Your Flash Intro to Canmore

So much more than just a stop on the way to Banff, Canmore has a rich history and present. From cultural hot spots, cuisine, and incredible views – take a trip to a mountain town that doesn’t get enough love. 

History at a Glance

Part of the Bow Valley, Canmore is located on the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples who have long called Alberta home, including, but not limited to: Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, and Ktunaxa, among others. Its settlement history by Europeans stretches back to 1883 when the location was chosen as a major railway division point and developed with that in mind for repair and crew changes. 

Named in 1884, ‘Canmore’ comes from King Malcolm III of Scotland, his nickname in Gaelic ceann mòr, meaning ‘Big Chief.’ The town was granted a coal mining charter officially by Queen Victoria in 1886 with the first mine opening soon after in 1887, firmly instilling coal mining as a key fixture of Canmore’s economy going forward. This continued through into the twentieth century but the 1970s brought with it a diminishing coal market and the town began to flounder.

Then the 1988 Winter Olympics hit the scene, with Canmore chosen to host the Nordic events and the town was suddenly back on the map in a big way! The tourism that resulted from its new spotlight only grew, with the town quickly adapting to its new recreation destination designation. But they didn’t forget their roots, with historical sites such as the Canmore Hotel on main street, the North-West Mounted Police barrack, and others now maintained and available for tours and spectators to enjoy – along with other iconic scenery such as the Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peak, Mount Rundle, Mount Lady MacDonald, and Grassi Lakes.