A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta is experiencing a surge in interest following a mention on a popular American TV show, with hopes for a busy summer season, according to the site’s marketing director. The site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, was featured in an episode of the acclaimed medical drama series, “The Pitt,” where a character plans to visit the iconic location in the Canadian Rockies. Situated 150 kilometers south of Calgary, the site was historically used by Indigenous peoples to hunt bison by herding them over a cliff for harvest.
The interpretive center at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump delves into Blackfoot culture, local ecology, and archaeological discoveries, offering visitors a cliff-top trail experience. Quinton Crow Shoe, the marketing lead at the site, mentioned an increase in visitor interest driven by the TV show mention, leading to a boost in social media and email engagement. The site typically receives around 60,000 visitors annually and hopes the recent attention will translate into higher visitation during the peak tourist season from May to September.
Crow Shoe highlighted the collaborative efforts with other attractions in southern Alberta, such as Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park and Waterton Lakes National Park, to promote regional tourism. Additional initiatives, like discounts through the Canada Strong Pass program, have also contributed to the site’s popularity. Travel Alberta capitalized on the TV show mention by releasing a promotional video featuring the characters against the backdrop of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump’s cliffs, while Alberta’s Culture Minister shared the TV clip on social media to showcase the province’s cultural heritage to a global audience.