January 6, 2021
Award-winning landscaping and a salute to Canmore’s mining heritage
A Bear and Bison Inn was built in 2002 with great attention to detail The building’s exterior is all natural and makes use of local materials: stone and wood, with the roof made from fire-rated hand cut cedar shakes. The rock work uses river rock from nearby Cougar Creek and Rundle rock mined five kms to the east, as the crow flies, in Dead Man’s Flats. The landscaping features blue spruce, white spruce, pine and larch trees.
“We wanted A Bear and Bison Inn to fit into the curve of the mountain and be nestled into the forest,” says owner Lonny Middleton, whose design for the Inn’s landscaping won the Town of Canmore first annual Mayor’s Urban Design and Architecture Award for Best Landscaping in 2002.
A Bear and Bison Inn’s landscaping also includes a shoutout to Canmore’s mining heritage, displaying one of the original mine carts from Canmore Mines, complete with a faux mine entrance.
“Growing up in Canmore, mining history was introduced to us in the school system. We went on field trips to the Canmore museum, which detailed the geology of the formation of coal, town growth and miners’ stories,” recalls Lonny’s daughter, Sophia. “I grew up hearing stories from my grandmother of what life was like in Canmore when coal fueled the town’s economy, instead of tourism and sport. In fifth grade, a local musician worked with students to produce songs inspired by Canmore’s mining history. Ten years later, I still remember every word to my class’s song, ‘Black Treasure, Black Gold.’ Times have improved since Canmore’s coal mining days, with cleaner energy and better working conditions. But being connected to our town’s past through stories, art and monuments is something I hold close to my heart.”
A Bear and Bison Inn is located off the beaten track in Canmore’s Benchlands neighborhood, north of the Trans-Canada Highway, close to Cougar Creek, Mount Lady Macdonald and Grotto Mountain. There is no train noise, no highway noise, and great views. A Bear and Bison Inn offers friendly mountain hospitality at its best. And why not consider a mid-week getaway to treat yourself? especially if you’re working from home. If you’re planning to go skiing, for example, it will be a lot quieter during the week.
“We try really hard to do a great job,” Lonny says.
