My envious friends are referring to the period just after the Canmore coal mines closed in 1979. Real estate was inexpensive back then. Not many people had discovered that Canmore is a great tourism destination and a super place to live.

Now, of course, Canmore is one of the most popular places for Albertans to visit, and the world has not been far behind. While visitors may have their own unique reasons for coming here, almost everyone values Canmore’s clean air and water, friendly people, access to pristine wilderness and outdoor activities, and amazing mountain scenery.

There’s no denying that Canmore is a community in demand. New homes and neighbourhoods continue to change the landscape, as buyers from Alberta and all over the world snap up Canmore real estate as investments and vacation homes to enjoy immediately, or for retirement in the future.

New Developments
Three Sisters Mountain Village to the east of town is marketing Canmore internationally as “North America’s premier health, wellness, and adventure resort.” The Village is being built in stages as a mix of luxury single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, alongside a small complement of “perpetually affordable” housing. The guiding vision is of a community devoted to a healthy lifestyle. Trails wind through the property and there is plenty of green space reserve. One championship golf course (Stewart Creek) is already open, while another is nearly ready for play. A resort village centre with high-end destination spa, shops, restaurants and hotels will complete the picture.

Stone Creek Properties has developed Silvertip Resort among Benchlands’ evergreens and aspens high above town. This area offers dramatic valley views. The current offering of luxury homes and world-class golf will be complemented in 2008 by an ambitious Silvertip Village plan that will feature a range of home ownership options and plenty of on-site amenities.

Steps from Main Street, Restwell Trailer Park is being transformed into Spring Creek Mountain Village. The first phases are currently under construction. Luxury condos and innovative live/work studios will complement Canmore’s existing downtown vibe, and attract shoppers and pedestrians. The housing being built on this former dairy farm located beside a channel of the Bow River takes advantage of the mountain backdrop and keeps green ideals in mind.

The Gateway area around Kananaskis Way off Bow Valley Trail is home to vacation condo developments that run the range from economical to extraordinary. Many projects are now complete, but projects that are still underway include Blackstone Mountain Lodge, Solara Canmore Resort & Spa and Bighorn Mountain Resort (all at the luxury end of the spectrum).

My dozen years here have coincided with Canmore’s astounding growth spurt. When I arrived, Eagle Terrace, Silvertip, Three Sisters Mountain Village, and the Kananaskis Way area were covered in trees and only in the planning stages. There was no McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Safeway or Starbucks. There was not a single traffic light in the whole town. Some long-time residents are nostalgic for the old days, when life was quiet, everyone knew each other, and you could ride your horse down Main Street. It was a great place to live.

The good news is: It still is. In my opinion, it’s even better.

Change of Life
As my life has evolved from “single” to “new parent,” my joy in Canmore comes from new sources. While local bars used to benefit from my frequent patronage, now the Canmore Recreation Centre is a regular stop. On a blustery winter day, their children’s activities, swimming pool and ice skating arena are a godsend.

I used to search out the deepest powder and steepest slopes on my snowboard, making it a point of pride to hit Sunshine Village slopes on the first and last day of our exceptionally long season. Now, I more often hang around watching with mingled fear and pride as my four-year-old gains confidence on his skis. (But make no mistake—I still rip it up when I get the chance!)

I love Canmore for the moments that can happen when you’re not expecting them, like passing a herd of mule deer silhouetted against the darkening sky while walking the dog. Or seeing the first wildflowers of the year emerge on the Benchlands trails after a long winter. Or pausing to watch the full moon rise over a mountain ridge while cross-country skiing under a starry sky.

Canmore Pursuits
Each resident has their personal Canmore that revolves around their own interests, passions and stage of life. The longer you live here, the more you realize the range and variety of things that people do. Of course, many in Canmore thrive on outdoor pursuits like hiking, mountain biking, golfing and fishing. They love it when the snow begins to fly, so they can get out their skis, snowshoes, ice axes, snowboards and sleds. Many others are consumed by painting or Pilates, Tai Chi or theatre, billiards or bagpipes.

People crossing paths in interesting circumstances is one of the pleasures of small town life. The person who serves your beer at Grizzly Paw Brew Pub may be doing downward dogs with you at the Yoga Lounge the next day, or sharing the chairlift at Lake Louise later in the week.

Despite being a small town, Canmore attracts remarkable people who are experts in their field, committed to living life to the fullest, and performing at the top of their game. At the Canmore Nordic Centre you often ski with current, former and future Olympians. Advanced snowmaking, grooming and gruelling trails make this venue an ideal training centre for Canada’s national cross-country skiing and biathlon teams. But it’s also a great place for ordinary skiers, who enjoy the gentler routes by day or under the evening lights. On winter weekends, the day lodge buzzes with local families and visitors enjoying a snack before and after they hit the trails.

Hidden Treasures
The next best thing to living in Canmore is having friends with a place in Canmore. So, those of us who live here welcome a lot of guests. I love when visitors come, because showing off our town allows us to participate in activities outside the bounds of our usual life. That often involves meals out. We then have an excuse to visit Murrieta’s, one of our favourite local restaurants, where the food and service are great. At Quarry Bistro, weekend brunch is hard to resist. I also like to sneak a visit to Harvest, my favourite purveyor of delicious baked goods and coffee. And I often take my visitors to Le Chocolatier so they can discover Canmore’s sweetest creations (and hopefully buy me some too).

Then we have to decide which activity will really wow our guests. Will it be a winter hike or snowshoe trip? A day on the slopes at one of the four local hills is always a popular choice, although a drive-your-own-team dog sled trip in the magically beautiful Spray Valley can be an unforgettable experience. For our hockey-loving visitors, we try to attend a Canmore Eagles hockey game. Adventurous guests appreciate a caving expedition. Occasionally we dress up and hit one of the local nightspots.

One of the best things about Canmore is the sheer enthusiasm of its residents. There is a lot of positive energy in the community—a spirit of volunteerism, a desire to live a life of health and wellness, and a pursuit of excellence that can be astounding.

Buying a Home
Sometimes when visitors fall in love with Canmore, they want to live here on a full or part-time basis. This desire is what drives Canmore’s robust housing market. Real estate is one of the most popular topics of conversations—how much this or that property is worth compared to three years back; who just bought an investment condo; how much the town is expanding. Eavesdrop in any local coffee shop and you’re bound to hear residents and visitors chatting about this theme. 2006 was a record year for real estate sales in Canmore— the average single family home now sells for over $850,000. But, there are more affordable opportunities to purchase “lock and leave” condos, townhomes, fractional ownerships and older homes in need of TLC.

The future of Canmore is as a world-class destination for healthy living. Many conventional and alternative medical and wellness practitioners now call Canmore home. This ideal benefits residents and visitors—people want to be a part of this expanding community. Newcomers arrive with fresh skills and enthusiasm.

There is a moment when every new Canmore resident feels like this is home. The amazement at the views and outdoor lifestyle has not worn off (it never does), but a sense of belonging comes over them—along with a feeling of gratitude for being in this place, at this time.

Publication Date: 12/2007