There’s something about spring in Canmore that feels like magic. The light lingers a little longer each evening, patios start to buzz again, and the mountains show off both their snow-capped peaks and sun-drenched valleys. But if you're local—or just know where to look—you’ll also know that spring in the Bow Valley is full of contradictions.

Right now, the trails are soggy, the kind of soggy where you’re either skating across patches of ice or sinking into mud up to your ankles. It's shoulder season for hiking and mountain biking, and while some lower-elevation paths are starting to open up, most are best left to dry out a bit longer. If you’re venturing out, stick to south-facing trails like the Benchlands Ridge or the Bow River Pathway, and always be mindful of trail damage—I know you have the itch to get the bikes on some dirt but this is the time we need to exercise patience and give them a chance to dry out or we’ll be in rut city all spring!

But while the valley floor is in melt mode, resort skiing is the best it’s been all year. The spring snowstorms have delivered—big time. Sunshine, Lake Louise, Nakiska and Norquay are all enjoying a late-season boost, with soft turns, fewer crowds, and those bluebird days we all dream of. If you haven’t had your fill of winter yet, now is the time to grab your skis (and sunscreen!) and head up high.

What’s Happening Around Town

Spring also means a shift in local energy. There’s a gentle hum returning to Canmore as we swap Blundstones for Birkenstocks and reconnect with community happenings:

• 🧘‍♀️ Yoga at the Opera House (Mondays & Wednesdays until April 16) — Cozy vibes and a midday reset in one of Canmore’s most charming historic buildings.

• Weekly Trivia and Game Nights:

  • Sundays:

    • Tavern 1883: Sunday Night Bingo/Trivia starts at 8:30 PM. Enjoy multiple rounds of music, bingo, and trivia combined, with food and drink specials and prizes after every round. Free entry.

  • Tuesdays:

    • The Rose & Crown: Trivia Night begins at 7 PM. Free entry with drink specials available.​

  • Thursdays:

    • The Drake Pub: "Let's Get Quizzical" Trivia Night starts at 7 PM. Free entry, prizes, drink specials, and a $14.50 steak sandwich offer.Weekly Bingo Nights:

  • Fridays:

    • Canmore Legion - Three Sisters Branch #3: Friday Night Bingo starts at 7 PM. Arrive early to make sure you get a seat and enjoy food from Avi's Kitchen.

• 🍸 Happy Hours:

  • Crazyweed (Daily from 2-5PM) — ½ price drinks and pizzas

  • Where the Buffalo Roam (Mon-Fri from 2-5PM) — 20% off bar snacks, small comforts, treats, beer & Wine.

  • Bridgette Bar (Daily from 2-5PM) — ½ price drinks and pizzas (don’t forget to add on the chili infused honey for your pizza)

  • The Stirling (Daily from 12–5PM) — 25% off the drink menu and great bites to match.

  • Sheepdog (Mon-Fri from 2-5PM) — 32oz mini pitchers, varied prices but good value for volume (Bring your dog!)

  • Canmore Brewing Co. (Mon/Wed/Thu: 7-9PM. Fri: 4-7PM. Sun 6-8PM) — $6 Pints (Be sure to check out the live music on Fridays until the end of April at Community Fridays!

• Running Groups:

  • Dirtbag Runners Bow Valley

    Founded in 2015 by local trail and ultrarunner Andy Reed, this group offers structured one-hour interval sessions suitable for all abilities. They meet year-round, regardless of weather conditions, and often gather for post-run socializing in downtown Canmore.

    • Meeting Time: Thursdays at 6 p.m.

    • Location: Various locations around Canmore​

    • More Information: Dirtbag Runners Bow Valley Facebook Group 

  • Canmore Trail Culture

    Dedicated to promoting trail running in the Bow Valley, this inclusive group welcomes runners of all abilities, emphasizing fun and adventure. They typically meet on Tuesday evenings throughout the year and on Saturday mornings during the summer.

    • Meeting Times: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.; additional Saturday morning runs in summer​

    • Location: Meeting points announced on their website and Facebook page​

    • More Information: Canmore Trail Culture Website

And soon…
🌻 The Canmore Mountain Market returns May 22 at Elevation Place and runs every Thursday through early October. Local produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, and that sweet small-town energy we all love.

Oh, I almost forgot… Your Bike Called—It’s Time for a Spring Tune-Up

• Outside Bike: Offers comprehensive bike repair services, including 200-hour fork and shock servicing, pivot overhauls, and custom bike builds. Their technicians have over 15 years of experience.

