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Calgary,Alberta
Visitor Tips and Services |
All the information you will need to know before coming to Canada and the beautiful city of Calgary, Alberta. Check Calgary weather or what you would need to do before planning a mountain holiday.
Visitor tips:
Calgary's climate
Calgary and area has a moderate four-season climate, with large variations in temperature between seasons and from one locale to another. Summer days in the city of Calgary are usually warm and dry with cool evenings because of the altitude and proximity to the mountains. However, a summer day in Drumheller is often very hot and dry approximating desert-like conditions. A summer day in the mountains can be hot but the evenings are always cool.
Alberta has more hours of sunshine in a year than any other province in Canada, and Calgary is known for its blue skies. A unique phenomena called a Chinook wind can raise temperatures more than 20 degrees in one day, turning winter days into spring. A strong wind and an arch of clouds form over the mountains, heralding the arrival of the Chinook.
Calgary and area is typically dry with the largest amount of rainfall during the spring months. Although the mountain areas receive significant amounts of snow in the winter, Calgary often receives only moderate snowfall.
Average Temperatures: |
Summer (Jun to Aug): 20o C |
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Fall (Sep to Nov): 11o C |
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Winter (Dec to Feb): -11o C |
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Spring (Mar to May): 9o C
Suggested wardrobe
Summer:
For the city, pack lightweight clothing with a sweater, raincoat or light topcoat for cooler evening temperatures. Temperatures in the mountains are always a little cooler than in the city.
If you are planning outdoor activities in the mountains, bring good hiking shoes or boots, and carry warm clothing that can be layered. The University of Calary's outdoor rental centre rents equipment for outdoor activities, for very moderate fees. Calgary also has excellent outdoor clothing and equipment stores.
Spring and Fall:
Weather during these in-between seasons can be unpredictable. Bring a warm jacket and clothing that can be layered.
Winter:
During the winter months, a warm coat, boots, gloves and a hat are a necessity. If you plan on skiing, be sure to bring your skiwear. Most ski facilities, however, rent skis, boots and poles.
Canadian holidays |
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New Year's Day |
Good Friday |
Victoria Day |
Canada Day |
Heritage Day |
Labour Day |
Thanksgiving Day |
Remembrance Day |
Christmas Day |
Boxing Day |
Currency & banking
Dollars and cents form the monetary system in Canada. Although the operators of many retail outlets, restaurants and other venues may accept American money, visitors should exchange their travellers cheques or cash for Canadian currency.
Visitors will receive the best rate of exchange at:
- Chartered banks
- Trust companies
- Credit unions
- Caisse populaires
- Alberta Treasury Branches
- Airport and border crossing exchange booths
Some banks charge a fee to cash travellers cheques. Normal banking hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours including weekends at many locations.
Automated teller machines marked with a Plus or Interac symbol will accept automated banking cards from outside Canada. Banks charge a fee of $2 for international transactions. The visitors bank sets the exchange rate. Most venues will accept major national or international credit cards and travellers cheques for payment.
Driving Distances From Calgary*
to Banff 1.5 hours
to Lake Louise 2 hours
to Canmore 1.25 hours
to Jasper 5 hours
to Edmonton 3 hours
to Red Deer 1.5 hours
to Waterton 3 hours
to Lethbridge 2.5 hours
to Drumheller 1.5 hours
to Panorama, BC 3.5 hours
to Vancouver, BC 12 hours
to Regina, SK 8.5 hours
to Winnipeg, MB 15 hours
* All times are estimates based on posted speed limits and shortest routes.
Duty free shops
Duty Free Shops at border crossings and airports sell tax-free items to departing visitors. For questions regarding restrictions, licenses or controls, check with customs officials.
Electricity
Electrical outlets and voltage are the same as they are in the United States (110 or 220 volts). For countries that use different voltages, an adapter is necessary to use small electrical appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons.
Fishing and hunting licences
The provincial Ministry of Environment issues freshwater fishing licenses at sporting goods stores, department stores, marinas, and Canadian Parks Service Information Centres. The federal Department of Fisheries issues saltwater fishing licenses at the same outlets as freshwater licenses. Hunters obtain licenses and any other details from the Ministry of Environment, Government Agents or licensed offices.
There is no hunting within national and provincial parks in Alberta. For information on hunting regulations in Alberta, call the Fish and Wildlife Department at (403) 297-6423.
Health insurance
Visitors to Canada should obtain travellers' health insurance before leaving home. Most health insurance coverage does not extend outside the country of residence. Visitors may find they have either no health insurance or inadequate coverage when in Canada.
Daily rates for hospital care vary from hospital to hospital and province to province. Charges for adult in-patient care can start at $900 per day; charges for children in specialized hospitals can be higher still. In addition, some provinces impose a surcharge of up to 30 per cent on care for non-residents. Visitors taking prescription medication should bring a copy of the prescription for renewal in Canada.
Hospital & medical services
Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent. Alberta hospitals will not refuse treatment to those requiring care, regardless of their financial status or health care coverage.
Emergency care in Calgary
Dial '911' in Calgary for emergency service including situations where an ambulance is needed.
