberta, typically dry, warm, and sunny; the problem is, everyone knows it, and rates for everything, from hotels to tours, rise accordingly.

As a general rule, spring runs from early April to mid-May, summer mid-May to mid-September, fall mid-September to early November, and winter early November to late March.

As most of Alberta is at high altitude, prepare for cool evenings, even in the heat of summer. And if you venture north, have plenty of insect repellent on hand: the bugs are voracious.

As a general guide: In Calgary, winter weather ranges from a low of about 9°F (-13°C) to around 30°F (-1°C); summer hovers typically around 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C), but can get much hotter on exceptional days. In Edmonton, where it's typically colder, winter weather ranges from a low of 2°F (-17°C) up to 14 to 23°F (-10 to -5°C). In summer, temperature ranges from 50 to 77°F (10 to 25°C). In the mountains, where weather is changeable year round, Banff winter temperature ranges from about 5°F (-15°C) up to the high 20s (-2 to -4°C); and in summer, from 41 to 77°F (5 to 25°C).

Holidays -- National holidays are celebrated throughout the country; all government facilities and banks are closed, but some department stores and a scattering of smaller shops stay open. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is observed.

Canadian national holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (in mid- to late May, the weekend before U.S. Memorial Day), Canada Day (July 1), Labor Day (first Mon in Sept), Thanksgiving (in mid-Oct), Remembrance Day (Nov 11), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (Dec 26). Alberta also celebrates Family Day, usually on the first Monday of August.

Getting There

By Plane

The Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC; tel. 877/254-7427 or 403/735-1200; www.calgaryairport.com) and the Edmonton International Airport (airport code YEG; tel. 800/268-7134; www.flyeia.com) are the main air hubs to access much of Alberta.

If you are heading anywhere in the south, including Banff National Park, fly to Calgary. To get to Banff, take either the Banff Airporter (tel. 888/449-2901 or 403/762-3330; www.banffairporter.com; C$53 one-way), or Sundog Tours (tel. 888/786-3641 or 403/762-2711; www.sundogtours.com) airport shuttle, which is the only one that will take you to Lake Louise or Jasper from the Calgary Airport in both summer and winter. (Banff is 129km/80 miles west of Calgary. It's about 90 min. by car from the airport.)

If you want to visit Jasper National Park or the north, fly to Edmonton (363km/225 miles east of Jasper; a 4-hr. trip by car).

To inquire about flights into Calgary and Edmonton, contact Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.ca), Continental Airlines (tel. 800/231-0856; www.flycontinental.com), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com), Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525; www.nwa.com), or WestJet (tel. 888/937-8538; www.westjet.com).

Many airlines from Europe and the United Kingdom fly to Calgary and Edmonton as well. Note: International visitors arriving by air should cultivate patience before arriving. Canada has not been immune to the massive security beef-up since 9/11, and clearing Customs can be a lengthy process, particularly for overseas visitors.

By Train

Not an easy prospect for visitors arriving from the U.S. -- while the closest passenger rail entry point is on the British Columbia coast, you can nonetheless use Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) to link up with Canada's VIA Rail (tel. 888/VIA-RAIL; www.viarail.com) in Vancouver and make the day-long journey through the mountains to Edmonton, via Jasper (a 16-hour journey, total). VIA has no Calgary or Banff routes, but the privately owned Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (tel. 877/460-3200; www.rockymountaineer.com) has a stunning overnight trip that departs from Vancouver and stops in either Banff or Jasper (you select your destination at the changeover in Kamloops, BC).

Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Rail Tours (tel. 877/665-3044; www.royalcanadianpacific.com) has a 6-day tour on a luxury heritage rail car that leaves Calgary, passes through the Canadian Rockies south of Banff, and loops back through Golden and Banff to Calgary.

BY BUS -- Greyhound (tel. 800/661-8747; www.greyhound.ca) and Brewster (tel. 877/791-5500; www.brewster.ca) have daily trips from Vancouver to Edmonton and Jasper, including a 2-day drive with an overnight stay midway. Their routes from Vancouver to Calgary stop in Canmore, Banff, Field, and Golden.

By Car

There are scores of border crossings between Canada and the U.S.; however, not all of them keep the same hours and some are closed at night. Be sure to double-check the hours of your border crossing before you set out.

In addition to having the proper ID to cross into Canada, drivers may be asked to provide proof of insurance and ownership for their vehicle. If you're going hunting, remember that firearms are allowed into Canada only under special circumstances.

If you fly in and want to rent a car to explore the province, the options are plentiful. All the major car rental companies operate throughout the province, most of them with offices in all but the small towns.

Car rental agencies at the Calgary and Edmonton international airports include Budget (tel. 800/268-8900; www.budget.ca), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.ca), National (tel. 800/227-7368; www.nationalcar.ca), and Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389; ww.thrifty.com). They also have offices in the towns of Banff and Jasper, as well as Fort McMurray and Lethbridge.

As in the U.S., credit cards that offer insurance benefits are honored in Canada; check with your credit card company if you wish to choose this option.