Relax and Recharge at A Bear and Bison Inn in Canmore

With a fireplace, jacuzzi tub, and gorgeous mountain views from your balcony – plus gourmet breakfast – it’s easy to relax at A Bear and Bison Inn!

“What time would you like breakfast?” Eugénie asks as she checks us in at A Bear and Bison Inn. A three-course gourmet breakfast will be delivered to our door in the morning. We decide on 9 am so we can sleep in. When you’re staying somewhere so cozy, there’s no need to rush out the door the next day!

Partnership Disclosure: This story was written in partnership with Charming Inns & Small Hotels of Alberta (12 of Alberta’s most charming inns & hotels), but all words and opinions are my own.

Eugénie proceeds to tell us about the inn’s amenities including an outdoor hot tub. We’ve forgotten swimsuits, “but you have a jacuzzi tub,” she reminds us with a smile. Hailing from Quebec, Eugénie brings extensive wedding planning experience which is vital to her role here. A Bear and Bison Inn is a popular wedding and elopement destination (for 2-60 guests) with its beautiful décor, garden, and scenic location at the foot of Mount Lady MacDonald.

From our room, we have a spectacular view of The Three Sisters, three iconic peaks of the Bow Valley. We enjoy takeout on the balcony and revel in the peace and quiet. Just a few minutes from downtown, there is no train noise here, and very little traffic. As the sun dips lower in the sky, we explore the garden and lounge, and admire the hand-carved details (made by Owner and Chef, Lonny Middleton, and his father) around the hotel.

Lonny Middleton started A Bear and Bison Inn in 2002 after an international cooking career that took him from The Inn on Lake Bonavista, Calgary; to The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, Switzerland; a top-rated cruise ship; and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to name a few. It’s no surprise then that the food at A Bear and Bison is absolutely amazing! A delicious breakfast made with locally-sourced ingredients is included with your stay, but you can also order snacks, drinks, and treats. If you would like chocolate dipped strawberries and prosecco, a fruit and cheese platter, or charcuterie platter delivered to your room, just let the Innkeeper know by 5 pm the day before.

Evening finds us curled up by the fireplace in our room after a soak in the jacuzzi tub. The heat soothes our tired muscles (we camped and hiked in the rain for two days before coming here) and soon we feel quite sleepy. My youngest calls dibs on the memory foam cot, while my eldest daughter and I sprawl out on the king sized bed, and we all sleep soundly ’til morning.

Breakfast at A Bear and Bison Inn

Shortly before 9 am, a gentle knock on the door lets us know our drinks have arrived. There’s orange juice for the kids and a French press full of coffee for me (yay for easy refills!). A few minutes later, our wonderful breakfast is delivered (to the door). Nectarines, cream, and maple syrup complement Swiss-style rosti potato, organic free range eggs, and Farmer’s sausage perfectly. We enjoy every bite; even my picky 10 year old says her meal is “So good!”

Amenities

A Bear and Bison Inn has an outdoor hot tub, beautiful gazebo and garden (popular wedding venue!), and lovely lounge to relax in. Each of the inn’s ten rooms boasts mountain views, a king sized bed, Rundle-rock gas fireplace, patio or balcony, and jacuzzi or soaker tub. The top floor Honeymoon Rooms boast four-poster beds and floor to vaulted ceiling picture windows.

Things to Do in the Area

Canmore is an outdoor-lover’s paradise with tons of hiking and mountain biking trails nearby. Some of our favorite short hikes and walks in/near Canmore include the following: Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, Canmore Engine Bridge (on the Bow River Loop), Grassi Lakes, Three Sisters Creek Waterfalls, and West Wind Pass. For a unique experience, Go Underground with Canmore Cave Tours!

In winter, you can ski at Banff’s ski resorts (Mount Norquay is only 27 minutes away), cross country ski at Canmore Nordic Centre, or go dogsledding! For more details, see our story: 14 Things to do in Canmore this winter.

After adventuring, dine in Canmore or get a pint at one of the local breweries. We love Rocky Mountain Flatbread, cocktails and dinner at Blake (they have design-your-own bento boxes on the kids menu), the patio at Iron Goat Pub & Grill, and the eclectic menu at Crazyweed Kitchen.

Getting Here

A Bear and Bison Inn (705 Benchlands Trail, Canmore) is located 2.3 kilometres east of downtown Canmore.

For More Information / Book Now

To learn more or book your stay now, visit A Bear and Bison Inn.

For more wonderful lodging options from Central Alberta to the Foothills and Canadian Rockies, visit Charming Inns & Small Hotels of Alberta. Charming Inns’ collection includes 12 unique, privately-owned properties with 5-50 rooms that offer partial or full food service, great service and experiences (check out their Vacation Specials and Packages!), have a 3-star or CAA 3-diamond rating, and are without a doubt charming.

• For a private cabin stay, try Baker Creek Mountain Resort, Lake Louise; Prairie Creek Inn, Rocky Mountain House; Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis; Juniper Lodge, Banff; or Overlander Mountain Lodge, Hinton. Read about our experience at Mount Engadine Lodge here: Glamping at Mount Engadine Lodge in the heart of Kananaskis.
• For a spa retreat, visit Heartwood Inn & Spa, Drumheller.
• For a romantic getaway close to Calgary, stay at The Crossing at Ghost River, Cochrane; Riverside Chateau, Bragg Creek; Georgetown Inn, Canmore; or A Bear and Bison Inn, Canmore.
• Looking for a cozy lodge in Waterton? Crandell Mountain Lodge is your home away from home, on the edge of town, near Emerald Bay. Kilmorey Lodge, also in Waterton, is re-opening soon.