Where to purchase gluten-free baking and gluten-free food products, plus how to preserve flavour and nutrients when eating gluten-free.
Celebrate May's long weekend by paying tribute to Queen Victoria and her legacies.
Since its inception in 1884, Canmore has often been considered Banff’s less-polished, more-playful younger sibling.
While Banff sparkled as the jewel of the Rockies, Canmore was smudged with soot given its modest beginnings as a mining town. But with the last mine closing in 1979 and by hosting the Nordic events for the 1988 Winter Olympics, Canmore asserted itself as the little town that could. The world finally caught a glimpse of what Calgarians have long known. A mere hour from the city, Canmore offers the best in outdoor mountain adventure, along with cultural events such as the Highland Games every Labour Day weekend. Add to that its food and wellness offerings, and it’s no wonder Calgarians make Canmore their wilderness playground.
Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies in the stunning Bow Valley, Canmore performs a tricky balancing act between environmental stewardship and economic development. Despite its unprecedented growth in the last decade, the town has maintained its rugged small-town vibe, albeit injected with urban-esque shots of fine dining and shopping. It’s less hectic and touristy than Banff, but with the same, if not better access to mountain scenery and wildlife trails. And you don’t have to pay an entrance fee to visit, either.
Canmore’s proximity to the city means you can head out after work on Friday and arrive with plenty of time to enjoy a scrumptious dinner and cocktails. Afterward, turn in for a good night’s sleep at luxury accommodations such as the Zen-inspired Silver Creek Lodge condo suites, or a more homey lodge chalet such as Bellstar’s Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools. Rise early the next morning for a full day of hiking or mountain biking, or head underground for some caving before zipping back to the city. If you can’t overnight, Canmore is also the perfect distance away for a daytrip.
For those looking for R&R, holistic wellness is Canmore’s latest calling card. Several facilities such as the Canmore Health and Wellness Centre and Gaia Collaborative Medicine Clinics call the town home. They offer a blend of traditional and complementary services such as massage, acupuncture, meditation, qi gong and yoga. For organic day spa treatments, check out Verde Day Spa’s brand-new second location at the lavish Grande Rockies Resort.
Clearly, Canmore has evolved from its humble mining origins into a savvy, eclectic town outfitted with metropolitan amenities in a spectacular mountain setting. Kid sibling, no more.
Bruschetta at Trough Dining Co.
Canmore’s dining options have definitely stepped up with an enviable selection of higher-end restaurants, as well as more casual, but equally delectable eateries.
Known for its exceptional dinners, the Trough Dining Co. (725 Walk of Champions Way, 403-678-2820) tried its hand at lunch this year to great success. On the casual side, La Belle Patate (102 Boulder Cres., 403-678-0077) continues to offer authentic Quebecois delights such as their yummy Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. If you’re in the mood for some heat, try the French Quarter Café (100, 1005 Cougar Creek Dr., 403-678-3612) for some spicy jambalaya or seafood gumbo. And you can’t go wrong with the catfish and chips.
If you’ve ever thought about buying a home in Canmore, now is the time. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years, as has competition from international buyers. According to the 2011 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report, the starting price for a two-bedroom condominium townhouse in Canmore has dropped to $229,000 from $270,000 in 2010. This means more affordability and better selection for Calgarians looking for a second home close to home.
If you’re looking for a new build, Spring Creek Mountain Village in downtown Canmore offers one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans with a range of amenities. Ownership options include furniture packages and participation in a guaranteed revenue program in the Rundle Cliffs Lodge. Residences start in the upper $300,000s.
Also new is the Bellstar-managed Solara Resort & Spa, which offers open-concept interior spaces of up to 1,700 square feet with one to three bedrooms. Owners hold international exchange privileges and discounts at other Bellstar resorts. Homes start at $279,000.
For more Canmore real estate news, read one of the local blogs such as remaxcanmore.wordpress.com or livetherockieslife.blogspot.com, or Google “Canmore real estate” to see recent listings and connect with local realtors.
The Goat Creek biking trail is an 18-km trail that stretches from Canmore to Banff.
As home to events such as the 24 Hours of Adrenalin bike series, Canmore is noted for its tremendous cross-country mountain biking options. The season generally runs from mid-May to mid-October, though there are people who ride year-round.
According to the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance, there are a number of trails worth riding — just be prepared to share with hikers and wildlife. Favourite trails include the Orange Loop, Riders of Rohan and the G8 Trail. There’s also the relatively easy 18-kilometre trail (one way) from Canmore to Banff called Goat Creek, which is mostly downhill, with the odd little uphill section.
The recently completed Banff Legacy Trail — a 26-kilometre paved multi-use recreational pathway connecting Canmore and Banff and continuing west to meet up with the Bow Valley Parkway — is great for a scenic, family-friendly bike ride. Check bvmba.org for general information, bikepirate.com for detailed trail descriptions and maps and the Parks Canada website under “Banff” and “Activities.” Be sure to also pick up a copy of Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies ($24.95), which is the bible of local trails.
Canmore is named in honour of King Malcolm of Scotland, from the Gaelic word Ceann Mor, which translates to “Big Head,” referring to one’s tall or large stature.
The Canmore Highland Games on Sunday, September 4, complete with dancing, piping, heavy sports like the caber toss, sheep dog trials, a pancake breakfast, beer garden and traditional food and drinks.
Will Gadd
“I can live anywhere in the world, but Canmore has the best possible combination of rock and ice climbing, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and family life of anywhere I've ever seen. People decide to live in Canmore, and often have to change careers and even accept less money than they would living in, say, Toronto. What starts with a decision about location extends to life in general in Canmore; people are proactive and living a life they like, for the most part. All of this satisfaction and exercise-induced mellowness can, of course, lead to a certain smugness that's annoying as hell, but that's a relatively small price to pay for living here. If we could only get rid of t]he photo radar, this place would be perfect.” —Canmore resident Will Gadd, world-renowned ice climber and gravity sports athlete
Heritage Park Historical Village
May 19 (All day) - May 21 (All day)
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