Could Canmore one day become Canada’s Aspen?

I get asked this question a lot: Yes, we love Canmore as a town and for its lifestyle but is buying property in Canmore also a good investment?

Some investors are suggesting that Canmore could one day become the Aspen of Canada. They are comparing Canmore in Alberta, Canada with Aspen, Colorado, USA. And indeed, the two mountain towns have a lot in common. Both are beautiful ski resorts and destinations for outdoor recreation, both are in the Rocky Mountains. And while the Bow River goes through Canmore, Aspen is on the Fork River.

Both towns have a mining history that goes back to the mid 19 th Century. Aspen related to silver; Canmore related to coal. Aspen had a population of 7,000 in 2020. Canmore’s population was around 15,000 at that time.

Founded as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver Boom Aspen boomed during the 1880s, its first decade. The boom ended when the Panic of 1893 led to a collapse of...