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
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
DEVELOPING Key witness lied on stand, Trump lawyer tells jurors during closing arguments in hush money trial
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Quebec homeowner recalls moment tornado hit his farmhouse west of Montreal
A homeowner in western Quebec is recounting a narrow escape after his home was hit by a tornado Monday afternoon.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.