Born and raised in the Bow Valley, Jade Ansley left Canmore in 2010 to study jewellery-making in New Brunswick. She returned in 2016 and, the following summer, launched Project A, a pop-up shop selling ceramics, woodwork, jewellery and fine art by emerging makers and artists. Project A has since become a permanent shop, located across the street from the original pop-up. “I may not be your typical mountain girl,” Ansley says, “I’ve only gone on one hike in the past five years. But there’s something incredible about rediscovering your hometown.”
Here are 10 of her favourite things in Canmore.
Lost and Found: Adrift in the Canadian Rockies by Jamey Glasnovic (published by Rocky Mountain Books)
“This is my favourite local adventure story. The author is a long-time Canmore resident and has a really relatable writing style. The book itself is an interesting look behind picturesque mountain towns.”
Kake by Darci’s Flash Fridays
“Darci’s cakes are to die for, but she doesn’t have a shop to sell her products. Instead, she has ‘Flash Fridays’ on Instagram where she announces a treat like s’more sandwiches, and then it’s a mad dash to get to her kitchen before they’re gone.”
Wild Life Distillery’s Tonic Syrup
“The absolute best product for a gin and tonic. It’s locally made and the flavour is so nice and natural.”
Carter-Ryan Gallery’s Plays and Musicals
“It can be hard to find theatre in the mountains because our communities are so small. The Carter-Ryan gallery owners [who were long-time members of the theatre community in Edmonton] started putting on plays in their gallery and at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, and they’re incredible.”
Melted Snowman Ice Cream by Scratch Rare Ice Cream
“The Melted Snowman only comes out in the winter so I’m always waiting for it. It’s made with a candy-cane-and-white-chocolate drizzle, and it’s the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
PechaKucha Nights
“The name translates to ‘chit chat’ in Japanese. It’s a free event where locals speak — everyone from athletes to artists to baristas. It’s very fast-paced and a really fun way to experience Canmore’s diversity.”
Wagyu Burger from Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon
“By far my favourite hangout in Canmore. I love everything on the menu, but if I had to choose one thing, it would be this burger. It’s so fresh, and all of the ingredients are locally sourced.”
Landscape Paintings by Kerry Langlois
“There’s no shortage of mountain paintings in Canmore, but [Langlois’s] are so imaginative and modern. She’s born and raised in Banff-Canmore and has such a fresh approach. It’s like nothing I’ve seen.”
Kerry Hunter’s Live Music
“Kerry is my favourite local musician. She has a very sultry and refreshing voice. If you can’t catch her solo, she’s also the singer for Northern Quarter Band, Canmore’s favourite cover band.”
Open Mic Tuesday Nights at Hy Five
“This is the ultimate locals’ pub. Tuesdays are a pretty quiet day in Canmore, so the pub’s Tuesday Open Mic Nights are always great for a casual night out.”