Alberta’s Iconic Mountain Peaks

Explore the renowned Three Sisters mountains in Canmore, Alberta, through captivating fine art photography, accompanied by detailed location insights, local history, and tips for photography enthusiasts.

Where Are the Three Sisters? Location & History

The breathtaking trio of mountain peaks stands prominently in the foreground of the Canadian Rockies, known as Kananaskis Country. Positioned directly to the south of the charming mountain town of Canmore, these majestic summits command attention from virtually every vantage point within the Bow Valley area. Revered with pride by the locals, the mountains hold a striking and unmistakable presence in the surrounding landscape.

The Three Sisters are also known by other names due to their increasing elevation from northeast to southwest. The shortest north peak, or "Little Sister," stands at 2,694 metres. The middle peak, or "Middle Sister," is 2,769 metres tall, while the southernmost and tallest peak, "Big Sister," towers at 2,936 metres. In the same order, they are also known as Charity, Hope, and Faith.

During the exploration of the Bow River valley by geologists and land surveyors in the mid to late 1800s, Albert Rogers, the nephew of Major A.B. Rogers, the discoverer of Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Mountains, was the first to bestow a name upon the distinctive mountain.

According to the tale, he awoke one morning following a substantial snowstorm, peering out of his tent to witness each of the three peaks adorned with a snowy mantle on their northern slopes. Addressing his companions, he exclaimed, "Look at the three nuns." Though the name gained momentary traction, Canadian scientist George Dawson, in his 1886 cartographic rendition of the region, officially named the peaks as the "Three Sisters."

Whatever you wish to call them, the peaks are adored by photographers, painters, and artists alike who come from around the world to capture their distinctive charm. Across every season and from countless viewpoints, the captivating beauty of this mountain consistently delivers an experience that never fails to impress.

Best Viewpoints of the Three Sisters in Canmore

If you’re visiting Canmore and want to experience the best views of the Three Sisters, here are a couple of local favourites:

• Policeman’s Creek Viewpoint – Just a short walk down the dry bed of Cougar Creek from the off-leash dog park on Bow Valley Trail, this easy-access spot offers one of the most famous reflection views of the peaks. Early morning is best for calm water and glowing alpenglow.
• Bow River Pathways – The network of trails along the Bow River within the town provides multiple vantage points of the mountains, often framed by wildflowers in summer.

📸 Photography Tip: Sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic light, but even cloudy or stormy weather can create moody, unforgettable scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Three Sisters

What are the Three Sisters in Canmore?
The Three Sisters are a trio of iconic mountain peaks—Faith (Big Sister), Hope (Middle Sister), and Charity (Little Sister)—towering over the town of Canmore in Alberta’s Bow Valley.

Why are they called Faith, Hope, and Charity?
The names originated in the late 1800s. Surveyors initially referred to them as "The Three Nuns," but geologist George Dawson officially named them the "Three Sisters." Their modern nicknames—Faith, Hope, and Charity—reflect their symbolic grouping.

Where is the best place to photograph the Three Sisters?
Policeman’s Creek is the most famous viewpoint, thanks to its mirror-like reflections. Bow River trails are also excellent.

Can you hike the Three Sisters?
The peaks themselves are technical climbs suitable for experienced mountaineers, not casual hikers. However, plenty of nearby trails around Canmore provide safe and stunning views of the mountains.

Fine Art Photography of the Three Sisters

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of frequenting Canmore to photograph the incredible mountains, lakes, valleys, and wildlife that envelop the region.

The Three Sisters peaks tower over the town like protective siblings, admired by all and begging to be photographed. A visit is not complete without a walk through the town and surrounding forest trails to discover new vantage points in hopes of an extraordinary photograph.

'The Rising'

After heavy rain events, it is common to see thick fog and clouds enveloping the mountains, and with some patience and a lot of luck, the rising sun can break through for a dramatic portrait of the peaks.

On this particular morning, the thick clouds obscured Faith, the tallest peak, so I adjusted my composition to capture Charity and Hope in a multi-shot panoramic composition with my telephoto lens, resulting in a high resolution image that can be printed as wide as ten feet.

Void of discernable colour, the image was an excellent candidate for a black and white conversion, which perfectly compliments the breathtaking cloud formations. Above, a custom framed 'Charity Edition' print of 'The Rising' is a beautiful focal point in this master bedroom.

'Sisterglow'

Although it has become a popular vantage point, Policeman's Creek is a short five minute walk down a dry creek bed to the water and is always worth a visit. The creek is a calm, meandering offshoot of the Bow River and routinely makes for perfect crystal clear reflections of the mountain.

