Established in 1875, Calgary is famous for hosting the Winter Olympics of 1988, and for its Stampede. Calgary covers the largest area of any city in Alberta, and lies between the eastern foothills of the Rockies and the Prairies. It is a sophisticated place, with skyscrapers, galleries, and theatres, but it retains the air of a frontier town where pick-up trucks and cowboy boots are not out of place.

Calgary continues to be Canada’s fastest-growing metropolis. Its prosperity is due largely to Alberta’s vast oil wealth, a favourable business climate and the city’s own importance as a transportation centre. Blessed with moderate rainfall, low humidity, lots of sunshine and a moderately cold winter, tempered by warm Chinook winds, this tourist mecca is known for its internationally famous stampede.

Stampede festival has an array of spectacular entertainments that dramatize scenes from western history. They can be seen both on site and in Calgary. The fair starts with a dazzling parade through the city, and then features bull riding, calf roping, and cow talking. The main events are the Half-Million Dollar Rodeo, and chuck wagon racing which have combines prize money of over Can$1.2 million.