Canmore Sights & Attractions
In Canmore, the outdoors is the star attraction. The lively mountain town boasts a centre full of shops and galleries, but it is indubitably the area's exceptional natural features that draw visitors to its midst. These sights demand equal parts interaction and contemplation. Dramatic peaks inspire both artists and climbers alike to capture their beauty and reach their summits. Dazzling waters enthuse both fly-fisherman and photographers, while mountain trails inspire hikers with peaceful solitude and thrill mountain bikers with exhilarating downhills. From international World Cup competitions to world-class art, Canmore has something for every mountain enthusiast.
CANMORE NORDIC CENTRE
One Canmore attraction commands as much attention as the mountain peaks that tower above the town. Built for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre is Canada’s premier cross-country skiing and biathlon facility and regularly hosts national and international competitions. The centre isn’t just for world-class athletes, however, and offers year-round fun in the form of cross-country skiing, mountain biking, in-line skating trails, orienteering courses and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Canmore's reputation as a mountain biking destination extends beyond the Nordic centre. Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trail and Skogan Pass Trail provide other popular mountain biking excursions.
MUSEUMS
Canmore began when the Canadian Pacific Railway first rumbled through in 1884 and the area's first coal mine opened three years later at the base of Ha Ling Peak. For the century that followed, mining was paramount to the town's development and its history can be witnessed at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre. The museum is not just one of mining and rail, however, but also digs deep into the area's natural history and includes fossil displays, exhibits about how the Rocky Mountains and coal seams were formed, and a look into the climbing heritage that quickly followed the town's development.
History buffs will also want to check out Canmore's frontier landmark, the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks. The historic site features a tiny barracks that was built in the 1890s to address the area's bootlegging problems. Today, the restored cabin still sits on its original site and contains some of the original artifacts of its early tenants.
ART GALLERIES
Canmore's outstanding scenery has long inspired artists of all mediums and a plethora of boutique galleries can be found throughout the town displaying a broad spectrum of sculptures, photography, pottery, watercolours, and metal and wood works. Among them, the Canmore Public Art Gallery is situated in the public library and features ongoing exhibits by the Canmore Artists' and Artisans' Guild (CAAG). The Avens Gallery has represented top-rated local and regional artists for over 20 years and offers artworks that capture the beauty of the area and which visitors can take home with them.
MOUNTAINS, CANYONS & CAVES
To appreciate Canmore's scenic appeal, visitors need only look around. The Three Sisters peaks stand south of town and form its magical backdrop, as does Ha Ling Peak. The latter was named after a Chinese cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway who climbed the peak in 1896 and started the climbing lifestyle that continues in Canmore today. The crag's south side features an easy scrambling route, while more technical climbers can tackle several routes on its north face.
Across the valley from Ha Ling stands Grotto Mountain, one of the oldest and and largest crags in the Rockies and popular with hikers, climbers and cavers alike. Rat's Nest Cave, 4 km (2.5 mi) long, allows visitors to get inside Grotto Mountain and witness a wild, commercially undeveloped cave system of glacial deposits, animal fossils, sparkling pools and twisting passages of calcite formations. Outside, Grotto Canyon is one of the reasons Canmore is considered one of the world's preeminent climbing destinations. The canyon is home to over 200 sport-climbing routes, while another limestone favourite, Acephale, boasts the highest concentration of hard routes in Canada.
RIVERS & LAKES
The glacially fed Bow River is one of the region’s highlights and visitors needn’t look long or far for its pearly aqua-blue water. The river flows just past the end of Main Street, as well as through the whole of the Bow Valley, and seduces kayakers and canoeists at every turn, as well as fly-fisherman and floaters, naturalists and everyday sightseers.
Grassi Lakes are two small turquoise lakes known for their exceptional beauty, even in an area replete with world-renowned lakes, and the Grassi Lakes Hiking Trail is a favourite Canmore excursion. Grotto Pond and the Spray Lake Reservoir are both popular fishing waters and the latter is also known for kite-surfing in summer and dog sledding in winter.
OTHER NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS
Canmore isn't just an outdoor playground for adrenalin-seeking enthusiasts; the area is also one of the country's up-and-coming golf destinations. Coupling mountain air with championship designs, avid golfers can choose from three courses: the Canmore Golf and Curling Club, the SilverTip Golf Resort and Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club.
