Holidays to Canmore
Around three million people visit Banff National Park every year, and it is one of Canada’s leading tourist attractions. Many people head for the town of Banff and its nearby ski resorts, and holidays to Canmore can make an interesting alternative, as the mountainous landscape is just as spectacular. Individuals on Canmore holidays find that life runs at a slower pace; with a population of around 12,000 people, there is a more relaxed atmosphere and a less hectic nightlife than is found in Banff. Accommodation options include several hotels, self-catering apartments, bed and breakfast guesthouses, and campsites which will suit just about every budget. Eating out also offers a number of options which range from fine dining restaurants offering international cuisine to fast food outlets and takeaways.
Winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding are all within easy reach of Canmore, as is rock-climbing, hiking, and fishing. Golfing holidays in Canmore are also popular as there are six world-class courses in the area. If quality downtime is on the agenda instead, the town is well known for its health and beauty facilities, and has plenty to offer including spas, masseuses, yoga and meditation classes, and alternative medicine centres.
An essential part of holidays to Canmore is a visit to Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country. Originally created for the cross-country skiing events in the 1988 Winter Olympics, it is currently one of the major attractions in the area. It was redeveloped in 2005 and is now home to all kinds of sporting activities including mountain biking, hiking, and orienteering. A golf course is available in summer, and cross-country skiing remains popular there in the winter.
Back in the town, there are plenty of shops, galleries, and live music venues to enjoy. Canmore also has a cultural life of its own, and is host to several popular festivals. Birdwatchers flock to the Festival of Eagles celebrating the autumn migration of golden eagles across the Canadian Rockies, while arts and crafts aficionados enjoy what is on offer at the Canmore Christmas Artisans’ Market, which features over 80 stalls. Canmore sees in the New Year at the Party on the Pond with ice-skating, hot chocolate, music, and fireworks usually under a crystal clear, starlit sky.
Holidays in Canmore have something for everyone whether it is rugged countryside and mountain walks, sports and leisure, or simply spending time in a friendly town. The climate is also warmer than many other parts of Canada, with summer temperatures above 20° C, and the winters generally dry and sunny.