Canmore, Alberta and Kananaskis Travel Guide » canmore activities

Honeymoon in Banff

Canmore and Kananaskis — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:00:27 +0000

Best of Both Worlds: Come to the Canadian Rockies for Your Wedding and Stay for the Honeymoon

Treat yourself to a luxury spa treatment on your Banff honeymoon.

What’s one of the best things about having your wedding here in Banff National Park or elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies? Your honeymoon – it can begin pretty much after you finish saying “I do.” Maybe even before that, say, as soon as you get here.

The Canadian Rockies, with places like Banff National Park, Jasper National Park and towns like Canmore, Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper, can provide newlyweds with a beautiful, inspiring, and fun way to begin their lives together. And not to worry if roughing it in the great oudoors isn’t what you have in mind for your honeymoon.

There are a lot of the traditional things available for couples who want to pamper themselves on their honeymoon, says Amira Harris, wedding planner and owner of Posh Productions. “Hot springs, spas, mud baths, hot stone massages, there are all sorts of spas that can really take care of you,” she says.

Once you feel good and relaxed, there is plenty to keep you busy. “For anyone who’s never been to the Rockies, you wouldn’t have to try hard to find something to do,” Harris says. “You could keep yourself busy for quite a few days out here.”

Of course, if you do like outdoor recreation, Banff and Jasper National Parks offer amazing activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, backpacking, whitewater rafting and skiing. There are also great guided tours, including helicopter tours (heli-tours), motorcycle tours, hiking and driving tours. You can even go on a glacier or ice field tour.

All those activities are bound to whet your appetite, and the restaurants of the Canadian Rockies are ready to deliver everything from a great pizza and beer to the finest wine and seafood. And of course, the accommodations here are unsurpassed; there is everything from rustic, private cabins to boutique hotels to five-star luxury resorts and spas.

In the Canadian Rockies, it is truly possible to have a beautiful wedding and first-class honeymoon, while saving time on traveling to some far-away destination on the other side of the globe – which saves you a bit of money, too!

Canmore Helicopter Weddings

Canmore and Kananaskis — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:40:48 +0000

Get Married on a Mountaintop: Attend Your Wedding in Banff, Alberta, and the Canadian Rockies On a Helicopter!

The Bow River in Banff National Park from the air.

Sure, you get incredible, scenic alpine backdrops wherever you gaze around Banff, Canada and Banff National Park. But what about from the air?

On that most special of days, your wedding day, what better backdrop to your nuptials could there be than floating above the most stunning mountain range in the world with the person you have just pledged to spend the rest of your life with?

You can do that in Canmore, just a short 25 kilometers south of Banff on the Trans Canada Highway. There are a few different companies to choose from; one that offers the largest range of prices and times is Kananaskis Heli Tours. Whether you simply want a quick peek at the peaks of Alberta’s Canadian Rockies from above or something longer – and perhaps more romantic and unique – you can tailor your trip.

If you want to pull out all the stops – and why not? After all, if all goes well, you only get married once, right? – you can chose Kananaskis Heli Tours’ Romance Package. The Romance Package is for people celebrating anniversaries, proposals, weddings or any other special occasion. It is a private helicopter experience with a one hour champagne stop in the wilderness. Aside from perhaps a hot air balloon across the pyramids in Egypt, it is hard to imagine a more romantic gesture.

The Canadian Rockies and all of Alberta Province is a big healthy, welcoming, naturally beautiful wonderland. It is exactly the right place to celebrate a wedding. There is something about being in a helicopter, surrounded by the unspoiled natural majesty of the snow-capped mountains and the green alpine valleys and meadows, that makes you feel small and appreciative of the things you have.

Get married on a Banff area mountain top with a helicopter wedding.

Canmore Nordic Center: A playground for athletes

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:14 +0000

Lots to do at the Nordic Center. Photo by John E. Marriott

When it comes to Canada travel in winter, the Canadian Rockies glisten with a flurry of snow activity. Visitors come to ski Canada, snowshoe and ice climb, making their way to Banff, Jasper and Canmore to enhance a perfect holiday. Jasper inn, Banff hotels, Canmore inn and suites are more than accommodating and keep visitors cozy when turning in for the night.

Canmore, Alberta, is one are to really dive into a variety of winter sports. And the Canmore Nordic Center is a winter hub for a number of adventures on snow and even in summer. Canmore hotels compliment those looking to check out all the Nordic Center has to offer, and even Canmore rentals and Canmore condos are available for longer stays.

