The Best Things to do in November

November is the month the mountains catch their breath. The trails go quiet. The peaks pick up fresh snow. Canmore and Kananaskis settle into a slower, cozier rhythm as winter arrives.

The sun rises late and sets early, so alpenglow doesn’t take an early alarm or a late night.

Ski season begins too. Frozen Thunder has cross-country skiers gliding at the Canmore Nordic Centre now. The rest of the Nordic trails follow by mid November. In Kananaskis, downhill skiers and snowboarders are counting down to opening day at Nakiska.

Lakes and ponds start to freeze, and that first clear ice is beautiful. Admire it from the shore for now. Early-season ice is generally not safe for skating.

With one foot in fall and one in winter, November has plenty to get out and enjoy.

Explore Underground

Canmore Cave Tours runs trips underground year-round. Guides lead you into Rat’s Nest Cave under Grotto Mountain, where you’ll see 7,000-year-old animal bones, ancient cave formations and pictographs, then take in the massive Grand Gallery. Feeling brave? Try the challenge squeeze!

Hike the Valley

As the snow line creeps down the mountain, lower trails are your best bet this month. Our winter hiking guide is a good place to start. Heading higher? Upper trails often hold snow and ice in November, so pack micro spikes. Sports Garage rents ice cleats and hiking poles in winter.

Hike Under the Stars

Short days leave plenty of time under the stars. On a Private Night Hiking Tour with Canadian Rockies Experience, you’ll head out beneath starry skies, with snow glistening on the peaks. Transportation from your accommodation is included, and your guide brings hot drinks, dessert and all the gear you need.

Solve the Clues

Turn Canmore into a giant outdoor escape room with Cluesolvers Adventures. Follow the clues on the app to find local icons and hidden gems, any day, at any time. Each adventure takes about 90 minutes, but there is no time limit.

Hit the Slopes

Skiing goes downhill this month. In Kananaskis, Nakiska Ski Resort, home of the 1988 Winter Olympic alpine events, typically opens in early to mid-November, snow permitting. Expect groomed Olympic-length runs and a solid beginner’s area. You’ll need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park.

You can also reach the three SkiBig3 resorts in Banff National Park. Mt. Norquay has steep terrain and night skiing. Banff Sunshine Village sits on the Continental Divide with all-natural snow, and Lake Louise Ski Resort is one of Canada’s largest, with long runs and something for everyone. Check each resort for opening dates, and bring a National Parks Pass.

Tour the Heart of Kananaskis

Let Peak Perfection do the driving on its full-day, private Heart of Kananaskis tour, with stops from Barrier Lake to the Spray Lakes. A local guide, snacks and pick-up in Calgary, Banff or Canmore are included.

Glide into Nordic Season

The Canmore Nordic Centre  gets first tracks with Frozen Thunder, an early-season loop built from snow stored through the summer. The wider Canmore Nordic Centre network, with more than 65 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails, will open mid-November, weather permitting. You can rent cross-country skis and book a lesson with Trail Sports right at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Kananaskis has lots to explore, from the beginner-friendly trails at Ribbon Creek to the more secluded, groomed tracks at Mount Shark, once the snow pack is in place, typically closer to the end of the month. Kananaskis Outfitters in Kananaskis Village rents cross-country skis and offers cross-country ski lessons. Check out our beginner’s guide to cross-country ski trails for the best routes.

Get Your Gear On

SkiBig3 Canmore Hub, Canmore Sports Experts and Sports Garage all rent skis and snowboards.  Does your own gear need a tune up? GearUp Mountain Sport and Rentals can help, and offers rentals too.

If you’re looking for your own ski, snowboard and hockey gear, browse the new and consignment selection at Sports Garage or the wide range at Canmore Sports Experts. Trail Sports at the Canmore Nordic Centre specializes in Nordic gear to get you on your cross-country adventures.

Short days leave plenty of time for wandering Canmore.

