If you’re thinking about visiting the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park, you’re probably debating between staying in Banff or Canmore. There are many advantages and disadvantages to both towns, so it’s a fair question. Like any travel destination, I prefer to believe that there is no better town than any other—it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Although we live in Canmore, which we adore, we can definitely see the allure of Banff, a town that many adore. In order to help you choose between Canmore and Banff for your Canadian Rockies vacation, let’s compare the two towns.
Which Is Better: Staying in Banff or Canmore?
Canmore vs. Banff: Town Ambience
Banff
The population of the resort town of Banff is approximately 8,000 people. It is located in a stunning area, with views of Mount Rundle and the famous Cascade Mountain from most parts of the town. Undoubtedly, this location is among the most breathtaking on the planet. Hard to argue otherwise in all our travels.
Owing to its placement within the park, entry requires a pass. Of course, you’ll need to purchase a pass if you intend to visit the park. Due to its park status, Banff has been subject to stringent regulations aimed at reducing the town’s environmental impact.
Despite this, Banff has continued to grow increasingly commercial over the years, attracting chains like Chili’s, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Lululemon, and outdoor clothing stores. Additionally, there are lots of Knick-Knack stores with inexpensive souvenirs for sale. The town, which has 8,000 residents, is home to numerous institutions, including a hospital, several churches, schools, and an IGA grocery store.
In comparison to Canmore, Banff is far more popular, and during the peak season, the sidewalks are packed. Strolling down the sidewalk can make it feel almost like a major city street, but that’s also because Banff is a very easy place to walk around. We hope that the town will continue to designate Banff Avenue as a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, as it has done for the previous few summers.
Because of the tight regulations, the town is small and has a distinct downtown with plenty of stores, eateries, and bars. It makes it possible to have a vacation in Banff without a car when paired with Roam Public Transportation.
There are no big commercial buildings in the town, which is still quite charming. There are many lodging options available in Banff, with a diverse selection of places to call home. The most well-known is the Fairmont Banff Springs, an old hotel that was constructed by the Canadian Railroad Company and has the architectural style of a castle.
Even with millions of tourists visiting the town every year, it manages to maintain the feel of a small mountain town encircled by wildness. There’s no denying the existence of that wilderness; bears, elk, and deer are regularly sighted in the town. A wolf or cougar may be visible if you’re lucky, but even the majority of year-round residents have never seen one.
Since Banff is the hub of tourism in the Canadian Rockies, it is naturally very well-liked. While the summertime crowds can be a turnoff for some, others may find the vibrant atmosphere to be appealing.
Canmore
Canmore is surrounded by Provincial Park to the southeast and National Park to the west as it is situated just outside the Banff National Park gates. There are about 14,000 residents in this bigger town than in Banff, including ourselves.
The town is spread out across the slender Bow Valley, and the scenery is a little different from Banff. The town is surrounded by stunning mountains, which include the well-known Three Sisters. Still, it doesn’t feel quite like Banff because of the town’s size, its narrow valley, and its closeness to the Trans Canada Highway.
Up until the mine closures in the 1970s, Canmore was a town known for its coal mining. After that, the town struggled for many years until Banff filled up and it was little more than a few extra beds.
This was altered, though, for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, when the Nordic Center in Canmore was constructed to house the cross-country ski competitions. Canmore’s secret was revealed to the world community, and the town has continued to expand ever since.
Although Canmore boasts a charming downtown, the town’s overall amenities, including lodging, are much more dispersed, making it less conducive to walking. You can stroll to Canmore’s Main Street, though, if you stay anywhere in the downtown area.
The town of Canmore is more livable. Structures such as homes, apartments, hotels, and buildings are typically more contemporary and modern. In addition, there are multiple liquor stores, a good health food store, two large grocery stores, a hardware store, a Canadian Tire, a large community center (Elevation Place has two pools, a fitness center, a rock climbing gym, and a public library). In addition to a few excellent breweries, Canmore has some fantastic restaurants and bars. There are also a lot fewer chain restaurants, retail establishments, and tacky tourist shops in Canmore.
Even though it is significantly bigger than Banff, the wilderness is still right outside its door. Animals are often seen in and around the town; in the winter, elk herds graze through the town and its surrounding areas.
Canmore is less crowded and more laid back than Banff. You won’t experience the same sense of city life on the sidewalks as in Banff, but it’s still pretty lively during the busy summer months and is becoming more and more popular every year.
Canmore vs. Banff: Travel Times
Banff
As far as drive times and accessibility to the major tourist attractions are concerned, Banff clearly outperforms Canmore. Just outside the town center, Banff offers amazing sights to see and is easy to stroll around.
There are numerous attractions to choose from, including the Cave and Basin Historical Site, Sulphur Mountain, Tunnel Mountain, Banff Hot Springs, Bow Falls, and Vermilion Lakes. From the town center, everything is easily accessible by Roam Transit or by foot. All of the town’s eateries and bars are accessible on foot, in addition to the tourist attractions.
The main attractions in Banff National Park, including Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, The Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake, and Jasper, are located to the west and north of Banff. Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake are just two of Yoho National Park’s many amazing highlights. Yoho National Park is only fifteen minutes west of Lake Louise.
