Behind the wheel, upon leaving Calgary International Airport, the wealth from oil and gas is clear to see, a testament to commerce and industry in this harsh and remote region. And after two hours on its flat plains, Alberta's untouched beauty rises into view. The usual tradeoffs between conserving a region's natural beauty and developing its economies do not seem to apply here; perhaps due to the discovery of Banff's hot springs occurring before those of its oil wells. Much like the duality of nature versus economics, Banff’s iconic blue lakes are renowned, but its winter landscape of snow-capped mountains and evergreen forests is equally majestic. Allow a week to unplug and savor breathtaking vistas in this, sometimes, serene solitude. Though, as magnificent as the spectacle may be, one must acknowledge that the true allure of this journey lies not in Calgary proper.

Peyto Lake & Vermillion Lake