The Town of Canmore is asking residents and visitors to help shape a new Winter Town Strategy, a long-term plan to make the community safer, more accessible, and more connected during the coldest months. The plan, announced September 8, 2026, will focus on outdoor recreation access, winter transportation, and how people stay connected through the roughly five months of winter conditions the mountain town experiences each year.
Led by Eleanor Miclette, the town’s Manager of Economic Development, the strategy is supported by a cross-departmental working group and a task force made up of community organizations. According to the Town of Canmore, the strategy will provide a long-term roadmap to embrace winter while improving winter livability.
Public input is open through fall 2026 on the town’s engagement portal at mycanmore.ca/wearewinter. Residents, businesses, community organizations, and visitors are all encouraged to share their perspectives. The site also offers project updates and upcoming engagement opportunities.
The announcement comes as Canmore continues to grow and tourism pressures evolve. Tourism in Canmore and Kananaskis supports over 4,000 local jobs and contributes about $345 million directly to the local economy each year, with an additional $273 million in indirect contributions. The town’s transportation plan has already seen progress, with personal vehicle use in summer dropping from 81 percent in 2022 to 75 percent in 2025.
The Winter Town Strategy is expected to influence how winter trail maintenance, transit reliability, and public recreation programs are prioritized. For a community where winter dominates daily life, the plan could shape how people live, move, and connect for years to come.