Take a Walking Tour

Get your bearings with Canmore Walking Tours where a local, certified guide shares the town’s history, fun facts and recommendations. For an eerier stroll, Banff Canmore Ghost Walks can take you around Canmore this month, visiting historic landmarks and spots of unexplained activity.

Settle In for Dinner

Early sunsets mean an early start to the evening. Market Bistro serves fresh, authentic French bistro fare and good wines in a relaxed, welcoming room. For something bolder, The Roaring Rolls reimagines Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist, from small bites to plates made for sharing. For more ideas, browse Canmore’s restaurants, cafes and breweries.

Raise a Glass

Canmore’s craft scene is small, friendly, and very local. Book a brewery tour and tasting at Canmore Brewing Company, enjoy a pint in the taproom at The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, try a house-made beer or cocktail with a view at BLAKE Brewhouse & Distillery, or sample the spirits with a flight at Wild Life Distillery.

If you’d rather someone else plan it all for you, allow Canmore Brewery and Distillery Tours to take you. Discover it all in our guide to Canmore’s craft brewery and distillery scene.

Paint Some Pottery

Make your own souvenir at Crock A Doodle Canmore. You paint it and the studio glazes and fires the pottery for you. Give yourself a day or two, and you will head home with something completely hand painted and memorable.

Wander the Galleries

Is there any better way to spend a grey afternoon than strolling a gallery? The Canmore Art Guild Gallery  features a new show of artists every month. At the Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue, you can see the work of acclaimed sculptor and painter Jason Carter, who gives carving demonstrations by day. In Three Sisters, Concourse by Elevation Gallery shows work by Canadian mid-career artists.

Catch a Show

ArtsPlace, Canmore’s community arts centre, hosts live music, exhibitions, films and workshops every week. By night, the Carter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue becomes a theatre, with musical theatre productions on stage all year long.

Boulder Indoors

Canmore Climbing Gym is all about bouldering: rope-free climbing on shorter walls, with big safety mats underfoot as you work through creative problems. All ages are welcome, from first-timers to seasoned competitors. The friendly staff keep the atmosphere relaxed and social.

Warm Up at a Cafe

November is meant for quiet moments and cozy stops. Beamer’s Coffee Bar has been a local favourite since 1994. Eclipse Coffee Roasters roasts award-winning specialty coffee right here in Canmore. If you’re a tea person instead, Communitea Cafe pours a long list of loose-leaf teas.

Heading out to the trails? Before or after a day at Canmore Nordic Centre trails, warm up at Cornerstone Cafe in the day lodge, with Eclipse coffee, hearty meals and locally brewed beer.

Take Afternoon Tea at Lovely

For something a little different and entirely delicious, Lovely Ice Cream hosts a seasonal afternoon tea with scones, savoury bites, sweets and your choice of tea. Check for the dates and reserve ahead.

Cold mornings and quiet trails and just before the holiday rush make November a month to slow down.

Here’s where to soak, recover and reset between adventures.

Recover at One Wellness

The Recovery Zone at One Wellness has polar plunge tubs, infrared saunas, an aromatherapy steam room, and a dry cedar sauna. Drop-in day passes are available.

Retreat and Restore

Rockies Restorative Retreats creates retreats and events with healing experiences for the mind, body and soul.

Soak at Bodhi

Every treatment at Bodhi Wellness Canmore Spa includes access to two secluded outdoor hot pools and a eucalyptus steam room.

Float Away

Whether you’re easing stress or recovering from a day on the trails, Float Canmore is a good place to slow down. Relax in a tranquil float cabin, then enjoy an infrared sauna or a massage.

Get your gift list checked off early at any of Canmore’s independent shops.  Find handmade pieces from makers across Canada at PROJECT A, browse home and gift finds at The Tin Box, or watch the chocolates being made at Le Chocolatier.

Find more of our favourite shops here.

By the end of the month, things are festive, with a tree crowning, holiday markets and joyful shows around town.

