This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Alberta
Canmore, Alberta, stands out as the friendliest small town in Alberta, combining a world-famous Rocky Mountain setting with a warm, welcoming community spirit. Set beneath the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak, the town gives visitors easy access to the Canmore Nordic Centre and a compact downtown with spots like Eclipse Coffee Roasters and Alberta’s Own Marketplace. Community events like the Canmore Folk Music Festival and Canmore Highland Games add even more local spirit, helping explain why Canmore leaves such a friendly impression on visitors and residents alike.
Olympic Legacy
The last coal mine closed in 1979, and Canmore’s future was uncertain until, on September 30, 1981, Calgary was awarded XV Olympic Games. Canmore was chosen as the site for the cross-country and biathlon events and the community was transformed forever. Construction began on the world-class Canmore Nordic Centre, and the facility continues to host the world’s best cross-country skiers and biathletes annually. The world fell in love with Canmore during the Olympics, and it soon became a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. With several options for world class alpine skiing like Nakiska, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay ski areas nearby, unmatched mountain biking, mountaineering, white water rafting, fishing, and hiking, you don’t have to look far to find happy, smiling faces and kind people.
International Shops and Restaurants
With an international atmosphere, the town has since blossomed to about 15,000 people, and the compact downtown has an incredible variety of quality restaurants for its size like Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon and Ankor. In this mountainous setting coffee is, of course, required, and there is no shortage of lovable cafes to be found, including Eclipse Coffee Roasters, EpiCanmore, and Cacao 70. Shopping is also world-class with premier bike, skiing, and outdoor gear shops, as well as mountain-inspired boutiques like Alberta’s Own Marketplace and Big Bear Trading Company. Along with its legacy of outdoor activities the Olympics also left behind something else: top-level service, friendly, helpful attitudes, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Fun and Festivals
From time-to-time Canmore’s residents set aside their outdoor gear and celebrate their community. The Canmore Folk Music Festival is the province’s longest-running folk festival, founded in 1978 by a group of passionate volunteers. It began as a small community gathering for local residents to celebrate music, community, and creativity, and has since bloomed into one of western Canada’s premier folk festivals. Held annually over the August long weekend, the stunning mountain backdrops and international music lineup attracts more than 5,000 people from around the world. Despite its success, it continues to run with the support of dedicated volunteers, a committed board, and partnerships with local businesses.
A couple of weeks later, on Labour Day weekend, the community gathers once again, this time for the Canmore Highland Games. Bagpipers, people wearing kilts, and athletes convene at Centennial Park to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and participate in the caber toss, hammer throw, and tug o’ war. Fittingly, one of the first highland games known was organized by King Malcolm III Canmore on the shore of the River Dee. The event was used as a royal contest to find the swiftest and strongest men in the kingdom with the stamina to carry King Malcolm’s messages across the kingdom.
Wildlife Viewing
Nothing makes nature lovers smile more than a wildlife sighting. Canmore is a prime wildlife viewing destination as the Bow River corridor frequently hosts elk, black and grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, mountain goats, and deer, all within town limits and surrounding trails. The best viewing areas include the Benchlands Trails, Three Sisters trails, and local golf courses. For friendly wildlife encounters, it’s best to keep a safe distance, avoid feeding, and admire them without disturbing them.
Places to Stay
Whether you’re on a budget or seeking luxury, Canmore accommodations all have one thing in common: stunning mountain vistas, easy access to nature, and helpful and pleasant staff. A constant theme at most inns, hotels, vacation rentals, and cabins is mountain architecture featuring wood beams, huge picture windows to take in the views, and stone fireplaces to relax by. Basecamp Lodge is known for having the nicest and most helpful staff you can ask for while offering mountain views from exceptionally clean rooms, and details like strong shower pressure and comfortable beds don’t go unnoticed. It is also surrounded by numerous restaurants and cafes. The Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn is also a favorite of travelers offering helpful staff, hot tub and sauna, and an authentic mountain vibe close to downtown.
High adventure, low crime
To complement the friendly and helpful nature of Canmore residents, the town is widely regarded as a very safe place to live. In a recent municipal survey, 99 percent of residents said they felt safe, and it is frequently rated as having one of the lowest crime rates in the province according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Statistics Canada. When there are so many healthy and fun activities to do, in a place like this there is no time for crime!
Easy to get to, hard to leave
Just an hour west of Calgary and an easy drive down the Trans Canada Highway, Canmore offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and mountain lakes, community festivals and gatherings, cozy places to stay, and outdoor activities that will keep you happy and healthy. And with an Olympic legacy of top-level service and an international atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Canmore is one of the friendliest towns in Alberta to live in or visit.
