It’s hard to believe our sweet boy Bowen is already a week old — time really does fly when your days (and nights!) are full. We’re soaking up all the newborn snuggles, but I also wanted to share a little life + work update because… we’re back at it!

In true “me” fashion, I’ve already: ✔️ Posted two new listings
✔️ Got an accepted offer on one
✔️ Brought Bowen to the office — and he did great on his first visit!

I’ve always thrived in a bit of controlled chaos, and while I know not every stage of motherhood will be this manageable, I genuinely love working and feel incredibly lucky to do what I do — even with a newborn in tow. As an independent contractor, there’s no official maternity leave, so I’m figuring it out as I go. For now, staying active in my business has been great for my mental health and feels like the right rhythm for our family.

Huge thanks to the amazing ReMax Alpine Realty crew — I’ve got a village of colleagues ready to step in for in-person showings if needed. That kind of support is what makes this all work.

Also… shoutout to Bowen’s dad, who’s already logged more solo time with our baby than most dads ever attempt. He’s not a “babysitter” — he’s a partner, and seeing him dive in has been a game-changer for both of us.

So yes — we’ve added a new member to the team 👶💙 but the real estate hustle continues. If you’re thinking of buying or selling, I’m still taking on clients and would love to connect. We’re just operating with a little extra love (and a lot more snacks) these days.

— Kristen
Canmore Realtor, New Working Mom 😄

In 2021, we were bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and fully convinced that buying our first townhouse was a stepping stone. A 3-5 year plan, tops. We had stars in our eyes and HGTV-fueled dreams of "bigger and better" — a detached home with a yard, a double car garage, and the classic checklist of everything you’re supposed to want next.

We were ready to chase that dream, just like everyone said we should.
But fast forward to today, and… four years later we're still in that same townhouse. And honestly? We kind of love it and don’t plan on moving in the next 12 months to hit our 5 year ‘deadline’ in this home.

Back then, we had ambitious plans — we’d renovate top to bottom, sell at peak value, and roll our equity into the next place. Flooring! Paint! Bathrooms! Kitchen! Baseboards and trim! The whole shebang. What did we actually manage? One painted room, a coat of paint on the kitchen cabinets, a new backsplash, and fresh countertops. That’s it. And yet somehow, it’s still enough.

Because over time, we realized what we actually love about not owning a bigger home — is not maintaining one.

Would I like a linen closet? Abso-freaking-lutely — like literally one more closet would make my life SO much easier.  Would Alex love to park right in front of our door instead of walking 30 extra steps to the street? Of course but luckily for those -30 wintery days, his remote car start reaches the street from our living room 😂
Are those little annoyances enough to make us want to pack up, spend more, and sign ourselves up for extra cleaning, yard work, and likely some expensive renovations on a bigger place? Not a chance.

When we first bought, it made sense. Our pain point was renting — the rotating cast of roommates, the lack of stability, the feeling that our living situation didn’t match the life we were trying to build as a couple. And we could feel the real estate market heating up, so we knew if we didn’t make a move soon, we might not be able to at all or we’d at the very least be making a heck of a lot more compromises than needing one more closet and a dedicated parking spot.

Now in 2025, our pain points just don’t outweigh the hassle of moving. So here we are — in a condo we initially saw as temporary, but which turns out to be perfectly suited to how we actually live. It’s low maintenance, easy to lock-and-leave for weekend adventures, and cozy in all the right ways.

This is something I talk to my real estate clients about all the time: What’s your why? Why do you want to move?
Because moving isn’t easy — it’s disruptive, it’s expensive, and it needs to be worth it. So what is it about your current living situation that isn’t working?

Maybe you're…

• Living with roommates when you're ready for privacy and independence

• Sharing one bathroom with three kids and it’s pure chaos

• Dealing with a pet who’s terrified of elevators so you unknowingly moved into a 3rd-floor walk-up

• Using your garage as a bike shop, gear shed, and storage locker because your hobbies are outgrowing your space

• Sick of mowing the lawn and ready for condo life where someone else handles that

If any of that sounds like you — and it's impacting your quality of life — then maybe it is time for a change. But if you're mostly content and the pain points are small things that can be managed with a little creativity or compromise? That’s okay too.

