Where do you go if you want to experience a real winter wonderland Christmas? Known as the home of a million Christmas trees our pristine landscape, deep fluffy snow and plethora of outdoor activities comes straight from the front of a Christmas card. Whether it’s for a romantic holiday snuggled under a rug by a roaring fire or a winter family adventure, Alberta is able to offer a Christmas that you will never forget.

Our festive spirit comes to life as our snow covered towns become Christmas grottos. Banff kicks off the celebrations with festive activities, carols, Christmas lights and a very special Santa Claus Parade through the town on the 5th December. In-between the face painting, cookie decorating and all the other festivities why not bring a rosy glow to your cheeks and try tobogganing down the hills or ice skating on one of the many frozen lakes.

For those looking to celebrate on piste, you will be spoilt for choice in Alberta. We have enough ski hills for almost every day of the week. Take your pick between Southern Alberta’s Castle Mountain,’88 Olympic alpine host resort Nakiska, Banff and Lake Louise’s Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and The Lake Louise Ski Area, and Jasper’s Marmot Basin. Whether you are skiing for the first time, with or without children or you are an expert rider, our hills offer every ability a challenge. After a full day out on the slopes why not reward yourself with a luxury spiced latte or hot chocolate (with Kirsch for the adults) and plan which runs you’ll be hitting tomorrow.

Our backcountry lodges offer the perfect snowy escape with log cabins, glowing fireplaces and picture postcard views. For the more remote lodges there are accessible activities straight from the front door, you can choose to build up an appetite by Cross Country Skiing our pristine trails or take a more leisurely snow-shoe hike through the frozen landscape. For something different there are frozen ice canyons to explore and ice climbing for the more adventurous. Venture into Northern Alberta at this time of year and you may be lucky enough to see the beautiful colours of the Aurora Borealis. After all the activities be sure to leave time to relax with one or two spa treatments, take afternoon tea at one of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts or even soak away the hours in one of our many hot springs.

The shops will be bursting with Christmas cheer and will provide you with plenty of gift ideas as well as festive trinkets to remind you of your Christmas in Alberta. Many of the hotels have special meals and festivities planned throughout December and on Christmas Day you can play in the snow, relax with mulled wine and open your presents while Christmas lunch is taken care of.

 For more information and ideas about what to do during Christmas in Alberta please visit www.TravelAlberta.com

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For more information see www.travelalberta.com or contact Tanya Hillman or Kylie Whitfield at the Travel Alberta Press Office: 01825 76 3636 or email tanya.hillman@kbc-pr.com / kylie.whitfield@kbc-pr.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Crystal Finest and Crystal Ski offer different packages for this Christmas:

A week over Christmas with departure on 23 December with scheduled Air Canada flights, transfers and 7 nights accommodation in the luxurious Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge in Banff costs £1637 per person (based on four sharing) for room only. Crystal Finest tel: 0871 971 0364; http://www.crystalfinest.co.uk/

Celebrate X-mas and New Year in Canada: three nights in Banff at the Fairmont Banff Springs and seven nights in Jasper at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, departure on 23 December for 10 days, scheduled flights with Air Canada, transfers via the famous and unique Parkway Ice Fields, costs from £2421 per person based on two sharing, room only. Crystal Ski tel: 0871 231 2256; http://www.crystalski.co.uk/

Canadian Affair have a variety of packages available:

Canadian Affair offers a return Economy Class flight from London Gatwick to Calgary from £558 per person, including taxes.  Valid for travel: 23 – 30 December 2009.  For further information and reservations visit http://www.canadianaffair.com/ or call 020 7616 9933.

Canadian Affair offers a 7 night package to Banff from £885 per person.  Based on two people staying at The Swiss Village, Banff on a room-only basis.  It includes return Economy Class flights from London Gatwick to Calgary.  Valid for travel: 23 – 30 December 2009.  For further information and reservations visit http://www.canadianaffair.com/ or call 020 7616 9933.

Canadian Affair offers a 7 night package to Lake Louise from £813 per person.  Based on two people staying at the Lake Louise Inn on a room-only basis.  It includes return Economy Class flights from London Gatwick to Calgary.  Valid for travel: 23 – 30 December 2009.  For further information and reservations visit http://www.canadianaffair.com/ or call 020 7616 9933.