Happy New Year!
As we welcome 2026, we want to wish all of our clients, neighbours, and friends a healthy and happy New Year. Winter has arrived in full force in the Rockies, and it has been a fantastic start to the ski season. The local hills are enjoying incredible early-season conditions with abundant snowfall—always a welcome sight in Canmore and a reminder of why we’re lucky to call the Bow Valley home.
December also marked another highly successful Royal LePage Solutions Food Bank Drive. Organizing the annual food drive continues to be one of the highlights of our year and this year marked the 33rd annual. It’s an inspiring, all-hands-on-deck community event that brings together volunteers and local families for a common cause. We are incredibly proud to coordinate an initiative that directly supports the Bow Valley Food Bank and helps so many residents during the holiday season and beyond.
This annual newsletter gives us the opportunity to step back and examine the Canmore real estate market year over year. Looking at the broader picture, total sales in 2025 were down just 3.38% compared with 2024. A couple of years of closer balance compared to the exceptionally high post-COVID activity we experienced in 2021 and 2022. The market has settled into a more typical rhythm.
When we break the numbers down by property type, some interesting trends emerge. Recreational/short-term rental properties saw a substantial rise of roughly 20% in sales volume, largely driven by new construction coming to market. Apartment condominium sales declined by about 11%, while single family homes, townhomes, and half-duplexes remained generally consistent with 2024 levels.
Pricing told a more upbeat story. Median sale prices increased across nearly every category. Apartments were up 2.2%, townhomes 6.2%, recreational properties 8.4%, single family homes were up 14.8% and half-duplexes increased 20%.
Despite some global economic uncertainty and higher interest rates, the Canmore-Banff corridor continues to show resilience and stability. Our lifestyle, limited land supply, and long-term appeal to full time and part time residents.
If you have any questions about how these trends affect your own real estate plans, we’re always happy to help. Here’s to another outstanding year ahead!
Brad’s Annual Update — 2026
2025 was a busy, joyful year for our family — full of projects, travel, time at the cottage, and plenty of snow to begin our winter 2025-2026. Below is a snapshot of what kept us smiling, busy, and oh so grateful over the past twelve months.
Home projects and a new venture
Duplex project. To keep myself entertained, I bought a side‑by‑side duplex, legalized the two walk‑out basement suites, and filled them with fabulous tenants. It turned into a rewarding little project that kept me busy and gave me a new appreciation for property management. Callum was very helpful in may areas of this project.
Work and gratitude
Real estate. Work was another strong year for Drew and I. We’re very thankful to our amazing clients for their trust and support — it’s the reason we do what we do.
Joanna had an exceptional year professionally and continues to give back through her involvement on two boards. We still carve out a lot of time together, though we always want more.
Travel, friends, and memorable trips
Royal LePagers visit. I had some great ski days last January with some wonderful Royal LePage brokers — excellent company and good conversations.
Skiing with old friends. I loved an amazing ski trip to Kimberley and Red Mountain last Feb. I skied with a long‑time friend I hadn’t been on the slopes in over four decades; we agreed we won’t wait that long again. 😉
Nantucket wedding. In September we paused our U.S. travel boycott to attend a dear friend’s son’s wedding in Nantucket. Four couples rented a big house and shared what I consider one of the best weddings I’ve ever attended — heartfelt speeches, abundant love, and a truly memorable celebration.
West coast fishing. After the cottage, Jo and I went fishing on the west coast with great friends. The ocean was calm, we had a fantastic time, and we filled the freezer and enjoyed chef’s tasting menu which ended up being the best food I have had in decades
Conference choices. We skipped our usual real estate conference in Nashville as we resumed our U.S. travel boycott after the wedding. We love our American friends but hope the upside down situation there gets resolved soon.
Cottage life — summer of “Yes” part deux
Early May check. I got to the cottage in early May for a week and was relieved and happy to see the renovations had weathered the winter well.
Summer together. Lauren and Jo joined me for the summer of “Yes” part deux. With the renovations reducing chores, we had lots of free time for the boat, yoga, foiling, skiing, and visiting friends. I’m loving the extra free time and the chance to relax and reconnect.
Family highlights
Callum has honed many skills this year and some he was able to use on a new 4 plex which was great to see. We’ve also had some great ski days together this season.
Lauren and Cash. Lauren loved her G7 project with Global Affairs for the 1st half of 2025 and exploring several options with Global Affairs and elsewhere. Cash continues to be the wonder dog — affectionate, adventurous, and a joy to be around. Joanna and I relish being his grandparents and love our time with him.
Outdoors, seasons, and skiing
Fall and hiking. The fall brought some lovely hikes and an early arrival of winter that we welcomed.
Record snow and skiing. We’ve been loving the record amount of snow. By mid‑January I’d already logged 16 downhill days — a very good start for me — and a few x‑country outings as well. Skiing with Callum, Lauren, Jo and friends has been a highlight.
Looking ahead to 2026
We enter 2026 feeling grateful: for family nearby, for good health, for meaningful work, and for the simple pleasures of time on the water and on the slopes. We’re hopeful for another great ski season, more time at the cottage, and more chances to see friends and family.
All the best to you and your loved ones in 2026. If our paths cross this year, I’d love to catch up and share a few of the summer cottage stories in person.
Drew’s 2025 updates
2025 was a year defined by health, milestones, and gratitude—one that reinforced how fortunate we are to live, work, and raise a family in the Bow Valley.
After getting my health back in 2024, I was grateful to continue that momentum throughout 2025. Being able to complete the Calgary Marathon in May was a major milestone, but conquering the Powderface Trail Marathon in June—healthy, happy, and enjoying every step—was especially meaningful. It was a powerful reminder of what patience, consistency, and perspective can deliver.
It was also an exceptional year for Asher. He graduated from Canmore Collegiate High School with honours and was recognized with two meaningful awards: the Andrew Hunt Memorial Award, celebrating determination and perseverance in Bow Valley Soccer, and the Pauw CARIBOU Award, recognizing hard work, resilience, leadership, and positive influence. Over the summer, he thoroughly enjoyed working at The Bagel Company before making the big decision to pursue Engineering at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. His first semester has been a tremendous success—he’s thriving on his own, embracing the challenge, and genuinely enjoying engineering despite the demanding coursework.
Hannah continues to flourish at Mount Royal University, where she has truly found her calling in Education. Her classroom placements have been a highlight, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch her passion translate into hands-on experience. Alongside her studies, she remains actively involved in cheer as a coach, a role she loves and excels in.
Brendan is nearing the finish line of his Biomedical Engineering degree at the University of Calgary, with graduation coming this spring. His year was full of adventure and growth, including a three-month co-op in Germany followed by independent travel with a close friend. Watching him navigate life, work, and travel in a new country and language was both impressive and inspiring.
Cheryl was able to join Brendan in Europe for a brief but memorable visit, spending time together in Paris, London, and Berlin. In the fall, Cheryl and I enjoyed a road trip through British Columbia, including time on Vancouver Island—her first visit since her teenage years. An added bonus of travelling west was spending time with Asher along the way, both coming and going.
Our parents are all doing very well, and having the entire family together at Christmas was especially meaningful. Those moments of connection never lose their value.
As always, December brought another successful food drive. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who helped—whether by walking door to door, sorting donations, or contributing food and funds. It remains a powerful reminder of what community truly means in Canmore.
As we look ahead, we do so with optimism, appreciation, and excitement for what’s next. Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and fulfilling year ahead.
Wondering what’s happening in Canmore this month? Check out out blog here
