Everyone knows that Canmore is Calgary’s happy place, and with more new home opportunities opening, it can be a happily-ever-after place too.

The promise that Canmore holds has always been as a haven for city-weary denizens looking for some respite from the hurly burly. The town’s fresh mountain air, tons of recreational offerings, and unmatched views of the Rockies has always been the perfect tonic against the daily grind.

Post-lockdown, Canmore looks as inviting as ever! As the province slowly finds its way back to normal, Canmore is again stirring with new activity. There are reports that recreational home market is seeing a new vitality, and Canmore will certainly benefit from this.

A Town of Canmore Census points out that although there is no official count of the non-permanent population in this mountain resort town just west of Calgary, a Statistics Canada report points out that it is on the rise. It says there were 2,369 estimated private dwellings not occupied by usual residents here in 2021, an increase of 144 residences from 2016.

It’s no surprise that people will want to live here just after one visit, and the town of about 15,000 is likely to see a spike as more new home opportunities pop up in the popular multi-family development of Spring Creek Mountain Village and even single-family homes in a recently approved residential subdivision in the historic Brewster family homestead.

Mountain resort town

Bruce Marpole, Communications Manager or Tourism Canmore Kananaskis isn’t surprised why more people would want to live in Canmore.

“The Town of Canmore is the perfect hub for adventure. A picture-postcard perfect community enveloped by the majesty of the Canadian Rockies,” he tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide. “Trendy boutiques, gourmet dining, eclectic art galleries, 80 + kilometres of pathways, and a diverse population of residents including accomplished mountaineers and Olympic athletes; this is Canmore.”

The nearby Kananaskis Country - that surrounds Canmore to the north, south, and east - adds to the allure.

“Kananaskis is an impressive mountain landscape spilling across a series of protected provincial parks. Emerald green waterways, unspoiled wilderness and snow-capped mountain peaks, and home to four-season activities for all levels of adventurers. To the west is Banff National Park and only a 20-minute drive to the Town of Banff, making Canmore the perfect adventure hub for all your activities.”

Regardless of the weather or time of year, Marpole says there are “endless opportunities” for both indoor and outdoor fun. From museums and galleries to hiking and white-water rafting, the possibilities go on-and-on.

A place to be

Marpole says tourism was the hardest hit industry during the pandemic and is expected to be the last to fully recover. But Canmore and Kananaskis were largely spared from the brunt of the lockdowns’ impact. “(We were) fortunate to be a haven for Albertans to get out and connect with Nature during the pandemic when regular travel was not possible”

He adds that it is looking like a return to pre-pandemic levels is in the offing. “For the first time since 2019 we are starting to once again see international travellers starting to return. We are seeing things are starting to get back to “normal” and we expect a busy summer, but the tourism industry is not expected to make a full recovery until 2024.”

It is looking also like the mountain resort town is still attracting new home buyers even though Canmore real estate prices have increase by 5 per cent from November 2019 to November 2020, says real estate research think tank, WOWA.ca.

“The average price of a home in Canmore is $777,000. Apartments are the most commonly sold property type on the Canmore real estate market, followed by townhouses, detached houses, and semi-detached houses, respectively,” it adds.

New developments

Leading the charge for new home opportunities here is Spring Creek Mountain Village.

“Spring Creek is at the heart of Canmore, offering diverse home options so that people can own and live how they want, whether it be full time, for vacation use or as a rental income property,” says the developer, Frank Kernick. “With our central location we have 360-degree views of the Rocky Mountains and are a short walk to Main Street and all of the activities that Canmore has to offer. Our owners love the Spring Creek vision that celebrates a friendly atmosphere and sense of connectedness to the surrounding natural environment.”

The development just off Canmore’s downtown is about halfway built out, and it is close to fulfilling the master plan for a modern mountain retreat. It has been on a rapid path to progress since development started in 2006, with a host of condo and townhome buildings already finished. It is also now home to the new Malcolm Hotel and the Origin at Spring Creek retirement facility. This fall Spring Creek will be announcing details on its newest residence, Black Swift Lodge. Go to springcreekcanmore.ca for more info.

The recent approval for development of land that is part of the historic homestead of the much-renowned Brewster family promises even more opportunities for prospective new Canmore residents. And whereas Spring Creek offers mostly apartment-style condos, this 22-homesite community will be exclusively for single-family luxury homes.

Located on lands homesteaded by John Brewster in the late 1800s, the Brewster Kananaskis Ranch Development (BKRD) project is situated on the edge of Kananaskis Country, just off Highway 1X, along the banks of the Bow River and near to the base of Mount Yamnuska.

“There is limited supply of land in the Bow Valley for single-family homes,” says Shane Jonker, president, Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Development. “The objective is to create a truly unique community in this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ setting without sacrificing the magnificence of the Kananaskis Ranch.”

The Brewster Kananaskis Ranch Development plan has been carefully thought out with detailed consideration to the natural environment, landscape, and existing amenities to ensure a world-class resort experience.

For more information, visit brewsterskananaskisranchdevelopment.com.

A guide to spending the day in Canmore

“If you ask someone what they love about Canmore, they’ll likely tell you the same thing: The locals are warm, friendly and welcoming. The views are breathtaking. There are activities for everyone to enjoy,” says Tourism Canmore Kananaskis’ Bruce Marpole. “The amenities are extensive and far surpass what you would find in most town of this size.

For best first impressions here are his suggestions:

Foodie scene

You will be surprised at just how many restaurants are making mouths water in our little mountain town. From Local Pub favourites to cafes to gourmet farm-to-table experiences, Canmore is a mecca for the Foodies. There are well over 80 restaurants tickling the taste buds of residents and visitors alike. It is a foodie scene second-to-none.

More at explorecanmore.ca.