ESSENTIALS - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 566

forecasts, and wilderness passes. Individual addresses and websites are listed in the relev-
ant travel chapters. The national parks are managed by Parks Canada ( www.pc.gc.ca ) . On
the Alberta side of the Canadian Rockies, all other parks are managed by Tourism, Parks,
and Recreation ( www.albertaparks.ca ) . British Columbia's provincial parks are managed
by BC Parks ( www.bcparks.ca ) .
Tourism Information
Begin planning your trip by contacting the government tourist offices of Alberta and Brit-
ish Columbia: Travel Alberta (780/427-4321 or 800/252-3782, www.travelalberta.com )
and Tourism British Columbia (250/387-1642 or 800/435-5622, www.hellobc.com ).
Both will fill your mailbox with useful literature and maps, which can be ordered by phone
or through their respective websites.
In Calgary, you'll find an information booth on the arrivals level of the airport. The
Vancouver Visitor Centre (604/683-2000) is at 200 Burrard Street, although information
on the Canadian Rockies is limited. For general tourism information, the towns of Banff,
Canmore, Jasper, Radium Hot Springs, and Golden have information centers that provide
advice on local attractions, accommodations, and restaurants.
COMMUNICATIONS
Postal Services
Canada Post ( www.canadapost.ca ) issues postage stamps that must be used on all mail
posted in Canada. First-class letters and postcards sent within Canada are $0.61, to the Un-
ited States $1.05, to foreign destinations $1.81. Prices increase along with the weight of
the mailing. You can buy stamps at post offices, automatic vending machines, most hotel
lobbies, the airports, many retail outlets, and some newsstands.
Telephones
Alberta and British Columbia have three and four area codes respectively. The area code
for southern Alberta, including Banff and Canmore, is 403. The area code for northern Al-
berta, including Jasper National Park, is 780. The area code 587 covers all of the province.
The area code for all of British Columbia except Vancouver and environs is 250. The area
code for Vancouver is 604. The area codes 778 and 236 overlay the entire province. Unless
otherwise noted, all numbers must be dialed with this prefix, including local calls made
from within Alberta. The country code for Canada is 1, the same as the United States.