Shopping in the Canadian Rockies
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Canadian Rockies, Canada.
Extending from the interior foothills of Alberta to the rocky, rugged mountain valleys of eastern British Columbia and stretching along the mountainous north-to-south border of the two provinces, the magnificent Canadian Rockies are vast and impressive, filled to the brim with exceptional year-round recreational opportunities and adventures. Vibrant towns, villages and hamlets throughout the region offer an authentic taste of mountain life via unique dining experiences, awe-inspiring sightseeing, cozy alpine lodgings and distinctive shops. The shopping landscape is as vast and diverse as the physical settings, ranging from small family-run shops to internationally recognized retailers. Whether visitors seek to stock up for an expedition, outfit for a day of outdoor exploration or acquire a meaningful memento to commemorate a mountain sojourn, shopping destinations throughout the Canadian Rockies are sure to please.
SPORTS & RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS
A premiere destination for sporting and recreational pursuits of all kinds, the region caters to outdoor enthusiasts by jointly offering attractions and tours to suit any desire, whether it's winter alpine sports, cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, skateboarding, fishing or soaking in hot springs. Impressive selections of sporting goods are well represented at shops throughout the region, especially in larger resort centres like Banff, Jasper, Fernie, Kimberley, Golden and Invermere-Windermere. Visitors can also expect to find full-service pro shops, including ones found at bike and ski and snowboard shops, which provide comprehensive repair and maintenance service for a range of recreational gear.
FASHION
While most smaller towns in the region offer at least one or two independent specialty shops for style lovers, Banff is definitely at the centre for retail adventure, offering everything from locally owned fashion boutiques to chain-style clothing stores to outfit the entire family. While in town, shoppers can peruse upscale boutiques, trendy footwear stores, compact yet comprehensive shopping malls and a handful of outdoor apparel shops. The burgeoning town of Canmore also offers its own unique blend of clothing and accessories stores, catering to all ages and fashion preferences. The quaintness of Revelstoke makes for pleasant shopping, whether the search is for an outfit for a romantic evening out or for a day on the slopes.
WESTERN WEAR
New West culture is a trademark of the Canadian Rockies, especially in Alberta where visitors can peruse western equipment, apparel and paraphernalia at traditional tack and trail-riding shops in areas like Kananaskis Country, Banff and the Icefields Parkway Region. Authentic cowboy and cowgirl gear, including cowboy hats, boots, belts and memorabilia, are popular choices amongst visitors.
ART
The influences of culture, history and mountain life are evident in the visual arts of the region, available for viewing and purchase at galleries in just about every destination. Art across all genres, including contemporary, fine craft, First Nations art and photography, is showcased at representative, co-operative and artist-run gallery spaces, which offer one-of-a-kind treasures to add to an existing collection or honour a mountain visit. Banff, Canmore and Invermere-Windermere are good choices for perusing art, including the Artym Gallery in Invermere, which showcases diverse collections in rotating exhibits year round. Professional international shipping services and regional deliveries are commonplace at most galleries, making any art purchase effortless.
SOUVENIRS & GIFTS
Souvenir and gift shops are plentiful throughout the region and typically offer keepsakes and mementos like art cards and prints, t-shirts, handicrafts, magnets and other unique treasures to commemorate a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Regionally inspired gifts, books, bath and body items and gourmet food products, including maple treats, handcrafted chocolates and other tasty confections, are abundant in shops throughout the Rockies, including Sunwapta Falls Trading Post in the Icefields Parkway Region.
TRAVELLING ESSENTIALS
A great mix of basic necessities and convenient travellers' services are offered in the Canadian Rockies, including independent and chain-style grocery stores, seasonal farmers' markets filled with regional products, natural food shops, pharmacies, liquor stores, camera shops, luggage boutiques and map shops. While larger centres offer the most conveniences across the board, smaller towns like Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs also offer basic provisions like fuel, convenience foods, groceries and essentials for camping such as firewood, propane and ice.
SPORTS & RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS
A premiere destination for sporting and recreational pursuits of all kinds, the region caters to outdoor enthusiasts by jointly offering attractions and tours to suit any desire, whether it's winter alpine sports, cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, skateboarding, fishing or soaking in hot springs. Impressive selections of sporting goods are well represented at shops throughout the region, especially in larger resort centres like Banff, Jasper, Fernie, Kimberley, Golden and Invermere-Windermere. Visitors can also expect to find full-service pro shops, including ones found at bike and ski and snowboard shops, which provide comprehensive repair and maintenance service for a range of recreational gear.
FASHION
While most smaller towns in the region offer at least one or two independent specialty shops for style lovers, Banff is definitely at the centre for retail adventure, offering everything from locally owned fashion boutiques to chain-style clothing stores to outfit the entire family. While in town, shoppers can peruse upscale boutiques, trendy footwear stores, compact yet comprehensive shopping malls and a handful of outdoor apparel shops. The burgeoning town of Canmore also offers its own unique blend of clothing and accessories stores, catering to all ages and fashion preferences. The quaintness of Revelstoke makes for pleasant shopping, whether the search is for an outfit for a romantic evening out or for a day on the slopes.
WESTERN WEAR
New West culture is a trademark of the Canadian Rockies, especially in Alberta where visitors can peruse western equipment, apparel and paraphernalia at traditional tack and trail-riding shops in areas like Kananaskis Country, Banff and the Icefields Parkway Region. Authentic cowboy and cowgirl gear, including cowboy hats, boots, belts and memorabilia, are popular choices amongst visitors.
ART
The influences of culture, history and mountain life are evident in the visual arts of the region, available for viewing and purchase at galleries in just about every destination. Art across all genres, including contemporary, fine craft, First Nations art and photography, is showcased at representative, co-operative and artist-run gallery spaces, which offer one-of-a-kind treasures to add to an existing collection or honour a mountain visit. Banff, Canmore and Invermere-Windermere are good choices for perusing art, including the Artym Gallery in Invermere, which showcases diverse collections in rotating exhibits year round. Professional international shipping services and regional deliveries are commonplace at most galleries, making any art purchase effortless.
SOUVENIRS & GIFTS
Souvenir and gift shops are plentiful throughout the region and typically offer keepsakes and mementos like art cards and prints, t-shirts, handicrafts, magnets and other unique treasures to commemorate a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Regionally inspired gifts, books, bath and body items and gourmet food products, including maple treats, handcrafted chocolates and other tasty confections, are abundant in shops throughout the Rockies, including Sunwapta Falls Trading Post in the Icefields Parkway Region.
TRAVELLING ESSENTIALS
A great mix of basic necessities and convenient travellers' services are offered in the Canadian Rockies, including independent and chain-style grocery stores, seasonal farmers' markets filled with regional products, natural food shops, pharmacies, liquor stores, camera shops, luggage boutiques and map shops. While larger centres offer the most conveniences across the board, smaller towns like Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs also offer basic provisions like fuel, convenience foods, groceries and essentials for camping such as firewood, propane and ice.



