Spirit in the Mountain


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Spirit in the Mountain


An unforgettable and unique way to celebrate the winter holiday season and all the cheer it brings. Spirit in the Mountain combines the raw beauty and spectacular acoustics of the cave to create one of the most memorable concert venues imaginable.

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Watch this video with sound on YouTube

Spirit in the Mountain 2019


Spirit in the Mountain is an opportunity for us to bring visitors and community members together for a celebration of the winter holiday season with music (and a little adventure).

Over the course of four nights, four adventurous groups of performers will take their talents deep into the heart of Grotto Mountain to tell their story of this amazing place we call home. Join us on this unforgettable adventure as we transform the raw beauty of Rat's Nest Cave into one of the most spectacular concert venues imaginable with music and a little Canmore Cave Tours festive cheer.

Share the Spirit

Contact us for more information on how to be a part of this great event.

Meet the Artists


Trundled

Trundled is a western Canadian music duo. Joe Shea and Ellen Braun are talented singer-songwriters who first met playing Calgary open mics in the early 2000’s. In 2016, they reconnected in the Rockies to compose and perform songs that combine personal and persuasive lyrics with guitars, keys, and harmonies. They’ve played live shows in all sorts of places and their self-titled EP can be heard on radio stations across Canada. In 2018, their song “Inchoate” reached Top 100 in CBC’s Searchlight.

In the Pink!

Elk Run & Riot

Elk Run & Riot is an up and coming folk rock four piece that has been carving out their own unique style of experimental music in the Rocky Mountains of Canada since early 2013. The foundation of songs begin with creative lyrics and catchy melodies. From there Elk Run and Riot deliver intricate harmonies, a tight progressive rhythm section and an electric mix of leads that cover multiple genres of music.

Elk Run & Riot have been rocking the cave since 2016 and we are thrilled to have them back for Spirit in the Mountain again this year!

Elk Run & Riot

Seth Anderson

Seth Anderson is a folk musician with east coast roots and a passion for adventure.

Blending elements of folk/rock with alternative country and the spirit of punk rock, he is most recognized for his high energy performances, and catchy, truth laden, heart driven lyrics; Strongly connected to the community and surroundings of his Rocky Mountain home of the last decade, Canmore, Alberta.

In the Pink!

The Silkstones

The Silkstones are an indie-rock group from the Lethbridge and Calgary area, consisting of core members Ryan Phillips and Dylan Jerome Wagner. Their style is influenced by their eclectic tastes in music and are sure to bring a unique flavour to the Spirit in the Mountain event this year!

Elk Run & Riot

Tour Details

Meet your guides at the Canmore Cave Tours Office in Canmore (129 Bow Meadows Crescent – see “Directions” above). Sign the waiver. Follow the guides in convoy for a 10 minute drive to the cave parking lot where you’ll pack up your caving gear then hike for 40 minutes up a mountain trail to the cave entrance.

Along the trail, your guides will explain the geology of the area; and inside the cave, you’ll get to climb, crawl, slither and get muddy. Soon after entering the cave you’ll go through the “Box” then on to the Five Way Chamber, and finally to the Grand Gallery. After the musical performance the return trip follows the same path out.

Once we’ve reached the Grand Gallery, our performers will get you into the holiday spirit with a 45 minute performance, combining amazing musicianship in a beautiful environment to form an unforgettable experience.

Approximate Tour itinerary

5:00 - 5:45:
Meet guide, sign waiver, pack up equipment for tour
5:45 - 6:00:
Follow guide in convoy to cave parking lot
6:00 - 6:45:
Hike up trail
6:45 - 7:15:
Arrive at cave entrance, safety de-brief and gear up
7:15:
Let's go Caving!
7:15 - 8:00:
Travel through cave to the Grand Gallery
8:00 - 9:00:
Your Spirit in the Mountain Performance
9:00 - 10:00:
Exit the cave
10:00 - 10:45:
Pack equipment and hike down the trail
10:45 - 11:00:
Arrive at cave parking lot and depart for office.
Elk Run & Riot play Spirit in the Mountain
Elk Run & Riot Played Spirit in the Mountain 2016 and were a huge hit! They hauled 3 guitars and a mandolin into the cave which was a bit of hard work, but oh so worth it!

It's a little chilly in there!

Just a reminder that while the cave is likely to be warmer than the outside temperature, it is still only 5 degrees celsius so bundle up. We recommend bringing warm layers like fleece jackets or hoodies and long johns, and a winter hat to wear under the helmet. Bring more than seems reasonable - your guide will help you decide what will work and what won't.

2019 Tickets


Reserve Online

It's as easy as 1-2-3! Simply click "Book Now", fill in your personal details and then make payment via credit card. That's it!

The system will automatically send you a confirmation of your tour with the relevant details and it will even send you a reminder two days before your tour so you don't forget!

