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Everything you need to know to get outside and have fun!

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by Karen Ung June 11, 2020

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Hi, I'm Karen. I was born in the mountains of northern BC (where the wild things are) and grew up granola... and went on to study Geography so I could learn more about our natural world. Although my home is in Calgary, you can usually find me on the trails or road tripping around Alberta. I started this blog in 2013 to provide "everything you need to know to get outside and have fun!"

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Karen Ung is a travel writer and blogger, and frequent guest on local radio/TV stations. Watch her on Global Calgary this summer (biweekly outdoor column) where she'll be chatting about fun things to do around Alberta.

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Nightrise is a magical, immersive experience at th

Nightrise is a magical, immersive experience at the top of the @banffgondola 😍 Produced by Moment Factory in participation with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, Nightrise tells Indigenous stories of nature and the Bow Valley through lights, sounds, and projections. It's truly amazing and if you bundle up (I recommend you do), you can experience the interactive lightshow outside, and visit the sound galleries and fire pits on the upper viewing deck. The experience begins on the gondola ride which has been fitted with lights and audio. You will love it!!

Nightrise runs from December 2, 2021 - March 12, 2022.

@pursuitbanffjasper #pursuitlife #banffgondola #nightrise #mybanff #explorealberta #travelalberta #Banff #sulphurmountain

Oh Mount Norquay, we missed you!! ❤❄⛷ If you

Oh Mount Norquay, we missed you!! ❤❄⛷ If you haven't picked up your season's passes yet, the Norquay kiosk at the Banff Train Station can help you out (no lines!), and if you accidentally bought used skis with broken bindings, the Rental/Ski Shop on the hill is awesome!! Steve fixed our skis this morning so we could ski same day. 🙏 Thank you!!

Looking forward to an amazing ski season at @mtnorquay !! 😁

#mtnorquay #skibanff #skibig3 #mybanff #livetoski #lovetoski #snowlovers

Throwback to summer evenings when we watched the s

Throwback to summer evenings when we watched the sun set over turquoise lakes and waited for the alpenglow. 🌄The next time we visit Lake Louise, we'll be cross country skiing! 🎿 What winter activities are you looking forward to most?

#TBT #lakelouise #mybanff #outdoorfamilies #kidsoftheoutdoors #playoutside #laketime #mountainlake #mountainsarecalling #canadianrockies #explorealberta #yycblogger #banffnationalpark #parkscanada #getoutstayout #letsgosomewhere #albertaroadtrips #travelalberta #beautiful #nature #stayandwander #canoe #boathouse #outdoorkids

Happy December!!! ❄ After a long, mild autumn, I

Happy December!!! ❄ After a long, mild autumn, I'm ready for snow! Truth be told, I was horrified by the cold my first winter in Alberta many years ago, but if you wear the right clothes, you can keep toasty warm. Layers are your friend so you can get in the goldilocks zone (not too hot or too cold). ❤ I love my @smartwool merino wool base layers, socks, and hat! The top is so nice and stretchy, it moves with me (and bonus: doesn't look like long underwear). Are you ready for winter?

#GoFarFeelGood #merinowool #sustainable #mybanff #banff #banffnationalpark #explorealberta #albertaadventuregirls #hikealberta #hikingadventures #icefalls #winter #snowday #naturelover #yycblogger #playoutside #radmumsyyc #outdoorwomen #outdoorbella #nobadweather #winteriscoming #snowy

When I lost my husband to cancer in 2019, I didn't

When I lost my husband to cancer in 2019, I didn't know how we would carry on without him, but somehow we did. Some days were hard and the girls would bring tissues to wipe snot and tears from my face (grief is messy), and other days were beautiful yet bittersweet. Sometimes, in the most scenic spot, one of us would say what the others were thinking: "Daddy would love it here." Then we'd hug it out and sit quietly for a while... until someone made a fart joke or something (yes, girls do it too).

I think Kheang would be so proud of his girls; to see how helpful and caring they are. They ask for nothing (I had to coax them for Christmas gift ideas) and are SO good about helping around the house with chores and cooking. This year, they started learning piano and Spanish too - with apps! Something went really right with these kids.♥

I'm thankful for the work I do that allows me to take the girls on fun excursions and adventures, and am thankful for YOU!

