Good to Know
Best Time to Go: There’s no bad time but September-October is my favourite as it’s less crowded and the weather is still nice. Plus nothing is cozier than the mountains in Autumn. To hit the slopes go in December-April. Summer is hot and good for hiking and sipping drinks on patios but it comes with peak season crowds and costs.
Nearest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about an hour’s drive from Canmore.
How to Get Around: Driving is ideal, but you can take shuttles to/from Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake. Canmore is quite walkable and E-bikes can be rented to take around and outside the town.
Payment: Credit card is accepted everywhere. Tipping at restaurants is generally 18-23% of the bill.
Size and amenities: The town has a population of about 17,000 meaning it will have everything you need including outdoor gear, grocery stores, liquor stores, gas stations, etc.
What to do
Spring/Summer/Fall
Hike any of the numerous trails ranging in difficulty
Canoe/Kayak on the bright blue lakes
Shop for vintage clothing, home decor, and accessories.
Patio Hop along 8th Street
Go to Banff for the day
Rent an E-bike
Winter
Skate on the rink right in town or find a nearby lake
Downhill Ski/Snowboard at Sunshine or Lake Louise
Cross-country skiing
Dog Sledding tour
Hikes
Easy:
Bow River Loop (2.09 km)
Bow River Trail (5.95 km)
Three Sisters Viewpoint (0.97 km)
Trans Canada Trail (6.12 km)
Moderate:
Three Sisters Creek Trail (3.38 km)
Grotto Canyon Trail (7.08 km)
Grassi Lakes (1.13-3.38 km)
Difficult:
Ha Ling Peak (7.4 km)
East End of Rundle (4.83 km)
Lady MacDonald Teahouse (8.69km)
Where to Eat
Grizzly Paw Pub or Tap Room – The pub is right on 8th street and has a nice patio. The tap room is bigger and in a less central spot but the views are great.
Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon – Next to Grizzly Paw is this cute resto that looks like it would be basic pub food and wings but it has amazing cocktails, small plates, and a pasta dish I still think about.
Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. – a popular place to grab a sandwich or bag of bagels and cream cheese. There are two locations but expect a line.
4296 – upscale dining on the pricier side but the food is fab. Making a reservation is recommended.
Bridgette Bar – With two locations in Calgary and one in Toronto, this place knows what it’s doing. Centered around cocktails and plenty of share plates to choose from it’s the perfect place if you’re with people who like to eat family style.
Beavertails – This iconic Canadian sweet treat is found in most major cities and tourist towns in Canada. It’s just a piece of fried dough with a sweet topping of your choice, but it always hits.
Where to Stay
Basecamp Resorts – multiple properties around town
Airbnb – There are plenty of options mostly in condos as many people own homes here as second properties. This is typically what I stay in.
Note: Most accommodations now have a public hot tub and sometimes a pool. Having a kitchen is ideal as eating out in Canada is expensive and you may want to cook or have snacks and drinks on hand.
Surrounding Area
The natural beauty to explore in the area feels endless. You can make Canmore your home base and do day trips from here, or use it as a stopping point as part of a longer road trip. Here are some places I suggest while in the area.
Banff National Park and Lake Louise
The town of Banff is right in the national park and one of the most visited places in Canada. It sits 20 minutes further into the Rocky Mountains and the park hosts some of the country’s most stunning views, such as Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. It is worth spending about two days in Banff if you can, but be warned: It is much more crowded, especially during peak season. You will need to purchase a park pass to visit, some accommodations will provide this.
Kananaskis National Park
Thirty to forty minutes southeast of Canmore, come here to hike with fewer visitors and to relax at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa.
Calgary
You’ll likely enter or leave through Calgary, so spend a day or two here if you want some urban time. It is a nice city with good restaurants, shopping, and plenty to do. If coming in mid-July make sure to go to the Calgary Stampede for a western fair and music festival all in one.
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