Frequently Asked Questions

About Us

Tourism Lethbridge (Niita’paini’pi Sikoohkotok) is the official Destination Management Organization (DMO) for the City of Lethbridge, proudly incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta in 2018 as a non-profit organization. As the official DMO for the City of Lethbridge, Tourism Lethbridge is dedicated to promoting and developing Lethbridge as a vibrant and dynamic destination. We are the only entity recognized by the city for this crucial role, ensuring that our community's unique offerings are showcased to the world.

Please note that we are not affiliated with the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, nor Visit Lethbridge, which is the brand of the Lethbridge Lodging Association.

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According to the 2023 municipal census, Lethbridge has a population of 106,550, making it the fourth Alberta city to surpass 100,000 people. The main language spoken in Lethbridge is English.

Time Zone

The time zone in Lethbridge is MST (Mountain Standard Time; MDT in summer), also referred to as GMT-7 or UTC-7.

City & Tourism Information

Please visit the Tourism Lethbridge Visitor Centre at 2805 Scenic Dr S for year-round visitor information services (public wifi available). For city information, you can also call 311.

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Getting Here

Lethbridge is found on Highway 3 in Alberta, Canada, also known as the Crowsnest Highway. It connects to the Trans-Canada Highway in Medicine Hat (167 km east) or Calgary (215 km northwest).

The Lethbridge Airport (YQL) is conveniently located a few kilometres south of Lethbridge. It connects Lethbridge to Calgary and onwards to the world. There are daily flights operated by WestJet to Calgary.

There are a few bus companies that connect Lethbridge from Calgary, including Red Arrow and FlixBus.

If driving from the United States, Canadian ports of entry into Alberta include Coutts / Sweetgrass (year-round), Del Bonita (year-round), Carway / Piegan (year-round), Aden / Whitlash (year-round), Wild Horse (year-round), and Chief Mountain (seasonal). 

For more on getting to Lethbridge, please visit our transportation page.

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Road Conditions

It is important to be aware of road conditions before setting out on a trip in Southern Alberta. For up-to-date information, visit 511 Alberta, which provides real-time road and traffic information to Alberta drivers.

Travel Distances

Lethbridge is a major hub in Alberta. Below are travel distances to popular destinations (calculated from the Tourism Lethbridge Visitor Centre):

• Banff: 340 km (211 mi) / 3 hr 35 min 
• British Columbia Border (via Hwy 3): 163 km (101 mi) / 1 hr 47 min 
• Calgary: 218 km (136 mi) / 2 hr 16 min 
• Coutts (USA / Montana Border): 101 km (63 mi) / 1 hr 1 min
• Fort Macleod: 54 km (34 mi) / 38 min 
• Frank Slide Interpretive Centre: 141 km (88 mi) / 1 hr 31 min 
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump: 76 km (47 mi) / 52 min 
• Medicine Hat: 168 km (104 mi) / 1 hr 51 min 
• Saskatchewan Border (via Hwy 1): 231 km (143 mi) / 2 hr 32 min 
• Waterton (townsite): 127 km (79 mi) / 1 hr 29 min 
• Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park: 123 km (76 mi) / 1 hr 15min

Public Transportation and Getting Around Lethbridge

Lethbridge has an extensive public bus system that allows you to get around the city. For more information, including bus routes, times, and planning a trip, please visit the Lethbridge Transit website. 

Lethbridge also has numerous taxi companies as well as ride share options such as Uber.

Car rental services in Lethbridge include National Car Rental and Enterprise.

For information about cycling in Lethbridge, please visit our biking webpage.

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Emergency Services

For all safety and medical emergencies in Lethbridge, call 911. This will connect you to the Lethbridge Police Service as well as all other emergency services in the area (including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police).

Hospital Information

The Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge is Southern Alberta’s main medical facility and has a 24/7 emergency department. It is located at 960 19 Street S.

Weather and Climate

Due to the semi-arid climate and Chinook winds from the Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge has an average of 333 days of sunshine a year, making it one of the sunniest cities in Canada. Those Chinook winds also mean that Lethbridge is known as “The Windy City”, second only to St. John’s, Newfoundland, in its number of windy days per year.

All four seasons are represented in Lethbridge. In summer, expect highs of 22°C to 27°C (71°F to 81°F). Winter is a lot cooler, with average highs of 0°C (32°F) and lows of -11°C (12°F). There is an average of 380.2 mm of precipitation and 264 dry days per year.

For up-to-date weather information, please visit the Government of Canada website.

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Currency and Tax

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar (CA$). Coins include 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1 (“loonie”), and $2 (“toonie”). Bills include $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. ATMs are found throughout the city of Lethbridge.