When the eyes can no longer take in another breathtaking panorama, visitors can play a different sort of game at the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. As the only casino in the Alberta Rockies, the resort offers visitors the chance to win at gaming tables such as blackjack, roulette and poker, as well as work the slot machines.
And, of course, just down the road a bevy of star-studded attractions await on day trips to Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis Country.
CANMORE NORDIC CENTRE
One Canmore attraction commands as much attention as the mountain peaks that tower above the town. Built for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre is Canada’s premier cross-country skiing and biathlon facility and regularly hosts national and international competitions. The centre isn’t just for world-class athletes, however, and offers year-round fun in the form of cross-country skiing, mountain biking, in-line skating trails, orienteering courses and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Canmore's reputation as a mountain biking destination extends beyond the Nordic centre. Goat Creek Mountain Biking Trail and Skogan Pass Trail provide other popular mountain biking excursions.
MUSEUMS
Canmore began when the Canadian Pacific Railway first rumbled through in 1884 and the area's first coal mine opened three years later at the base of Ha Ling Peak. For the century that followed, mining was paramount to the town's development and its history can be witnessed at the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre. The museum is not just one of mining and rail, however, but also digs deep into the area's natural history and includes fossil displays, exhibits about how the Rocky Mountains and coal seams were formed, and a look into the climbing heritage that quickly followed the town's development.
History buffs will also want to check out Canmore's frontier landmark, the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks. The historic site features a tiny barracks that was built in the 1890s to address the area's bootlegging problems. Today, the restored cabin still sits on its original site and contains some of the original artifacts of its early tenants.
ART GALLERIES
Canmore's outstanding scenery has long inspired artists of all mediums and a plethora of boutique galleries can be found throughout the town displaying a broad spectrum of sculptures, photography, pottery, watercolours, and metal and wood works. Among them, the Canmore Public Art Gallery is situated in the public library and features ongoing exhibits by the Canmore Artists' and Artisans' Guild (CAAG). The Avens Gallery has represented top-rated local and regional artists for over 20 years and offers artworks that capture the beauty of the area and which visitors can take home with them.
MOUNTAINS, CANYONS & CAVES
To appreciate Canmore's scenic appeal, visitors need only look around. The Three Sisters peaks stand south of town and form its magical backdrop, as does Ha Ling Peak. The latter was named after a Chinese cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway who climbed the peak in 1896 and started the climbing lifestyle that continues in Canmore today. The crag's south side features an easy scrambling route, while more technical climbers can tackle several routes on its north face.
Across the valley from Ha Ling stands Grotto Mountain, one of the oldest and and largest crags in the Rockies and popular with hikers, climbers and cavers alike. Rat's Nest Cave, 4 km (2.5 mi) long, allows visitors to get inside Grotto Mountain and witness a wild, commercially undeveloped cave system of glacial deposits, animal fossils, sparkling pools and twisting passages of calcite formations. Outside, Grotto Canyon is one of the reasons Canmore is considered one of the world's preeminent climbing destinations. The canyon is home to over 200 sport-climbing routes, while another limestone favourite, Acephale, boasts the highest concentration of hard routes in Canada.
RIVERS & LAKES
The glacially fed Bow River is one of the region’s highlights and visitors needn’t look long or far for its pearly aqua-blue water. The river flows just past the end of Main Street, as well as through the whole of the Bow Valley, and seduces kayakers and canoeists at every turn, as well as fly-fisherman and floaters, naturalists and everyday sightseers.
Grassi Lakes are two small turquoise lakes known for their exceptional beauty, even in an area replete with world-renowned lakes, and the Grassi Lakes Hiking Trail is a favourite Canmore excursion. Grotto Pond and the Spray Lake Reservoir are both popular fishing waters and the latter is also known for kite-surfing in summer and dog sledding in winter.
OTHER NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS
Canmore isn't just an outdoor playground for adrenalin-seeking enthusiasts; the area is also one of the country's up-and-coming golf destinations. Coupling mountain air with championship designs, avid golfers can choose from three courses: the Canmore Golf and Curling Club, the SilverTip Golf Resort and Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club.
When the eyes can no longer take in another breathtaking panorama, visitors can play a different sort of game at the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. As the only casino in the Alberta Rockies, the resort offers visitors the chance to win at gaming tables such as blackjack, roulette and poker, as well as work the slot machines.
And, of course, just down the road a bevy of star-studded attractions await on day trips to Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis Country.
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Best Western Plus Pocaterra Inn Canmore
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