The Town of Canmore, Alberta
From the Gaelic “ceann mor” meaning “big head” or “big chief”.
Overlooking Canmore from White Man Pass
Nestled in the Bow Valley beneath the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Canmore is a haven in the wilderness. From downtown, the crowned peaks of the Three Sisters and the jagged spires of Banff National Park can be seen from every street corner, making a simple walk down Main Street a treat for the senses.
In 1881, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) constructed its line through the Rocky Mountains, bringing mining companies within reach of the area’s rich coal deposits, soon after, Canmore was founded as a coal mining town. The mining industry that first put Canmore on the map closed in 1979, and this little mountain town came into its own after hosting the Nordic ski events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. At this point, the town had a population of approximately 3200 people. This global event truly exposed Canmore to the world for the first time, and Canmore continues to thrive today as a recreation hub, and an inspiring home for artists, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. Today, the population of this little mountain community has reached close to 16,000 people, with approximately 5,000 of those people living here on a part time basis.
Canmore is known for the world class hiking, biking, and climbing. Click here for the Canmore Trails Map Canmore Trail Map
For more information about Canmore visit the following sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canmore,_Alberta
http://www.canmore.ca/