Canmore is better than Banff.
Here I said it :D

Canmore has been my home for the past 7 years — and I’ve tried to move away twice… but I always end up coming back.

There’s just something about this place that’s hard to explain. It’s quieter, more spread out, and honestly just feels more livable than Banff, while still giving you that same unreal mountain backdrop.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Canmore started as a coal mining town in the late 1800s, and for a long time, that’s what kept it going. When the mines shut down in the 1970s, the town had to completely reinvent itself — which is kind of wild when you look at what it is today.

A big turning point was the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, when Canmore hosted the Nordic events. That’s really when it started becoming the outdoor hub it is now.

These days, the possibilities here are honestly endless — whether it’s hiking, biking, skiing, or just getting outside, you’ve got world-class trails right at your doorstep for every level.

The town itself has this really nice balance of local and visitor energy, with cozy cafés, great restaurants, and small galleries lining the streets — all set against the iconic Three Sisters.

It’s the kind of place where you can grab a coffee in the morning and be on a trail minutes later… without the chaos you often get in Banff.

If you’re looking for a base in the Rockies that feels a bit more relaxed, a bit more local, and gives you space to actually breathe — Canmore is it.