The following hospitals have emergency care departments:
Alberta Children's Hospital
2888 Shaganappi Trail NW
(403) 955-8810 or Toll Free at 1-877-715-kids (5437)
www.childrenshospital.ab.ca
(emergency services for children 18 and younger)
Foothills Hospital (24-hour)
1403-29th St. N.W.
(403) 670-1110
Peter Lougheed General Hospital (24-hour)
3500-26 Ave. N.E.
(403) 291-8555
Rockyview General Hospital (24-hour)
7007-14th St. S.W.
(403) 541-3000
Walk-in clinics offer limited emergency services and are open in the evenings and on weekends. Check the Yellow Pages in the Phone directory under 'Physicians and Surgeons.'
Liquor laws
Legal minimum age to purchase liquor in Alberta is 18. In British Columbia and Saskatchewan the legal age is 19.
Metric system
Canada uses the metric system for weights, measures and distances, although the Imperial system is included in this guide (in parenthesis).
How to convert between metric and Imperial:
Distance
1 km = 5/8 mile
Driving Speed
50 km/h = 30 mph
100 km/h road signs = 60 mph
To convert kilometres to miles:
1 km X .6 = approximate mileage
To convert miles to kilometres:
1 mi. X 1.6 = approximate kilometres
Weight
1 kilogram(kg) = 2.2 lb.
500 grams(g) = 1.1 lb.
To convert kilograms to pounds:
Multiply kg X 2.2 = lb.
To covert grams to ounces:
Multiply grams X .035 = ounces
Buying gas and other liquids
Fuel in Canada is sold in litres. It takes 3.78 litres to make 1 U.S. gallon. A litre of milk is roughly equal to a quart of milk.
Temperature
Canada uses the Celsius temperature scale where the freezing point = 0oC
To convert Celsius into Fahrenheit degrees:
Fo = 9/5 X Co + 32
For example, a pleasant summer morning of 22oC = 72oF; while -5oC (23oF) in February is great skiing weather.
National parks/national historic sites
The fee structure for national parks and national historic sites in Canada recently changed. Park passes are available on a daily or annual basis. Call 1-800-651-7959 toll free inside Canada or 403-292-4401 outside Canada for more information.
Animals in national and provincial parks and other areas are wild and therefore dangerous. It is illegal to approach, harass or feed wild animals and birds in any provincial or national park. It is also illegal to pick or remove any vegetation, flowers, rocks, etc. from parks. Remember the motto of the parks: "Take only pictures, leave only footprints."
Back-country fees and permits All persons staying overnight in the backcountry areas of the National Parks require a permit. During the summer season, each person pays a Daily Wilderness Pass fee of $6 per night. Failure to do so can result in a $2,000 fine. Annual Wilderness Passes are available for $42 per year.
Postal rates & codes
To mail a letter through Canada Post, visitors must use Canadian stamps.
Up to 30 grams within Canada is 51 cents
Up to 30 grams to the U.S. is 89 cents
0 to 20 grams internationally is $1.27
More than 30 grams within Canada and to the U.S., and more than 20 grams internationally, is determined by weight and size, plus GST. All mail in Canada must include the postal code for each address. Hotel front desks and postal outlets have postal code directories or dial 1-800-267-1133 in Canada for postal code information.
Sales taxes
Provincial Sales Taxes Alberta has a five per cent hotel tax but no provincial sales tax.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) The five percent federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to most goods and services. Foreign visitors may claim a full rebate of the GST on non-consumable goods (items purchased in Canada that they take out of the country within 60 days of purchase), and on short-term accommodation. There is no rebate on consumable items such as meals, liquor, tobacco, transportation costs and gasoline.
To apply for a refund:
Present your original receipts at a participating Canadian duty free shop for a total cash refund of up to $500 Canadian when leaving Canada. Or mail a completed refund application along with the original receipts to the address on the application. Allow six to eight weeks for a refund.
For further information, contact:
Visitor Rebate Program
Revenue Canada
Summerside, PEI C1N 6C6
Toll free in Canada: 1-800-668-4748
Outside Canada: (902) 432-5608
International Tax Refund Services, Inc.
Box 3129
Airdrie, AB T4B 2B7
(403) 948-4005 or toll-free at 1-888-333-1331
Fax: (403) 948-8771
Telephones
International Dialing Procedures To dial overseas: Dial 011 + Country Code (1-5 digits) + Routing Code (1-5 digits) + Local Number (2-9 digits). The operator (Dial 0) can give you the Country Code and Routing Code for all international centres.
Provincial Dialing Procedures
To dial within Canada:
Dial 1 + Area Code (3 digits) + Local Number (7 digits).
Local Dialing is simply the area code (3 digits) + Local Number (7 digits)
Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a bill in Canada, except for large parties or banquets. In general, tip 15 per cent of the total amount. This applies to service attendants including waiters, waitresses, barbers, hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc. Pay bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters) etc. at hotels, airports and railway stations $2 per item of luggage.
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T 403 278 8899 F 403 278 8953 C 403 542 5421 |
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