BICYCLE RENTALS
Bicycles (and other sporting equipment) may be rented from a number of Canmore retailers we recommend; Gear Up Mountain Rentals, located at 1302 Bow Valley Trail, 1-403-678-1636.
CAVING
Canmore Caverns - 1-403-678-8819
Explore the exciting underground world of Rat's Nest Cave under Grotto Mountain near Canmore. Twisting passages and chambers of stalactites and stalagmites. 6-hr Adventure Tour with 18 m (60 ft) rappel--climb and traverse large and narrow passages plus the 'Laundry Chute' ($115). 4.5-hr Explorer Tour is similar but has no rappel ($89). 25 min scenic hike to cave entrance (incl in tour times). Guide, helmet, light, coveralls and other gear. 5C (41F) year round. No experience necessary; participants should be reasonably fit; min age 11 yrs. Closed Mon-Tues.
CHOCOLATE TASTINGS
Le Chocolatier - 1-403-679-3351
121-701 Benchlands
See how the finest dark and milk Belgian chocolate is made at Le Chocolatier. Indulge in a few samples and possibly buy a few tasty treats for friends and family at home.
CONCIERGE SERVICES
Mountain Messenger Delivery
403-493-8272 www.mtnmessenger.com
220 115 Elk Run Blvd
An extra special bouquet of flowers for a special occasion, a hard to find bottle of wine, a fully-stocked fridge of groceries, upon arrival, special occasion gifts and more. Mountain Messenger delivers to all Bellstar's Canmore Resorts upon request.
DOG SLEDDING
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours 678-4369 www.snowyowltours.com
Howling Dog Tours 678-9588
GOLF
Silvertip Golf Resort
1000 Silvertip Trail, 877-877-5444, www.silvertipresort.com
(18-holes, Par 72, carts included)
Stewart Creek Golf Club
877-993-GOLF (4653), www.stewartcreekgolf.com
(18-holes, Par 72, carts included)
Canmore Golf & Curling Club
1-877-678-5959
(18-holes, cart included)
FISHING
Wapiti Sports & Outfitters – Summer Only
1506 Railway Ave, 1-403-678-5550
Guides offer Walk & Wade and Float & Wade trips for beginners to advanced on the Bow River, famous for brown trout. Waders, fly/spin cast gear and Clackacraft drift boats provided. Trips to the Spray and Kananaskis Lakes aboard covered 200 hp 22 ft (7 m) boats with fish finders, downriggers and tackle-jig, cast or troll for lake, bull and rainbow trout. Learn to fish and family oriented trips available. Complete tackle and fly shop.
HELICOPTERS
Alpine Helicopters
91 Bow Valley Tr., 1-403-678-4802
Depart Canmore heliplex to a remote, spectacular world. Spray Lakes (12 min, $109); Royal Canadian (25 min, $219) see Goat and Sundance ranges; Assiniboine Glacier (30 min, $249) return via Spray Lakes Valley. Heli-hiking is also available.
HIKING – Canmore & Area
Discover the miles of breathtaking wilderness hiking trails in the Bow Valley. From short walks, to full day hikes, to overnight excursions, the options are boundless. For guided hiking, contact
Barrier Lake Trail
The bright green-blue waters of Barrier Lake are surrounded by lush-green wilderness, making it a great place to spend the day hiking or learning about the topography of the area. At 2.3 km (1.4 mi) return with an elevation gain of only 10 m (33 ft), this trail is an easy way to spend a day, and is located off Highway 1 on Highway 40, 12.3 km (7.6 mi) south at the U of C Kananaskis Field station parking lot.
Bow Falls Trail
Bow Falls is conveniently located below the Banff Springs Hotel, allowing for easy access from the Banff townsite. One of the easiest in the area, there is plenty of time to stop and smell the flowers on this 3-km (1.9-mi) hike. Accessible via the Bow River Bridge in Banff, green signs lead the way to the falls. The trail is also available for cyclists and cross country skiers, but they must take a slightly different route—signs will guide the way. Once at the falls, visitors can take in the view, which includes famous peaks like Mount Rundle. There's also a picnic area and a set of stairs leading up to the famed hotel.
Eau Claire Interpretive Trail
Like the Wedge Pond Loop, Eau Claire is an easy hike that should take less than an hour to complete. This trail has a number of interpretive signs that help explain the human and geographical history of the area. The pathway follows the river along the bottom of this serene valley, and is accessible via Highway 40.