When the Winter Olympics blew through Calgary in 1988 Canmore built their Nordic Center to host many of the events. Since then the center has grown in popularity and maintains a top-notch reputation in the world of winter athletics across North America. Its 2005 renovations for the Cross-Country World Cup only enhanced the sophistication and professional design, making it ready for future events.

Administered by Alberta Development and claiming provincial park status, the 60 kilometers (37 miles) of trails are well-maintained throughout the year. In the summer the trails are popular with hikers and mountains bikers, while the winter sees biathlon professionals and cross-country skiers.

Not only do these athletes come to the Nordic Center to tackle the trails, they also hang out to train for upcoming events. The trail systems are standard and reach international nordic competition levels, meaning come winter time trails are constantly groomed and maintained for shape and quality. To top it off, the area includes a 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) track lit by floodlights and available for night use.

Even winter vacationers who like to stay warm and cozy can find premium relaxation at the Nordic Center’s Day Lodge. The lodge is equipped with a cafeteria, meeting room, lockers, information area, showers, equipment rentals and lessons.

When summertime rolls around, the Nordic Center and lodge focus on mountain biking events. And as a bonus, the center also holds an 18-hole disc gold course for Frisbee lovers. This activity center is a must-do for any Canmore vacationer any time of year.

SilverTip Golf Course: Canmore’s secret outdoor adventure

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:14 +0000

View of SilverTip Golf Course. Photo by John E. marriott

The summertime brings a variety of outdoor sports to dabble in when looking for Canada travel spots in and around the Canadian Rockies. Natural outdoors around Banff, Jasper and Canmore offer extreme sports like rock climbing and mountain biking, with excellent Banff hotels, Jasper inns and Canmore inn and suites. Canmore accommodation shines in value and variety, from Canmore hotels to Canmore mountain lodges. Either way, planning an adventure to the area suits all vacation types from families to couples.

Besides partaking in the rugged wilderness sports, there are ways to enjoy the beautiful wildlife in a simpler and more relaxed fashion such as Canmore golf. The SilverTip Golf Course in Canmore does just that, with its par-72 course and a 600-feet elevation change surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

The slope ratings sits at 153, though the course length varies from 5,100 to 7,200 yards depending on the tee placement. The course is easy to get to and is located off of Trans-Canada Highway/Highway 1. SilverTip is 90 kilometers west of Calgary and 23 kilometers east of Banff National Park.

SilverTips’s slogan Golf on the Roof of the World couldn’t be more true, as each hole offers a different, majestic and incredible alpine scene. Designer Les Furber made sure that the course carried different scenic views within each walk, from the glorious Three Sisters to thick alpine woods and glimpses of cozy Canmore.

The SilverTip is known throughout the area as a prime locale not only for golfing, but also for dining, wedding events and business meetings in a classy and elegant environments nestled within the Canmore Canadian Rockies. A nice change of pace from the adventurous outdoors, check out SilverTip and its beautiful golf course.

For more information and bookings call 877-323-3633 or 403-678-2838

Canmore: Tee off at Stewart Creek Golf Course

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:12 +0000

A shot from Stewart Creek Golf Course. Photo by StewartCreekGolf.com

Golfing in the Canadian Rockies is a popular sport to practice when summer months roll in and temperatures are enjoyable and pleasing. Canmore in particular is known for mild temperatures and over 300 days of sunlight — perfect conditions for golfing. While Banff and Jasper offer other attractions in the vicinity, no trip is complete without Canmore golf and visiting the unique and beautiful Stewart Creek Golf Club and Course.

Stewart Creek apartments and nearby Canmore hotels, Canmore lodging and other Canmore rentals are available for enthusiasts wanting to be nearby the green and nearby a breathtaking area. Canmore bed and breakfasts serve as a perfect way to wake before heading to tee off.

When native Canmore local Gary Browning set off to design Stewart Creek Golf Course he aimed for a challenge complementing the scenic Canadian Rocky surroundings, and it worked. The par-72 layout was regarded in Reader’s Digest as the best new course in western Canada in 2002, with a 4.5 star rating in ’02, ’03 and ’04. Canada travel in summer is not complete without a bit of golfing, and Stewart Creek golfing is a spectacular treat.

Its 7,195 yards of greenery and shapely terrain is a carefully-planned area aiming to enhance plays and setting. The 360-degrees views of mountains and alpine vistas are absolutely gorgeous, including the historic mine shafts and variety of wildlife. Note: The all-encompassing beauty could possibly distract a golfer’s focus!

Brown’s philosophy on pairing golfing with a breathtaking setting has created one of the most beautiful courses to be seen, and he continues to work within this theme. The world-class Stewart Creek Golf course has itself become a popular attraction for tournaments, weddings, and even Canmore vacationers.