Holiday Events 2026

Canmore Christmas Artisans’ Market (Nov. 21 to 22) find one-of-a-kind gifts from 75 artisans and makers at the Canmore Recreation Centre.  The cost of entry goes to the Canmore Preschool Society.

Baby Prints on Pottery: Mistle-toes! (Nov. 24) turn tiny handprints and footprints into holiday keepsakes at Crock A Doodle Canmore.

A Christmas Carol (Nov. 25 to Dec. 27) Carter-Ryan Productions brings the holiday classic to life in its intimate theatre.

Festival of Trees (Nov. 27 to Dec. 31) wander a forest of holiday trees decorated by local businesses and community groups. Presented by the Rotary Club of Canmore, it’s free and open daily at The Malcolm Hotel.

Kids Paint Night: Gift-making! (Nov. 27) kids ages 5 to 11 paint gifts for family and friends, with pizza and games, at Crock A Doodle Canmore. The art is ready for pick-up on Sunday afternoon or there is shipping available.

Origin Christmas Market (Nov. 28) discover artisan vendors, handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats at The Malcolm Hotel, all in support of local healthcare.

Valley Winds Christmas Concert (Nov. 29) holiday music from the Valley Winds Music Association at The Malcolm Hotel.

Sultans of String: Christmas Caravan (Nov. 29) world-music-inspired classics and seasonal favourites at ArtsPlace.

Biathlon Canada Sr. National Team & FISU Trials (Nov. 3 to 7) Canada’s top senior biathletes race for national team spots at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Live music at artsPlace (Nov. 4, 15 and 22) catch James & Jez, Irish Mythen and Emilie-Claire Barlow at Canmore’s community arts centre.

Live music at Canmore Brewing Company (Fridays from Nov. 6) Bow Valley musicians play the taproom from 5 to 7 p.m.

Wild Enrichment Saturday: Fall Harvest! (Nov. 7) the wolfdogs dig up a fall harvest of goodies at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.

True Mountain Laurel Live at Communitea (Nov. 8) folk-country harmonies from Haley Blais and Sam Lynch at Communitea Cafe.

Nordiq Canada Time Trials (Nov. 16 to 17) early-season selection races at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Para Cross-Country Continental Cup (Nov. 25 to 26) para-nordic racers from around the world compete at the Canmore Nordic Centre, free for spectators.

Biathlon Calforex Cup #1 (Nov. 28 to 29) the Calforex Cup biathlon season kicks off at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

See them all at our full events calendar.

Spotting wildlife is a highlight for many visitors. Animals stay busy around Canmore and Kananaskis all month. Always enjoy a sighting from a respectful distance.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn rams squaring off during the rut is a spectacular sight. Enjoy it from a respectful distance. If you spot them from the road, slow down, stay in your vehicle, and keep moving.

Deer

November brings bucks in their full antlers, a striking sight around the valley. The deer rut begins this month, making bucks more aggressive than usual. Give them plenty of space, never feed them, and keep your dog leashed and close.

Bears

Grizzly and black bears can still be out this month, feeding before they settle in for hibernation. Enjoy any sightings from a distance, carry bear spray where you can reach it, make noise on the trail and keep dogs leashed. If a bear notices you, don’t run. Talk calmly and back away slowly.

Elk and Moose

Elk are so commonly sighted around Canmore, it’s often easy to forget they’re wild. Moose are rarer and usually found in Kananaskis, so spotting one can feel like a real treat. While their ruts are winding down for the year, both are always unpredictable. Admire from a distance and never approach.

Full guidance is on our Wildlife Safety page.

Winter is on its way. Our need to take care of this place stays the same.

Watch wildlife with respect. Spotting animals in the wild is a big part of the magic here. Give them plenty of space, carry bear spray, and stay on the trail.

Leave no trace. Pack out everything you bring in and leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you find them. In town, close the bear-resistant bins fully, especially when discarding food waste. Learn more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace.

