Whether you’re looking for a good bite to eat after a long hike, new experiences to try or a comfortable bed after an alpine adventure, there are plenty of new things to do in the mountains this summer.
Canmore
Electric Wolf Cafe
Electric Wolf Cafe is a new, all-day neighborhood café created by the team at Basecamp Resorts (it’s just a stone’s throw away from the company’s Lamphouse by Basecamp property). Adorned with warm, rustic features, the café is just as much of an art piece as the local art it commissioned to hang on the walls. Pop in for some coffee, baked goods like cookies and croissants, sandwiches and more.
610 8 St., Canmore, 403-688-9653, electricwolf.ca
The Lounge at The Uprising
The Uprising Bake Shop revamped its Canmore space with new lounge-style seating and menu additions that can be enjoyed throughout the day. With two floors of seating, there’s plenty of space to tuck into coffee and pastries, wood-fired pizza, cocktails and more in the eatery’s sophisticated atmosphere, which boasts Old Hollywood charm and friendly service.
101, 804 6 Ave., Canmore, theuprisingbakery.com
Stonewaters Spaces
The team behind Stonewaters, a lifestyle store in Canmore, recently opened a sister shop specializing in furniture and home decor this past spring. Combining minimal design with bright, cheerful colours, Stonewaters Spaces is ready to bring pieces of joy into customers’ homes. Find anything you need to elevate your space, from bed frames, dressers and nightstands to styling pieces and warm lighting solutions.
306 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, 403-493-0135, stonewaters.com
Lovely Ice Cream
Lovely Ice Cream first started during the pandemic with the owners testing flavours in their home kitchen. By 2021, Lovely Ice Cream was selling out of a cart in downtown Canmore, and as of May 2024, it has a new storefront where you can order flavours like roasted banana or custard and blueberry.
101, 300 Old Canmore Rd., 403-493-2774, lovelyicecream.ca
Banff
Moxy Banff
The Moxy Hotel brand, which is part of the Marriott Bonvoy group and is known for its playful atmosphere and front desk that doubles as a bar, has opened its first Western Canada location in Banff. The hotel officially opened its doors in early April, making room (109 rooms, to be exact) for a thoroughly retro-tastic experience. The hotel was designed to complement the historical architecture along Banff Avenue, while keeping the signature, youthful spirit of Moxy Hotels. Guests can enjoy the dedicated vinyl-listening room, snap a photo in front of the neon photo-wall, grab a bite from the 1966 VW Kombi food truck in the lobby and more.
555 Banff Avenue, Banff, 403-762-3301, marriott.com
J.E.H. MacDonald: The O’Hara Era at The Whyte Museum
The Whyte Museum is showcasing a never-before-seen collection of paintings by Group of Seven member James Edward Hervey (J.E.H.) that detail his annual trips in and around Lake O’Hara and Yoho National Park. The showcase, J.E.H. MacDonald: The O’Hara Era, runs from June 15 to October 20.
111 Bear St., Banff, 403-762-2291, whyte.org
The Cave and Basin Mural Project
The Cave and Basin Mural Project is back for the third summer in a row with new art. The Indigenous artwork and mentorship project kicked off with an inspiring mentorship program with mentors Joseph Sanchez, AJA Louden, Bruno Canadien, Nathan Meguinis and Dawn Saunders Dahl. Artists Cheyenne Bearspaw, Giona Smalleyes, Jarron Poucette, Kyle Kaquitts, Kristy North Peigan and Brendon Many Bears created murals that are now on display at The Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The murals were created with the Indigenous histories of the Bow Valley region in mind.
In July, August and September, you can join an Indigenous tour of the new murals at Cave and Basin. The tours are $30 on Fridays and Saturdays and finish at the Whyte Museum.
311 Cave Ave., Banff, parks.canada.ca
The Fat Ox
A new restaurant that just opened at the end of June, The Fat Ox offers a taste of “alpine Italian” cuisine in Banff. Start your meal with some venison carpaccio, and round it out with the ox burger, featuring house-ground beef short rib.
415 Banff Ave., Banff, fatoxbanff.ca
Lake Louise
Electric Bikes in Lake Louise
This summer, try out the new fleet of electric bikes from the Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola, which are available for rent from May 20 to October 14. A $100, full-day rental includes a bike, a helmet, a lock and more, with bear spray available for an extra $10. Book your e-bike online or visit the rental tent near the main lodge entrance.
1 Whitehorn Rd., Lake Louise, 1-877-956-8473, skilouise.com
Jasper
Warrior Women Trapline Experience
Led by Matricia and Mackenzie Brown, Warrior Women is a 100 per cent Indigenous and women-led drumming collective based in Jasper. Warrior Women currently offers plant walks, beading classes and fireside chats, but will be launching a new trapline experience from July through August. Keep an eye out on Warrior Women’s website for more information.
Jasper, 780-712-3358, warriorwomen.ca
