Canmore, Alberta

Three Sisters Mountain in Canmore, Alberta
 

Watch an informative Video about this Area by clicking HERE,
courtesy of Tourism Canmore
 

Set in the Bow Valley amid the rugged majesty of the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Canmore, located at one of the gateway's to Kananaskis Country enjoys a singular relationship with its surroundings. The town occupies a subtle borderland between the developed and natural worlds. It is a community with a vision, based on the conviction that environmental sensitivity and economic sustainability can be reconciled.

Canmore is located 106 kilometers west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. To the north and west the town borders Banff National Park, Canada's oldest and best known park. To the south and east lies Kananaskis Country, a 4000 square kilometre Provincial Recreational Area.

Entering the mountains on the drive to Canmore is an experience in itself, with the area's beauty providing its own restorative benefits.

Canmore is becoming increasingly well-known as an incredible outdoor playground, and for some folks just getting outside and playing will do wonders for a tired soul. Fly fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting or float trips, even cave tours - all are easily available right here in town. Visitors can bring their own gear or rent top-notch gear here. It's a great place to learn a new skill from a local activity provider, who will do all the planning and ensure the very best of Rocky Mountain experiences.

Following its founding in 1883, Canmore served both as a railway division point and mining town. Today it provides services for the entire Bow Valley and is recognized world-wide as an outdoor recreational and adventure centre. With activities severely curtailed in Banff National Park, Canmore has become an activity centre for outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life.

A little pampering is an essential element of a Canmore visit. There are a wealth of lovely little day spas that offer a relaxing and luxurious experience. Whether it's right after breakfast, or following a hard day on the golf course, nothing feels better than a massage, herbal wrap, manicure, or facial. With a fine meal and welcoming accommodation, the day is complete.

Canmore's abundant natural and scenic resources are matched by the spirit and energy of its people The invigorating surroundings and friendly atmosphere of the town make it ideal for people of all ages. The community is a diverse mix of age groups, cultures, occupations and talents united in commitment to the town and our environment. That commitment finds expression in the community service of enthusiastic volunteers and in the way citizens become actively engaged in local planning. Through controlled growth, the community strikes a balance between development and unspoiled mountain terrain. This friendly town offers outdoor enthusiasts almost everything they could possibly want, while providing an equally enjoyable experience for those whose idea of the high life is spas, fine dining and shopping for mountain art.

For wildlife watchers, there are frequent opportunities to see elk, deer, Rocky Mountain sheep, bears, pine martens, pikas, moose and snowshoe hares. Wildflowers abound in spring and summer. Year-round, Canmore offers an enormous variety of outdoor activities to suit every taste and level of experience - hiking, skiing, horseback riding, fly fishing and caving, to name a few. The magnificent mountain setting is a photographer's paradise, offering scenic views in every direction.
 
We respect the town's past, are active in its present, and want to be involved in planning its future. We cherish the fresh air, clean water and magnificent scenery that surrounds us. This is life of a high quality, and the quality of life is what matters most to us. It is a magical and inspiring place that brings out the best in people, a place to be shared with the world.

The town’s first baby was born in 1888; by then there were stores, bakeries and dairies. The first church was built in 1891 and a small log schoolhouse in 1894. At the turn of the 20th century, Canmore was part of Banff National Park and remained so until the 1930 National Park Act deemed mining inappropriate for a National Park. Rather than removing the mine, they moved the Park boundary. Bankhead, a coal mining town near Banff at the base of Cascade Mountain, was shut down, and many of its houses were moved to Banff and Canmore.

Canmore was originally divided into three equal-sized districts: Number One Area extended from the Canmore Coal Mine entrance to the Opera House, one of the first established in western Canada where you could see two shows a week and a children’s matinee on Saturdays. The building is now located in Calgary’s Heritage Park. Number Two Area included the Rundle Mountain Trading Company Store, the post office and the Canmore Coal Company Headquarters, all on the southwest side of the Bow River. The Number Three Area included the Canmore Hotel, the Union Hall, a four-bed hospital and the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) Barracks, all of which can be seen in the downtown area today.
 
As tourism becomes more significant to the town's economy, developing facilities to serve visitors without damaging the environment that attracts them presents unique challenges. We value what we have and recognize the vulnerability of this area to uncontrolled development. Providing services to an increasing number of visitors means growth, but growth must be responsive to the particular requirements of the environment and the community. We are pledged to live in harmony with the natural environment. Change is inevitable, but careful planning can ensure that those things that make the area attractive now will be protected for the future.