Canmore-Banff: Two Towns and One Great Adventure

Canmore is a popular pitstop on the way to Banff National Park and the town is a destination worth stopping for — more than once.

Canmore | Banff at a Glance

  • Population: 14,911 | 8,385
  • Median Family Income: $113,780 | $96,710
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.5% | 4.7%
  • Residential Vacancy Rate: 5% | 1.08%
  • Life Stress: 20.9% | 20.9%
  • Sense of Belonging: 74.1% | 75.2%

Source: Government of Alberta

“Canmore has a vibrant arts and culture scene, great dining and world-class craft beers. It might be a small town, but with the year-round influx of tourists and ever-growing amenities, it takes on a big-city feel that makes the robust tourism industry a great place to play, live or work,” says Brian Dunn, owner of the Canmore Brewing Company.

Canmore sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains and just 25 kilometres east of the Banff townsite — the two mountain towns are connected by the Trans-Canada Highway and a bike path. The surrounding Banff National Park was Canada’s first national park and draws more than 3 million visitors annually.

The picturesque mountains of Banff are full of incredible hiking trails and campgrounds, as well as idyllic places to climb, kayak or canoe. In the winter, three world-class ski resorts – Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise – are a beacon to tourists.

No matter the activity, warm hospitality after can also be found at Canmore’s Communitea Café, which is inspired by the wonder of nature that surrounds the town and weaves itself naturally into the outdoor experience.

“Folks come to enjoy the outdoor activities, and healthy eating and fresh food completes the feel-good experience,” explains owner Marnie Dansereau. “We use as many local and organic ingredients as possible, and offer a number of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.”