Once you've decided when you want to visit, you just have to settle on where to go.
With breathtaking national parks to many unique cultural heritages and histories, the possibilities are endless.
Whether you want to reach summits with breathtaking views, relax by a glacier fed lake, or ski world-renowned slopes, we have it all! No matter what your interests are there will be something for you to enjoy. Browse our website to find the many ways to experience the outdoors!
Whatever your choice, you won't be disappointed.
The time is now!
There is something for all seasons. Summer is amazing with many activities such as hiking, paddle boarding, fishing, camping, and the never ending daylight!
Autumn offers vivid colors, larch trees, wild flowers, Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights are even more striking as the crystal-clear winter skies. Oh its cold (it IS Canada, after all! ) But this the perfect time for bluebird skies, skiing / snowboarding, dogsledding, ice-fishing, skating, snowshoeing and more.
June, July, and August are our summer months with July and August being the liveliest. Canmore and the surrounding area is a popular tourist destination and you will need to plan accordingly. Always pre-book accommodation, shuttles, tours, and dinner reservations. Check out our (insert what the actual name of the page is) for tours and shuttles to book.
April to May and October is the slow season in Canmore. This is the perfect time to visit if you want to get away from the crowds. September is still a busy month as the larch trees are changing from green to yellow which brings in many hikers.
While winter is busy because of the ski hills, winter is quieter than summer. If you plan to come on any holiday, prepare for the area to be busy, but during the week in January or February it will be fairly quiet.
Summer Time:
Being in the rocky mountains the weather can change quickly, and the nights and mornings can be cool. Come prepared by packing layers. A comfortable walking shoe and sturdy hiking boot will be beneficial depending on your itinerary. In the summer months the average temperature is 25 degrees celsius, so don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, a backpack to take with you on your adventures and a water bottle. If you plan to be hiking or spending time in the backcountry bring bear spray! Bear spray can be purchased at Canadian Tire, Gear Up, or Sports Experts.
Spring and Fall - can be cooler in the mornings and nights and warm up in the afternoon once the sun comes out. Pack a toque, mitts, and layers so you’ll be comfortable at any time of the day. If you are out hiking or camping in the backcountry it is important to have bear spray.
Winter - Expect the temperature to be anywhere from -10 to -30. Bring your warmest clothes and a toque, mitts, scarf, and boots. Mid to late November the ski hills will start to open. These include Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, Nakiska, and Norquay.
A selection of hikes are still accessible throughout the winter with the proper equipment, as well as snowshoeing, dog sled tours, and ice skating.
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Safety is always a priority, but each season presents different road challenges. There are many ways to prepare for winter weather so you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the road.
Here you will find useful tips for staying safe including driving on wet or icy roads, maintaining winter tires, and checking air pressure.
With major airlines offering service to and from Calgary, it's never been easier to come explore the Rocky Mountains. Canmore is a town in Alberta, Canada, located approximately 81 kilometres (50 mi) west of the City of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. It is located in the Bow Valley within Alberta's Rockies. The town shares a border with Kananaskis Country to the west.
The closest International Airport is Calgary International (YYC). Approximately 114km from Canmore town.
Airlines that fly to Calgary:
Alaska Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada, United Airlines, Central Mountain Air, Air Transat, Delta Airlines, KLM, and British Airways.
The best way to get from Calgary to Canmore without a car is by Shuttle bus, which takes 1h 20 minutes, the cost range from $50 - $170 and typically run every 2-4 hours. Other options vary from rental cars, private transfers, and public transport.
Several companies offer shuttle bus transfers to Canmore from the Calgary International Airport and operate multiple times a day. The two most popular bus options are Banff Airporter and Brewster Express.
Brewster Express service connects Calgary to Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise if you're also looking to explore past Canmore!
Renting a car or driving your own vehicle is one of the best ways to explore the Mountains.. All major car rental companies are available at the Calgary International Airport with lots of vehicle options.
During the weekends in the summer months, June-August, the TransCanada Highway can become very congested, with lots of people from different places driving through the mountains visiting. Therefore, it may take longer to travel to Canmore on a Friday night, and on Sunday evening, it may take longer to get back to Calgary. If you have a flight to catch, make sure to leave earlier as it may take extra time to travel back. Also expect the drive to take longer during the winter months, (November-February) especially after a big snowstorm. Drive carefully, the roads can become treacherous, especially with chinook winds.
Once your transportation is figured out, just be sure to pack everything you need and then you're ready to explore!
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In an emergency, Call 911 For Police, Fire or Ambulance
For Canmore RCMP 403-678-5516
Cellular coverage along highways in the back country may be limited or non-existent.
Report any sightings of any aggressive wildlife (bear, cougar, wolf, elk) in Kananaskis Country or the Bow Valley to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
The safety of park visitors and residents is first priority. You can help Parks Canada with wildfire detection. If you suspect a wildfire anywhere in the mountain national parks call 911 or Parks Canada Dispatch.
You’re in Avalanche Country! Knowing how to stay safe from avalanches is an important part of travelling in the winter environment. Visit https://avalanche.ca/en/map for the latest Avalanche report, Essential Gear or Training.
As you explore the Great White North, you may encounter wildlife such as bears, birds, elk, foxes, bison, moose, deer, wolves and mountain lions. Always be respectful of wildlife and use common sense. Keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife, and never feed or entice them. Wild animals are unpredictable and can be dangerous.
Be WildSmart!
Many people live and visit bear country and never see a bear. It is however important to know how to avoid encounters with bears and what to do if you run into one. Do you know how to use bear spray and when? Click here for more info
Wildlife videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AihvuZiDhsg
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Ensure you are prepared for Canada’s weather conditions. In the winter it can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. Wear layers during all seasons. Carry sunscreen and bug repellant in summer.
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Though Canmore's climate is relatively mild compared to some other regions of Alberta, the weather throughout the Canadian Rockies and around Canmore is extremely variable, due to our high altitude and the rugged mountain topography. Canmore has an average high of −3.1 °C (26 °F) to average low of -14.9°/5.2° in January, with relatively low humidity. Do note it is not unusual to have a two-week cold snap during December or January where temperatures plummet into the -30º C (-22º F) range. Fortunately, Canmore regularly enjoys a pleasant winter weather phenomenon called a Chinook. The warm winds of the Chinook produce spring-like temperatures in a matter of hours, and the moderating influence can last for days or even weeks. Summers are short but the days are long with daytime temperatures ranging from 18 °C (64 °F) to 22 °C (72 °F). The sun does not set until 9:00- 10:00pm in June / July ....welcome to the North!
Join the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlbertaAuroraChasers
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