Canmore is located one hour west of Calgary and just minutes from the East Gates of Banff National Park. It is said that the town was named in honour of King Malcolm III of Scotland from “Caennmor”, a Gaelic word that refers to one “being of tall stature” or “Big Head”.

125 years ago Canmore became a key divisional point for the railroad due to the ready access to coal. Modern Canmore is evidence of what can happen to a dusty old coal mining town after the mines close. Canmore is now a four-season funky alpine tourist town boasting all manner of outdoor adventures, superior golf courses, and great food. Two of our favourite restaurants are Patrinos for dinner and Chez François for brunch.

Canmore was selected as the host community for two of the venues for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, and those games helped to breathe new life into Canmore. Since then, the population has risen from 3,200 to 17,000 and the demand for vacation properties has exploded. The history here is worth exploration. There are a few remnants of Canmore’s mining origins but the Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre is dedicated to telling the stories of the mountains. Permanent displays detail Canmore’s mining heritage, as well as the geology of the Rocky Mountains. Temporary displays change regularly. The Gift Shop specializes in educational toys, local art, fossils, and minerals. Read More

Experience Jasper National Park

The largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, Jasper National Park is situated in western Alberta, running north and west, along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, from the Columbia Icefield to the Willmore Wilderness Provincial Park. Wildlife is abundant and it is very common to see elk, bighorn sheep, deer, coyote, and even black bear throughout the park.

For centuries, a vast network of trails served as an essential passageway for the aboriginal people hunting throughout this region. these same trails were used by the explorers and fur traders who began arriving 250 years ago. Today they are source of recreation and escape for the hikers who come to enjoy Jasper’s natural wonders.

In 2007, Jasper National Parkhonored its past and look toward its future as it celebrated 100 years of cultural and natural history as a protected place. To commemorate such a milestone, Jasper National Park is planning one hundred days of celebration. Centennial celebrations will include exhibits, events, publications, a centennial documentary, learning opportunities and the creation of various legacies.

It’s an opportunity for all to learn about Jasper’s natural and cultural heritage, and how to become better stewards of all protected places. It is a unique time to feel the power of our landscape and the richness of our past, and to commit to our future. In 2007, Jasper National Park was the place to be.

About Jasper National Park’s Natural Heritage

Although Jasper National Park has seen many changes in the last century, much of the park remains wilderness. The largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks, Jasper spans over 10,800 km² of broad valleys, magnificent rugged mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, alpine meadows, and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Jasper National Park protects a diverse variety of wildlife and plants. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, and mule deer, as well as their predators make Jasper one of the great delicate and carefully protected ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.

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