Work from Calgary, Play within the Rockies: The Adventures of a Digital Nomad

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fifteenth October 2025 | Liz Hamilton – Calgary, Canada.

Dreaming of a two-week mountain journey however brief on annual depart? Uncover how distant work and a Calgary base can allow you to discover the Rockies for 2 weeks—with out taking a single time off. NEW

Fancy a two-week mountain journey, however brief on annual depart?

In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to have a brother and his fiancee dwelling in Calgary in Canada with a spare room, plus your employer permits distant working, it’s surprisingly potential.

Two weeks of Rockies journey with out taking a single time off work.

Life as a ‘digital nomad’ – from hikes and swims, to biking the Parkway and riverside paddle boarding, this journey blended work and play, with mountains and metropolis life in good stability.

Right here’s my weblog on how these two weeks unfolded:

I arrived in Calgary at noon on a Saturday, bleary-eyed however buzzing — a brand new journey and two full weeks forward in Canada’s mountain playground.

The primary afternoon was all about easing in: unpacking, organising desk (as a result of sure, this was a working journey), and wandering across the metropolis to battle off the jet lag.

Calgary is splendidly alive presently of 12 months — cyclists in every single place, river paths stuffed with locals floating downstream, and sunshine that lingers despite the fact that the evenings are drawing in.

After an early evening, jet lag labored its magic.

I used to be wakeful earlier than daybreak on Sunday, able to take advantage of it.

We piled into the automotive and drove an hour west to Banff — espresso in hand, mountains rising on the horizon.

First cease: a brief two-hour hike close to Mt Norquay, the right strategy to stretch the legs after the flight.

Views from our hike in Mt Norquay – Picture © PlanetSKI

Views from our hike in Mt Norquay – Picture © PlanetSKI

We set off alongside the famed Parkway — each flip revealing one other “pull over and stare” view.

The roads had been lined with bear warning indicators, which after all had us scanning each tree line and shadow.

Sadly, or maybe happily, no bears made an look, regardless of our enthusiastic looking.

Although we did see bottom of what regarded like a mountain goat.

First wildlife recognizing – Picture © PlanetSKI

We discovered a quiet spot for a picnic lunch with mountain views, earlier than heading into Banff city for a lazy afternoon of wandering, people-watching and poking across the retailers.

Banff in summer time feels extra like a buzzing alpine resort than a vacationer city — lively, hikers contemporary off the path, and that unmistakable scent of pine and sunscreen.

Picnic with a view – Picture © PlanetSKI

Picnic with a view – Picture © PlanetSKI

Because the day wound down, we took a brief drive to Lake Two Jack for a swim.

It regarded icy, however when you’re in, it’s surprisingly manageable — crisp and exhilarating, with mirror-flat water reflecting the mountains.

A fast dip, just a few laughs, after which the drive again to Calgary, home windows down, golden mild flickering by means of the timber.

Exploring Banff city – Picture © PlanetSKI

Chilly swim in Lake Two Jacks – Picture © PlanetSKI

Not a nasty strategy to spend the primary 36 hours in Canada: a little bit of metropolis, a number of mountain air, and a wholesome begin to what was shaping as much as be an escape that didn’t value me a single day of annual depart.

I used to be eager to expertise the lifetime of a ‘digital nomad’ – the ups and the downs.

The working week in Calgary was full-on:

I saved to UK hours as a lot as potential — beginning at 6am and ending round 2:30pm native time (13:00-20:30 BST) — which meant early mornings, loads of espresso, and a correct day’s work.

As a result of jet lag and time distinction I used to be awake early anyway, after which felt drained by mid-evening.

I didn’t battle jet-lag, however went with it.

The schedule had its perks, and by mid-afternoon, I might shut the laptop computer and take advantage of the late afternoon and early evenings.

Some days I’d head out for a run or go to the fitness center.

Different days I’d wander right down to the river, be a part of buddies for a paddle board, or simply sit by the water watching the world go by.

It was a busy week, however having these vibrant, heat evenings to unwind made all of the distinction.

Midweek afternoon stroll in Sandy Seaside Park, Calgary – Picture © PlanetSKI

Midweek afternoons spent swimming within the river close to Calgary – Picture © PlanetSKI

The working week flew by and I did simply as a lot work as if I used to be in London.

Most likely extra as I used to be decided to make it succeed.

By Saturday I used to be able to swap my laptop computer for mountain climbing boots once more:

We set off early for Kananaskis — a much less touristy, extra rugged slice of the Rockies that feels wilder than Banff.

The drive alone was well worth the journey: winding roads by means of pine forests, flashes of snow nonetheless clinging to the peaks, and the fixed reminder that, sure, that is correct bear nation.

Lovely views in Kananaskis – Picture © PlanetSKI

Mountaineering in Kananaskis – Picture © PlanetSKI

That truth grew to become onerous to disregard as soon as we hit the path.

Each signal appeared to incorporate a bear warning, and although I used to be nonetheless determined to identify one (from the automotive, ideally), I used to be much less eager on bumping into one mid-hike.

