Page 34 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

character. Today, Cochrane is still noted for its western
heritage and small town hospitality.
Enjoy year round, premier RV camping in a beautiful
riverside location next to the family sports center and
just minutes from Cochrane golf courses. Bow Rivers
Edge Campground has spacious lots and great rates.
Canmore
Location: On Highways 1 and 1A;15 miles east
of Banff; 66 miles west of Calgary. Population:
11,400. Visitor Information: Town of Canmore:
902 7 Avenue, Canmore, AB T1W 3K1; Phone:
th
(403) 678-1500; Canmore/Kananaskis Chamber
of Commerce: (403) 678-4094; specialevents@
canmore.ca
Canmore is situated at the western end of the
Bow River Corridor, its skyline dominated by the
impressive Rundle Range and imposing presence of
Elk, Waterton Lakes National Park
photo by: the Three Sisters Peaks. The gateway to Banff National
VC Travel Guide Park, Spray Lakes are hidden above the townsite and
Kananaskis Provincial Park lies to the southeast.
International Peace Park, the shattered rockscape Population: 287. Visitor Information: www. Banff National Park
of the Frank Slide area on Highway 3 in Crowsnest albertasouthwest.com
Pass, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump on Highway Founded in l885 after the discovery of the Cave
2 and the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston. Pincher Creek and Basin Hot Springs, Banff is Canada’s oldest and
Declared the “Best Indoor Attraction in Canada” in a Location: On Hwy 6, 2 km from Hwy 3; 53 km most famous national park, nestled in the heart of the
nationwide competition sponsored by the Government east of the BC/Alberta border; 48 km north of magnificent Canadian Rockies. Each year millions of
of Canada, the Museum covers the 1887 Mormon Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Area visitors come to Banff to marvel at the emerald waters
trek to Cardston, and has the largest display of horse Population: 7,200. Visitor Information: Kootenai of Lake Louise, walk among the flower-filled heavens
drawn transportation in North America, with over 250 Brown Pioneer Village Visitor Centre, 1037 at Sunshine Meadows and drive beneath the towering
carriages, buggies, wagons and sleighs. Bev McLachlin Drive, PO Box 1226, Pincher jagged peaks lining the highway. Banff is world-
Creek, AB, T0K 1W0; Phone: (403) 627-3684; famous for its year round hotsprings and breath taking
Glenwood Website: www.kootenaibrown.ca cross-country and downhill skiing.
Location: On Highway 810 off Highway
505; 35 km (21 miles) northwest of Cardston. Cowley Lake Louise
Location: On Highway 3, 15 km (9 miles) west Often called the “Jewel of the Rockies,” this
of Pincher Creek. Population: 236. Visitor aqua-green glacial lake in Banff National Park is the
Information: www.albertasouthwest.com perfect setting for the palatial Chateau Lake Louise,
presiding over one of the most photographed views
Crowsnest Pass in the world. Recognized for elegant entertaining
Location: Hwy 3 in southern Alberta, near in a wilderness setting with conference facilities,
the Alberta/British Columbia border. Visitor dining rooms and recreation areas, the Chateau has
Information: Crowsnest Pass Chamber of something to offer everyone. Enjoy downhill skiing
Commerce, PO Box 706, Blairmore, AB TOK and skating on the lake and summers filled with
OEO; Phone: (403) 562-7108; Website: www. hiking and canoeing.
crowsnestpasschamber.com. Sundre
Cochrane Location: On Highway 22, in the scenic foothills
Location: At the intersection of Highways 1A east of the Rocky Mountains along the Red Deer
River; 80 miles (130 km) northwest of Calgary.
and 22 with easy access to the TransCanada Population: 2518. Visitor Information: The
Highway; 65 miles east of Banff National Park, Visitor Information Centre is home base for the
11 miles northwest of Calgary. Population: Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce, PO
27,960. Visitor Information: Historic Downtown Box 1085, Sundre, Alberta, T0M 1X0; Phone:
Cochrane Visitor Information Centre is located 403-638-3245; E-Mail: info@sundrechamber.
at 521 First Street West; Phone: (403) 851-0933; com; Town of Sundre: PO Box 420, Sundre,
Website:www.cochrane-tourism.ca Alberta, T0M 1X0; Phone: 403-638-3551;
Website: www.sundre.com.
Situated in a scenic valley where the Bow River
sweeps into the foothlls of the Rockies, Cochrane Rocky Mountain House
was named after the senator who established the
Cochrane Ranche in 1881. Located on this historic Location: At crossroads of David Thompson
ranch immediately north of the town, the Cochrane Highway 11 and Cowboy Trail 22; 77 km
RancheHouse is a beautifully appointed facility west of Red Deer, 180 km east of Jasper/Banff
offering a variety services and special events. National Parks, near the confluence of the
Clearwater and North Saskatchewan Rivers, in
Less than an hour from Kananaskis Country, Banff Clearwater County. Population: 6900. Visitor
National Park and several other Provincial Parks Information: Phone: (403) 845-5450; Website:
and recreation areas and 20 minutes from Calgary, www.rockymtnhouse.com
Cochrane offers spectacular views and recreational
opportunites as well as all the amenities of a large The history of the Rocky Mountain House area
metropolitan center. began in the late 1700s with the fur trade and the early
Before World War I, Cochrane was home to a stone 1800s presence of Canada’s most famous explorer
quarry, a sawmill and four brick plants. Skilled artisans David Thompson. Today the multiple fort sites are
utilized these local products to construct buildings of preserved as Alberta’s only National Historic Site.
quality and personal style, giving Cochrane a unique Clearwater County surrounds the town with over 7000
32