Is Canmore a Resort Town?

By Michael Ferguson

Canmore is a picturesque town nestled in the Canadian Rockies, just a short drive from Banff National Park. But is it a resort town? The answer is both yes and no.

What is a Resort Town?
A resort town is generally defined as a place that attracts tourists due to its natural or cultural resources. These tourists typically come for vacation or leisure activities, such as skiing, hiking, or sightseeing. Resort towns often have amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and shops that cater to visitors.

Canmore’s Tourism Industry
Canmore certainly fits the bill when it comes to attracting tourists. The town offers stunning views of the mountains and easy access to outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. In fact, Canmore has become a popular destination for athletes training for high-altitude competitions.

  • Canmore also has a thriving tourism industry with many hotels and restaurants catering to visitors.
  • The town hosts several events throughout the year that draw large crowds, such as the Canmore Folk Festival and the Canmore Highland Games.
  • Additionally, there are many tour operators in Canmore offering guided hikes and other outdoor activities.

Why Some People Don’t Consider Canmore a Resort Town

Despite its popularity with tourists, some people don’t consider Canmore a true resort town. This is because:

  • Unlike many popular resort towns in North America, such as Vail or Whistler, Canmore doesn’t have any major ski resorts within its city limits.
  • While there are certainly plenty of hotels and restaurants in Canmore catering to tourists, the town still has a strong sense of community and local culture that you might not find in other resort towns.
  • Finally, Canmore has a year-round population of around 15,000 people, which is much larger than many other resort towns.

The Verdict

So, is Canmore a resort town? While it certainly has many of the hallmarks of a resort town – stunning natural beauty, a thriving tourism industry, and plenty of outdoor activities – its strong sense of community and local culture set it apart from other resort towns.

Ultimately, whether or not you consider Canmore to be a resort town probably depends on your personal definition of what that term means. But one thing is for sure – if you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit with plenty of things to do and see, Canmore is definitely worth considering.