Where the Prairie Grasslands Meet the Rocky Mountains
Calgary sits at an elevation of 1,045 meters (3,428 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest major cities in Canada. The city is strategically located exactly where the rolling prairie grasslands meet the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of the Continental Divide.
This unique geographical positioning gives Calgary spectacular mountain views and easy access to world-renowned outdoor recreation in Banff and Kananaskis, while maintaining the expansive skies and agricultural advantages of a prairie city.
Fed by the Bow Glacier high up in the Rocky Mountains, this vital river flows directly through the heart of Calgary. It's globally renowned for its world-class trout fishing and is flanked by an extensive, beautiful urban pathway system used daily by commuters and cyclists.
Named for its sharp, distinctive bend, the Elbow River winds through the city's southern neighborhoods before joining the Bow River near downtown. This exact confluence was the historic gathering place that led to the establishment of the original Fort Calgary.
Calgary basks in an incredible average of 2,396 hours of sunshine per year (or 333 sunny days), earning it the title of Canada's sunniest major city. This is due to its location on the dry prairie, safely sheltered from coastal weather patterns that trap clouds and rain.
One of Calgary's most remarkable weather features is the Chinook wind. These warm, dry winds descend from the Rocky Mountains and can raise winter temperatures by as much as 20°C (36°F) in just a few hours. Watch the dramatic shift below!
*A visible sign of this rapid warming is the "Chinook Arch" - a distinctive, sharp band of clouds that forms over the western mountains as the warm air rises and condenses.