Cancellation Policy

Privacy

Security

Liability Waivers

Our Cancellation Policy

For bookings of 8 or fewer we require a minimum of 48 hours notice to cancel with a full refund. Due to bank processes it may take a few days to a week to see the refund on your account. At the time of cancellation you will receive a confirmation that your reservation (or a portion of your reservation) has been cancelled.

For groups larger than 8 we require a minimum of 14 days notice for cancellation with a full refund.

In the event of extreme weather, or due to the unforeseen lack of appropriate staff we may cancel a tour for your safety, at which point we will fully refund your reservation and do everyting in our power to help you find a suitable alternative activity.

Your Privacy is Important to Us

During the booking process we will ask you for your Full Name, e-mail address, phone number, and postal/zip code. We use your contact details in case we need to update you on your reservation for some reason, and we find that occasionally some payments will not complete correctly due to a missing postal code.

We will never share any of your information with another organization, nor will you receive communication from us that does not pertain directly to your reservation. We don't like SPAM either. During the reservation process you may choose to opt in to receive our monthly newsletter, which contains stories from the cave, notional and international caving news, offers and upcoming events. You can always unsubscribe at any time.

A Secure Booking Process

When you book your experience online with us you will be able to select the date and time of the experience while on our website and then you will be asked to enter your contact details and agree to our terms and conditions.

With all of this complete, the next step will be to make your payment, at which point you will be taken off of our website to a secure page hosted by our reservation system. You can tell that the website is secure by the green lock located in the address bar. Please do not send payment information via e-mail or any other digital messaging as we cannot gurantee its safety. If you'd prefer, we can take credit card payment over the phone.

Liability Waivers

Liability waivers are an unfortunate but necessary part of any adventure activity. We recommend that you take the time before your tour, or even before your reservation, to thoroughly review this legal document.

Anyone participating in a Canmore Cave Tours activity must complete a liability waiver, including minors. In the case of minors, it is very important that a parent or guardian also reads and signs the waiver.

For youth groups where a parent may not be present on the tour we can arrange for the waivers to be signed ahead of time, or an adult who has been granted guardianship by the parent can sign the minor's waiver (in loco parentis). In all other cases the waiver should be signed at our office in the presence of your guide once you have received your pre-trip briefing.

View and download our Waiver

Talk to Us!

We're always happy to help answer your questions and choose the best experience. We can also recommend other great activities or restaurants to compliment your cave tour.

Contact Us

Spirit in the Mountain 2019 tickets are now available! Choose from one of these four great performances and join us for one of the most unique holiday events of the year!

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Frequently Asked Questions


Can't find the answers you need? Log in to Facebook and use our instant chat function below, or visit our Contact Us page for more ways to get in touch.
Is there a minimum age?

The minimum age for a concert in the cave is 10 years.

Is there a maximum size?

Generally speaking, fitness is more of a concern than size. However, all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46" (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33" (84 cm). If you have any concerns about size please don't hesitate to contact us.

What is included and what should I bring?

We provide all of the necessary caving equipment including coveralls, kneepads, gloves, helmet & headlamp, harness & safety lanyard, and backpack. The backpack will be shared by two people and will not go into the cave. We will also provide you with a Clif Bar energy bar, and a 500mL bottle of water (in a reusable bottle that is yours to keep).

You will need to bring good footwear, warm clothing, a camera (optional) and if you have any dietary restrictions, please bring a snack that you know works for you. Also, if you ill require medication during the tour it is a good idea to bring 2x what you would expect to use, just in case.

Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter)

The cave is 5 degrees celsius, so warm clothing is recommended. Imagine what you would wear if you had to spend a few hours in a refrigerator. We recommend long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, hoodie or jacket. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.

Any cameras going into the cave will need to fit into your pockets. We do not allow backpacks in the cave. Small point-and-shoot cameras or smart phones are welcome but please keep in mind that the cave environment is not particularly friendly towards electronics. High humidity and dust can damage equipment, and screens can break if you accidentally sit on it. Electronics are brought at your own risk.

Is transportation provided?

No, transportation is not provided. If you do not have your own vehicle we can arrange a taxi to the cave for you at an additional cost. You can use Canmore's public transit to get to our office.

How hard is the tour?

The hike to the cave takes approximately 30-40 minutes and is uphill the whole way on a mountain trail. Most of our guests find this to be the hardest part of the day, but we do take lots of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Once in the cave the pace is quite slow as we maneuver through the passages. This is not a flat walking tour. There are no handrails, walkways or fixed lighting. We climb, crawl, slide and wiggle our way around the cave so it is best to have a moderate level of fitness.Even more important though is your sense of adventure!

Are there rats or bats?

Rat's Nest Cave is named after the nests of Bushy-tailed Wood Rats found in the entrance. This species of super-cute rodents is native to the area and they use the cave as a home due to it's constantly warm temperatures and protection from predators. We rarely see the rats, and if we do there is usually just one.

Bat's are rarely seen at Rat's Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). We usually only see the occasional bat in the summer as they are passing through the area.

Is this tour suitable for me if I'm pregnant?

Yes, but only up until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks).

It is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor when participating in activities like caving.