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Beautiful Canmore

Local Canmore insiders sharing hiking tips, hidden gems & stunning mountain photography.

We’re a Canmore-based couple (plus one opinionated Pomsky) sharing insider tips, local favourites, and stunning photography of our favourite mountain town. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifteenth, we’ll help you hike smarter, eat better, and explore like a local.

03/09/2026

💙 **Yes, the water really is that colour.**

If you've ever stood beside Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake—or one of the many other brilliant blue-green lakes in the Canadian Rockies—you've probably wondered the same thing:

**What makes mountain lakes so incredibly turquoise?**

No, it's not Photoshop. 😉 And it's not simply a reflection of the sky.

The answer begins high in the mountains, with glaciers grinding away at rock—and involves tiny particles so fine they can remain suspended in the water.

I've just published a new article exploring the science behind those extraordinary colours, why some lakes are bluer or greener than others, why their colour changes through the season, and why you won't find quite the same effect in every mountain lake.

Once you understand what's happening, I think these lakes become even more remarkable.

💙 **Why Are Lakes in the Canadian Rockies So Turquoise?**
🔗 https://beautifulcanmore.com/why-canadian-rockies-lakes-turquoise/

02/09/2026

🏔️ The mountains are beautiful. But they are not benign.

This isn't the kind of post I particularly enjoy writing.

Since June, five people have died in hiking or scrambling incidents in Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country. We've also had several fatal water incidents in and around the Bow Valley.

After the latest tragedy, I found myself thinking about something we don't talk about enough when we share beautiful photographs of the Canadian Rockies:

This is a wild landscape.

I don't say that to frighten anyone away from it. The Rockies have given me some of the most joyful, awe-inspiring experiences of my life.

But mountains don't become safe because a trail is popular. A turquoise lake isn't necessarily safe to swim in. A beautiful morning doesn't guarantee good weather by afternoon. And preparation can reduce risk—but it can never eliminate it entirely.

I've written a new article about understanding risk in the Canadian Rockies: what visitors sometimes underestimate, how we can make better decisions, and why turning around should never be considered a failure.

Most importantly, it's about respecting these incredible places without being afraid of them.

🔗 https://beautifulcanmore.com/canadian-rockies-hiking-safety/

Enjoy the mountains. Explore them. Fall in love with them. But never underestimate them. 💙

31/08/2026

❄️ **Well... good morning, winter!**

We woke up this morning to 5°C and rain here in the Canmore valley.

And when the clouds lifted enough to see the mountains... snow! ❄️🏔️

The peaks all around us had received a fresh dusting overnight.

On **August 29**. 😂

It's a beautiful reminder of just how quickly conditions can change in the Canadian Rockies. It can be warm and summery in the valley one day and snowing at higher elevations the next.

If you're heading into the mountains at this time of year, don't let the calendar decide what you pack. Check the forecast, bring layers, and be prepared for conditions that may be very different from what you left behind in the valley.

For us today, though, we just enjoyed the view from the window. 💙

29/08/2026

One of the things I've noticed since moving to Canmore is that the mountains seem to change people.

Friends arrive tired from work and distracted by everyday life. A few days later, they're lingering over breakfast, spotting wildlife they'd normally walk past, and wondering if they can stay just one more day.

I've always wondered why.

As it turns out, researchers have spent decades studying how time in nature affects our minds and bodies. While the science is still evolving, it's fascinating to learn how mountains can help reduce stress, restore our attention, inspire awe, and even change the way we think.

That got me wondering...

What if we planned our mountain vacations differently?

Instead of trying to see everything, what if we slowed down enough to really experience the Rockies?

I've put together a new article that combines the science with practical ideas for structuring a week in the Canadian Rockies—not as a strict itinerary, but as a guide to getting the most restorative experience from your trip.

It's also the first article in a brand new Discover the Rockies section on Beautiful Canmore, where I'll be exploring the stories, science, geology, wildlife, and little details that make these mountains such an extraordinary place.

I'd love to hear from you.

When have you felt most at peace in the mountains? Was it on a summit, beside a quiet lake, watching wildlife... or somewhere completely unexpected?

https://beautifulcanmore.com/restorative-week-canadian-rockies/

21/08/2026

🥩 One for the meat lovers...

