It's widely known that lakes in and around Calgary provide both recreational opportunities and some highly desirable residential and vacation real estate.

However, here are five things you might not know about Calgary-and-area lakes:

There are few things more annoying to a homeowner than uninvited guests – especially when those guests have four, six or eight legs.

Your first home purchase is always significant, but for eight-time Canadian Long Drive Championship winner Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk, the milestone came along when her life was in full swing.

During the early 1980s, a new craze was sweeping across North America. Outdoor waterslides quickly became the hottest summer attraction in city after city, and Calgary was no exception.

For many people, carpeted bathrooms inspire a lot of disdain, as well as a visceral feeling that something is terribly wrong. Modern-day defenders of this peculiar design choice do exist, but they appear to be vastly outnumbered.

To get to the bottom of things, it's worth exploring how carpeted bathrooms originated, their scarce charms and numerous drawbacks, and what you can do if you're stuck with one in your home.

During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians.

Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

A devastating hailstorm ripped through parts of Calgary on Saturday, shredding siding, breaking windows, pummeling vehicles and flooding streets.

Southwest Calgary born and raised, Mike Vernon knows his way in and around this city the way he knows his way around a game-, series- and title-saving overtime glove save off Stan Smyl.

Three decades ago, the small, acrobatic goaltender morphed into an authentic hometown hero when he helped deliver a Stanley Cup championship to the Calgary Flames.

For many Calgarians, the idea of living beside a lake is extremely appealing. Thankfully, Calgary is home to several lake communities, and each has its own unique character and mix of amenities.

For those thinking about buying their own lakefront oasis, here's a look at each of Calgary's established lake communities to help you find the one that's right for you: