Destination Snow: Canmore, Alberta

When you think of great winter destinations in the Canadian Rockies, you probably don’t think of Canmore. But maybe you should. More of a real town than a resort, Canmore provides access to almost unlimited winter sports fun.

Canmore, named after an eleventh-century Scottish king, began life as a coal mining town in 1883. In 2005, it’s all about recreation and wilderness. Canmore is a marvelous base for both winter and summer sports activities. The town, just an hour’s drive to the west of Calgary, is situated at the gateway to Alberta’s spectacular Banff National Park.

From Canmore, skiers and snowboarders are within easy reach of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Banff/Norquay, and Nakiska. Lake Louise provides more than 4,000 acres of terrain and is home to Canada’s largest snowmaking system. Sunshine Village, perched at an elevation of 2,153 meters (7,000 feet), is located on the Continental Divide. Its trails are designated 22 percent for beginners, 31 percent for intermediates, 42 percent for experts, and another five percent are double black trails for advanced experts. Banff/Norquay is just a 15 minute ride from Canmore and is home to trails that range from gentle beginner runs to double blacks for thrill seekers. Nakiska, located in the Kananaskis country, was developed for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. The resort offers 28 groomed runs plus 35 acres of glades.

Canmore is known for its excellent cross-country skiing facility. The Canmore Nordic Center was also designed for the 1988 Olympics. The center provides 70 kilometers (44 miles) of carefully groomed skate and classic style trails. There’s even a lighted loop that remains open until 9 pm every night. A popular cross-country trail in the Spray Lakes Valley takes skiers through the Rockies to Banff.

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Within easy driving distance from Canmore, winter enthusiasts will find world-class ice climbing areas complete with frozen waterfalls, excellent backcountry areas for ice hiking and snowshoeing, and Alaskan Huskies eager to pull them on sleds across the winter ice.

Canmore and its surrounding area are as popular in the summer as they are in the winter. Mountain bikers are in heaven with the challenging terrain of the Prairie View and Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trails. Flowing from the glaciers in Banff National Park, the idyllic Bow River provides fly-fishers with summers to remember forever. Kayaking and whitewater rafting bring breathtaking moments on the river. Another summer pastime is golf; three courses with scenic mountain views draw locals and visitors each year.

The area around Canmore is a wildlife paradise. Moose, elk, grizzly and black bears, white-tailed deer, big horn sheep, and cougars are among the animals that can be spotted in this nature paradise. Visitors are encouraged not to disturb the animals in their habitat for the safety of animals and people. There are excellent opportunities for photographers here.

One of the advantages of staying in Canmore is the reasonable price for lodging. There’s a good selection of affordable luxury condos available, including the Lodges at Canmore.
Dining out in town is a pleasure. Restaurants range from Chez Francois’ Fine Cuisine, offering traditional French cuisine and fresh seafood to the French Quarter Café serving up Cajun and Creole dishes. Another popular dining spot is the Bolo Ranch House, a cozy log cabin offering everything from international cuisine and buffalo to pizzas and vegetarian meals. The Dragonfly Tea Lounge located in the Lady Macdonald Country Inn serves teas from around the world with freshly baked treats.

For those who have stayed in Canmore, it is the place they think of when they think of the Canadian Rockies. With so much to offer, especially its easy access to a world of winter and summer recreation, it deserves more than just a thought.

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