Heart Creek Trail
Heart Creek is a popular hiking trail, and at only an hour and a half return in duration, it is a pleasant way to spend half a day. Steeped in wilderness, the trail follows the gushing creek, crossing over a number of log bridges along the way until sweeping views of the canyon and mountain signify arrival at the waterfall, the hike's zenith. Find the trailhead by following the signs on Highway 1 in between Canmore and Seebe. The Heart Creek day hike should not be confused with the Heart Mountain hike, which is 20 very difficult kilometres (12.43 mi) in duration
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon's popular trail begins with a paved walkway that continues for 1.1 km (0.7 mi) to the Lower Falls, a 10-m (33-ft) waterfall that offers a great picnic spot. If necessary, street shoes can be worn for this portion of the hike but those who wish to carry on should know that the trail gets more rugged for the remainder of the 4.7 km (2.9 mi.) It's worth it though—hikers will first reach the picturesque Upper Falls, which cascade down a 30 m (100 ft) ledge, and then they will come to the Ink Pots. These six green-blue spring-fed pools of water are situated in a spot that offers great mountain views.
Tunnel Mountain
Tunnel Mountain doesn't actually have any tunnels—it was proposed that the CPR blast several tunnels into the side of the mountain in the late 19th century, and though this plan was quickly discarded, the name has stuck around. Despite the lack of tunnels, however, Tunnel Mountain is a great place for a day hike. The easy 4.3-km (2.7-mi) journey starts just off of St. Julien Road in Banff and offers panoramic views of the townsite and mountains. With an elevation gain of 300 m (948 ft), Tunnel Mountain is a very popular hike in Banff—so popular, in fact, that one woman, Anne Ness, has completed the hike an astounding 8,000 times!
Wedge Pond Loop Trail
For an even more relaxed hike than Heart Creek, try the Wedge Pond Loop, which, at 1 km (0.62 mi), only takes half an hour to complete and follows the shoreline of this picturesque body of water, providing pleasant views and a perfect place for a picnic. The trail is located off Highway 40, which can be accessed from Highway 1.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Explore Kananaskis Country, north east of Canmore, on horseback. Guided trips are provided by a number of reputable companies.
Cross Zee Ranch 2500 Palliser Trail, 403-678-4171
Boundary Ranch Kananaskis Village, 403-591-7171
Brewster’s Kananaskis Guest Ranch, 403-673-3737
ICE CLIMBING
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
200, 50 Lincoln Pk, 1-403-678-4164
Guided day and multi-day hiking, backpacking, glacier traverses, ice and rock climbs, hut-to-hut trips and mountaineering courses with certified ACMG guides. Scheduled and private excursions in Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lk Louise, Yoho, Kootenay, Mt Robson, Mt Assiniboine and Icefields Pkwy area. Climbing lessons with gear (half day from $70, full day from $110, private classes available). No experience necessary.
MASSAGE
Verde Day Spa
Canmore's only organic spa. Blackstone has partnered with Verde to offer a selection of on-site treatments at Blackstone Mountain Lodge. In addition, a variety of therapeutic massage and aesthetic treatments, salon and personal pampering services are available at their main location at 901C Main Street in Canmore. Appointments are required in advance. Please call Blackstone to book an appointment at the resort or call Verde directly to book a treatment at the main spa 403.678.0306. Visit www.verdedayspa.com for further information.
MOVIES
All condos at Canmore Crossing are equipped with a VCR or DVD player. Movie rentals are available at Avalanche Movie Company, located at 919 Railway Ave.
MOVIE THEATRE
A short drive west to Banff brings you to the Lux Cinema Centre. This Movie Theatre features four wide-screen, Dolby sound theatres, playing first-run features. Located at the corner of Bear and Wolf Street in Banff. Call 403-762-8595 for movie listings and show-times.
RAFTING
Canadian Rockies Rafting
With different options for everyone in the family, you can be sure that you will find the adventure you are looking for with Canadian Rockies Rafting. From floating down the Bow River to grade 4 rapids on the Kicking Horse River, they never disappoint! www.rafting.ca
SNOWMOBILING
Banff Snowmobile Tours - 1-888-293-8687
Unforgettable tours in the Rockies west of Banff and Yoho parks. Spectacular waterfalls, historic trappers cabins, and opportunities to see wildlife. Half and full day (from $159) include shuttle, suits, boots, helmets, gloves and western-style buffet lunch. Upgrades to powerful 600cc and 700cc sleds. Overnight, custom and group tours.
