Canmore is located in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, just an hour west of Calgary and a few minutes from the entrance to world-renowned Banff National Park.

The town of Canmore got its start in 1884 as a small coalmining outpost on the Canadian Pacific Railway, with this industry continuing well into the 20th century. While the last coal mine closed here in 1979, it wasn’t long before the eyes of the world discovered the natural beauty and charms of this small mountain town. Soon after Canmore was chosen to host the Nordic events at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games, the community slowly began to attract more visitors and vacation home owners attracted by small town charm, immense natural beauty, and year-round cultural activities, outdoor recreation and adventure.

No doubt part of the attraction for Canmore’s earliest residents, and those who live here and visit on vacation today, is the diverse cultural offerings of the area. Today, Canmore’s 11,599 permanent and 4,818 non-permanence residents (Canmore Census 2006) enjoy everything from top-notch festivals and cultural events to a burgeoning fine arts scene to a range of eclectic theatrical offerings to publicly funded art installations.

Canmore is home to many long-standing arts groups and festivals, such as the amateur theatre group Pine Tree Players (celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2008), the Canmore Heritage Day Folk Festival (celebrating 31 years), the Canmore Artists & Artisans Guild (formed in 1980), and the 85-member Mountain Cabin Quilters’ Guild.

The Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, formed in 1996, continued a tradition begun by earlier arts groups such as the Canmore Allied Arts Council (1970s), and looks to the future when Canmore’s cultural community is stronger, well supported both publicly and privately, and even more diverse than it is today.

For more information about what to do and see in Canmore, visit the link below to go to the Tourism Canmore Website