If your ideal vision of spring break involves exploring and relaxing in the mountains, consider heading to Canmore. This incredibly beautiful landscape in the heart of the Canadian Rockies begins to thaw and bloom in the springtime, offering the unique opportunity to experience its beauty and tranquility without the crowds. From mountain adventures to Canmore family-friendly attractions indoors (and underground!), this small town is the perfect place for your crew to connect and create lasting memories.
Top 5 Family-Friendly Canmore Spring Adventures
The family activities Canmore offers truly have something for every interest and age group.
Scenic Walks and Hikes
Warmer, longer days, and fewer people on the trails make this one of the best, most underrated times of year to hike. Because of constantly changing conditions and a very real risk of avalanches in the spring, stick to shorter, easier trails (and bring a picnic!). Earlier in the season, you can also snowshoe or cross-country ski on many trails.
Here are some of our top recommended options for this transitional season.
Policeman's Creek Boardwalk: This 4-kilometre (2-mile) boardwalk trail runs right along the creek through downtown, connecting several other trails and offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities year-round—elk and deer, in particular
Three Sisters Creek Waterfalls: 2 km (1.24 miles) one-way to two small falls and excellent views of the iconic Three Sisters peaks. Start near the Canmore Train Playground.
Grotto Canyon Ice Walk: 7.15 km (4.4 miles) out-and-back through a spectacular canyon to frozen waterfalls of ice.
Troll Falls: 4.7 kilometres (2.9 miles) out-and-back in Kananaskis Country, about 30 minutes from Solara Resort & Spa.
It should go without saying, but keep an especially close eye on weather conditions this time of year, and bring some extra cold-weather gear for layering. A few good-to-have items include a packable layering jacket such as a puffy or fleece, an extra pair of socks, gloves, and a pair of microspikes you can easily throw on over your shoes.
Indoor Climbing
When the temperamental spring weather is less than favourable, head indoors. Local rock climbing gyms let you get a challenging workout without having to grapple with the elements. Elevation Place, the town's community recreation centre and one of the most popular Canmore family-friendly attractions has a climbing gym with both open hours and structured programs ranging from children's and introductory classes to workshops for advanced climbers. Just down the road from Elevation Place, Canmore Climbing Gym has similar offerings. Grab a drop-in day pass for as little as $11 and stop in seven days a week.
Wildlife Watching
Arguably one of the best family activities Canmore has to offer come springtime, spotting wildlife is totally free and never the same adventure twice. Wild animals are more active this time of the year as it warms up, making this one of the best seasons to spot elk, moose, bears, and bighorn sheep. As a huge bonus, you also have the opportunity to spot baby animals! Deer, elk, and moose have their little ones late in spring, while bears give birth in their dens during hibernation, emerging with adorable cubs in the spring.
While local outfitters offer wildlife tours year-round, you can easily head out on your own. Drive Spray Lakes Road past the Nordic Centre, where you'll also get a fantastic overview of Canmore. The incredibly scenic 48-kilometre Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise is another wildlife hotspot. In either place, the best time to spot animals is just after sunrise and just before sunset.
Caving
Consider going underground as part of your Canmore spring adventures. Canmore Cave Tours offers real wild caving adventures in Rat's Nest Cave year-round. No matter what the weather is like above ground, the cave maintains a temperature of 5°C (41°F), making it one of the best tours in Canmore in any season. Unlike many "show caves," Rat's Nest is truly wild and undeveloped, offering an unforgettable adventure for your family. Choose from two tours, the four-hour Explorer or the six-hour Adventurer, or sign up for a caving class.
Spa Day
There's no question that most visitors come to the Rockies for epic adventures, but a bit of downtime is important, too. Solara Resort's Recovery Zone Spa lets you indulge in both relaxation and pampering—much-needed after days jam-packed with checking out all the Canmore activities. Book a massage or session in the specialty infrared or cedar saunas, experience the rush of a polar plunge, or try out a reiki treatment.
Choose Solara Resort for Your Canmore Spring Break
Make your family's next spring break unforgettable with a combination of outdoor adventures, breathtaking scenery, and peaceful moments in Canmore. In addition to Solara Resort & Spa's ideal location near Banff National Park and condo-style suites with 1-3 bedrooms, you'll get access to our Stay® | Well amenities. These include complimentary perks such as snowshoes, fat tire bikes, trekking poles, binoculars, and board games for quiet nights in. Check out our current offers and packages, and book your stay at Solara today.