There’s this lingering idea from older generations that “real success” means upgrading to a detached house with the white picket fence and the golden retriever. But for us? We’ve learned that success is living in a home that supports the life you want to live. For Alex and I, that life includes skiing, biking, hiking, and not spending our weekends cleaning an extra 800 square feet we don’t need.

Sure, a guest room for visiting family would be nice. But is it worth taking on more space, more stress, and a bigger mortgage for a room that gets used five weekends a year? Absolutely not.

So no, we’re not moving anytime soon. And if anyone asks when we’re getting a “real” house?
We already have one — it just doesn’t come with a lawn mower.

Want help figuring out if it’s your time to move? Let’s talk about your pain points — and your priorities — and see what makes the most sense for you.  Or click here to Download my free guide to getting started in the Real Estate market.

From June 20 to September 2, 2025, entry to Parks Canada sites with the ‘Canada Strong Pass’—including our beloved Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay—will be completely free. Free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada and a 25% discount on camping fees. And if you already bought a 2025 Discovery Pass? You’re in luck: Parks Canada is tacking on an extra three months, extending your access into 2026.

This initiative is part of the new Canada Strong Pass, which the government is promoting as a way for Canadians to “make Canada their travel destination this summer.” And as someone who’s passionate about people discovering what makes this country so special, I do support the idea of encouraging domestic travel. There’s real value in helping Canadians explore the landscapes that shape us.

But for those of us living in the Bow Valley, the story is more layered.

When “Free” Comes at a Cost

This policy doesn’t just apply to Canadians—it’s open to all visitors, including international tourists. So while the messaging feels proudly homegrown, the reality is that Canadian taxpayers will be footing the bill for a summer of globally free access. Parks don’t run on goodwill alone. Trail upkeep, wildlife management, sanitation, shuttle systems, search and rescue—they’re all paid for, in part, by park entry fees.

And this year, those revenue streams are stunted.

Add to that the ongoing recovery efforts in Jasper, where last year’s wildfire left a trail of devastation through both ecosystems and park infrastructure. The cost of rebuilding trails, signage, safety measures, and tourist amenities is substantial—and it’s happening within the same federal Parks Canada budget. So while we’re offering free access this summer, it’s worth asking: are we truly funding both visitation and restoration responsibly—or just stretching an already strained system thinner?

The Local Lens

Here in the Bow Valley, we see the real impact of “free access” firsthand:

• Popular trailheads overflowing by 9 a.m.

• More garbage and human-wildlife interactions

• Increased wear on fragile landscapes

• Pressure on infrastructure that isn’t scaling with the surge

If you’re someone dreaming of living here full-time, or spending more time in the mountains as part of a hybrid or remote work lifestyle, it’s important to experience the valley during all seasons—including the high-traffic summer stretch. Because while the scenery doesn’t change, the pace and pressure certainly do.

Still, a Silver Lining

There’s still good news in all this. Locals with annual passes aren’t left behind—they’re being given a 3-month extension. That means your fall hikes, larch season, and early winter walks are now covered into shoulder season.

And if you’re someone considering a move to Canmore or the surrounding area, this could be your opportunity to “try before you buy.” Come up midweek. Hit the trails early. Explore the lifestyle you want to build here—while also asking yourself what kind of community you want to be part of.

Final Thought

I’m all for helping people fall in love with this country’s wild spaces. But let’s not lose sight of what it takes to protect them. Rebuilding Jasper, maintaining Banff, and preserving the experience for both residents and visitors requires more than good intentions—it requires planning, funding, and a willingness to talk honestly about limits.

This summer, enjoy the access. But also remember: if we want the privilege of these parks long-term, we need to treat them like the precious, finite spaces they are—not just free weekend getaways. Whether you're here for a weekend or a lifetime, mountain life is as much about responsibility as it is about beauty.

