Itinerary: Five Day Upscale Summer Getaway to Canmore and Kananaskis

Your luxury getaway begins the moment you step off the plane at Calgary International Airport (YYC). A private airport transfer or chauffeur service from Calgary to Canmore provides a comfortable, stress‑free ride as you take in the changing scenery from prairie to peaks. Once you arrive, settle into The Malcolm Hotel, a four‑star accommodation in the heat of Canmore known for its refined mountain elegance, heated outdoor pool, and stunning mountain views.

Private Guided Kananaskis Tour 

Kick off your luxury travel plans on a private guided tour of Kananaskis Country with Canadian Rockies Experience. This all-inclusive day starts when your local guide picks you up directly from your accommodation with fresh pastries and hot beverages in hand. Choose between:

• Sunrise hike to the iconic Grassi Lakes; 
• Photography tour through the picture-perfect mountain scenes; 
• Full day exploring the lakes of Kananaskis; or 
• Mini tour of the lesser-known areas in the Canadian Rockies.  

If you want a truly unique adventure, you can even book a customizable private tour to take you anywhere you want to go. No matter what you decide, you will be treated to a VIP sightseeing tour through Alberta’s most stunning mountain scenery with expert interpretive commentary. 

Planning tip: Book ahead for summer dates. Talk to your guide about weather backup options. 

Dine at The Stirling Lounge 

Indulge in fine dining and premium cocktails at The Stirling Lounge. Conveniently located right inside The Malcolm Hotel, this upscale restaurant serves refined Canadian cuisine that can be enjoyed in the upscale lounge or on the serene outdoor patio next to the soothing ambience of Spring Creek. 

Reservation recommended: Book dinner reservations when you check in.  

Golden Hour by The Malcom’s Pool 

End your evening lounging in the late sun at The Malcolm Hotel’s outdoor pool and hot tubs. With panoramic mountain views and a secluded setting, it’s the perfect place to reset after the first day of exploration. 

Take Flight With a Helicopter Tour

Start with a breathtaking helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies with Alpine Helicopters. Soar above glaciers, turquoise lakes, and rugged peaks for an exclusive perspective of the mountain landscapes. This flight gives you an unmatched perspective that showcases the scale and beauty of the region.

Float on the Bow River

Head to the Bow River for a raft float with Canmore Raft Tours. If you book in advance, you can reserve a private tour with your own personal raft and guide. Drifting along the gentle currents, you’ll hear stories of the valley’s history, wildlife, and flora while enjoying the sounds and views of nature around you. This tour is a must-do activity for good reason!

What to bring: Sun protection and a camera.

Discover Downtown Canmore

Explore downtown Canmore’s boutique shops and galleries. Peruse some local artisan goods and handcrafted jewelry at Alberta’s Own Marketplace or Project A, snack on Canadian-made delicacies at The Maple Station, or source an Indigenous-created art piece at the Carter-Ryan Gallery to stage in your home. The town’s walkable centre makes upscale shopping easy and accessible.

Feast Wildly at Sauvage

Cap off the day with dinner at Sauvage, one of the top fine dining restaurants in Canmore. Known for its seasonal prix fix menu, Sauvage delivers an intimate culinary experience that is both creative and indulgent. Chef Tracy Little believes in showing off the art that is wild food and ethically sources everything for her dishes in our own backyard.

Planning tip: Reservations are needed – book when you arrive in Canmore.

Saddle Up for a Horseback Ride

Start your day with a guided horseback ride through Kananaskis Country with Rafter Six Ranch. With nearly 50 years of experience offering horseback tours in the Canadian Rockies, the ranch delivers an authentic yet comfortable way to explore the wilderness on horseback. Call ahead to book a private trail ride tailored to your riding level and preferred pace.

What to expect: All equipment provided, safety briefing included, photo opportunities throughout.

Recharge Your Own Way

After returning to Canmore, take the afternoon to unwind your way:

• High Tea at The Malcolm Hotel (Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.): Savour delicate pastries, finger sandwiches, and local teas in an elegant mountain setting.
• Float Tank Therapy at Float Canmore: Sink into stillness with a session in a sensory-deprivation float tank designed to help you fully relax and reset
• Boutique fitness with WildHeart Canmore: Stretch into mindfulness with a yoga, Pilates, or barre class in this boutique studio.

Each experience adds a different flavour of luxury to your day, allowing you to choose what suits your energy and curiosity in the moment.

Refined Canadian Cuisine at änkôr

Enjoy a refined dining experience at änkôr, a sleek and modern restaurant offering contemporary Canadian tasting menus. Featuring seasonal ingredients and bold culinary creativity, it’s one of Canmore’s standout spots for fine dining in the Canadian Rockies.

An Evening of Live Theatre

You can’t leave Canmore without witnessing a performance at the Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue. This local theatre is the cornerstone of Canmore’s arts and culture scene, with Broadway-caliber productions in an intimate setting. Every season brings new shows with local talent filled with song and spirit.

Planning tip: Check performance schedules and book tickets in advance.

Tee Off in the Rockies

Dedicate your morning to a round of golf at one of the region’s premier courses:

• Stewart Creek Golf Club
• Silvertip Resort
• Kananaskis Country Golf Course
• Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch Golf Course
• Canmore Golf and Curling Club

Each course offers challenging play with dramatic mountain backdrops, creating a world-class experience for golf enthusiasts.

Planning tip: Book tee times in advance for preferred slots.

Luxury Spa and Wellness Experience

Retreat to a luxury spa experience at One Wellness or Bodhi Wellness. With massage, hydrotherapy, and holistic treatments, these spas provide balance to your energized morning. The wellness experiences offered here are designed not just for recovery, but full rejuvenation of mind, body, and spirit.

Refined, Retro Dining at Bridgette Bar

Step into Bridgette Bar, a chef-driven restaurant offering a fresh take on fine dining in Canmore. The space is warm and stylish with floor to ceiling windows and a heated, enclosed patio space with views of the rugged peaks. Designed for intimate dinners and relaxed evenings out, Bridgette Bar’s menu delivers bold, savoury dishes and craft cocktails that elevate the whole experience.

Reservation often required: Book ahead for seamless evening dining.

Rise with the Sun at Uprising Bake Shop

Begin your final day at Uprising Bake Shop + Espresso Bar, one of the best cafés in Canmore. All the artisan bread and pastries are made fresh every morning. Pair your breakfast with an expertly roasted espresso to fuel your day.

Forest Bathing Wellness Experience

To close your luxury vacation to Canmore and Kananaskis, take part in a private forest bathing tour with Original Path Guiding or Forest Fix. This mindful experience invites you to slow down and connect deeply with nature, using guided practices to reduce stress and enhance your presence. It’s a grounding way to say farewell to the Rockies, leaving you refreshed, restored, and inspired.

What to expect: Guided meditation, sensory awareness exercises, quiet reflection time.

In Canmore and Kananaskis, our natural ecosystems and stunning landscapes are the heart and soul of our local mountain culture. Before your visit, we encourage you to sign the Pledge to the Peaks, committing to mindful exploration to ensure the safety of all inhabitants of the region and preserve the beauty of our unfiltered wilderness for generations to come.