Whether your company holds an annual retreat, you're looking for ways for a remote team to connect in person, or you're entirely new to the idea of a corporate retreat, Canmore in the winter is the ideal setting.
Nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful Rocky Mountains just minutes from Banff National Park, Canmore offers the perfect backdrop for a winter retreat that’s both productive and inspiring.
Grande Rockies Resort is a fantastic venue for hosting your event. With an array of amenities well-suited to smaller corporate retreats, the resort offers a more intimate experience compared to larger, more impersonal venues. The unbeatable combination of onsite meeting facilities, traditional guest rooms in a separate annex building, and endless natural beauty and winter activities right outside make this the perfect destination for companies that are not only looking for focused, interactive sessions but also more than just a place to get work done.
Benefits of Hosting a Corporate Retreat in the New Year
Hosting your corporate retreat early in the year, and specifically in the winter months, has several unique advantages, making it a great way to kick off the year with energy and intention.
Post-holiday clarity: The seemingly endless distractions of the busy holiday season are behind everyone. With fewer personal obligations, schedule conflicts, and overall stress, attendees can show up with a more focused, clear mindset, ready to dive into work.
Goal-setting mindset: The new year is synonymous with setting goals and a fresh start. Your team will naturally be in the headspace to discuss goals, strategy, and planning for the upcoming year.
Counteract the winter blues: It's no secret that the dark, cold winter can be tough on energy, motivation, and inspiration. A retreat in the Rockies serves as a welcome antidote to those winter blues, leaving your team recharged and ready to tackle the months ahead.
Employee Engagement Activities at Grande Rockies Resort
Corporate retreats carry the (admittedly well-earned) reputation of being more than a little dull—just another day at the office, but in a different place. Holding your retreat at an upscale resort tucked into the Rocky Mountains changes that dynamic entirely. The astounding beauty of this setting, paired with the comfortable atmosphere of Grande Rockies, creates an engaging, exciting experience that feels a little bit like a vacation. That's a good thing! Not only will your team be more inclined to attend, they’re also far more likely to absorb new information and leave with renewed enthusiasm for work.
The Canmore Room: This 740-square-foot space is ideal for intimate corporate events and retreats. Accommodating up to 30 people, it offers flexible layouts, including a boardroom and U-shape configuration, making it a great choice for small, focused sessions. The size of the room, along with its customization options, fosters collaboration and conversation, allowing for group brainstorming, smaller breakouts, and targeted discussions.
Grande Kitchen + Bar: Although going out to dinner as a group is a great idea, it's also nice to not have to leave the resort for meals (or drinks, if that's your company's culture). Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, Grande Kitchen + Bar gives your team plenty of opportunities to socialise and network in a casual setting without the hassle of coordinating offsite transportation.
Stay® | Well amenities: Grande Rockies Resort’s complimentary wellness-focused amenities add a unique, decidedly un-corporate touch to your retreat. With items such as yoga mats, fat tire bikes, and binoculars at your disposal, you can incorporate activities like wildlife watching or morning yoga into your schedule, encouraging mindfulness and relaxation to help attendees reset and engage more fully.
Other Canmore Activities Ideal for a Corporate Retreat
The fun ideas for employee engagement don’t stop at the resort. The Rockies are an outdoor lover’s paradise, and wintertime Canmore activities offer endless ways to break up work sessions with a bit of adventure.
Take a Hike
If you ask any local what to do in Canmore, you'll overwhelmingly hear, "hit the trails." Hiking offers incredible, FREE opportunities to get your team outdoors and energized. Easy-going trails like Grassi Lakes, Jura Creek Canyon, and the famous Grotto Canyon Ice Walk are winter favourites, both easily accessible and appropriate even for beginner hikers. Through the resort's Stay® | Well amenities, you can even borrow complimentary trekking poles, bear spray, binoculars, and snowshoes.
For those who prefer something more relaxed, Canmore also has beautiful walks right in town. Stroll across the iconic Canmore Engine Bridge for some of the best views in the Bow Valley, or take a peaceful walk along Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk, ideally with a warm cup of coffee from one of the many charming downtown cafes.
Experience Dog Sledding
For a truly unforgettable experience that all but guarantees your team will talk about this retreat for years to come, treat them to a bucket list-worthy dog sledding adventure. Family-owned Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours combines the thrill of speeding through snowy landscapes with the irresistible charm of working alongside a team of huskies, and 2-hour or half-day tours easily fit into your event schedule.
Take a Day Trip to Banff
While there are plenty of worthwhile Canmore attractions to explore, world-renowned Banff is also an easy, scenic 30 minutes away. Best of all, the incredible winter wonderland is far less crowded in the winter months. Your team can explore the charming town, ride the iconic Banff Gondola for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, or hike Johnston Canyon to see its famous frozen waterfalls. Winter visitors can also visit Lake Louise for an afternoon of ice skating, sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and high tea at the Fairmont Chateau.
Indoor Rock Climbing
In an alpine environment, it's wise to have an indoor option. It just so happens that indoor rock climbing is also a fantastic team-building activity. Elevation Place offers a variety of climbing courses, as well as lessons for beginners. This fun, unique activity will challenge your team physically while breaking the ice in an out-of-the-box setting.
A New Year’s Winter Retreat in Canmore is the Perfect Way to Reenergize Your Team
Kicking off the new year with a winter corporate retreat in Canmore provides your team with the perfect balance of productive focus and rejuvenating experiences. The stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop, paired with the unique amenities and activities at Grande Rockies Resort, fosters a setting that inspires creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie.
Make this New Year one to remember by choosing Canmore as the destination for your next corporate retreat!
