Canmore Introduction

Canmore was created as home to a successful coal mining industry from the late 1880’s, until the mines closed in 1979. At this point the town was growing significantly, at a rate in excess of 10% annually, from 1976 to 1982, based on tourism. The international exposure created for Canmore; by hosting events for the 1988 Olympics was the beginning of the Canmore we know today. Currently Canmore attracts visitors from around the world, who come to enjoy the phenomenal scenery and vast playground of the Rockies, while savoring the vibrant and charismatic community.

The best of two worlds are found in Canmore possessing a charming small town character yet enjoying sophisticated first rate amenities usually reserved only for cities of some size. To the delight of residents and visitors alike, Canmore’s penchant for superb dining has lead to the extraordinary number of outstanding dining opportunities. In addition to gastronomical variety, shoppers take pleasure in the many boutique shops and plethora of art galleries that beg to be explored.

The Arts are never far away with the world renowned Banff Centre for the Arts just 15 minutes away, featuring events such as the Banff Summer Festival of the Arts, the Banff Mountain Film Festival and the Banff Mountain Book Festival. The Banff Centre features music, dance, and visual arts to the discerning connoisseur.

Elevation: 4,318 ft, 1,316 meters
Population: 16,417

Events

Summer:

• Banff Television Festival — June
• Banff-Jasper Relay — June
• Race the Rockies Adventure Race — June
• Canada Day Parade and Celebration — July
• Miners Day — July
• ArtSPeak Festival — June
• Banff Festival of the Arts — July
• Canmore Folk Festival — July
• 24 Hours of Adrenaline Mountain Bike Festival — July

Fall

• Highland Games — September
• Mozart on the Mountain (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra) — September
• Canadian Rocky Mountain Marathon — September
• 7-Minute Film Festival — September
• Festival of the Eagles — October
• Japanese Culture Day — October
• Guides Ball — October

Winter

• Banff Mountain Film Festival — October
• "Light Up Canmore" Christmas Season Kick off — November
• Banff Mountain Book Festival — November
• Let it Snow Fine Art Exhibit — December
• RE/MAX Skate with Santa — December
• New Year’s Party on the Pond — December
• WinterFest — January
• Grab a Slab! Ice Sculpture Event — January

Spring

• Arc'teryx Canmore Ice Climbing Festival-March
• Rocky Mountain Ski Marathon-March
• Canmore Children's Festival- May

Canmore Facilities

Emergency Services

• Fire, Ambulance and EMT and Paramedic Services
• Canmore Hospital
• Banff Mineral Springs Hospital
• Less than hour from Foothills hospital in Calgary

Schools

• One Day Care and Pre-School
• Two Elementary Schools
• One Middle School
• One High School
• French Immersion Classes Available
• Lady of the Snows Catholic School
• Banff Mountain Academy (Middle and High School for young athletes)
• Bus Services to all public Schools

Religious Organizations

• St. Michael's Anglican Church
• Canmore Mountain Baptist Church
• Canmore Christian Fellowship
• Canmore community Church
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall
• Lutheran Church
• Trinity Bible Church
• United Church of Canada

Recreation Facilities

• Canmore Curling Club
  2000 8th Avenue
  Canmore, Alberta
  Complete with four sheets of ice, restaurant and lounge, the Canmore Curling Club is located at 2000 8th Avenue, directly behind the Canmore Recreation Centre.
• Outdoor Skating - Canyon Ridge
  Canmore, Alberta
  This well maintained public rink complete with boards and lights is the perfect place for a game of shinny. The outdoor ice surface is located at the corner of Elk Run Boulevard and Canyon Road on the North side of Canmore.
• Outdoor Skating - Daycare Centre
  Canmore, Alberta
  Strap on the blades and go for a whirl on this well maintained public skating rink, complete with boards and lighting. The outdoor ice surface is located at 1200 17th Street in Canmore.
• Outdoor Skating - The Pond
  Canmore, Alberta
  A great natural frozen pond that is just plain old fun to skate on. The Pond is located along 7th Avenue close to downtown Canmore.
• Recreation Centre - Arena
  1900 - 8th Ave
  Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1Y2
  A single ice surface, four dressing rooms and seating for up to 1000. Located next to the Canmore Golf Course at 1900 - 8th Ave. Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1Y2. Arena booking information 403-678-0808 ext.332
• Recreation Centre - Pool
  1900 - 8th Ave
  Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1Y2
  A state of the art indoor pool complete with hot tub. Located next to the Canmore Golf Course at 1900 - 8th Ave. Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1Y2. Pool Schedule - 678-0808 , Pool Booking - 678-0808 ext. 324 .
• Tennis Courts - Legion Park
  Canmore, Alberta
  This first come first serve tennis court is open for public use and is located at west the end of Main Street in Canmore.
• Tennis Courts - Lions Park
  Canmore, Alberta
  Developed as a community project by the Canmore Lions Club, this park features three very well maintained outdoor tennis courts. Two are designated for the Canmore Tennis Club ( 403-678-4848 ), while one court is held open for public use. The park is located at the corner of 15th Street and Fairholme Drive in Canmore.
• Canmore Nordic Centre
  Suite 100, 1988 Olympic Way
  Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2T6
  Designed and developed for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers you exhilarating cross-country outings on over 60 kilometers of world-class cross-country and biathlon trail systems.

More information about life in the Bow Valley can be found on the "Mountain Lifestyle" page by clicking this link: read more