We made loads of noise — chatting, taking part in phrase video games, even singing — partly to maintain spirits up, principally to verify any close by bears knew we had been coming.

Between the laughter and the occasional paranoid look into the timber, we climbed steadily, rewarded on the prime with wonderful sunshine and an empty mountain all to ourselves.

Lunch was a picnic with a view that made each step worthwhile.

Life as a ‘digital nomad’ had its distinct benefits, and Canada appeared the right place to do it.

Kananaskis hike – Picture © PlanetSKI

Properly deserved lunch on a hike overlooking Kananaskis – Picture © PlanetSKI

On the best way again, we detoured to Bragg Creek — a preferred spot for households picnicking and paddle boarding.

The water regarded inviting till I really acquired in.

“Refreshing” rapidly turned to “freezing,” however it was too good a day to not swim.

Afterwards we wandered by means of the little city, drying off within the sunshine earlier than heading again to Calgary for supper.

Paddle boarders and Canoeists having fun with the sunshine in Bragg Creek – Picture © PlanetSKI

A cold swim in Bragg Creek – Picture © PlanetSKI

Sunday was all about two wheels:

We rented bikes in Canmore — nice worth at round $80 for the day — and drove to Banff, the place the Bow Valley Parkway was closed to automobiles for the financial institution vacation weekend.

It was the right setup for biking: quiet, scenic, and stuffed with hopeful bear-spotters like me.

Biking the Bow Valley Parkway – Picture © PlanetSKI

Picnic lunch spot on the Bow Valley Parkway – Picture © PlanetSKI

Views throughout Vermilion Lake – Picture © PlanetSKI

It didn’t take lengthy earlier than my curiosity about bears became gentle anxiousness.

I abruptly realised I had no thought what you’re purported to do for those who meet one whereas biking — you possibly can’t precisely stand your floor if you’re on wheels.

So, naturally, I began singing.

Loudly.

“Good day Mr Bear, please come and see me. Good day Mr Bear, don’t come too close to me,” on repeat for hours.

I wish to assume it labored — we didn’t see a single bear, however loads of amused cyclists handed by.

The journey was gorgeous: countless mountain views, wildflowers lining the highway, and that peaceable silence you solely get in car-free mountain air.

We completed the day with celebratory drinks, then went for a scenic drive round Lake Two Jack, Johnston Lake and Minnewanka, nonetheless holding out hope for a bear sighting.

None appeared, however we did cease for a fast dip on the best way again by means of Kananaskis — one other icy plunge to finish the weekend.

One other chilly lake dip! – Picture © PlanetSKI

It was the right stability to a busy week working digitally on the opposite aspect of the Atlantic.

Two lengthy, adventure-packed days within the mountains, simply an hour from town, and nonetheless no bear encounters… although I’d most likely sung sufficient to maintain all of them safely out of earshot.

The second week again in Calgary slipped into a straightforward rhythm:

Work saved me busy — correct early begins, lengthy mornings of calls and deadlines.

Nevertheless it appeared much less tense than doing all of it from my flat in London or in a cyber cafe.

Ending mid-afternoon meant there was loads of time to benefit from the metropolis.

Most evenings had been spent baking, taking part in playing cards, or catching up with household, and some lazy walks alongside the river jogged my memory how good it’s to have sunshine and open house proper in your doorstep.

The second week whizzed by in a flash and was just about a repeat of my first week.

All too quickly my life as a ‘digital nomad’ was drawing to shut and the ultimate weekend fell.

With my flight house that night and my working week over, I used to be decided to take advantage of my final day within the mountains.

We set off early and drove to Sunshine Meadows for a mild stroll — a last dose of alpine air earlier than swapping mountain climbing boots for an airport lounge.

Locals informed us there hadn’t been any bear sightings there for some time, so the chances of recognizing one had been slim (and, as traditional, they had been proper).

Nonetheless, the views had been spectacular: jagged hash mountains and that crisp, clear air you want you would bottle.

Afterwards, we discovered a quiet spot by Johnston Lake for one final picnic.

It was heat, peaceable, and the right strategy to finish two weeks of working, exploring, and pretending I used to be a neighborhood.

Then it was again to Calgary for a fast pack-up, a last household dinner, and a night flight out — drained, completely satisfied, and quietly happy at how a lot I’d managed to squeeze in with out utilizing a single day of annual depart.

Two weeks, 4 full days within the mountains, and numerous afternoons exploring Calgary — all with out utilizing a single day of depart.

It was a busy, generally hectic, however completely rewarding journey: difficult workdays, wild swims, epic hikes, and loads of bear-spotting makes an attempt.

Canada exterior of the winter ski season is the type of place that makes you are feeling fortunate simply to be exterior, and this mix of labor and journey was precisely the reset I didn’t know I wanted.

The perfect half?

Two entire weeks with my brother.

Life as a ‘digital nomad’ is extremely beneficial by me.

I’m now wanting ahead to doing it another time, however within the winter.

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