Let’s face it – Mother Nature is drunk. Springtime is looking a lot like winter across Canada. And what I mean by that is snow – there’s still lots and lots of snow! While not ideal, Aaron, Elle and I decided to mix ourselves a big old glass of lemonade and make the most of this unseasonable weather with a fabulous Canmore family trip.

Today on the blog I’m sharing photos from our getaway, as well as some tips and tricks for doing a road trip with a toddler.

Why take a Canmore family trip?

If you haven’t been to Canmore before, you really should add it to your bucket list. It’s a picturesque town framed by the Rocky Mountains and is known for its pretty views, countless outdoor activities and (drumroll please) amazing restaurants.

Canmore’s only a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Edmonton, so I’ve escaped there for my fair share of bachelorette parties, romantic weekends and girls’ trips over the years.

My father-in-law moved to Canmore a few years back, which is extra incentive to visit, and this March was our fourth time taking Elle. Needless to say, we had a blast.

The highlight was a horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff. Elle got especially excited when we came across some wild elk (evennnn though I’m pretty sure she thought they were big dogs!)

Where we stayed during our Canmore family trip

My friends at Solara Resort & Spa were kind enough to invite Aaron, Elle and I to stay in one of their two-bedroom suites, and we happily accepted. I’ve stayed at Solara Resort & Spa three times in total. Before kids, it was the amazing balcony views and rustic mountain ambience that drew me in. Now, it’s the ‘sweet’ suite layout that keeps us coming back (see what I did there).

Elle goes to bed each night at 7 pm and sleeps until 8 am — yup, total rockstar.

I loved staying in the Solara two-bedroom suite because after we put Elle down in her own room, Aaron and I still had access to our bedroom, spa bathroom, kitchen, sitting room and two balconies.

We were able to unwind with a bottle of wine by the fireplace, sit outside on the balcony and catch the prettiest snowfall, and order in some late-night food. It would’ve been a very different story if we were all crammed into one room!

The grounds around Solara were also perfect for a family walk, and each morning Aaron and Elle started the day with a dip in the hotel’s pool.

My favourite eats

If you know me, you know good food is ALWAYS a draw. This trip, my favourite breakfast spot was Le Fournil, a French bakery with melt-in-your-mouth croissants and the best lattes in town. As you can see, Elle was a fan.

For dinner, we tried out BLAKE Canmore. I loved the restaurant’s modern-industrial feel and after poring over their menu, I went with chicken and waffles which proved to be a great choice. The showstopper, though, was their drink menu. BLAKE won an award for having the best Caesar in the Bow Valley and I have to agree.

It came with a FORTUNE COOKIE y’all. Just sayin’ – that’s a winner in my books.

Road Trip tips

Are you about to take a road trip with your toddler for the first time? Here’s some things we learned that you might find helpful.

Think through the car ride

If you have a toddler who can sleep anywhere, anytime, then congratulations – you’ve hit the jackpot! Elle has a very specific sleep schedule, as many kids do. We found great success in tiring her out in the morning and hitting the road right before her first nap. We also packed plenty of snacks and toys to keep her occupied when she woke up and scheduled a pit stop so she could stretch her legs and burn some energy.

Consider your accommodations

Last summer my sister and I went to Calgary with Elle and booked a traditional hotel room. Long story short, I selfishly pushed her sleep schedule by an hour and then we were trapped in a dark room by 8 pm. Never again!

I can’t rave enough about hotel suites with separate living rooms like the one we stayed at in Solara, or condo rentals through sites like Airbnb. They allow you to put your kiddo to bed at their regular time so they’re not cranky the next day, and you can still have a fun-filled evening in your own space.

Look into activities in advance 

I’m all about flying by the seat of my pants. I love spontaneity and adventure. But I did find it super helpful to look up some fun mountain activities and restaurants in advance of our trip. I didn’t want to waste Elle’s precious ‘awake’ time deciding what to do with our day!

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading about our Canmore family trip! I’m already so excited to go back again this summer!

Xo Holly Hunka

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