My first real trip to Canmore took place on a clear and sunny Monday morning; I had driven through the town numerous times on my way to Banff or BC but had never taken the time to stop and explore. Although I was excited to actually see some of the town, this trip was work related and I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to get the full Canmore experience this time around either.
Driving into the mountains from Calgary has always been a form of therapy for me. Even if it’s just a day trip, the act driving towards the Rockies is like letting go of the city life and getting ready to delve into nature and serenity.
As we pulled into Canmore, I was introduced to the surrounding mountain range by my guide/boss. He pointed out some of the best places to hike, the three sisters, the directions of the closest lakes, and named and described just about every mountain within sight. It was at this point that I started to understand the local pride that Canmore has towards their environment and the important role that these mountains play not just in tourism, business, and resources but in shaping the identity of this town.
We drove through the residential areas and I admired the rustic, cabin feel of the architecture. All the neighbourhoods were so quiet, beautiful, and well kept that I started to think about how I could fit a vacation home in Canmore into my budget. As we pulled into down-town I realized that Canmore truly had something for everyone; with the surrounding majestic mountains, the peaceful residential areas, and a bustling down-town offering everything you could possibly want or need, I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t come here before.
The purpose of the trip was a lunch meeting which we held at The Georgetown Inn. I instantly fell in love with the welcoming atmosphere of The Georgetown. The hotel and restaurant are adorned with tales of local heroes and the rich history of Canmore. I spent much of the lunch scanning the pub and reading about all the incredible artefacts. After tasting my lunch, I was hooked. I have gone back to The Georgetown a few times now, always bringing new people to show the restaurant off to and I boast about its charm and delicious food to anyone who will listen.
Our final stop was at the Silver Creek Lodge. I have stayed in lots of beautiful hotels in my time and the Silver Creek Lodge could compete with the best of them. From the gorgeous water fountain in the front entrance and the smiling and friendly staff, the lodge makes an impressive first impression. I toured the lodge’s variety of rooms from hotel style to two bedroom suites; each room was luxurious and inviting. I also got to tour the hotel’s fantastic Bodhi Tree spa and the three open air hot pools.
Before we left I spent a moment sitting at the hot pools by myself. I looked over the steam rising from the pools onto the snow covered peaks in the distance and took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air. In that moment I thought two things to myself. First, my job rocks and second, this was only a taste of the Canmore experience and I knew I would be back for more.
