If the weather stinks and the campsites are full, it must be May long weekend
If it's the May long weekend, two things are pretty much guaranteed in Alberta.
One, campers will be filling highways and flocking to parks around the province.
Two, the weather will stink.
In Bow Valley Provincial Park Friday, both were true – and the lousy weather did not seem to diminish anyone's excitement at the prospect of spending a few days outdoors.
It's never one of the warmest weekends of the year, but it's still one of the busiest.
"We always prepare and always plan for snow," said camper Jordan Bewernick, who said his family goes camping over the May long weekend every year, no matter what the forecast looks like.
"This is something we've been doing for 15 years," he said.
Even his kids love it outdoors.
"I like sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows," said Wesley Bewernick.
Those sentiments were shared by family friend Maya Castonguay.
"I'm excited because all my friends are here and I just like to play with them," Castonguay said.
"I just like listening to the peace," said Georgia Bewernick.
BUSY SEASON ANTICIPATED
A Parks Canada spokesperson said they're expecting a busy season ahead.
"Early indications on our reservation systems and talking to our hospitality partners, it does seem to indicate that we'll see a rebound in visitation this summer," said Jed Cochrane, who added that while the forecast looks reasonable for the weekend, "there's still lots of snow, especially up high."
Lingering snowpack didn't bother camper Craig Milne.
"You just assume it's going to be awful," he said. "You gotta dress right."
Milne and his buddy Rick Rampaul were at the park ahead of their families, setting up campers before everyone arrived.
"Seven or eight years since I got my camper, we've been coming out," said Milne. "(And) our families come out later."
The one potential fly in the frying pan?
That would be how to watch the Battle of Alberta sitting in a campground.
"The playoffs are always May long weekend," Rampaul said, before revealing his camping hack. "My son Joshua is 15-years-old. He came up with the idea of hot spotting the laptop into the TV set, which was just genius."
"The playoffs are always May long weekend," Rampaul said, before revealing his camping hack. "My son Joshua is 15 years old. He came up with the idea of hot spotting the laptop into the TV set, which was just genius."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.