Hotels in Canmore

Canmore: Gateway to the Canadian Rockies

Canmore sits at 1,370 m elevation in the Bow Valley, 103 km west of Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway and just 25 km east of Banff. The town earned its name from a Scottish Gaelic phrase meaning "Great Head," and the surrounding summits — including Ha Ling Peak (2,408 m) and the Three Sisters — define every rooftop view. Once a coal-mining settlement (mines operated 1887–1979), Canmore reinvented itself around outdoor recreation after hosting Nordic events at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Where to Stay in Canmore

Hotels and lodges cluster along Bow Valley Trail and in the Old Town district near 8th Street. Properties range from riverside lodges overlooking the Bow River to ski-in-adjacent suites near Nordic Centre Provincial Park. Visitors arrive year-round: hikers and trail runners from June through September, skiers and snowshoers November through March, and photographers in September and October when larch trees turn gold across Grassi Lakes.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Canmore is a 90-minute drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC) via the Trans-Canada Highway.
• Seasons: Summer highs average 22 °C; January lows average −12 °C.
• Wildlife: Bear activity is common on valley trails — carry bear spray and check trail advisories at albertaparks.ca.
• Parking: Street parking in Old Town is limited on summer weekends; use the Elevation Place lot off 8th Avenue.