10 of the Friendliest Towns in the Rockies
Nature brings out the best in people. The sun makes us smile, the trees ease stress, water is invigorating, and there's just something about living amongst mountains that makes us friendlier. Perhaps their geological endurance reminds us how finite and precious life really is. And when you know life is short, there's just no sense in sweating the small stuff. I'm fortunate to have lived adjacent to the Rocky Mountains for over a decade. I loved driving out to the small towns in the valleys between peaks. The people were so laid back, and always appreciated the beauty of their massive backyard. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then check out some of the friendliest towns in the Rockies. Let's start north of the border with my own (very biased) top pick.
Canmore, Alberta
Canada's reputation of being polite and friendly is on full display in this Alberta mountain town. I moved out west right after university and Canmore quickly became my go-to hub for enjoying the Rockies. Plunked along the Bow River, and surrounded by arresting peaks, Canmore is an outdoor-lover's dream. Residents clearly don't squander their opportunity, as Canmore is easily one of the fittest towns in the country. People are always smiling and waving as they pass each other on the well-established trail networks, bike paths, or backcountry gravel roads. Canmore also has a pedestrian-only strip in the summer, allowing visitors and locals to mix and mingle in the downtown core while grabbing a coffee or topping up on supplies. Finally, Canmore has an excellent craft beer and patio scene, which is the perfect way to wash down an adventurous afternoon.
Fernie, British Columbia
Canmore's cousin on the British Columbia side of the Rockies is another scenic mountain town that likes to work hard and play hard. Fernie is a popular ski destination in the winter (thanks to the Fernie Alpine Resort on the south end of town) that morphs into a hiking, trail-running, mountain biking, and camping haven the rest of the year. Whatever your preference, you'll be in good company in the wilderness, as well as the pleasant community paths and riverside picnic areas in the heart of town. Fernie's historic downtown not only has the aesthetic of an old fashioned western town, but also puts forward the perfect blend of cafes, restaurants/taphouses, boutique shops, and it even has an independent movie theater for good measure. Just up the road visitors will find another cherished gathering point (or one of my personal favorites, at least): the Fernie Brewing Company. Try one of the local craft creations while swapping travel and adventure stories with plaid-and-toque-wearing peers.
Whitehorse, Yukon
The last Canadian-based Rocky Mountain town on this list brings us all the way to the northern reaches of the expansive range. Even though Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon territory, it has a population of only about 25,000 people - giving it a small-town feel through and through. I used to head up here for work about once a year and absolutely loved every visit. This hub along the famed Alaskan Highway was established beside the mighty Yukon River during the Klondike Gold Rush. Whitehorse therefore has a vintage, Wild West/prospecting vibe to it, but it has also embraced the live music/arts scenes and craft beer/cocktail movements (served up at both saloons and modern establishments). Additionally, the immediate Whitehorse area has a whopping 700 kilometers (435 miles) of marked trails. This includes 85 kilometers (53 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter. Speaking of which, the endless summer days make make for a city full of glowing faces, but the long winters also create communal warmth by bringing people together in the many quirky establishments.
Leadville, Colorado
Leadville, Colorado is the mountain town to lead all mountain towns. In fact, at 10,152 feet-above-sea-level (and flanked by 13 and 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks), it is the highest incorporated city on the continent. What started off as a prosperous silver mining town (as is evidenced by the existing, Victorian architecture and Wild West facade), has morphed into a scrappy but friendly adventure-racing hub, thanks to the four-season Leadville Race Series. The only people that are more positive than mountain town residents are outdoor endurance athletes (though they are often one and the same). High on the thin air and a steady stream of dopamine, these long-distance runners and mountain bikers are hyper-communal, encouraging to newcomers, and always looking forward to that patio hang after crossing the finish line.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Another Colorado mountain town that is always in a good mood is Pagosa Springs. Whereas Leadville claims the highest city honors, Pagosa Springs boasts the deepest hot spring. Located amidst the geothermal treasures of the San Juan subrange, this Archuleta County community is known, first and foremost, for its soothing mineral waters (who wouldn't be in a good mood after a good soak?). Pagosa Springs is also blessed with sunny summers and snowy winters, meaning both ends of the outdoor recreation spectrum can get their fix. Depending on the season, visitors can strap on the skis/snowshoes, go sledding or skating, ride a hot air balloon (especially during September's ColorFest), hike the plethora of trails in the 2.5-million acres of peripheral national forests, take the family to Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, play a few rounds of golf (or disk golf), and loads of other smile-inducing activities.