Canmore: Dining in The Wood(s)

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:12 +0000

Canmore's Main Street. Photo by John E. Marriott.

Canada travel hotspots like Banff, Jasper and Canmore shine in a blend of fine eating and laidback dining. Canmore hotels and Canmore accommodations offer on-site restaurants, but venture out of your Canmore inn and suites for a real taste of local cuisine and cheerful small-town vibes.

Noted as the spot with Canmore‘s best sunny deck to guzzle some beers and munch on fries, head to The Wood to see what the locals are raving about when it comes to good dining and a friendly Canadian Rocky atmosphere.

Food at The Wood is hearty and bursting with flavor regardless of which deal is happening. Wing night, Steak night, Pizza night — every night is a good bet when wanting something savory and satisfying. Lunch specials are just as mouth-watering, from huevos rancheros to smoked salmon with herb cream cheese and capers on foccacia.

Lunch and dinners are just the beginning at The Wood, so make sure to save room for dessert. And let’s be honest, no one can resist a sweet dish with titles like Bailey’s Creme Brule or a Toblerone Chocolate Lava Cake.

On to the drinks. The wine list boasts 30 choices of reds, roses, whites and bubbly. Local wines, international wines and old world wines is just a sample of the variety offered. Daily drink specials range from Monday martinis to Wednesday’s world-famous Bellini’s.

Aside from the delicious taste and smell, The Wood hosts a charming atmosphere that’s warm and inviting. The cabin-like setting keeps a rustic theme amidst a spread of contemporary furnishing and white table cloth settings.

Large umbrellas shade outdoor tables on a large deck with an aerial view of the Canadian Rockies. The vibe is casual, family-friendly, and relaxed to a point where spending afternoon hours hanging out and people watching can be a Canmore vacation highlight.

Canmore: Top 3 moderate hikes

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:11 +0000

A perfect rest spot at one of Canmore's many trails. Photo by John E. Marriott

Canada travel vacations in the Canadian Rockies means sporty adventures by day, and equal relaxation by night. Hiking in particular is an outdoor activity that’s free and enjoyable by many, and those staying in Canmore, Jasper and Banff will have many trails to choose from. In the evening, rest those feet and sink into a comfortable setting in Banff hotels, Jasper inn and Canmore inn and suites.

Canmore shines in rugged paths leading to scenic views, and there is plenty of Canmore accommodation available throughout the year. Canmore lodging ranges from Canmore rentals, Canmore condos and Canmore bed and breakfasts, now all that’s left is knowing where to hike. Here are some recommendations for great and moderate hikes around the Canmore area for those wanting to get a workout and be a part of the outdoor sporting adventure. Regardless of hiking ability, don’t forget your hiking shoes!

Cougar Creek — Hikers looking to up the intensity should try Cougar Creek on for size. It begins at the parking lot on Elk Run Blvd. and continues either up the mountain or along the canyon. Both choices will offer fantastic scenery and photo opportunities that are simply priceless. Watch out for the steep areas, and be sure to bring a hiking partner.

Gnassi Lakes — This is a five-kilometer hike with a lot to see and discover. Begin just after the Canmore Nordic Center at the bottom of Smith-Dorrian Spray Trail. Although the beginning is a fire road, a quick turn leads hikers through the luscious and peaceful forest. As the hike through the woods slowly begins to ascend a beautiful waterfall reveals itself. When hikers arrive at the summit they will be greeted by emerald green and turquoise-colored lakes. Additional pictographs can be spotted, and there’s a rock scramble to climb for a closer look.

Goat Creek — An 18-kilometer trail that cruises from the top of Whiteman Pass to Banff Springs Hotel. Depending on the knees of the visitor, one way is more forgiving than the other. The trail drops a steep 291 meters (957 feet), though to help ease the big up and big down the trail is mostly wise and smooth. It’s an ideal choice for mountain bikers, and the walk back up offers some incredible places to pause and soak up the scenery.

Canmore: Top 3 easy hikes

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:10 +0000

The Three Sisters Mountains near Canmore. Photo by John E. Marriott.

Canmore shines in rugged paths leading to scenic views, and there is plenty of Canmore accommodation available throughout the year. Canmore lodging ranges from Canmore rentals, Canmore condos and Canmore bed and breakfasts, now all that’s left is knowing where to hike. Here are some recommendations for great and easy hikes around the Canmore area for those wanting a simple stroll or walk. Regardless of hiking ability, don’t forget your hiking shoes!

