If you’ve ever visited Canmore, you understand the grasp the mountains can have on your heart. You get mesmerized by the towering peaks that surround you and it inspires you to get outside and play. That is why Canmore is a gathering spot for many athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
If you have visited the Canmore Nordic Centre and looked at a trail map it is a veritable mish-mash of double track and single track trails that is almost impossible to navigate. Like many cross country ski areas, the Nordic Centre has laid out several preferred loop systems which make it much easier for users to navigate their way through the network. Now you can ride the loops that the locals prefer without having to consult a map at each intersection or ride with a local guide (although riding with locals is always a blast).
The Nordic Centre is continually working to improve their trails year round. They’ve added some machine built trail, better signage and are looking at expanding the single track offer in the future. They are also engaging the local community and getting volunteers on board to help with finishing work and maintenance. The Nordic centre also has a great volunteer incentive program. Volunteers log their hours spent doing trail work and get day or season passes in exchange for their work as well as public recognition.
We worked with a small group in Canmore but everyone worked really well together and we completed a section of benchcut with some fun hidden features in it. A big thank you goes to Matt Hadley, one of Canada’s talented mountain bike athletes, who is working hard at producing a world class race course. Another thank you to the Katimavik youth who came out to help at another build and will continue to volunteer at the Nordic Centre over the next couple of months.