Heather Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heather Ridge |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,636 m (8,648 ft) |
| Prominence | 213 m (699 ft) |
| Listing | Mountains of Alberta |
| Geography | |
 Heather Ridge
Location in Alberta
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Parent range | Slate Range |
| Topo map | NTS 82N/08 |
Heather Ridge is a cool mountain found in the Slate Range, which is part of Alberta, Canada. Just like many other mountains in Banff National Park, Heather Ridge is made of sedimentary rock. This type of rock formed over millions of years from tiny bits of sand, mud, and shells that settled at the bottom of ancient seas.
The rocks that make up Heather Ridge were formed during very old times, from the Precambrian period (over 540 million years ago) all the way to the Jurassic period (about 145 million years ago). Later, during a huge mountain-building event called the Laramide orogeny, these rocks were pushed up and folded, creating the mountains we see today.
Mountain Weather: What to Expect
Heather Ridge is located in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very cold, snowy winters and mild, short summers. It's a bit like living in a giant freezer for part of the year!
Winter temperatures can often drop below −20 °C (that's −4 °F). When the wind blows, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F). This type of climate is identified by something called the Köppen climate classification system, which helps scientists describe different climate types around the world.
