Canmore, Alberta: The Hidden Gem of the Canadian Rockies

A mini-Banff, Canmore is quieter and less expensive

Monday, August 7th, 2023 ~After we left the Bar U Ranch and before we hit Banff, we had lunch in the cute town of Canmore.

Canmore began as a coal mining town along the Canadian-Pacific Railway route in 1887. Mining operations shut down in the 1970s and Canmore’s population declined. The town’s future seemed uncertain.

Then, in the early 1980s, Calgary was announced as the host of the 1998 Olympics. Canmore, with its location within an hour from Calgary, became the site of the Olympic biathlon and cross-country skiing events.

Today Canmore’s population is just under 15,000. It’s like a mini-Banff, with lots of cute little shops surrounded by stunning scenery. It’s a popular tourist destination being only a 20-minute drive to Banff.

After a yummy flatbread lunch at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company (who knew Apple Chicken flatbread was a thing?), we explored the town.

Apparently playing 3-dimensional chess in the middle of the street is a thing

A stunning mural, with the Canadian Rockies peeking out above the building.

Looking in the distance, Canmore was a little smoky from Canadian wildfires. Given the severity of the fires, we were grateful it wasn’t worse.

There are many dining options in Canmore

Indigenous Mural

Murals, restaurants and shops galore

And we couldn’t pass up ice cream at The Scoopin’ Moose!

Our stop was too short, but we were anxious to get to Banff. Hopefully we can return to Canmore one day to do more exploring.