Jasper is four and a half hours from Calgary, and most of the drive is the Icefields Parkway, past glaciers hanging off the peaks on both sides. The 8 weekend getaways here run from Rocky Mountain House, 2h 20m north, to Jasper at 4h 40m. Most are over the Continental Divide in British Columbia: Golden, the hot springs towns of the Columbia Valley and Revelstoke.
Go to the mountains from June to September, the hot springs in shoulder season, and Revelstoke in winter for the snow. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Yoho and Waterton are all within three hours, so they sit with the day trips from Calgary.
All costs are in Canadian dollars for two people: fuel there and back, two nights in a comfortable hotel, food and activities. Drive times are one-way from downtown Calgary in typical traffic.
The short list
| Destination | Best for | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site | ~2h 20m223 km | History | C$1,400–C$2,000 | July |
| Golden | ~2h 50m265 km | Nature | C$1,400–C$2,000 | July |
| Radium Hot Springs | ~2h 50m261 km | Nature | C$1,400–C$2,000 | October |
| Edmonton | ~3h301 km | History | C$1,400–C$2,000 | July |
| Fairmont Hot Springs | ~3h 15m298 km | Nature | C$1,400–C$2,000 | September |
| Columbia Icefield | ~3h 35m313 km | Nature | C$1,400–C$2,000 | July |
| Revelstoke | ~4h 30m409 km | Adventure | C$1,400–C$2,000 | August |
| Jasper | ~4h 40m413 km | Adventure | C$1,600–C$2,000 | September |
Under three and a half hours, two nights is plenty. For Revelstoke and Jasper, take three nights, and check mountain road conditions from October to May.
Best for the Icefields Parkway
Jasper
Jasper is the quieter, wilder park north of Banff. Take the boat to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, ride the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain, and drive to Mount Edith Cavell. Its dark skies make it a good place to see stars.
Don't miss
- Maligne Lake
- Mount Edith Cavell
- Jasper Planetarium
Jasper
≈ CAD 1,600–CAD 2,000
4h 40m drive · Best in September
The Jasper SkyTram carries visitors to the summit of Whistlers Mountain for sweeping wilderness views.
Top sights
Jasper National Park
Athabasca Falls
Jasper Tramway
Miette Hot Springs
Mount Edith Cavell
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield is halfway up the Icefields Parkway. Walk to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, ride a snow coach onto the ice, and step out on the glass-floored Skywalk. Tours run from about May to October.
Don't miss
- Athabasca Glacier Toe Walk
- Icefields Parkway
Columbia Icefield
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
3h 35m drive · Best in July
The Athabasca Glacier spills down beside the Icefields Parkway, where snow coaches drive onto the ice and the glass-floored Skywalk hangs over the Sunwapta Valley.
Best for British Columbia's mountain towns
Golden
Golden sits where the Kicking Horse River meets the Columbia. Ride the gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, cross the Golden Skybridge, and raft the river in summer.
Don't miss
- Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Yoho National Park
- Kicking Horse River
- Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre
Golden
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
2h 50m drive · Best in July
The Golden Skybridge spans a massive canyon between two mountain ridges.
Top sights
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Kicking Horse River
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is a rail town in the Columbia Mountains. Ride the Pipe Mountain Coaster at the resort, drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway in August for the wildflowers, and visit the Railway Museum. Revelstoke runs on Pacific time, an hour behind Calgary.
Don't miss
- Mount Revelstoke National Park
- Revelstoke Mountain Resort
- Revelstoke Railway Museum
- Meadows in the Sky Parkway
Revelstoke
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
4h 30m drive · Best in August
The Pipe Mountain Coaster glides down the slopes of Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Top sights
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke Railway Museum
Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre
Three Valley Gap
Radium Hot Springs
Radium Hot Springs is the village at the south gate of Kootenay National Park. Soak in the outdoor pools in Sinclair Canyon, and walk to the Paint Pots on the drive in.
