Canmore Accommodations

Canmore's Mainstreet1

Canmore is a small town completely surrounded by mountains. Located just west of Calgary and east of Banff National Park, Canmore is situated in Alberta's Bow Valley in the northwest corner of Kananaskis Country. The town is all about location. It is the optimum base camp for those looking to explore and discover the Canadian Rockies and a multitude of provincial and wild-land parks. Canmore does not have it's own airport but is approximately an hour and a half drive from the Calgary International Airport. Calgary offers many transportation options for visitors wanting to get to Canmore such as car rentals and bus services like Greyhound. Whether travel plans consist of short country forays and scenic drives or longer day trips that include sightseeing or venturing off the beaten path, Canmore has suitable accommadations for all budgets and itineraries. No matter where travellers choose to stay, they will be close to the town's amenities, attractions and sightseeing opprtunites.

In order to help travellers find accommodations that will suit their needs, WorldWeb.com can help make thoughtful decisions with these online tools:

Accommodation Directory - This is a complete accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.

Secure Room Reservations - A convenient online room search and reservation page. This link will allow the user to check room availability and then make a secure online room reservation for participating properties. Although this is a useful feature anytime of year, the online Secure Room Reservations page is particularly helpful in the peak seasons when finding accommodation in popular properties can be difficult.

Maps - The Canmore map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

Types of Accommodations

Aside from the many hotels Canmore has to offer, vistors looking for something different have other options such as bed and breakfasts, resorts, cabins and campgrounds.

Bed And Breakfasts

Bed and Breakfasts are a great way to spend time in Canmore due to their more intimate nature and the cozy at home feeling they evoke. There are many to choose from with varying rates and locations. Some such as Creekside Country are located away from the sounds of the highway whereas others, like the Bear and Bison are located near the highway for those looking to make a quick exit to places such as Banff. For that at home feeling, The Lady Macdonald is a good choice with it's fireplaces and homemade breakfasts. A bonus to chosing to stay in a bed and breakfast is the opportunity it provides for meeting other travellers and locals who are willing to share information and travel tips.

Lady MacDonlad Country Inn2

Resorts

Canmore resorts are ideal for those looking for self-contained vacations in the mountains. This type of accommodation is similar to hotels but Canmore resorts are better suited for vacationers rather than those just looking for a place to spend the night. Many of the resorts offer amenities such as onsite swimming pools, massage services, and activities like tennis and golfing. Resorts are suitable for business travellers who need to use computers and internet services as well as meeting rooms. Families will also find resorts such as Mystic Springs appropriate, especially if they don't plan to travel around too much, as all their vacation needs can be taken care of in one place.

Cabins

Cabins are a good way to go if privacy is desired. Quiet and solitude can be found by choosing to stay at a cabin. Someone travelling alone who is looking to get away from a hectic lifestyle may relish the alone time provided by cabins but they can also be ideal for a small family looking for some quiet time together. Canmore has a selection of cabins that have fully equipped kitchens, full bathrooms and colour televisions, such as Restwell Trailer Park and Cabins. Cabin locations vary from being centrally located and near town amenities to others being in more isolated areas.

The Three Sisters Mountain3

Campgrounds

Another alternative to consider is staying at one of Canmore's campgrounds. If travelling on a budget, camping can be a cost effective option. Campgrounds provide travellers with complete independence as well as amenities such as play areas for children, laundry facilities, bike trails and gift shops. For those looking for flexibility in their travels, campgrounds are a good choice. Visitors can stay for a night and move on the next day or stay for an extended amount of time and enjoy all that Canmore has to offer. Some campgrounds, such as Sundance Lodges offer guests the chance to stay in an authentic tipi. Travellers must bring their own bedding and camping supplies or rent them from the campground.

Activities For All Seasons

No matter what time of year it is or where one chooses to lodge, travellers will find various activites to participate in or sights to view during their Canmore stay. The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park is close to all of the town's amenities and offers visitors winter cross-country skiing and summer mountain biking experiences. The Centre features over 60 km (37 mi) of world-class cross-country and biathlon trail systems. Originally, the facility was designed for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and then later re-developed for the 2005 World Cup. Visitors here can relax in the Day Lodge which includes a large stone fireplace, a cafeteria, washrooms, showers and meeting rooms.

	Canmore Nordic Centre Trail4

For those looking to walk, jog or cycle all year round, the Trans Canada Trail is a great choice since it intergrates and winds into the town of Canmore's trail system. Visitors can find approximately 71 km (44 mi) of trails within Canmore's boundaries.

Nature lovers can view majestic mountains that look gorgeous bathed in summer sunshine or snowcapped in the winter. Mountains that are located adjacent to and visible from the townsite are Grotto Mountain and Mount Lady Macdonald. The mountains known as the The Three Sisters are also nearby and are quite popular due to their resemblance of three praying nuns after being covered by snowfall. If looking at the awesome prescence of the mountains is not satisfying enough, try climbing them with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. Offering ice and rock climbing excursions as well guided hiking trips, this adventure company will certainly give travellers a thrill or two. Complete with bells and blankets, horse-drawn sleigh rides provided by Rafter Six Ranch Resort, can be delightful in the winter months. Otherwise, try a ride in the summer along meadow and forest trails.

Cross-Country Skiing In Canmore5

The Rocky Mountains can be quite breathtaking to view from ground level but those looking for another perspective can view them from the sky with Alpine Helicopters. Travellers also have the opportunity to view glaciers, lakes and can participate in heli-hiking tours.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Mainstreet in Canmore; c/o Travel Alberta; Canmore, Alberta, Canada
2. Lady MacDonald Country Inn; c/o Travel Alberta; Canmore, Alberta, Canada
3. Three Sisters Mountain; c/o Travel Alberta; Canmore, Alberta, Canada
4. Canmore Nordic Centre Trail; c/o Travel Alberta; Canmore, Alberta, Canada
5. Cross-country skiing on groomed trail; c/o Travel Alberta; Canmore, Alberta, Canada