In Canmore, we often refer to "zoning" when talking about how a property can be used — but technically, that's not the correct term here. The Town of Canmore uses land use designations under its Land Use Bylaw (LUB), which carry the same purpose: regulating what kind of development and activity is permitted on a property. So while “zoning” isn’t official terminology, it’s commonly used in real estate and by the public because it gets the point across.

One designation that’s been under increasing scrutiny is Tourist Home, which allows a dwelling unit to be used for both full-time living and short-term rental (e.g., Airbnb or VRBO). This hybrid use is rare — and valuable — but recent changes to the Land Use Bylaw and taxation structure are poised to significantly reshape how these properties are used and valued.

So, What’s Changing?

Over the past year, the Town has made a clear policy shift to discourage short-term rentals in residential areas. Key changes include:

• Tourist Homes will no longer be allowed as a permitted use going forward, meaning no new Tourist Home properties will be approved. Existing ones will be “legally non-conforming,” meaning you can keep operating — but if you stop renting it short-term for six consecutive months, you lose the right.

• All Tourist Homes will now be taxed at the non-residential rate, regardless of how the owner personally uses the home. Previously, owners could self-declare personal use and pay the lower residential rate. That subclass has now been eliminated.

• You can voluntarily convert your Tourist Home to residential, and the Town has waived the rezoning application fees (until December 31, 2026). But — and this is important — this decision is irreversible. Once a Tourist Home is converted to residential, it cannot be converted back.

What If You Use Your Tourist Home as a Full-Time Residence?

If you own a Tourist Home but don’t actually rent it out short-term — maybe you live there full-time or rent to a long-term tenant — this change presents a tough choice.

On paper, converting it to a residential designation saves you money on your property tax bill (since non-residential mill rates are about 3x higher). But here's the trade-off: you’ll almost certainly lose resale value.

Tourist zoned homes in Canmore typically sell for 20–30% more than comparable residential properties, simply because of that short-term rental flexibility. That’s a huge premium. If you bought when the market had already priced in that flexibility (and especially if you paid peak market rates), giving up that designation could actually put you underwater if you ever need to sell.

It’s a personal choice:

• Save thousands each year in taxes but risk tens (or hundreds) of thousands in equity

• Or pay the higher tax rate and preserve the property’s full market value

Some owners might find a balance by keeping the Tourist designation but renting out their unit during personal vacations or shoulder seasons to offset the tax hit. That was, after all, the original spirit of the designation — not full-time Airbnb hotelization, but part-time flexible use. The rise of online booking platforms changed the game, but the core model still works.

Opinion: This Isn’t Going to Help Local Housing Inventory

Let’s call a spade a spade — I don’t believe this policy change will result in more long-term housing options for locals.  And I don’t think it’s going to bring down housing prices, even for this one segment of the market.

Why? Because:

• The value of these properties is in the Tourist designation.

• Removing the residential tax subclass removes the incentive to use it long-term.

• Most owners who bought these units as investments won’t willingly devalue them by 20–30% just to save on taxes.

If anything, this change may prompt the opposite effect: owners who were using the property residentially or renting to long-term tenants may now pivot to short-term rentals to justify the higher tax bill. Those tenants could be displaced.

And from a market economics perspective, here’s the kicker: supply of Tourist Homes is now capped. Aside from a limited number in already-approved ASPs like Three Sisters, we won’t see new Tourist Homes in the future. But demand for them isn’t going anywhere. That scarcity will only drive their value higher over time — further incentivizing owners to hold onto the designation, not give it up.

I appreciate that the Town wants more transparency and planning clarity. And yes, for the small number of owners who truly just want to live in the unit and never rent it, this might feel like an easy win. But from where I stand? It feels like a well-intentioned move that could backfire — and actually reduce available long-term housing.

In Summary

If you own a Tourist Home in Canmore, now’s the time to reassess your strategy. Talk to your accountant & a local REALTOR® who understands the nuances of our market (👋), and weigh your long-term goals carefully.

Questions? Curious what your home’s designation means for value? Happy to chat anytime.

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