Welcome to Canmore & Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada!
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Trail riding near Canmore
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Canmore & Kananaskis Country
Canmore is located literally just outside the south boundaries of Banff National Park - and is only a 15 minute drive from the town of Banff. Considered to be the residential community of the area - but secretly is the HUB of the Bow Valley Community - Canmore has an established infrastructure geared towards an outdoor lifestyle mixed with all the facilities you need to enjoy your stay.
See our new panorama of Canmore, 144Kb
The local arts community is quite active and there are several cozy galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants - all located in a 6 square block core area.
Walking and cycling paths meander throughout the town - and a resident group of ducks stay year round.
Kananaskis Country- the best kept secret in the Canadian Rockies- is a provincial park network - and is the outdoor playground for many of us.
The 1988 winter Olympics left us a world class cross-country ski facility that also plays host to numerous competitions - World Cup Mountain Bike Race (July) - just to mention a few.
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Johnston Canyon Resort - Banffs charming cabins. Your Banff vacation experience will come alive here.
GyPSy Guide is the independent travelers dream to exploring the Canadian Rockies.
Canmore & Kananaskis Feature Picks
Free Golf Packaqe QuoteWe can help you find the best deals!
Free Rockies Golf Guide!
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Transportation, Airport Shuttles and Sightseeing Tours.
Free Golf the Rockies Guide! Golf Packages by Golf Canada's West.
Hike and bike The Rockies! Corporate team building programs as well.
Banff’s BEST Rocky Mountain view hotel. Boutique guest rooms and suites.
Near the shores of Lake Louise, book our luxury cabins and spacious suites.
The Canmore Winter Festival. Usually held during the last two weeks of January every year, this is a celebration of the chilly season. Events range from ice carving and curling to spelling bees and special concert performances - indoors and out, this is a great way to enjoy the cold.
The Rocky Mountain Ski Marathon is a traditional kickoff to the winter festival. Hundreds of competitors come out to ski a 10-kilometre or 30-kilometre course: skate on Saturday, classic on Sunday. There are shorter races for the Jackrabbits, youngsters who are either adorably slow when they're very small, or terrifyingly good after about age eight. Fun for the whole family includes a hearty lunch and excellent door prizes.
In May, the Canmore Children's Festival offers a chance to unleash your inner child. This celebration, held during the Canadian long weekend near the end of May, offers kids the chance to experience theatre, storytelling, magic, musical performances, and puppet shows, and to participate in fun games and crafts.
July 1 is Canada Day all across the nation, and what better place to celebrate than by taking in the festivities at Canmore? The parade down Main Street is truly wonderful as floats, bands, Mounties, Shriners and others move along towards the majestic backdrop of Mount Rundle. Events happen all day long: a pancake breakfast, a family fun run, concerts and, of course, fireworks at dusk.
The first weekend in August is time for the Canmore Folk Music Festival, a three day party at Centennial Park. Much more than bearded guys with guitars singing protest songs, the festival incorporates world music, folk, blues and other musical styles. This festival has been running since 1978 and is a much-beloved event that enthralls visitors from all over the world.
On Labour Day weekend, tartan rules the town as Canmore's Highland Games take place. These are the largest Highland Games in Western Canada, and provide lots of fun for spectators and participants alike. (In some events, such as caber tossing, it might actually be more fun to watch than to compete!) This is a celebration of all things Scottish, and a festive air prevails. Heavy sports, wee heavy sports, sheep-dog trials, massed pipe bands, and Highland dancing - oh yes, and an evening Ceilidh (dance) with Celtic music - are some of the highlights.
One weekend later is Canmore's Rocky Mountain Half-Marathon and Eight-Kilometre Race, a yearly competition that attracts athletes from many places to enjoy the stunning scenery along a mostly downhill course. This is a highlight on the race calendar in a community that has bike races, ski races, biathlon competitions, triathlons, duathlons, and running events all year 'round. There is almost always a competitive race around Canmore.
In October, Canmorites turn their eyes to the skies as the annual golden eagle migration passes overhead. The town is right on the celestial highway for these birds on their long journey. The Festival of Eagles in mid-October offers opportunities to learn about these magnificent birds of prey and the larger ecosystem, as well as to participate in nature hikes that take you closer to the birds in flight.
November sees the Vic Lewis Band Festival, a musical feast featuring talented young Alberta musicians performing a variety of works and participating in workshops.
December brings the Christmas season and the New Year's Eve Party on the Pond, highlighting the best of Canmore's sense of community. It's a wonderful time to shop in unique galleries and stores without the crowds and frenzied pace of city malls. Bring skates and enjoy a tour around the pond afterwards, or try out a new restaurant.
