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UNSURPASSED LOCATION

Birch Haven is located in the charming, laid-back town of Canmore, just outside Banff National Park.
Our downtown location means that everything is at your doorstep or just a short walk away — from trendy cafes, restaurants and supermarkets to health food, sporting goods and video stores, and even doctor's offices and ATMs.

Canmore is the base of choice for visitors who want easy access to Banff's outdoor wonders, without the crowds prevalent in the town of Banff itself.

Birch Haven is blessed with easy access to four national parks that are UNESCO World Heritage sites (marked in the list below with this ♥ symbol) and several other provincial parks:

  • 24 km / 15 miles to Banff townsite (approx 15 minutes by car)
  • 80 km / 50 miles to Lake Louise and the start of the Icefields Parkway (approx 45 minutes)
  • 60 km / 35 miles to Kootenay National Park (♥) entrance (approx 45 mins)
  • 80 km / 50 miles to Yoho National Park (♥) entrance (approx 1hr 15 mins)
  • 200 km / 125 miles to Jasper National Park (♥) entrance (approx 2 hrs)
  • 26 km / 16 miles to Kananaskis Country (approx 0.5 hrs)

Driving is an absolute pleasure in this part of the world as you are rewarded with breathtaking vistas at every turn.

Indeed, some of these drives (including the Icefields parkway drive) are rated as some of the most scenic highways in the world.

A spectacular year-round outdoor playground nestled in the towering Canadian Rockies, Canmore was host to the Nordic skiing and biathlon events of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

More recently, the area hosted a bevy of world leaders at the 2002 G-8 Conference.

There are a breath-taking variety of activites in the vicinity of the Birch Haven. That's why a week's stay, in our opinion, is the bare minimum.

→ more EVENTS & ACTIVITIES info

 

MAP OF THE VICINITY

Click here for an interactive map!

 

To inquire or book:
Send us an email with dates and number of guests (including ages of children, if applicable). Be sure to mention how you heard about us!

A VACATION RENTAL LIKE NO OTHER...

Aesthetics and comfort have been given equal emphasis at this unique 2BR/2bath loft, located just a few minutes from the Banff National Park gates.

Here, you will not find the lacklustre decor nor the merely adequate "rental-class" furnishings common in so many other properties.

That is because Birch Haven was not furnished to be a vacation rental per se. We have meticulously decorated this loft to be our second home, and our primary place to rejuvenate.

We have quickly become one of the most sought-after lofts for discerning honeymooners, families, and those looking for a memorable vacation experience.

But don't take our word for it. Be sure to read the GUEST REVIEWS page to see what our guests have to say!

EXQUISITE AESTHETICS

Aside from the comfortable, nailhead-studded, top grain leather sofa in the living room, there is (remarkably) no store-bought furniture in the loft!

Every piece of furnishing is unique and has a story to tell.

Skilled artisans from all over Canada were commissioned to craft unique works of art, based on the artist-owner's sketches and designs.

The interior design and furnishings reflect the tranquil beauty of the Canadian Rockies; hence, the liberal use of birch, willow and lodgepole pine throughout.

There are visual delights at every turn -- the trapezoidal birch-willow dining table, the soaring 20-foot console table made from a polished birch slab and ancient root stumps, the late 1800s crackle barnwood armoire, the romantic lodgepole log canopy bed that's custom-crafted from diamond willow twigs... and much more...

We are proud of Birch Haven's unique furnishings as we are firm believers that an exquisite ambience can make a real difference.

THE BIRCH HAVEN DIFFERENCE

Throughout the loft, you will find little touches that differentiate this place from any other vacation rental.

Mood lighting at the flick of a switch. A surround sound home entertainment system with a library of DVDs and CDs. Optional high-speed internet access.

Full-color travel guidebooks and brochures to help you make the most of your visit. An antique barnwood armoire brimming with toys, board games, novels and magazines.

Spices in the larder, condiments in the fridge and cookbooks in the gourmet kitchen. A washer and dryer for your laundry needs. Even filtered drinking water, making lugging bottled water a vacation ritual of the past.

At Birch Haven, you can pamper yourself with our feather-bed topper for plush bedding comfort. Or remove the topper, if you prefer a firmer mattress.

We even offer a "library" of pillows to accommodate your preferences. Choose from our assortment of fluffy down-alternative pillows or firm foam orthopedic ones.

Your kids have the option of flatter pillows, so that their necks are not unduly strained. Additionally, we even offer hard-to-find amenities that make a real difference to parents: a portable playpen/crib, plus a dining high chair for your little one.

All of this serves to confirm that the owners have made a very personal effort to anticipate and cater to your needs.

 
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