Olds: local rooms, events and more

Photo: JoyGross · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Countryside and towns · Alberta · 64k people

Olds

Locals say the Foothills

Where the prairies meet the Rockies, and neighbours feel like family.

Foothills GreenRanch EarthPrairie Gold

Welcome to the Foothills, where the prairie meets the mountains and the cowboy spirit runs deep. Whether you're here for the rodeo, a hike in the Sheep River valley, or just to enjoy a slice of Saskatoon berry pie, you'll find a community that knows how to work hard and celebrate even harder.

Clubs for Olds

No clubs for Olds yet.

The room

Olds Quiet now Where the prairies meet the Rockies, and neighbours feel like family.

One room for everyone around Olds. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Olds. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Olds College Agricultural college with a working farm, botanic gardens, and research fields.
Turner Valley Gas Plant National Historic Site Preserved early oil and gas plant, a window into Alberta's energy boom.
Sheep River Provincial Park Riverside park with hiking trails, picnic spots, and wildlife viewing.
Sundre Museum of the West Local history museum with pioneer artifacts and cowboy memorabilia.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site A restored working ranch that tells the story of Alberta's ranching heritage.
Olds Rodeo Grounds Home of the Olds Grizzlys' hockey and the annual rodeo.

Outdoors Hike the Sheep River trails
Outdoors Fish the rivers
With kids Visit Olds College Botanic Gardens
With kids Explore the Sundre Museum of the West
Evenings Country bars with live music
Evenings Hockey games
Locals love Dude ranches
Locals love Hockey arenas and curling rinks

Through the year

Sundre Rodeo June A classic Alberta rodeo with chuckwagon races and bull riding.
Olds Rodeo June One of the region's oldest rodeos, drawing cowboys from across the prairies.
Mountain View County Fair August A traditional county fair with 4-H shows, midway rides, and local exhibits.
Sundre Wild West Days July A weekend of western heritage, parades, and family games in Sundre.

The Foothills have a semi-arid climate with warm summers and cold winters. Chinooks provide occasional winter relief. The region is sunny year-round. Best: Summer (June to August) is the best time to be out, with warm days and long evenings.

Talk like a local

“The Foothills”: The local name for this whole region.
“Chinook”: A warm, dry wind that melts snow in winter.
“Coulee”: A dry valley or ravine, common in the prairie.

Getaways

Calgary Big city attractions, the Calgary Stampede, and the zoo.
Canmore Mountain town with hiking, arts, and Banff National Park nearby.
Sylvan Lake Popular lake for swimming, boating, and summer beach days.
Red Deer Regional hub for shopping, dining, and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre.

Local flavour

Teams

Olds Grizzlys AJHL

Also rooting for Calgary Flames (NHL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Eat and drink

Alberta beef Ranching is the heart of the region; beef is a point of pride.
Saskatoon berry pie A prairie favourite, berries grow wild in the foothills.
Perogies Ukrainian heritage is strong across Alberta; perogies are a comfort food.
Local honey Beekeeping is common in the area, and honey is a local sweetener.

Where people go

Rodeo grounds Home to the Sundre Pro Rodeo and other local rodeos.
Hockey arenas and curling rinks Winter sports are a way of life in every town.
Grain elevators Historic landmarks that dot the prairie skyline.
Guest ranches and dude ranches Tourism and western heritage meet in the foothills.
The Cowboy Trail A scenic route that winds through the region, celebrating cowboy culture.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

Red DeerAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the parkland.Sylvan LakeAlbertaClear water, big skies, and small-town warmth.Central AlbertaAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the parkland, and the heart of Alberta beats.LacombeAlbertaSmall-town heart, big-sky views.CalgaryAlbertaBig sky, big heart, and a cowboy spirit.Rocky Mountain HouseAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the peaks, and the river runs clear.StrathmoreAlbertaSmall town, big skies, warm hearts CanmoreAlbertaAlpine air, mountain soul

Rural Division No. 6, AB. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.