4 minute read
Experience Canmore Year Round
Canmore is a vibrant mountain town with endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, fun festivals, and good eats.
“Is that the mountain we climbed last time, Mom? It looks so big!” From Centennial Park, Ha Ling Peak does look impressive. It’s one of the most popular scrambles in this area due to its spectacular views. I nod and point out the other Triple Crown of Canmore hikes: East End of Rundle and Lady MacDonald. Should we go for it? Here are some of our top picks for things to do in Canmore:
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Photo Courtesy of Karen Ung
Take a Hike
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Canmore’s hiking trails have something for everyone: • An evening stroll with your pup - dogs can run offleash at Quarry Lake Dog Park. • Hike up to Grassi Lakes - the “easy” trail is open yearround and is sports stroller friendly; the “difficult” trail (closed in winter) goes past a pretty waterfall. • Explore the interpretive trails at Bow Valley Provincial Park - June is the best time to look for wildflowers. In spring, conditions permitting, bike Bow Valley Park road without cars (until the road opens on May 1). • Come winter, slip on microspikes and walk the frozen creek bed to ice falls and pictographs at Grotto Canyon.
Explore by Bike
Paved and gravel bike paths have minimal elevation gain and are never far from great parks and restaurants. For a fun family bike ride, start at Millennium Park Mountain Bike Skills Park and bike the Bow River Loop to West Canmore Park. Enjoy the playground and panoramic views. On the way back, take a shortcut via the Engine Bridge (6.6 km loop). For a longer ride, bike the scenic and paved Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff (22 km one way). Return the way you came or take ROAM public transit; the buses have bike racks!
Head to Canmore Nordic Centre, for a skills park and great network of beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails. Beginners can ride Banff Trail and advanced riders will like Highline Trail, a challenging 8 km trail from Quarry Lake to Three Sisters Boulevard.
Photo Courtesy of Erik McRitchie @erikmcr
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Stand up paddleboard at Canmore Reservoir, do some SUP yoga at Quarry Lake, float the Bow, or hit Class 3-4 rapids at Horseshoe Canyon. Whitewater rafting tours are available on the Bow and Kananaskis Rivers.
Photo Courtesy ofTravel Alberta / Katie Goldie
Go Underground-Year Round
Descend into the Rat’s Nest Cave in Grotto Mountain with Canmore Cave Tours. At 4.5 degrees year-round (40 F), it’s never too hot or cold to go caving. Bring a sense of adventure and camera for out-of-this-world photos.
Canmore Cave Tours By Dan Hudson
Climbing in Canmore
With eight crags only 20 minutes from Canmore, the Bow Valley is climbing central. Just starting out? Go with a guide or take climbing lessons at Elevation Place. This world class facility boasts 10,000 square feet of climbing, 1,500 square feet of bouldering, and a 30-foot speed wall.
Attractions
Canmore Nordic Centre is a multi-sport playground where you can mountain bike and roller ski in summer; and skate, snowshoe, and cross-country ski in the winter. Orienteering and disc golf are available year-round too.
Elevation Place is perfect for swimming, climbing, and daily drop in core classes. The amazing aquatic centre has a lazy river, waterslide, lane pool, hot tub, and steam room.
artsPlace, “where community meets creativity”, is where you can attend a live performance or make your own art.
Learn more about Canmore’s history at Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre and NWMP Barracks. The latter is home to Art in the Park on summer weekends. Check their events calendar for more special events throughout the year.
Featured Festivals & Events
Expect festivals in every season in Canmore! Here are a few you should put in your calendars:
Canmore Winter Carnival: Celebrate everything winter in February and try your hand at ice carving, dogsledding, log sawing and more! Feb 28 - Mar 1, 2020
Canmore Uncorked Food & Drink Festival serves up our best with tasting menus at select restaurants, a delectable Long Table Dinner, and Wine and Beer Festivals. Unconfirmed at time of printing expect Apr 23 - May 3, 2020.
Canmore Food Tour, Photo Courtesy of Victoria Wakefield @picobac
Canmore Folk Festival, an annual tradition since 1978, offers 30+ artists on four stages. Artists and food vendors add to the flavour and the Family Area keeps kids busy. Aug 3 - 5, 2019.
Highland Games: Experience Celtic Culture with A Taste of the Highlands, Highland Dance Competition, piping and drumming, heavy sports and more! Aug 31 - Sept 1, 2019 at Centennial Park.
By: Karen Ung
