About Big Bear Trading Co
Locally owned and operated in the Canadian Rockies, Big Bear Trading Co was created to be more than just a store - it was designed to be a mountain lifestyle experience inspired by the wild beauty that surrounds us.
From the big bears that roam the Rockies to the trails, peaks, rivers, forests and mountains towns we call home, every detail of Big Bear is rooted in a love for the outdoors and the spirit of adventure.
Our stores bring together mountain-insprired apparel, cozy layers, graphic tees, hats, gifts, drinkware and everyday favourites made for locals, visitors, road trippers, hikers, families, and anyone who wants to take a little piece of the mountains home with them.
We’re proud to call ourselves a premier
shopping experience, and we'd love for you to come and see why.
MEET THE FAMILY BEHIND BIG BEAR TRADING COMpany
Chelsea and Jon moved to Canmore in 2014 and quickly fell in love with the community, the mountain culture and everyday beauty of life in the Rockies.
Inspired by the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies and the wildlife that makes the landscape so iconic, we opened our first Big Bear Trading Co. location in Banff in June 2021. After an incredibly strong response, we expanded to Canmore in October 2022, and Whistler in December 2025, bringing the Big Bear experience to another mountain town we love.
Today, Big Bear continues to grow with the same sense of purpose it started with: to create a memorable retail experience that celebrates mountain life, Canadian adventure, and the stories people take home from their time in the mountains.
A family retail legacy
Big Bear Trading Company is locally owned and operated, but it is also part of a much bigger family story.
The Cudmore family has been in retail for 112 years! Originally from Prince Edward Island, the family business began with Thomas Roy Cudmore, Chelsea's great grandfather, as a Haberdashery and followed with her grandfather, Brian. The business continued with Chelsea’s parents, Chris and Beryl Cudmore, who pivoted to resort retail in 2001.
Today, Chelsea, and her brother Devon lead the family business bringing the fourth generation of retail experience into a new era of destination stores, Canadian brands and locally inspired shopping experiences.
Curated Collection of Mountain INspired Apparel & Gifts
Every product in our stores is chosen with intention. Our collection is inspired by the mountain lifestyle of the Canadian Rockies - from trail days and campfire mornings to road trips, ski weekends, rodeo nights, and cozy evenings by the fire.
You'll find Big Bear branded apparel, graphic tees, hoodies, crewnecks, hats, drinkware, gifts, accessories and locally inspired finds that help our guests remember where they've been and the moments they never want to forget.
Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone back home, we believe there is something at Big Bear for everyone.
Take a seat
Relax in front of the fireplace. Whether you are exhausted after a great hike, or just waiting for your shopping partner to choose their favourite new hoody, our fireplace seating area is designed to make you feel right at home.
the outdoors, in
Like many of our design features, our stores are created to reflect the natural surroundings of our beautiful mountain landscape.
From our river stone fireplace and antler chandelier to the bear greeting you at the entrance, each detail is thoughtfully chosen to bring the feeling of the Rockies indoors.
designed to stand out
Our Big Bear Trading Co designs featured alongside our complete range of mountain inspired apparel and gifts.
Curated to stand out from the crowd, whilst reflecting the beautiful surroundings that we call home, our stores are built around adventure, storytelling, and the joy of finding something special.
Where to find us
Banff, Canmore & Whistler
You can find Big Bear Trading Company in some of Canada's most iconic mountain destinations.
Testimonials
Nancy DaDalt
Wow. Popped into this new shop in Banff and was blown away. Treasures everywhere and practical fun items I haven't been able to buy locally. Beautiful beeswax wrap. Fabulous washcloths and great household style gifts I always like to have on hand. Make this a stop while you shop Banff. Local love, owned and operated by a young local family who have done a great job in serving the needs and must have for residents and visitors.
Trucchi
This is an incredibly cute store! After shopping around in downtown Banff you quickly realize a lot of the stores sell the exact same items so shopping gets boring really fast. However, this store sells very cute products. They have awesome designs on their shirts and sweaters and they’re very soft and comfy to wear. They come in preshrunk cotton so you don’t have to worry about buying a size up either. This store is also dog friendly so feel free to bring your pups in. While browsing I encourage you to check out their fitting room. The hanging chair is so fun. They also have great mugs and dish towels, along with notebooks and other accessories.
One impressive thing to note is how the employees stock the store. Everything is meticulously folded and organized from xsmall to xlarge. You will definitely leave with something when you come here.
Retail Council of Canada Excellence Awards Finalist
We're proud to have been recognized as a Retail Council Excellence Awards finalist for In-Store Experience & Design.
This recognition celebrates what we work hard to create every day: a memorable, welcoming, and beautifully designed shopping experience inspired by the Canadian Rockies.