Banff is in a far better location if you intend to ski in the area. Mount Norquay lies not far from the city. Driving times from Banff to Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are respectively twenty and forty minutes.
Nakiska Resort is then about an hour’s drive away. One of the best ski resorts in Western Canada, Golden and Kicking Horse is about two hours’ drive from Banff and is worth a visit if you don’t mind a little bit of a drive. In the winter, you can avoid driving entirely by taking advantage of the convenient shuttles that run from Banff to the ski resorts.
Canmore
Driving from Banff to Canmore takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will need to drive an extra fifteen minutes to and from Banff National Park in order to see most of its attractions. That being said, the longer drive guarantees a more laid-back mountain town vibe, so it’s unlikely to bother you while you’re on vacation.
Canmore does have the benefit of being nearer to Kananaskis Country Provincial Park and Calgary. There are some real hidden gems in Kananaskis Country, which is an amazing park that is well worth exploring.
Weekday traffic in the area is significantly lower than in Banff National Park, making it simple to find yourself by yourself in the wild. But when Calgary residents visit Kananaskis on a beautiful summer weekend, it can get just as crowded as Banff National Park. Learn more about some of Kananaskis’ best hiking routes.
If skiing is your thing, the drive to Mt. Norquay is twenty minutes, to Banff Sunshine it is thirty, and to Lake Louise it takes about fifty. The only resort located forty minutes away from Canmore is Nakiska Ski Resort. Like Banff, Kicking Horse is reachable after a lengthy drive.
Banff vs Canmore: Activities
Banff
Regarding mountain towns, Banff offers a plethora of activities beyond simply spending time in the mountains. In case of inclement weather, Banff offers a cinema, a bowling alley, several museums, and an abundance of stores. Naturally, Banff offers easier access to all of the town’s sights and attractions.
You have an abundance of options for things to do in Banff, whether it’s a nice day or a bad one, depending on what you’re wearing. Stanley Thompson created the magnificent golf course at the Banff Spring Hotel.
There are plenty of excellent hikes in the Banff area that are accessible by car if you’re looking for something to do outside of the town. The best places to go hiking near town are Sundance Canyon Trail, Tunnel Mountain, Sulphur Mountain, Cory Pass, The Cascade Amphitheater, and C-Level Cirque.
A quick 5–10 minute drive (or bike ride) will get you to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, and Cascade Ponds from Downtown Banff.
Canmore
If your plan is to spend the day indoors, Canmore offers slightly fewer activities. Elevation Place, a community center with two indoor pools, a lazy river, slides, a gym for rock climbing, and a fitness center, is available, though.
Though not nearly as many as in Banff, there are still plenty of stores and eateries. The Silvertip Golf and Country Club, Canmore Golf and Curling Club, and Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club are three of the additional golf courses in Canmore.
There are a lot of fantastic hikes in Canmore that are close to the town center but not quite walkable. Grassi Lakes, Grotto Canyon, Ha Ling Peak, Lady Macdonald, East End of Rundle, Grotto Mountain, and the town center’s Policemans Creek Boardwalk are among the well-liked trails.
In addition, there are fantastic mountain biking routes all around the town and the Canmore Nordic Center. There is no comparison between Banff and Canmore if you enjoy mountain biking because Canmore offers many rental options and much more.
Of course, in addition to the Canmore Nordic Center, there are dozens of well-maintained cross-country ski trails throughout Banff National Park. Twenty of the 65 km of trails at the Canmore Nordic Center are equipped with snowmaking equipment. Numerous teams train there, including the Canadian Olympic team. We think there are a lot of things to do in Canmore, which is why we adore it.
Banff vs Canmore: Accommodation
Banff
In Banff, there’s a great range of hotels, lodges, and even hostels. Town prices are typically more expensive and lower quality. This is because most hotels in Banff are older, there is more demand, and there are stricter laws that have made many buildings more dated.
Having said that, Banff is home to a huge number of properties that have plenty to offer guests. The majority of Banff’s lodging is located along Banff Avenue in the heart of the village, making it simple to stroll to eateries, pubs, and retail establishments.
There are fewer options if you’d prefer a vacation rental in Banff; on websites like Airbnb, there are only a few self-contained apartments with kitchens that are available for booking. There are short-term rentals near Tunnel Mountain and a short distance outside of town.
There are more options for renting log cabins in Banff if you have a car and don’t mind driving. Our top picks are Baker Creek, which is close to Castle Junction, and Storm Mountain Lodge.
Canmore
Larger, more contemporary rooms are typically slightly more affordable when staying in Canmore. Short-term rentals and a large selection of properties are available in Canmore. Canmore offers fantastic rentals for families or those who enjoy preparing their own meals. A big kitchen, a living room, a washer and dryer, and a fireplace are common features of rentals.
Canmore also has a good number of excellent hotels and resort-style properties, though fewer than in Banff. We can’t get enough of The Malcolm! There is one disadvantage to the properties, and that is their location. Because of tight zoning regulations, most short-term rentals are restricted to less appealing areas.
They are on a busy street close to a train track and a highway, and it would take them at least fifteen minutes to walk to downtown. Although some parts of Canmore may not be as quiet as others, overall, Canmore is much quieter than Banff.
