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Calgary 2025 ABS Conference & Alberta Exploration
The 2025 ABS Conference is being held in Calgary, Alberta from Friday Aug 1 → Sunday Aug 3, 2025 at the Calgary Convention Center.
Why not add a few extra days of exploration? Looking at Austin Adventure's tours starting in Calgary I found inspiration in their Banff Adventure, which guides small groups through a week of moderate hiking and rafting around Banff, just west of Calgary.
There's no need to duplicate their itinerary, but why not cherry pick a few recommended day trips? The following is a list of some hikes and places to stay, assuming we can arrive late Sunday, July 27 and finish Friday morning - giving us four good days for hiking? Without rafting… Or perhaps a few days after the conference? Simple trip planning without any tightening of the screws of reservations and dates.
Hiking disclaimer: 60 year old knees will not like 3,000' of climbing four days straight. So, let's not.
ABS Conference 2025
The conference details are not yet available, other than:
The 49th annual conference will take place on August 1-3, 2025 at the Telus Convention Center in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. https://www.bahaistudies.ca/event/2025
The Telus Convention Center is on the same block as the Hyatt Regency, so it's a likely bet that this will be the preferred hotel. The Association of Baha'i Studies will likely give us a preferred rate so it might be better to wait on hotel reservations.
Hotels
Just some ideas from Austin Adventures, ABS location or places closer to likely hiking spots. It's better to stay two nights in a location. Rates are for simple king room for August. Some places are on the pricey side - and cheaper options are defintely available!
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Calgary Hyatt
Likely preferred hotel for the ABS conference, mentioned above. Might want to wait for ABS recommendations.
- Website: Hyatt Regency.
- Rate: about $176/night (member rate)
Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Nicely located near many hikes, about 100km from Calgary. A full featured resort with features we'll not likely use, such a golf, swimming, etc.
- Website: Marriott
- Rate: about $460
Royal Canadian Lodge
Another Austin Adventures location, right in Banff. Seems pricey for what you get.
- Website: https://www.royalcanadianlodge.com/
- Rate: about $440
Banff Springs Hotel
An iconic, historical, huge and pricey hotel. Not likely, but I've always wanted to see it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_Springs_Hotel
- Rate: 700+