Night turned to day on this early morning, as the sun kissed the peaks with some colourful alpenglow while the moon passed by in the distance. Nothing compares to witnessing magical scenes like this.

'Three Sisters Sunrise'

A black-and-white panoramic view of the Three Sisters at daybreak unveils the raw, untamed essence of the Canadian Rockies in a way that colour never could. Stripped of hues, the dance between light and shadow takes the spotlight, accentuating the craggy peaks while the ever-changing clouds weave an ethereal depth into the scene.

As the first rays of dawn illuminate the rugged terrain, the contrast intensifies—deep, inky blacks in the valleys, luminous whites on the snow-capped summits, and an endless spectrum of grays in between.

The monochrome palette lends a sense of timelessness, evoking a classic, almost Ansel Adams-like quality that highlights form, texture, and the mountain's imposing presence in the wild landscape.

'Winter Wonderland'

With the changing of the seasons, winter offers new compositional opportunities when the creek freezes, allowing further exploration of the area. An overnight snowfall hangs in the branches of the larch and spruce trees, while the tracks of critters big and small are still visible beneath the fresh snow. The intricate patterns of hoar frost form on the pebbly surface of the ice in the foreground.

Patience is a virtue in landscape photography, as I sat in a snowbank for an hour waiting for a sunrise that almost did not happen. The clouds were thick in the east, blocking the sun as it began to break the horizon. Almost ready to pack my gear, the clouds suddenly broke and lit up the sky in one one of the most beautiful sunrises I had ever seen.

The orange, pink, and purple colours reflected between sky and snow for only a few short minutes before it all disappeared as quickly as it began. Truly, a picture says a thousand words.

'First Light'

When special conditions present themselves on a classic scene, working quickly is important to capture different compositions that are worthy of being printed as fine art. This timeless black and white image of the Three Sisters was created on the same morning as its colourful twin, 'Sisterglow'.

A classically inspired image of the famous Three Sisters at sunrise, the first light on the snow-capped peaks in spring marks the dawn of a new season, highlighted by the glow of the passing moon.

My Original Composition of the Three Sisters

Sometimes the search for a unique composition of an iconic location can be difficult, so it is necessary to think outside of the box.

I love waterfalls, and tried to conceptualize how amazing it would be to have a waterfall in the foreground with the peaks towering overhead at sunrise with some soft, colourful light. The problem was, to my knowledge, there were no waterfalls in the area. Or were there?

After many hours of trudging through the muddy terrain at the base of the mountain, I found a long, rocky creek bed with a light trickle of water. As I followed the creek, I discovered a very small section where natural erosion had created some 'steps' in the rocks, almost like a miniature multi-tiered waterfall.

For the next four mornings in a row, I rose early before sunrise and slogged my way over the hills to the point on the creek, muddy from the early spring rains and snowmelt, waiting for optimal skies.

Finally, on day four the conditions looked promising. Soft clouds were passing by the peaks in a light breeze which I knew could lead to some nice colour once the sun approached the horizon.

With sunrise approaching, I captured the lower third of the vertical scene with my camera in a horizontal position, using multiple focus points to capture sharp detail and different shutter speeds to render the desired effect on the moving water. Then, tilting my camera up slightly to the middle third of the scene, I repeated the process.

And at last, a third tilt of the camera upward focused on the peaks as the rising sun created some beautiful alpenglow, while the clouds radiated gorgeous pastel shades of orange. It is hard to express the exhilaration I feel when an image that starts as a concept finally comes to fruition. My perseverance had paid off.

The final image, 'Three Sisters' is a 'vertorama', consisting of three horizontal images combined together to form a vertical image in ultra high resolution. This camera capture technique results in a photograph that can be printed at unimaginable sizes while still holding razor sharp detail when viewed only inches away.

*UPDATE* As of August, 2024, there are at least two photographers local to the Canmore area who have seen my image online, copied my original composition and sell their versions locally in galleries. Nevertheless, I am proud of the hard work and time I invested in finding and meticulously photographing this unique perspective of such an iconic and beloved mountain. There is only one original.

Limited Edition Prints

I hope that you enjoyed the brief history of the famous Three Sisters Canmore, along with the stories behind my collection of images. I extend an invitation to reach out to me at any time if you are intrigued by a Limited Edition fine art photography print of these famous peaks as a showpiece for your home.

The addition of a museum quality print adds a focal point to any room, giving your home a gallery feel. Your image choice reflects the atmosphere you wish to communicate, while making your home calming to live in and inviting to your guests.

Anyone can become a nature photography print collector, and the magic starts with your first piece.

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