Top 10 Things to do in Canmore, AB (& surrounding Area)

From VPO Canmore Staff

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1. Hike Canmore’s spectacular mountain landscape offers everything from scenic strolls to lung busting alpine jaunts. The Grassi Lakes trail system on the edge of town offers both a cruisey trail perfect for strollers and young adventurers as well as a more challenging route. Both of these lead to the turquoise lakes beneath the imposing face of Ha Ling Peak. Ha Ling itself offers a great challenge of moderate to steep hiking up into the alpine with breathtaking views down the valley.

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2. Crag Canmore is an internationally renowned climbing destination, with many great crags to choose from. Check out Grassi Lakes for awesome sport climbing ranging from easy 5.5 at the Golf Course wall to juggy classics like Meathooks (5.11a) and harder routes too. For more variety, check out the nearby “Back of the Lake” at Lake Louise in Banff National Park for some trad and sport classics. You can also pop in and come chat to us about our favourite routes.

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3. Multi-Pitch With so many towering peaks in the area it’s no wonder that Canmore has such an incredible plethora of outstanding short and long routes. Aftenroe on Mt. Cory offers some great (5.7) sport climbing with outstanding views. Check out the classic Grillmars Chimney on Yamnuska if your looking to place a little gear and tick off this ultra classic trad route. If you’ve got the experience you can go for it yourself, or hire a guide from one of the many guiding outfits in town to show you about.

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4. Biking There are plenty biking opportunities for every level in and near town. A family friendly ride can be found near the river and even passes a playground along the way. The Legacy Trail, which is a paved path that connects Canmore and Banff, is a very popular ride for the casual biker and road bikers alike. The Canmore Nordic Centre is an amazing mountain bike option. It is open all year round and offers an excellent collection of well marked mountain biking trails ranging from easy double track to thrilling single track. The park maps, and solid maintenance make this a must see for anyone who loves ripping through the mountains on two wheels.

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5. Car Camping There are just over twenty drive in campgrounds within an hours’ drive of Canmore. With so many great options to choose from we think you should check out Spray Lakes campground. It is first come first serve so get there early! Nearly every site sits just off the water, and there is plenty of space between them, giving you a secluded experience with easy access.

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6. Skiing & Snowboarding Canmore is close to a plethora of skiing and snowboarding options. Whether you prefer venturing in to the backcountry or hitting up one of the 4 world class ski resorts that are near us, you will not be disappointed! Do you prefer cross country skiing? We’ve got you covered there too with The Canmore Nordic Center minutes from town and Mount Shark a bit farther out, you will be able to find many options for both classic and skate skiers alike.

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7. Backpacking It may be a bit of a long trek from Mt. Shark parking lot to get into Assiniboine Provincial Park, but once you’re there you’ll see just why it’s worth it! The towering “Matterhorn of the North” is a breathtaking peak that makes for a perfect setting to explore a multitude of amazing day trips, like Marvel Lake and Wonder Pass. You can camp or stay at the Nasset huts. If you fancy excellent cuisine and a comfy bed instead, the excellent Assiniboine Lodge is a lovely historic log cabin. If you don’t fancy hoofing your gear in, or even yourself, Alpine Helicopters runs flights in twice a week.

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8. Trail running The Montane Traverse is an excellent run that spans Cougar Creek to Harvie Heights. As you run along the flanks of Lady MacDonald you will get a series of expansive views of the Rundle Massif. The running is pretty straight forward along some gentle single track. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, with some aggressive elevation gain check out the spectacular ridges of Heart Mountain.

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9. Scrambles Mount Lady MacDonald towers above Canmore. It’s a good leg burning hike that leads to a little scree and exposed ridge traverse. The views are sublime, and the unbuilt “tea house” offers a great little lunch spot as you gaze down the Bow Valley.

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10. Around Town Activities There are lots of things to do in Canmore’s downtown core and surrounding area. You will find lots of great shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and bars along and around Main Street. A scenic walking/biking trail can be found along the Bow River just steps from the downtown core. Why not pack a picnic and head to Riverside Park? Elevation Place is a great option for a rainy day; you can enjoy the climbing gym, the pool and hot tub or cozy up with a book in the library.