Rocky Mountain High

Canmore is forgetting its place. It’s supposed to be the younger sibling to the attention-loving, jet-set-courting Banff, but its relaxed vibe, great food scene and, most importantly, second-home-friendly environment has made it the go-to choice for Albertans who want to slide into mountain living. Many are now bypassing Banff altogether.

This mountain home could be Exhibit A in Canmore’s ascendancy.
Situated above the town centre, it’s a four-season, 5,600-square-foot retreat owned by an executive from the investment arm of National Bank in Edmonton and his wife, both of whom are happily under Canmore’s spell. "We’re mountain people: we love to ski in winter and hike in summer-you just change your shoes," laughs the wife. "Buying in Canmore allowed us the best of both worlds, in a lovely little developing
community close to the mountains and Banff National Park."

The couple enlisted architect Bill Marshall, who, along with builder Dak Kerr of Legend Homes and interior designer Jamie Gallant, was charged with building a contemporary mountain home positioned to maximize the lot’s dynamite views. "To choose the home’s location we really took our time," says the homeowner. "The lot we picked had the greatest frontage with spectacular vistas, but it was the narrowest. So we bought two lots side by each."

Inside, towering 21-foot timber-frame ceilings evoke the grandeur of the surrounding peaks while still providing an airiness to the open-concept living areas, all lined with mahogany flooring that includes cozy in-floor heating. The living room, with its imposing iconic stone fireplace, and even more imposing painting of a grizzly bear, reminds the occupants that this is mountain country.   

The kitchen comes equipped with all the latest gadgets but wraps them in a package that is equal parts mountain and modern, a rough-hewn contemporary. Maple cabinetry, pendant light fixtures and rust-coloured glass tiles provide a warm counterpoint to the sleek island, which is topped with polished black granite and is big enough to host dinner for 10.
At Kerr’s suggestion, the wet bar was a late-addition bonus in the great room. "We added a wet bar to the dining room area so it’s out of the way of the prep area," he says, "but still close to all the action."

Other parts of the house offer more privacy. With the exception of the master bedroom and bath, the remaining bedrooms and bathrooms are downstairs with the family room, gym and wine cellar.

The family loves their new home, but makes sure they leave their comfortable eagle’s nest to enjoy their surroundings year- round. "We bought our golf membership at Stewart Creek before we even dug the hole," says the homeowner, of the adjacent, highly ranked links. "Being in the mountains just refreshes your mind and soul." wl See SOURCES.