Watch the sunset at the Banff Gondola
When: Until September 5
Ride the Banff Gondola up to the Peak Patio and take in the epic mountain views while sipping local craft beers and eating donairs during the Banff Sunset Festival. The festival runs every evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and features live music, rhythmic dance performances and other activities suitable for all ages. To attend, purchase a ticket online or in-person at the gondola.Â
1 Mountain Ave., Banff, banffjaspercollection.com
Drink beer and cider at SilverStar Resort
When: September 10
There can never be too many beer and cider festivals. Be sure to add this one to your fall festival list if you want to sample B.C. brews from the likes of Yellow Dog Brewing or Shuswap Cider Co. The one-day tasting festival at SilverStar Mountain Resort runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes a pop-up market, live music, food and drinks. You can pre-purchase tickets online for $45 to get a sampling mug, four beer tokens and access to all food vendors and participating breweries and cideries. Limited day-of tickets will also be available.
123 Shortt St., Silver Star Mountain, 250-542-0224, destinationsilverstar.com
Celebrate Pride in Canmore
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When: September 15 to 18
The Canmore Pride Society, which officially incorporated last year, will be hosting its second annual Pride Festival this month. The weekend’s activities include open-mic nights, drag shows, barbecues, brunches, movie screenings and more, all held at host venue locations that have undergone diversity and inclusion training with the society in advance.
Bike a gravel fondo in the Okanangan Valley
When: September 16 to 17
The Kettle Mettle is the oldest Gravel Fondo — a bike race done primarily on a gravel or dirt path with less than 15 per cent of the trail having pavement — in Western Canada, and this September, it’s back for its seventh year. Kicking off in Princeton, B.C., the race now features a new, two-day option that continues from the first stop in Penticton on to Kelowna. Competitors can choose between three route distances — 50 kms, 100 kms and 138 kms — and can register as individuals or as teams of two or four.Â
Sip afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel
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When: Until September 19
Snack on a variety of finger sandwiches and sip a selection of gourmet teas during afternoon tea in the Prince of Wales Hotel’s Royal Steward Dining Room. Tea service is available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the Prince of Wales’ operating season and costs $36 for adults and $18 for children (reservations can be made online). Bonus: the dining room happens to provide a spectacular view of Waterton Lake.
Alberta 5, Waterton Park, 1-844-868-7474, glacierparkcollection.com
Run the Castle Alpine Trail race
When: September 24
Breathe in the fresh, forest air on this 28-km trail run, which spans two mountain summits and is estimated to take more than eight and a half hours to complete. After the run, you can celebrate your colossal achievement with post-race activities that include games, live music, dinner and an awards ceremony. Registration and race information for solo runners or teams of two or three can be found online.
Wine and dine at Canmore Uncorked
When: September 29 to October 8
This annual, award-winning event is back after a three-year hiatus, and food lovers will surely be delighted with the full (pun intended) schedule of exciting culinary experiences, including the signature wine and spirits festival and craft beer festival. A variety of multi-sensory events will be held over the 10-day festival as well, including a culinary symphony, a five-course food and music pairing dinner, and progressive dinner tours where you can cycle along local trails while visiting four Canmore restaurants.Â
833-609-0989, uncorked.hubopolis.com
Eat on an e-bike food tour in Jasper
Created by Jasper Food Tours, this new experience takes riders along a 25-km route through the back roads of Jasper National Park, stopping at restaurants and viewpoints along the way. Your guide will tell you all about Jasper’s history and stories as you pedal with assistance on a Pedego e-bike. Tours run Tuesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and rates include the e-bike rental, interpretive guide and a full, progressive three-course meal for riders who are 12 years old and up.
780-931-3287, jasperfoodtours.com