With December right around the corner, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!!

#gratitude #thankful #outdoorfamilies #kidsoftheoutdoors #yyckids #playoutside #projectactivefamily #findwhatmovesyou #freshairandfreedom #adventureawaits #getoutstayout #heyletsgo #banffnationalpark #snowday #hikealberta #albertaadventuregirls #albertamamas #snowy #hikingadventures

✨ This holiday season, @telus_spark's Sparkle Sp

✨ This holiday season, @telus_spark's Sparkle Sparkle brings beautiful light displays (perfect for your family Christmas photo!), 🎅🏻 Santa & his robot dog, a cool digital immersion gallery (it's like walking through a snowstorm) ❄️, storyteller, and the Sugar Shack every evening.✨ Parking is free for 45-minutes so you can save money for a treat at the Sugar Shack or glowing drink! 🎄

Tips: Go early to avoid the crowds (it was quiet around 5/5:30) and bring a fast lens so you can get creative photos! 📷

#telusspark #sparkscience #sparklesparkle #christmaslights #capturecalgary #holidayfun #yycliving #festive #lifeincalgary #yyckids #yycfamilies #yycblogger #yyclifestyle #calgarylife #calgaryattractions #calgaryalberta #sciencemuseum

It's time to Sparkle Sparkle at @telus_spark 🌟

It's time to Sparkle Sparkle at @telus_spark 🌟 Twinkling lights, Santa & his robot dog, a Digital Immersion Gallery (walk through a virtual snowstorm!), Story Time, and Sugar Shack await!! Beautiful place to get into the holiday spirit and it's all indoors if you're looking for something fun to do on a chilly evening.

#sparklesparkleYYC #telusspark #capturecalgary #yycliving #holidayfun #yycnow #yyckids #calgarylife #explorealberta #yycblogger

My #LoveYYC story: When I moved to Calgary many ye

My #LoveYYC story: When I moved to Calgary many years ago, it was supposed to be "just for a few years." To be honest, I didn't plan on sticking around after University and raising a family here. In a short time, however, I found myself falling for Calgary; long, cold winters and all (the key is to embrace snow sports! ❤️❄️).

With friendly locals (thank you to the couple who drove silly 20 year old me to the Impound Lot when I unknowingly parked in a tow-away zone during rush hour!! And many thanks to all who reached out while my husband battled stage 4 lung cancer!), blue skies and sunshine ☀️, and a great quality of life, Calgary stole my heart.

Between studying and slinging sushi at Japanese restaurants 🍣, I loved biking the river pathway and mountain biking at Nose Hill Park 🚴‍♀️, going to Farmer's Markets & wine tastings 🥂, meeting friends downtown for drinks, and hiking in Banff and Kananaskis. 🥾

Fast forward to life with kids and we balance mountain adventures ⛰️ with geocaching in Calgary Parks 🧭 and visiting local attractions. The @calgaryzoo 🐧, @heritageparkyyc, @telus_spark, and @bowhabitatstation are a few of our favorites year-round. In winter, we look forward to Zoolights, Once Upon a Christmas, Sparkle Sparkle ✨, sliding 50 km/hr at Winsport's Tube Park, and skating at Bowness Lagoon. Gotta love having big city amenities AND nature escapes close to home! 🌲

Why do YOU #LoveYYC? ♥

To save at Calgary businesses and attractions, and enter to win a #LoveYYC Calgary Staycation prize package, download the Discover Calgary Deals Pass here: https://explore.visitcalgary.com/checkout/297/tourism-calgary/1687/discover-calgary-deals-pass

Shown here:

1. Heritage Park's Once Upon a Christmas
2. Hogarth Lakes Loop, Kananaskis
3. Nose Hill Park
4. Calgary ZOOLIGHTS
5. Fort Calgary
6. Telus Spark
7. Stephen Avenue during Chinook Blast (February 2020)
8. Ice skating at Bowness Lagoon

@tourismcalgary #LoveYYC #yycliving #explorealberta #yycblogger #calgaryisbeautiful #calgary #yyclife #yycnow

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