• Rebound Cycle: Provides year-round bike services, including full-service repairs, custom builds, and bike fitting. They also offer bike rentals and coaching/instruction services.

• Bow Valley Bike Guy: A mobile bike repair shop serving the Bow Valley area, offering services such as geared and non-geared bike tune-ups, tire services, and suspension refreshes.

• Sports Garage: Provides a range of services including bike tuning and repairs, ski and snowboard tuning, and skate sharpening. They also offer e-bike rentals and sales.

• Bike Therapy: Specializes in suspension services for bikes, offering expert tuning and maintenance to enhance performance. 

Real Estate Snapshot

In the real estate world, spring often brings renewed activity. Whether you're thinking of buying your first home, upgrading, or just want to know what your home might be worth after the long winter, this is a great time to check in. Despite soggy trails, the market is far from sleepy—and in some segments, demand is heating up just as fast as the April sun.

Final Thoughts

Spring in Canmore is messy, magical, and completely unique. It’s the season of rubber boots and ski passes, of après patios and mud-splattered dogs. It’s when locals know to pack for all four seasons in one day—and love the adventure that comes with it.

If you're looking for a home (or a lifestyle) that embraces all the wild transitions of mountain living, I’d love to help.

— Kristen

Hey Canmore neighbors! Let's talk trash—literally! Living in the mountains is a dream, but managing our waste can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. Fear not, for today we're diving into the world of municipal garbage, recycling, and compost collection in our beloved town, along with some cool tidbits about the Large Item Pick-Up program and the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot.

Sorting Out the Basics: Garbage, Recycling, and Compost Collection

Canmore takes its waste management seriously, and for good reason. We all want to keep our little slice of mountain paradise pristine - not to mention, a fed bear is a dead bear! The town operates a comprehensive system for garbage, recycling, and compost collection. It's all about separating the goods to ensure they get the proper treatment they deserve.

First and foremost, there is no such thing as curb-side pick-up.  Which means you never have to worry about forgetting to put your bins out the night before!  Instead, bear-proof garbage, recycling (paper, glass & metals) and compost bins are strategically placed throughout residential neighbourhoods and you just walk (or drive ;)) your full bags or bins whenever they fill up. This ensures both convenience for residents and mitigates the risk of attracting wildlife where it’s not safe for them to be.  There is a larger recycling center between SaveOn Foods & Canadian Tire too - here you will also find donation bins for lightly used clothing and household items.  If those daily Amazon deliveries are adding up and you’re going to overload your neighbourhood bin, please consider driving it down to the larger bins which are also emptied more frequently #neighbourly.

Large Item Pick-Up Program: Out with the Old!

Got an old couch that's seen better days or a mattress that's begging to be replaced? Say hello to Canmore's Large Item Pick-Up program! It's the perfect solution for those bulky items that just won't fit in your regular bins. You simply need to fill out the form on their website to schedule the large item pick up service. It's like a mini furniture rescue mission right at your doorstep! And better yet, it’s FREE once a year! (Learn from my mistake: Mattress collection is only on Mondays so book early for mattress pick up).

Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot: Where Recycling Gets Serious

Now, let's talk about the hidden gem of waste management in Canmore—the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot. This place is a recycling enthusiast's paradise!  Need to drop off more than your standard recyclables?  They accept items like electronics, household hazardous waste, bike tires, car batteries, used oil & antifreeze and more. It's a one-stop-shop for all things recycling!

Pro tip: Before heading over, check out the guidelines on the town's website to ensure you're bringing in the right stuff. Let's keep it green, folks!

Canmore Bottle Depot: A Little Extra Change in Your Pocket

Just up the road from the Boulder Crescent Recycling Centre is the Canmore Bottle Depot.   In Alberta, eligible drink containers take a refundable deposit whenever you purchase one and you need to take the empty bottles/cans to a bottle depot to get the deposit back.  The Canmore Bottle Depot ensures a seamless process for residents eager to redeem their refundables.  So, the next time you finish that refreshing drink and they start piling up, check out the Canmore Bottle Depot to make your contribution to a greener community while enjoying the added perk of a refundable return. Cheers to recycling made easy!  Open 9:30am-4:30am Tuesday-Saturday.

So, there you have it, Canmore pals! Managing our waste doesn't have to be a headache, even if we do it a little different than you’re probably used to to keep our wildlife safe. With the town's efficient garbage, recycling, and compost collection system, coupled with the awesome initiatives like the Large Item Pick-Up program and the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot, we can all do our part in keeping our mountain haven clean and green. Happy recycling!