Don't miss
- Radium Hot Springs Pools
- Paint Pots
Radium Hot Springs
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
2h 50m drive · Best in October
Mineral-rich water fills the outdoor pools nestled in the Sinclair Canyon walls.
Top sights
Kootenay National Park
Fairmont Hot Springs
Fairmont Hot Springs is a resort in the Columbia Valley with big outdoor pools, golf in summer and a small ski hill in winter.
Don't miss
- Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
- Mountainside Golf Course
- Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park
- Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area
Fairmont Hot Springs
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
3h 15m drive · Best in September
The hot spring pools overlook the dramatic peaks of the Columbia Valley range.
Top sights
Riverside Golf Course
Dutch Creek Hoodoos
Best for history and a city weekend
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
Rocky Mountain House is the Parks Canada site of rival fur-trade forts on the North Saskatchewan River, with Métis-led programs, bison viewing and riverside trails.
Don't miss
- Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
- Crimson Lake Provincial Park
- Rocky Mountain House Museum
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
2h 20m drive · Best in July
Parks Canada interprets the sites of rival fur trade forts on the North Saskatchewan River, with Métis-led programs, bison viewing and riverside trails.
Edmonton
Edmonton is Alberta's capital, three hours north. See the Royal Alberta Museum, ride the steam train at Fort Edmonton Park, and walk the river valley.
Don't miss
- Royal Alberta Museum
- William Hawrelak Park
- West Edmonton Mall
Iconic eats: Perogies
Edmonton
≈ CAD 1,400–CAD 2,000
3h drive · Best in July
Fort Edmonton Park replicates historical settlement eras with costumed interpreters and vintage steam trains.
Top sights
Royal Alberta Museum
William Hawrelak Park
Art Gallery of Alberta
Old Strathcona Farmers' Market
West Edmonton Mall
Which to skip, and when
Skip the Icefields Parkway in a winter storm; in winter it has no services for 230 km. Skip the Columbia Icefield tours outside May to October. In winter, choose Revelstoke or Golden for skiing, or Radium and Fairmont for the hot pools.
Common questions
What's the best weekend getaway from Calgary?
Jasper, about 4h 40m away up the Icefields Parkway, is the strongest weekend getaway from Calgary: Maligne Lake, the Jasper SkyTram and the drive past the Columbia Icefield on the way. Take three nights for the distance.
What's the closest weekend getaway from Calgary?
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, about 2h 20m north, is the closest of the 8 weekend getaways on this page. Golden and Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia are next at about 2h 50m.
How much does a weekend getaway from Calgary cost for two?
A weekend getaway from Calgary costs about C$1,400 to C$2,000 for two people on this page, covering fuel, two nights in a comfortable hotel, food and activities. Jasper starts at about C$1,600. National parks also need a Parks Canada pass.
Where are Banff and Lake Louise?
Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Yoho and Waterton are on the day trips page, since all of them sit within three hours of Calgary. Book a night there if you want one; the planner prices it.
What's the best hot springs weekend from Calgary?
Radium Hot Springs, about 2h 50m away through Kootenay National Park, has outdoor pools under the walls of Sinclair Canyon. Fairmont Hot Springs, about 3h 15m, is the resort option further down the Columbia Valley.
When can you visit the Columbia Icefield?
The Athabasca Glacier tours and the Skywalk run from about May to October. The Icefields Parkway stays open in winter but has no services, so carry chains, food and a full tank.
The bottom line
Drive the Icefields Parkway to Jasper for a long weekend, soak at Radium in the fall, and ski Revelstoke in winter. Plan your weekend trip free and the planner ranks these for your dates and budget.
Browse more weekend getaways by city, or keep it to a day with the day trips from Calgary.
Drive times are routed by road from downtown Calgary in October 2026. Costs come from the same pricing the planner uses. Check park passes and mountain road conditions before you go.
Written by Namrata · Editor
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