Alberta has a 5% GST tax which applies to most goods and services. Alberta has no provincial sales tax (PST). The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP) provides some GST rebates.

The Alberta Tourism tax applies to Accommodations on all Alberta hotel stays. Lethbridge hotels charge a tourism levy, calculated as 4% of your total accommodation charges. The levy is remitted to the Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA) by temporary accommodation providers in Alberta. The levy does not apply if you occupy the same room continuously for 28 days or more.

For more information about the tourism levy, please refer to the Government of Alberta website.

Tipping

Tips and gratuities are rarely included in the price of restaurants and tour operators in Lethbridge, but it is expected and appreciated. Tipping approximately 15-20% on the total bill before tax is customary, depending on the quality of service. Some restaurants may charge an automatic gratuity for large group bookings. Tipping tour guides is also common.

Payments

Most retailers, restaurants, and services in Lethbridge accept major credit cards such as Mastercard, VISA, and American Express. Debit cards are also accepted depending on the conditions of your banking institution and country of origin. Most systems accept chip cards that require a PIN in order to complete the transaction.

Cash is not as frequently used, and a few businesses in Lethbridge are card-only.

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International Travellers

Visitors from most countries, including the United States of America, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, require a valid passport to enter Canada. All visitors to Canada arriving from a different country must cross the Canadian border and pass through customs. Upon the first port of arrival in Canada, visitors arriving by air travel will complete the customs process at the airport.

To find out what documents you need to travel, visit family and friends, do business, or transit through Canada, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Travel Customs

It is up to the individual traveller to be aware of local customs and laws in Alberta. Make sure you’re up to date on local laws and always carry proper identification with you when visiting Canada. 

In Alberta, the legal age for alcohol consumption and to purchase tobacco products is 18 years. Smoking is prohibited in all public places and is not allowed within five metres of a doorway, window, or air intake. For information on cannabis in Alberta, please refer to the government website.

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Staying Here

There are plenty of accommodation options in Lethbridge, including hotels, guesthouses, AirBnbs and campgrounds. Visit our “Where to Stay in Lethbridge” page for our recommendations.

Hunting and Fishing

Hunting and fishing in the province of Alberta requires a license and permit with fees based on where the applicant lives. For more information, including buying a license online, please visit the Hunting Licences website and/or the Fishing Licences website.

Rattlesnake Safety

Visitors may encounter prairie rattlesnakes when exploring Lethbridge’s coulees or select urban areas. As rattlesnakes are venomous, they should be avoided. If you see a rattlesnake or would like to learn more about rattlesnakes from local experts, please contact the Helen Schuler Nature Centre by calling 403-320-3064.

It is illegal to kill a rattlesnake in Alberta. If you are bitten by one, remain calm and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Early treatment normally results in a full recovery. If your pet has been bitten, contact a veterinarian as quickly as possible. 

For more information about rattlesnakes in Lethbridge, please visit the City of Lethbridge website. 

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Water Safety

With over 600 lakes and numerous rivers in Alberta, it’s important to stay safe when on the water. You can read about water safety on the Transport Canada website.

Please note that it is the law in Canada to have a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD) onboard for every person on the watercraft, including kayaks and canoes.  You can read more about mandatory safety equipment on the Transport Canada website.

The Oldman River in Lethbridge can be particularly dangerous due to unpredictable currents, flooding, and ice. Please take all necessary precautions if swimming or boating on the Oldman River, including wearing a PFD at all times.

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Winter & Ice Safety

Prioritizing winter safety is extremely important if visiting Lethbridge in the colder months, especially if you are spending time outdoors skating, skiing, or riding ATVs. Always check weather conditions before you go, use proper safety equipment, check ice thickness, follow all rules and warnings (including speed limits, closed trails, and ice warning signs), and share your plan with others so that they know where you’re going, when you’ll be out, and what time to expect you back.

The Oldman River is especially unpredictable in winter and should be avoided. Only use designated outdoor skating areas in Lethbridge and check ice conditions before you go on the City of Lethbridge website. For more information about ice safety in Alberta, please visit the Lifesaving Society website. 

If driving in and around Lethbridge in winter, make sure to have winter tires or all-weather tires on your car.

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Wildfire Safety

Lethbridge’s climate is semi-arid and is one of the driest cities in Canada. It’s important to be up to date on any fire bans in the area, especially when camping. Please visit the Alberta Fire Bans website for information on fire advisories, restrictions, and bans. We also recommend visiting the Government of Alberta website for more general information, including prevention and mitigation, fire permits, and how to report a wildfire.

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