My 4 Favorite Experiences in Canmore in Alberta Canada
Considering Banff National Park is one of the world’s most visited, it might seem obvious that most tourists would skip right past the former coal-mining town of Canmore, located right outside the park. But this is not the case. Ever since the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, of which Nordic events were held around Canmore, the town has been maintaining a name for itself as an individual destination. Beyond being a place where Olympians still train, Canmore offers travelers opportunities for winter recreation. And although there is plenty to do outside around Canmore year round, winter is my favorite season to visit. Not only does it come with fewer crowds, seeing snow covered Rockies in all their glory is breathtaking.
Here are 4 of my Favorite Experiences in Canmore, Alberta.
Ice Fishing
The ice fishing experience is much more than the name implies. Travelers will not only learn how to catch a lake trout, but also get to eat their fresh catch in a wooden shantee in the remote Canadian Wilderness. Owner, Jim Dysktra, takes guests on half day and full day trips to Spray Lakes in the Spray Valley Provincial Park. Camp is set up in a virtually barren spot on the frozen over lake away from a slew of ice fishers we pass on our way in. Out here, it feels like it’s just you, the lake and stout mountain ranges surrounding the area like Mt. Nester, Mt. Bowler and Mt. Shark.
Jim wastes no time setting up the first chance for us to reel in a catch. He pulls out an ice auger, which is a spiral shaped tool that is spun by hand to drill a hole into the ice, and then teaches us how to automatically lower the line so it reaches the bottom at about 110 feet. From there, we lift the line to the bottom of the lake and slowly bring the line up a few turns at a time, and then wait for a hopeful bite. If nothing, we keep following that pattern… until you know you have one.
I tear off my gloves and start reeling as fast as I can.
“Jim, I caught one. I think I caught one! Jim! I really caught one!” I yell towards the shantee where Jim is preparing lunch. By the time he has come outside the lake trout is out of the hole. He unhooks it and takes care of the rest, which means dinner will soon be served.
Later on, we headed inside the shantee for lunch, taking a seat on a padded wooden bench. Jim cooks up steak, onions, mushrooms and grilled cheese piled high with salami. Afterwards, we head out on an expedition to a spot where there are bigger fish.
“ I call it ‘five- pounder’ because that’s the average size of the fish we catch here,” Jim tells us.
With just over an hour of light left, we head back to the shantee to eat the fish we caught. Jim pulls out a pan, fires the stove back up and sautés it with fresh cut onion, lemon and garlic better. We enjoy every bite, still keeping an eye on the poles inside, hoping something bites. Who would want this day to end?
To Book A Trip: Visit:
Or Email BigJim@BanffFlyFishingGuides.com
Pricing: ½ Day Rate $375 per person, $450 full day; 2 people: $475 half day, $550 full day; 3 people: $575 half day, $650 full day; 4 people
Dog Sledding With Snowy Owls
There is dog sledding and then there is dog sledding where you are the musher. And after a trip with Snowy Owls, I realized the thrill of driving your own team of dogs is what makes the experience a rush. I have tried this once before and it didn’t end well. The toboggan went one way, the dogs the other and I was left somewhere in the middle. But this time, owner, Jeremy, managed to suppress my nerves.
“Well, you didn’t have me teaching you,” he tells me in a matter of fact way, which instills confidence.
Groups meet at the Snowy Owls Office in town before hopping in a big ole white van that takes guests to Spray Valley Provincial Park. After a 30-minute drive we arrive in a remote wilderness area and can hear the dogs howling. Jeremy runs us through a thorough safety course where he still manages to work in humor. We learn how to break, cue the huskies to run and about the terrain we are going to pass through- rolling hills, steeper down hills and some uphill portions (which means you need to put your bots on the ground and run with the dogs).
I am ready to go as the weighted anchor that acts as an emergency brake is let loose by Jeremy and we are off. “HIKE! Good Dogs!” I bellow towards the dogs that are speeding towards a downhill. Because I don’t have a need for speed, I ride the break too heavily. But on the next hill, I feel more comfortable as we descend and roll over some bumps after. Halfway through my sledding pal and I switch, allowing my hands to rest after white knuckling the bar. I slip into the toboggan and bundle up in a blanket to take in incredible views of the surrounding mountains and streams as the huskies trudge ahead.
The Canmore Nordic Center Provincial Park
This year, downhill skiing has been my jam. But a trip to Canmore and the chance to cross country ski at the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics couldn’t be passed up. I gladly traded in my downhill skis for a much narrower and lighter pair. My guide, Gabriela, whose father was in the 1988 Olympics, moved here from the Czech Republic with her husband to be an instructor.
First up on the lesson she taught me how to get back up if I fell down. Good thing because I toppled before we even reached the grooved tracks. Then again (and even again) on a downhill- be warned, if you think you can pizza to slow down in downhill skis that doesn’t mean that you can pick it up quickly on a pair of cross country skis. Even with the wipeouts, it was a blast trying a new sport and in some incredible scenery and sweeping mountain ranges. By the end of a one-hour lesson, most are able to get the basic hang of the sport and enjoying time on some of the 70 km of surrounding trails after.
Main Street
You could easily spend an afternoon shopping in boutiques, bookstores and shops that carry everything from outdoor gear to home goods. It’s also a place that offers tons of great dining options.
A town favorite is Grizzly Paw Brewing Company. The food here is so delicious that I almost forgot I came in for the beer. After seeing the locally farmed elk burger on the menu (with hoisin, siracha, green onion and cucumber) my mind was made up. Then, I saw the Roasted IPA Nuts also made with a sriracha blend and knew it would be the perfect starter. For the beer, I decide on a flight and was most impressed with the Beavertail Raspberry Ale and Sleeping Buffalo Stout.
Head in for Friday Cask Night (starts at 5 p.m.) night to try a creative rendition of a brew. It’s different each night and allows brewers to try a recipe in a smaller batch. The night we are there it’s a Red IPA made with pomegranate and hibiscus.
Where to Stay:
For a spacious and beautifully designed suite, check out Solara Resort and Spa about five minutes from town. Choose from 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites that feature full size kitchens, which is perfect for a relaxing night in. Rooms also have fireplaces and balconies.
