Whether you’re eco-conscious, a last-minute shopper, or are buying for someone who already has everything, an experience gift is unique and memorable and (most of the time) can be sent last-minute via email. Gift friends and family with tickets to a new-to-them attraction or activity for a sweet surprise them on Christmas morning. Treat yourself too, so you can make memories together!
Some fun experience gifts for folks in Southern Alberta include the following:
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Gifts of Adventure
1. iFly Indoor Skydiving
iFly Indoor Skydiving is a cool way to experience sky diving without jumping out of a plane (you hover in a wind tunnel!). Kids 3 & up can fly but after trying it, I’d say it’s better for adventurous 5s and up. The Calgary location is at Deerfoot City. Starts at $53.99 (40% off promotion for a limited time) for 2 flights.
2. RCR Rockies Card: Get 3 Free Ski Days at Nakiska, Fernie, Kicking Horse, or Kimberley
Making memories at Nakiska, Fernie, and Kicking Horse
With an RCR Card, your 1st, 4th and 7th visits are FREE at Nakiska Ski Area (only 1 hour from Calgary!), Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, or Kimberley Alpine Resort! Only $135 + tax until December 24th ($155 regular price).
DYK kids 6-12 years old can get a FREE RCR Kidsโ Club Card that gives them $5 off a full-day child lift ticket?
3. Sunshine, Louise or Mount Norquay Ski Cards
Get 3 free days of skiing with Sunshine Super Card ($99 until December 26) or Lake Louise Card ($134 until December 24th), and save at partner resorts!
A Mount Norquay Big Drop Card ($79 until December 23, $99 regular prices) gives you 50% off each ski day and pays for itself in two visits based on adult lift ticket rates.
4. Snow Tubing at Winsport or Mount Norquay
Winsportโs Servus Tube Park, the largest tube park in Western Canada isn’t just for kids! DYK you can go over 50 km/hr? Book tickets online in advance โ they often sell out on weekends! Daytime and night time tubing is available. Winsport also has skiing/snowboarding and lessons!
Mount Norquayโs Tube Park has the longest tube lanes in Alberta, and a BIG vertical drop that will take your breath away! choose a morning, afternoon, or night tubing session.
5. Clue-Solving Adventures (great for couples, families, or groups)
Clue-Solvers Adventures (Canmore, Calgary, and Victoria shown above) take you to local landmarks and hidden gems.
Race the clock to solve all the clues and crack the case on a Clue Solvers clue-solving adventure! These outdoor escape room/Amazing Race style games can be played in pairs or small groups. And for family reunions (or corporate events), teams can compete against each other! Expect to walk 3-5 kilometres over 60-90 minutes while exploring Calgary, Banff, Canmore, or Kananaskis (many more locations available) while solving clues. We loved finding hidden gems around town and learning about local history at the same time.
Buy an indoor or outdoor clue-solving adventure (good for 2-5 people) now atย Clue Solvers. DEAL: Buy one get one free until January 5, 2024!
6. Fatbiking at Canmore Nordic Centre or Banff
Wanna try something new this winter? How about fat biking at Canmore Nordic Centre?! Rentals are available at Trailsports (reservations recommended), and there are no trail fees for fat biking.
In Banff, rent electric fat bikes from Black Diamond Bike & SUP Rentals / Black Tie Rentals in Banff Park Lodge. They have bikes for riders 5′ tall and up (minimum age: 12), and helmets and locks are included. Explore scenic trails around town including the Legacy Trail and Sundance Trail.
7. Caving with Canmore Cave Tours
Canmore Cave Tours offers amazing tours inside Grotto Mountainโs Ratโs Nest Cave. Rappel into a cavern on the Adventure Tour, experience absolute darkness, gaze up at stalactites, and learn how the cave system formed. Tours are offered year round (it stays 5C in the cave) for ages 10 & up. Read about our experience in this story: Go Underground with Canmore Cave Tours and book your tour here.
8. Splurge: Dogsledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours
When you go dogsledding with Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours, you can drive your own sled if you want (1 driver per 2-person sled)! The Spray Lakes scenery is breathtaking and cuddling the huskies is unforgettable. Tours depart from Canmore and include a hot drink and snack ($ lunch option available on some tours).
Relaxing Experiences
1. Warm up and chill out at Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Kananaskis Nordic Spa (18+) is the place to go for luxurious rest and relaxation. Enjoy the many hot pools, saunas, and steam rooms in the beautiful 50,000 square foot facility; rest in a heated hammock; then dine at Two Trees Bistro. See our story Warm Up and Chill Out at Kananaskis Nordic Spa for more info, or book your hydrotherapy appointment (up to 3 months in advance) now.
2. Stillwater Spa, Hyatt Regency Calgary
Closer to home, treat someone special to a massage, facial, or pedicure at the top-rated Stillwater Spa in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It’s recommended they arrive an hour early to enjoy the steam room and whirlpool!
3. Go on a sleigh ride in Kananaskis or Banff
Boundary Ranch Sleigh Rides are a fun experience for all ages. Ride to a bison paddock and teepee village, and enjoy some hot cocoa. Located in Kananaskis, only 1 hour 15 minutes from Calgary.
In Banff, take a scenic sleigh ride with Banff Trail Riders. Private sleigh rides for couples or families are available!
Elevated Experiences
1. Nightrise at the Banff Gondola
For an amazing experience, ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, dine at Sky Bistro (perfect for date night with fine dining, great cocktails, and floor-to-ceiling windows), then take in the dazzling lights and soundscapes of Nightrise. Learn more about this unique, multimedia, after-dark experience in our story: Nightrise Lights Up the Night at the Banff Gondola.
Book Banff Gondola Nightrise tickets here for November 18, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
2. Calgary Tower
Ride to the Calgary Tower‘s Observation Deck, 191 metres (626.6 ft) above street level, for amazing views of downtown. Get the best steaks at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, or dine at Sky360 and watch how the skyline changes as the restaurant revolves 360 degrees (once per hour).
For the perfect evening, book theatre or symphony tickets! Nearby Arts Commons is Western Canada’s largest performing arts centre and is home to several theatres and the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Experience Gifts for Kids
For the kid who has everything, surprise them with a gift card, day pass, or annual membership to a local attraction or business. Some fun places for kids near Calgary include the following:
- Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo: Open year round
- Telus Spark Science Centre: Open year round
- Flying Squirrel Indoor Trampoline Park will keep your kids moving and having fun! My tween and teen love it! Calgary has a North and South location.
- Activate is active, interactive (play with friends) and super cool. It’s like being inside a video game! Two locations: North and Southwest.
- B-Line Indoor Bike Park: Open year round
- Calgary Climbing Centre has 3 locations around town to challenge you.
- Monster Mini Golf: INDOOR glow in the dark monster themed mini golf.
- Toppler Bowl: 5-pin and glow bowling.
- Pottery painting at Crock A Doodle (3 locations in Calgary) or Colour Me Mine (5 locations in Calgary)
- Bow Habitat Station and Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery: Open year round (Closed for the Holidays December 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024)
- Downhill Karting by Skyline Luge Calgary: Drive your own kart down a 1.8 km track! Open May to October.
- Butterfield Acres: Open April to October
- Calgary Farmyard: Open May to October
- Granary Road Active Learning Park & Farmer’s Market: Open May to October
- Heritage Park Historical Village: May long weekend until Thanksgiving & some special events
- Calaway Park: Open May 18 to October 14, 2024
More Gift Guides
- The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Hikers & Campers
- Holiday Gifts for Photographers & Content Creators
