The Canmore Nordic Centre Hiking Information and Map

The Canmore nordic Centre (CNC) is just a few minutes away from Canmore's Main Street. It was originally constructed to host the nordic events of the 1988 Winter Olympics and has since been renovated to host the 2005 World Cup and future international events.

There are more than 60 kilometres of world-class trails that are well maintained year round. The trails are also groomed and trackset to accomodate both techniques of nordic skiing - classic and skating. There's even a 6.5 Km trail which is illuminated for night skiing.

All skied out, or just want to take a breather before hitting the snow all over again, the Day Lodge has a cafeteria, a large stone fireplace and comfortable seating. All this with a great view of Mount Rundle. There's even equipment rentals for those that wish to try cross-country skiing for the first time or want to rent a few bikes. You can also register for some lessons...

The trail system is complex but signed and easy to follow. We have broken the CNC down into two areas, the Georgetown Trail and the rest. Please read the information below and refer to the map for more details. For an explanation on the F, S and B under the "Features" heading, click here.

Trail Name	Distance	Features	Level	Elevation
1. Georgetown Trail	5.8 Km L	F, S, B	M	+70 m	Map
Part of the Canmore Nordic Centre, this hike is a great one. It takes you past the remains of a coal-mining town and offers a look into the history of the area. Along the way, signs will help you walk into the past as the Georgetown story is revealed. Some of the old mining houses are still visible amongst the trees. To access this trail you need to get to the Canmore Nordic Centre via the Spray Lakes Road. The trail begins beside the day lodge and starts off following the Bill Warren Training Centre. Turn right at the Biathlon Team Room. You will join the trail immediately as you leave the parking lot. All you have to do now is follow the brown signs labelled for the Georgetown Trail. When you get to a bridge approximately 700 m from the trailhead, do not cross it. Go left just before the bridge and then right. From now on the trail is signed "Canmore Trail". You will eventually hit the infamous Georgetown climb at kilometre 3.7. At the top of the climb, stay straight. You will now have a much easier, gradual climb. Go left at junction 30, following the arrow of the lower 5 Km loop. After 5.4 Km, a Georgetown sign takes you left . Most riders will go left at junction 18 to join the paved biathlon loop. Turn right when you hit this paved trail and you will complete the hike at 5.8 Km. Back to Hiking/Trails page Home

2. Canmore Nordic Centre Trail System	Varies	Varies	All	Varies	Map
The network of cross-country skiing trails built for the 1988 Winter Olympics has been expanded into a world-class Nordic skiing, mountain biking and hiking facility. There is a system of colour coded signs to aid in the navigation of this complex maze of trails. The major routes (also the most popular) are signed using coloured arrows (we tried using the same colours when drawing this map). Hidden amongst the signed, winter trails, summer users can also find unsigned, narrow, single-track routes. You might have to do some exploring and maping of your own to discover all that these trails have to offer. Note: their depiction is not 100% acurate on the map (i.e. the dotted lines). The Canmore Alberta Recreation Map (available at most local stores) includes all the unsigned maps. It might be a good idea to bring one along if you intend to "get off the beaten path". Enjoy all that the Nordic Centre has to offer. There are way too many trails to handle in a single day. Back to Hiking/Trails page Home

Note : Please take note of the Rundle Riverside Trail on the map. It is included in our list of trails on our Hiking/Trails page. You need to follow the Banff Trail from the Nordic Centre's parking lot in order to access the Rundle Riverside Trail.