Mighty Peace Tourist Association
* Enjoy fine dining in the many restaurants and hotels in the urban centres of the Peace Country.
* Campgrounds and RV parks abound. Bring your fishing gear but don't forget your golf clubs—there are lots of courses to choose from. A favourite is the Mighty Peace Golf Club.
* Travel further north and visit the Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre—learn why Fort Vermillion is known as "the place where Alberta began."
* Discover the same routes used by the Voyageurs along the Hungry Bend Sand Dunes and Fort Vermilion chutes.
* Request a free copy of the Mighty Peace Tourist Association vacation guide.
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My last Alberta road trip started off as it usually does. My boyfriend and I have our heads in a map, determining which secondary highway or off-the-beaten-path route we are going to take. One non-negotiable factor in deciding our course – this time to Peace Country in Alberta’s northwest – is my penchant for our province’s ‘Big’ roadside attractions.
So, with a hockey stick and new skates in tow, we hit the road heading northwest up through the Grizzly Bear Trail (a portion of HWY 33) and past Falher, not only the Honey Capital of Canada but home to the Fahler Honey Bee, the largest man-made honey bee in the world. Non-negotiable #1 fulfilled.
Outside, we were welcomed by perfectly cleared rinks – 19 in total. To accommodate an impressive 300 plus games and about 400 players from throughout the Peace region and as far away as Ontario and the North West Territories, site preparations for this year’s festivities took about five weeks — no small undertaking for an event that has seen such significant development in just its third year.
“Wow, this is amazing,” my hockey fan travel buddy claimed, as he drifted off behind me to the centre rink to watch a game.
Adding to his excitement was the arrival of former New York Islander and Hockey Hall of Fame Legend, Bryan Trottier, who dropped the puck at the Trottier All Stars Games, a special event developed this year for eight lucky kids – a game that certainly added to the Family Day spirit of the overall tournament.
The theme this year – Carnaval Super Z’héros – was played out during the opening ceremonies at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre. During this humorous sketch, the audience was advised that the event was in ‘danger’ from the vicious Frères Maniaques and only the local “superheroes,” The Alliance Masculine, (complete with bedsheet capes and thick glasses) could save us all.
Of course, the more enthusiastic festival goers became, enjoying the weekend’s musical performances, comedy, authentic French-Canadian meals, snow sculpting, log sawing, winter games and more, the greater power the Alliance would have to conquer the evil doers.
We determined that the Frères Maniaques were quickly defeated and we set foot outside to join the hordes of bundled up families milling about licking sweet sticks of maple taffy, and munching on generous bowls of poutine drenched in delicious gravy topped off with tasty little cheese curds that ‘kwik kwik’d’ in our mouths with each bite.
French language filled the air and we cozied up in the gazebo-turned-Gazebar to enjoy French music from bands from around the province, the Yukon and Quebec.
"Drink the water of the Peace River and you will return." – Beaver Indian legend
The Mighty Peace River quietly sculpts Alberta's landscape for over 1,000 km (621 mi) and has shaped a wonder-filled river valley so beautifully wide and deep. Take your pick from more than 50 clear, clean lakes and rivers that offer a true northern fishing experience, as well as 200 species of songbirds and waterfowl.* Enjoy fine dining in the many restaurants and hotels in the urban centres of the Peace Country.
* Campgrounds and RV parks abound. Bring your fishing gear but don't forget your golf clubs—there are lots of courses to choose from. A favourite is the Mighty Peace Golf Club.
* Travel further north and visit the Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre—learn why Fort Vermillion is known as "the place where Alberta began."
* Discover the same routes used by the Voyageurs along the Hungry Bend Sand Dunes and Fort Vermilion chutes.
* Request a free copy of the Mighty Peace Tourist Association vacation guide.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Peace Country's 'Joie de Vivre'
By Anastasia Martin-StilwellMy last Alberta road trip started off as it usually does. My boyfriend and I have our heads in a map, determining which secondary highway or off-the-beaten-path route we are going to take. One non-negotiable factor in deciding our course – this time to Peace Country in Alberta’s northwest – is my penchant for our province’s ‘Big’ roadside attractions.
So, with a hockey stick and new skates in tow, we hit the road heading northwest up through the Grizzly Bear Trail (a portion of HWY 33) and past Falher, not only the Honey Capital of Canada but home to the Fahler Honey Bee, the largest man-made honey bee in the world. Non-negotiable #1 fulfilled.
The Puck Drops Here
Our final destination was Peace River during Alberta’s Family Day long weekend, where hockey enthusiasts flocked west of the city, to Lac Cardinal for the annual four-day Alberta Pond Hockey Tournament, the largest of its kind in the province. We arrived on site to a flurry of organized activity. Heading in and out of the central tent in between games, players – both men and women – came in to warm up reddened cheeks, munch on juicy burgers or to just sit and chill to live music until the next round began.Outside, we were welcomed by perfectly cleared rinks – 19 in total. To accommodate an impressive 300 plus games and about 400 players from throughout the Peace region and as far away as Ontario and the North West Territories, site preparations for this year’s festivities took about five weeks — no small undertaking for an event that has seen such significant development in just its third year.
“Wow, this is amazing,” my hockey fan travel buddy claimed, as he drifted off behind me to the centre rink to watch a game.Adding to his excitement was the arrival of former New York Islander and Hockey Hall of Fame Legend, Bryan Trottier, who dropped the puck at the Trottier All Stars Games, a special event developed this year for eight lucky kids – a game that certainly added to the Family Day spirit of the overall tournament.
Saved by the Carnival Super Heroes
Taking a side trip to the east of Peace River we received a grand ‘bienvenue!’ at the 27th Annual Winter Carnaval de St. Isidore. A quiet little hamlet of only about 300 people which was abuzz hosting one of the biggest winter carnavals in Alberta’s north – one that typically attracts over 1,500 visitors.The theme this year – Carnaval Super Z’héros – was played out during the opening ceremonies at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre. During this humorous sketch, the audience was advised that the event was in ‘danger’ from the vicious Frères Maniaques and only the local “superheroes,” The Alliance Masculine, (complete with bedsheet capes and thick glasses) could save us all.
Of course, the more enthusiastic festival goers became, enjoying the weekend’s musical performances, comedy, authentic French-Canadian meals, snow sculpting, log sawing, winter games and more, the greater power the Alliance would have to conquer the evil doers.
We determined that the Frères Maniaques were quickly defeated and we set foot outside to join the hordes of bundled up families milling about licking sweet sticks of maple taffy, and munching on generous bowls of poutine drenched in delicious gravy topped off with tasty little cheese curds that ‘kwik kwik’d’ in our mouths with each bite.
French language filled the air and we cozied up in the gazebo-turned-Gazebar to enjoy French music from bands from around the province, the Yukon and Quebec.