Stanley, Idaho
The small town of Stanley resides within the stunning Sawtooth Valley, surrounded by the stark, Teton-esque, Sawtooth Mountains (a subrange of the Rockies). This Custer County gem is easily one of the most hospitable small towns in Idaho, thanks to its endless outdoor recreation opportunities, local attractions, and relaxed yet vibrant community. The untouched wilderness of the 2-million-acre Sawtooth National Forest will tempt the adventurous types, while the abundant and versatile Salmon River will gladly welcome anglers, stone-skippers, and rafters alike. In terms of social gatherings, visitors can look forward to the "Music on the Front Lawn" concert series, as well as street dancing on Thursday nights. Lastly, Stanley is particularly stargazing-friendly, as central Idaho is a designated Dark Sky Reserve.
Hamilton, Montana
Southwestern Montana's Bitterroot Valley has a community as solid as the sandwiching Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain (both offshoots of the Rockies). Any one of the string of towns connected by Highway 93 and the 50-mile Bitterroot Trail is worth seeing, but Hamilton is the largest (though its population is still less than 5,000 people) and most favored by tourists. This seat of Ravali County is home to the 24,000-square-foot, Georgian-Revival style Daly Mansion (former home of the "Copper King," Marcus Daly), which is open to the public, the Valley of Three Trails, including the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, the Nee-Me-Poo NHT, and the Lewis and Clark NHT - all of which start from the Ravalli County Museum (formerly the old courthouse), and a spritely Main Street filled with welcoming establishments. Not a bad way to fill a weekend!
Jackson, Wyoming
One of the best towns in Wyoming also happens to be one of the friendliest in the Rockies. Jackson is the focal community of the breathtaking Jackson Hole valley. It has three separate ski resorts, a National Elk Refuge, nearby access to the rapids of Snake River, and is a prime base camp from which to explore Grand Teton National Park (a mere five miles north of town) - one of the most visited national parks in the United States. This heartland settlement still respects its logging, ranching, and fur-trading backbone, but has also embraced the blossoming tourism movement. The great outdoors already offers plenty of attractions, but Jackson does its fair share to keep up. Such annual events as the Old West Days/Teton Powwow (May), the Jackson Hole Rodeo (June), and the Grand Teton Music Festival (July/August) always bring in joyful crowds.
Whitefish, Montana
Speaking of popular national park basecamps, the resort town of Whitefish, Montana is not only a great stand-alone destination, but a jumping off point for adventures in Glacier National Park (another of America's favorites parks). This slice of heaven within the Northern Rocky Mountains is gorgeous, accommodating, fun, and friendly. Like Jackson, Wyoming, Whitefish is a top-tier downhill ski spot (named one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World" by National Geographic). This lakeside Flathead County gem is also well-equipped for mountain-inspired shopping sprees (gotta look the part), and has more than its fair share of coffee shops, eateries, arts & crafts dealers, and inviting accommodations. But the crown jewel of the region is the aforementioned Glacier National Park - home to the beloved Going-to-the-Sun Road: one of the most scenic road trips in the Rockies.
Sandpoint, Idaho
It would be hard to find a sour face in Sandpoint, Idaho. Perched on the northwestern wing of Lake Pend Oreille (the largest in the state), with the Selkirk Mountains (a verdant branch of the Rocky Mountains) as a backdrop, Sandpoint's scenery is tough to beat. This Panhandle destination entices nature-seeking Americans from all over, as well as curious Canucks (for the Canadian border sits just 60 miles to the north). Idaho's largest ski resort (Schweitzer Mountain Resort) once again will appeal to winter tourists (this is a common theme in the Rockies), but thanks to its fresh blue waterway and two-week-long Festival at Sandpoint, things are equally as energetic in the summer. Zip around in a motorboat, burn a few calories with a shoreline paddle, or go dip your toes in the sand at the City Beach Park and then gather for dinner at one of the 60+ downtown restaurants.
The Rockies are one of the premier natural attractions in North America. This fact is not lost on the lucky Canadians and Americans that get to live within its shadows. The people in small Rocky Mountain communities are clearly moved by the presence of these craggy, lumbering, and stoic peaks, and also seem excited to share their majesty with out-of-town, out-of-state, and international tourists that flock during the ski and summer seasons. Anywhere in the Rockies will have some of this secret social sauce, but these ten towns, in particular, are some of the friendliest.
