Huge majestic peaks, skies that go on forever and evergreen forests protecting delicate eco-systems characterize Canada’s national parks. Four in the Canadian Rockies, including Alberta and the southeastern corner of British Columbia, are among the most magnificent in the world. Banff, Canada’s oldest national park, is possibly its most dramatic with towering mountains, glaciers, high lakes and rushing rivers. Hiking, climbing, alpine and nordic skiing and even golfing are just some of the recreational diversity here.

Jasper National Park is the largest in the Canadian Rockies, and the wildest, home to the famed Columbia Icefields. It is also where the headwaters of the Columbia and Saskatchewan Rivers originate. A townsite of the same name has cultural offerings - museums as well as deluxe shopping. Kootenay National Park in southeastern British Columbia is a designated World Heritage sight, home to Marble Canyon and the Radium Hot Springs mineral pool. Yoho National Park, just west of the British Columbia/Alberta border, is the smallest of the four parks and one of the prettiest with Emerald Lake and the lovely Takakkaw Falls.

For more information go to: www.alberta-travel.com or www.canadianrockies.net.