Grotto Canyon — Hikers who love waterfalls and riverbeds will enjoy the hike along Grotto Canyon. The hike starts with a trickling runoff and builds in intensity until a waterfall is presented at the trail’s end. There are also pictographs left by natives, though it is requested to look and not touch. Many of these images have been worn away by from fingerprints and climbers. In addition to the peaceful sounds, running water rushes over beautiful limestone that’s smooth and shiny.

No. 1 Minesite — This is an easy going and brief walk through the area’s historic No. 1 mining site. It’s fun, quick, and exciting for those looking to go back in time. A further walk will bring hikers to waterfalls and cold sulphur springs Canmore is known for.

Policeman’s Creek — This walk is more like a stroll through town. Pass historic buildings and duck ponds, maybe pop into a cafe for a drink. It’s a relaxing walk combining the town charm with surrounding nature.

Riverside Loop — Another mosey through Canmore beside the Bow River, this loop is a scenic waltz in and around town. Park downtown or on River Road and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Canmore’s nature and beauty.

Canmore: Three nearby hikes for all levels

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:10 +0000

Opal Range in Kananaski. Photo by John E. Marriott

Canmore shines in rugged paths leading to scenic views, and there is plenty of Canmore accommodation available throughout the year. Canmore lodging ranges from Canmore rentals, Canmore condos and Canmore bed and breakfasts, now all that’s left is knowing where to hike. Here are some recommendations for hikes around the Canmore area ranging from easy to moderate and expert. Regardless of hiking ability, don’t forget your hiking shoes!

Easy: Heart Creek

A fun and flirty trail with lots of natural life to be seen. This trail begins along the highway pull-off, as hikers shortly follow the highway and then walk along the Heart Creek. Heading upstream towards Bow River, this walk is peaceful and relaxing, with a view of big limestone rocks frequented by expert rock climbers. The finish line is at the small waterfall waiting for Heart Creek hikers, and it’s possible to get a closer look at the cascade if hikers can stand a little bit of wet feet afterwards.

Moderate: Skogan Pass

Hikers ready for more of a challenge should head to the country near Dead Man’s Flats and tackle Skogan Pass. From Alpine Resort Haven to the top of Skogan Pass, this is a 10-kilometer hike climbing 677 meters (2,221 feet) upwards. The ease of the hike lies within its open path that’s a clear and wide fire road. As hikers ascend to the summit a beautiful view of the town of Banff and the rugged Cascade Mountain is their backdrop — an added touch of nature for pauses and lunch stops along the trail. On the way back, hikers can either return on the same trail or turn at marker 20.3 for a nice wander along Ribbon Creek Trailhead.

Expert: Heart Mountain

Here’s a challenge for the hikers who want full-on exercise, sweat and adventure in the wilderness. This is an experts only trail because it moves up up up, with no switchbacks for easygoing hikers. Begin at the Heart Creek Day Use Area and follow the Heart Creek Trail. Continue up the ridge and begin climbing upwards until arriving at the summit. It’s hard work, but the ending view is a magnificent shot of the Bow Valley.

Canmore: Dive into dog sledding

asykes — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:07:09 +0000

Dive into a day of dog sledding in Canmore.

Canada travel and winter activities in the Canadian Rockies are endless. Jasper, Banff and Canmore, Alberta are well-known hubs for sports enthusiasts ready to dive into everything from ice climbing to skiing and ice skating. Visitors come to Canmore for the daytime sports and evening relaxations. Canmore hotels and Canmore accommodations very from inn and suites to bed and breakfasts, though all excel in amenities to keep visitors warm and cozy. Canmore lodging also fits families (like Canmore condos) and long-term visitors (Canmore rentals), making the overall stay pleasant and adventurous.

Visitors ready to try something new and unique should spend a day in the wilderness with man’s best friend by way of adventures in dog sledding. A Canadian past time, dog sledding in Canmore is a popular winter activity amongst beginners and experts.

With a guide nearby, experience the rush when driving a sled through the snow as a team of huskies pull through the fields. Those hesitant on taking the reins can be just as pleased with guided dog sledding, and the experience and view is just as different and adventurous.

It’s the up-close and personal atmosphere and interaction between humans and huskies that really interests visitors and locals to take part in dog sledding. Huskies have an open nature of being friendly and playful dogs, as well as athletic and sporty. It’s a charming venture dog-sled guides harness and offer to visitors, in addition to being a helpful teacher for those willing to learn the ropes on dog sledding.

For thousands of years dog sledding has been encouraged by Canadians each winter. Native Inuits used huskies, and since 1908 the practice has become an official Canadian sport.

Both Canmore and Banff National Park offer dog-sledding services. Regardless of what’s on the “To Do” list, mark down a day of dog sledding and enjoy a local tradition and perspective.