While I can't personally vouch for the prime rib (I'm vegan 😉), Ron certainly can!

His favourite Sunday dinner in Canmore is the Prime Rib Buffet at The Stirling Dining Room in the Malcolm Hotel.

For $45, you get prime rib with all the trimmings, and kids are just $20 (under 6 eat free).

If you're looking for a special Sunday dinner with beautiful mountain views, this one's worth checking out.

Has anyone else tried it?

19/08/2026

🥾 **One trail. Two completely different experiences.**

Arethusa Cirque is one of those rare hikes that's worth visiting in more than one season.

❄️ In winter, it's a magical snowshoe through a quiet alpine bowl.

🌼 In summer, the same trail transforms into a beautiful hike with wildflowers, mountain views, and a spectacular cirque surrounded by towering peaks.

I've recently updated my guide to include both experiences, so whether you're planning a summer adventure or looking ahead to winter, you'll know what to expect.

Read the guide here:
🔗 https://beautifulcanmore.com/arethusa-cirque-route/

Have you visited Arethusa Cirque in summer, winter... or both?

15/08/2026

🦌🐺 **One of the best things about living in Canmore? You never know what you'll see next.**

Over the past few weeks alone, we've been lucky enough to see a galloping bull moose, my very first wild wolf, elk wandering through town, and plenty of bighorn sheep along the roadside.

Those encounters inspired me to update my guide to **wildlife in Canmore**.

Whether you're hoping to spot bears, moose, elk, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, or even a curious marmot, the guide covers:
📍 What wildlife you might see
👀 Where you're most likely to spot them
📸 Tips for watching them safely and respectfully
🐻 What to do if you encounter them

Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the most magical parts of visiting the Canadian Rockies. The key is to enjoy the experience while giving these incredible animals the space they deserve.

🔗 https://beautifulcanmore.com/canmore-wildlife/

What's the most memorable wildlife encounter you've ever had in the Rockies?

13/08/2026

Looking for a hike with huge mountain views that doesn't require an all-day adventure? 🏔️

Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive Trail might just be our favourite "best return on investment" hike in Kananaskis.

After a short (but admittedly steep!) climb through the trees, the trail opens into an incredible alpine cirque where the views just keep getting better. Add in waterfalls, interpretive signs, a stream crossing, and spectacular mountain scenery almost the entire way around the loop, and it's easy to see why this trail is so popular.

We hiked it in mid-July, and despite accidentally crossing paths with over 100 summer campers 😄, we'd do this one again in a heartbeat.

If you're wondering whether Ptarmigan Cirque is worth adding to your hiking list, our newest trail guide covers everything you need to know, including:
🥾 Trail difficulty
📍 Parking and trail tips
💦 The two waterfall detours you shouldn't miss
🍂 When to visit for the famous golden larches
📸 Lots of photos to help you decide if it's right for you

👉 Read the full guide: https://beautifulcanmore.com/ptarmigan-cirque-interpretive-trail/

Have you hiked Ptarmigan Cirque? What did you think?

12/08/2026

💙 This is why we moved here.

It's become a bit of an in-joke between Ron and me.

Whenever we see something spectacular—whether it's a mountain summit, an incredible sunset, wildlife wandering through town, or fresh snow dusting the peaks—we turn to each other and say:

"This is why we moved here."

Three years later, we're still saying it.

This photo was taken on top of Kent Ridge after another unforgettable day in the mountains. Moments like these remind us that moving to Canmore was one of the best decisions we've ever made.

What's your own "This is why..." moment? Whether it's Canmore, somewhere else in the Rockies, or another special place, I'd love to hear it. 💛

08/08/2026

🛶 **Have you spotted Canmore's newest piece of public art?**

Each year, a new sculpture takes pride of place on Main Street, and this year's installation is *Canoe* by artist Emily Beaudoin.

It's worth taking a closer look—the piece transforms a familiar Canadian icon into something completely unexpected.

If you're strolling downtown, don't forget to stop and check it out.

I love that Canmore keeps its public art fresh each year. 💙

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