Rest and Reconnect Spring Getaway
Thanks to Daylight Savings Time the days are getting longer, we’re seeing more sunshine, the birds are tweeting, and the valley bottom is thawing. It might be time to gaze into your partner’s eyes from across the dinner table, hold hands as you take a slow stroll, or spend quality time together.
Let’s face it, because of the long deep freeze we have all been dreaming of a warm and sunny getaway, but haven’t been able to sneak away from the office. A short and sweet trip to the mountains is a wonderful mini-vacation, and with warm temps and sunshine in the forecast you won’t want to forget your sunscreen!
Leave your work worries behind you, put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’, and grab your Blundstones – it’s time to pack your things and head to the mountains for some much needed R&R. You’ll soon feel your shoulders retreating from your ears as the cityscape fades away behind you, and the Canadian Rockies grow larger as the minutes tick by.
Your first stop will be to check in at your home away from home. From cozy cabin-esque B&B’s to luxe Rockies accommodations at The Lamphouse or Paintbox Lodge, we won’t judge if the first thing you do is kick off your shoes and fall back into the plush bedding for a quick snooze.
Don’t let yourself sleep too long because you’ll want to head downtown to collect yourself a hot bevy at either the Bicycle Cafe or Goodearth Coffee and spend some time perusing local shops such as Project-A and Alberta’s Own Marketplace for trinkets and souvenirs. Once you’re back at your humble abode, pull on your bathing suit and hit the hot tub or hot pool for a long and luxurious soak while you allow your mind to wander and your eyes explore the surrounding mountain peaks.
Post-soak, you’ll spend the rest of the evening over a romantic candle lit dinner at Tapas or The Trough. Stop at Canmore Wine Merchants for a bottle of BC wine to enjoy together over a board game and the sounds of a crackling fire.
For day two you’ll wake to the sound of song birds tweeting outside your window. As you stretch and take in the morning alpenglow, you decide to spend the day partaking in some spring skiing. At this time of year, the ‘crowd’ comprises of mostly locals, allowing for some big swooping g-turns down the runs at nearby Nakiska Ski Area.
Head back downtown for your après celebration with a late lunch, and enjoy your meal on the patio with a cocktail featuring local spirits, made in Canmore. The sunshine on your face will feel über refreshing as you tilt your head back to soak in every ray. As you are relaxing in the sun, check the artsPlace calendar for the evening’s events or scout a local jam session to take in some sweet mountain melodies.
Take some quiet time at your cozy cabin accommodation and draw a bath to soak in while you read a locals rendition of the Bow Valley life you scooped up from Cafe Books earlier in the day. Donning a pair of worn-in jeans and your favorite flannel shirt, you feel like you may be too dressed down for a night out in Canmore, but you’ll soon realize that you fit right in with the locals. You enjoy the evening’s festivities, and turn in for the night perhaps a little early, but who’s judging?
On your last day in the mountains, you both relish a guilt-free sleep-in. Nestled amongst the warm blankets, you both agree to lounging together just a bit longer before heading out to a long, lazy brunch at Hogshead or Graze Food & Drink.
Your ski muscles thank you for being so considerate and not skiing a second day, and instead you take time to explore around downtown before setting out on a leisurely stroll along the Bow River. Your muscles will absolutely jump for joy as you check in at the spa for a deep tissue massage – something you’ve needed for far too long.
As the mountains shrink behind you during the drive back to the city, you’ll find that you are feeling ready to take on these few months of spring until summer arrives, when you’ve already decided another trip to the mountains is in order. You chat amongst yourselves, planning your next Rocky Mountain getaway, and recant your favourite moments from this trip.
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