A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta is experiencing increased interest following a mention on a popular American TV show, with hopes for a busy summer season. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump was featured in an episode of the award-winning medical drama “The Pitt,” where a character plans to visit the landmark in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The site, located about 150 kilometers south of Calgary, was historically used by Indigenous people to herd and harvest bison by driving them off a cliff.
The interpretive center at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, built into a sandstone cliff, showcases Blackfoot culture, local ecology, and archaeological discoveries, offering visitors a trail along the cliff top. Quinton Crow Shoe, the head of marketing at the site, mentioned that the TV show mention has sparked curiosity among visitors, leading to an increase in social media engagement and inquiries.
Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump typically welcomes around 60,000 visitors annually. Crow Shoe anticipates that the recent surge in interest will translate into higher visitor numbers during the peak season from May to September. Promotional efforts, including discounts through the Canada Strong Pass, have also contributed to the site’s growing popularity.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is part of a network of attractions in southern Alberta, complementing destinations like Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park and Waterton Lakes National Park. The provincial marketing agency, Travel Alberta, capitalized on the TV show mention by releasing a promotional video featuring the characters against the backdrop of the site’s cliffs. Alberta’s Culture Minister, Tanya Fir, shared the TV clip on social media, emphasizing the global impact of Alberta’s historical and cultural landmarks.