Shop local. Choosing holiday gifts from Canmore’s shops, makers and markets keeps your spending in the community.

Ride the bus. Roam Transit runs local routes around Canmore and a regional route to Banff, so you can skip the hunt for a parking spot and keep a car off the road. Flying into Calgary? Take an airport shuttle.

Walk. Over 80 kilometres of multi-use trails connect the town and surrounding recreational areas providing another way to keep a car off the road.

Find more ways to tread lightly on our Responsible Travel page. Join the movement to protect this place with our Pledge to the Peaks.

Whether you’re after a downtown hotel within walking distance of everything Canmore has to offer or a backcountry lodge deep in Kananaskis, there are lots of options here.  Browse the best hotels and accommodations in Canmore and Kananaskis and lock in your dates.

Layer up. Mornings and evenings are cold now. Conditions change quickly. Dress in layers you can add and shed through the day. Keep a toque, gloves and a waterproof shell close at hand.

Plan around the daylight. Days are short. Start early, pack a headlamp and leave time to get back before dark.

Pack traction. Expect trails and pathways to be icy now. Micro-spikes or ice cleats make them safer. Rent a pair in town if you didn’t bring one.

Check trail conditions. Advisories change fast this time of year. Visit AlbertaParks.ca the morning you head out.

Check the roads. Mountain roads can be icy. Check 511 Alberta before you drive.

Book ahead for holiday events. Several are ticketed or have limited space. Our Peaks Trip Planner keeps your plans in one place.

Purchase your Kananaskis Conservation Pass. It’s required any time you stop and explore in Kananaskis.

Be wildlife aware. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, not your pack. Make noise on the trail. Keep dogs leashed. Always give every animal plenty of space.

What events are happening in Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Holiday markets, the Festival of Trees, seasonal theatre, Nordic and biathlon races, and live music around Canmore. See our events calendar for what’s on.

Is there snow in Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Snow on the peaks is a safe bet. In the valleys, it can arrive any time, so come ready.

What’s the weather like in Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Expect cold mornings and evenings, short days and a chance of snow. Average highs range from minus 3 to 3 degrees Celsius (27 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit) with lows between minus 11 to minus 13 degrees Celsius (9 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit). At our altitude and with fresh snow, the sun’s intensity is a factor year-round, so pack sun protection.

Are the lakes in Canmore and Kananaskis frozen in November?

While some open water starts to freeze, early-season ice is generally not safe. The Lifesaving Society Water Smart Tips recommends ice should be at least 20 centimetres thick for activities.

Can I ski in Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Yes. Frozen Thunder at the Canmore Nordic Centre opened for the first cross-country skiing of the year in October, with the wider trail network usually following suit by mid-November. In Kananaskis, Nakiska Ski Resort usually opens in early to mid-November for downhill skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Should I bring microspikes for hiking in Canmore and Kananaskis?

Yes, for anything above the valley floor. Higher trails often hold snow and ice this month.

Is there still wildlife around Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Yes. The deer and bighorn sheep ruts are underway, elk are seen often around Canmore, moose are more likely to turn up in Kananaskis, and bears can still also be out. Enjoy every sighting from a respectful distance.

Is November a good time to visit Canmore and Kananaskis?

Yes, especially if you like quiet trails. Ski season is starting too, with holiday events ramping up later in the month.

What shouldn’t I miss in Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Alpenglow at sunrise or sunset, a ski on Frozen Thunder, opening day at Nakiska, a cave tour, a holiday market and the annual Festival of Trees.

What should I pack for Canmore and Kananaskis in November?

Warm layers, a waterproof shell, a toque, gloves and insulated footwear with grip. Add microspikes, a headlamp and sun protection.

In Canmore and Kananaskis, the natural landscape is the heart of our mountain culture. Before your visit, we encourage you to take the Pledge to the Peaks, a commitment to mindful exploration that keeps everyone here safe and preserves our wilderness for generations to come.