Alberta to Alaska Highway Route
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Choosing the route that takes you through Alberta, British Columbia and Whitehorse means choosing some of the most striking and incredible countryside you can imagine. As you make your way on Highway 2 across Alberta and into BC and the Yukon, you will find yourself endlessly amazed by the pristine beauty and majesty of the Canadian Rockies and the lush landscape that is Alberta.
Coutts, Alberta
This journey begins at Coutts, known as “Coutt’s Crossing” to locals. This village is one of the most-used Canada-U.S. border crossings. Traveling west, you will make your way to the town of Lethbridge, home to Fort Whoop-Up and the amazing Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. Take time to venture a bit west of Lethbridge to historic Fort Macleod, the first outpost established by the North West Mounted Police. Northwest of Fort Macleod is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Built into the side of a cliff where bison were herded to their deaths by the Blackfoot Indians for nearly 6,000 years, the Interpretive Center there is well worth seeing.
Calgary, Alberta
From Lethbridge, you will head up to Calgary, Heart of the New West and home to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. This city holds on to its western roots while maintaining a lively and urban atmosphere. Explore some of the city’s attractions including the Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary and Canada Olympic Park, or fly fish in the Bow River, right in the heart of the city.
Edmonton, Alberta
The most direct route to Alaska will take you on Highway 2 from Calgary to Edmonton, Alberta’s capital. Edmonton is known as Canada’s “Festival City” and is a great place to explore for a day or two. If you like shopping, a stop at the West Edmonton Mall is a must. The world’s largest shopping and entertainment complex, the West Edmonton Mall spans almost 48 city blocks and includes more than 800 shops and services, including an indoor waterpark!
Grande Cache, Alberta
Leaving Edmonton, you will head west on Highway 16 to Grande Cache. The Tourism and Interpretive Centre here is one of the best in western Canada. Take one of the short hikes to the cliffs overlooking the Smoky River, which is a venture well worth the effort. Keep in mind as you get ready to make your way onward to Grande Prairie, there are plenty of campgrounds with hookups between the two towns but no gas stations. Make sure you fill up before heading out.
SIDE TRIPS
You may wish to detour a bit from the fastest route to Alaska to savor some of Alberta’s amazing scenery as you make your way north. We’d like to offer a few side trip ideas that will enhance your journey and add to the enjoyment:
Calgary to Banff and Jasper
Just west of Calgary in Canada’s oldest national park is the internationally renowned resort of Banff. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, it is a panorama of unspoiled beauty and natural wonder. This is the perfect base point for an adventure into the Canadian Rockies, with both day tours and overnight trips available. Explore Banff’s Cave and Basin National Historic Site, take a boat ride on Lake Minnewanka, or experience the Banff Park Museum. From Banff, make your way along the Icefields Parkway to the town of Jasper. The Parkway showcases 100+ massive glaciers, as well as beautiful meadows and lakes. Stop to see the Columbia Icefields Centre, Parker Ridge, and Peyto Lake Lookout, or take an “Ice Explorer” tour on the Athabasca Glacier. The Icefields Parkway ends at Jasper, where you will find an enchanting town that is both hospitable and gracious. Spend some time relaxing in the Miette Hot Springs, or enjoy a tour down Maligne Lake. The Jasper Tramway is another exciting sight, as it takes you to the top of Whistler’s Mountain and you can hike the trails overlooking the magnificence of the valley below.
