🚆 $2,834 For a Banff Train

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Quick story: Thursdays in the summer mean the Canmore Mountain Market at Elevation Place. We dropped by last week, as usual, but this time grabbed some peaches. Couldn’t tell you which booth, just whichever one had peaches. Our publisher, Ben, wanted everyone to know that they were the best damn peaches of his life. So if you’re heading down tomorrow, grab some and thank us later.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

THREE MILLION RIDERS: BOW VALLEY TRANSIT SURGES PAST PROJECTIONS

What’s Happening? Banff and Canmore’s transit system is smashing records. Roam Transit, which shuttles people between Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise, is on track to hit three million riders in 2025, a milestone it did not expect to reach until 2030. It’s the fourth year in a row ridership has set a new record.

Why It Matters. With more than 4.2 million visitors to Banff National Park last year, the Bow Valley’s limited road network is feeling the strain. In July alone, Banff counted over 867,000 vehicles, pushing past the 24,000-vehicle daily capacity every day in June and July. Roam is helping take the edge off congestion, offering free rides for Canmore riders and locals in Banff.

Scaling Up. Roam’s fleet has grown from 7 buses and 15 staff in 2015 to 41 buses and 130 summer employees today. Service hours are set to expand by 18,000 annually, and a new winter route in Banff could launch by 2026. CEO Martin Bean says the focus is on making transit more frequent, convenient, and accessible to keep pace with demand.

Bigger Tourism Picture. This growth in transit mirrors a broader tourism boom. Alberta set a record $14 billion in visitor spending last year, with the province betting big on wellness tourism. Canmore alone is getting two new spas by late 2025 and a luxury spa hotel by 2027. More visitors mean more pressure on roads, but also more reasons to expand sustainable options.

On the Horizon. Beyond buses, Banff is also turning to new ideas like car-sharing, with a pilot program launching in 2026 to give residents occasional access to vehicles without the full-time cost or parking crunch.

THE CANMORE STARTER PACK (LOCAL EDITION)

Forget the “mountains & mimosas” version.

Here’s the real Canmore starter pack:

• Your favourite mug is from Eclipse Coffee (it’s chipped, and you won’t replace it).
  

• A Banff Park pass that lives permanently in your glovebox.
  

• Half your closet is layers. None of them match, all of them Merino.
  

• And a floorplan at Altitude by Logel Homes

This new condo and townhome development in Three Sisters Mountain Village is made for people who actually live here. Starting from $399,900, Altitude offers 239 new homes with quartz countertops, 9-foot ceilings, soundproofing, and smart storage for all your mountain gear.

Step outside and you’ve got access to protected reserves, endless trails, and the future Gateway retail hub. Everything you need to build a real life in the Bow Valley, not just visit it.

Phase 1 is almost sold out. 

Click here to talk to our girl Lauren at Altitude for more info.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚆 New Train Journey Just For Banff And Jasper. In summer 2026, Rocky Mountaineer is launching “Passage to the Peaks,” a special two-day train trip between Banff and Jasper with an overnight in Kamloops. Riders will pass landmarks like Mount Robson, Castle Mountain, and the Spiral Tunnels. Packages start at $2,834 and run for just four weeks. At least the smoked salmon and avocado toast are included in that price.

• 🙌 RCMP Hand Out Rewards For Good Deeds. Canmore RCMP’s “positive ticketing” program is back for summer. Officers will be spotting kids and adults doing the right thing like wearing helmets, leashing dogs, or helping others and handing out coupons from local spots like McDonald’s, DQ, and Beamers. Wonder if telling visitors that bears don’t want selfies counts as a good deed, asking for a friend.

• 🕳️ Famous Safeway Pothole Finally Patched. After years of complaints, Canmore’s most notorious pothole at Safeway’s entrance and Canmore Crossing got filled this week. The kicker? It was not the Town. Volunteer Glen Kemp and his crew patched it themselves after getting tired of waiting. Locals are grateful, but many say businesses should be footing the bill.

• ✅ Trails Reopen After Hwy 40 Mudslide. Two weeks after a mudslide buried part of Highway 40 near Mount Lipsett, nearby hiking trails are back open. Mount Lipsett and Mist Mountain, including those sought-after natural hot springs, are once again accessible. Highway traffic is still single lane at times, but at least your mountain soak is back on the menu.

• 🕰️ Banff Marks 30 Years Since Internment Monument. Dozens gathered at Castle Mountain to honor Ukrainians and others unjustly interned during WWI. The 30th anniversary ceremony included prayers, songs, and stories reminding Canadians of the 8,500 people once imprisoned in camps, including Banff, despite no evidence of disloyalty. Organizers stressed remembering history to prevent it from repeating.

Marketing That Slaps (In a Good Way)

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They’re local, loud, and lovingly crafted to convert.

We don’t do boring banners or beige print.

We write clever mini-stories that make 15,000+ locals engage.

➡️ Fill out the form and feel the slap.

SEARCH CONTINUES AFTER FATAL CANOE CAPSIZE ON BARRIER LAKE

What’s Happening? A canoe outing on Barrier Lake in Kananaskis ended in tragedy on August 16th, leaving one man dead, a woman in hospital, and a third person still missing.

The Incident. Around 6:30 p.m., three Calgary residents (a 60-year-old man, a 56-year-old woman, and a 30-year-old man) were paddling when strong winds whipped up large waves, capsizing their canoe. The father was recovered from the water and pronounced deceased at the scene. His wife was rescued and taken to a Calgary hospital for hypothermia treatment. Their son remains missing.

Search Efforts. Cochrane RCMP, conservation officers, and the RCMP’s underwater recovery team have been combing the lake since Saturday. Boats and sonar are being used to scan both the shoreline and deeper sections of the lake. Police have asked the public to avoid the area so crews can work safely.

Cold Water Risk. Officials note that Kananaskis lakes can be especially dangerous. Barrier Lake’s cold temperatures can trigger rapid muscle weakness, uncontrollable breathing, and loss of coordination, which makes self-rescue nearly impossible even for strong swimmers. It’s unclear at this time whether life jackets were worn.

Not the First Tragedy. This isn’t the first fatality at Barrier Lake. Just last summer, in July 2024, an adult was found deceased at the lake in what RCMP described as a suspected drowning. An autopsy was ordered, though details were never publicly released. The back-to-back incidents underscore the risks that can come with the lake’s cold waters and unpredictable weather.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Comic Making Workshop. Kids and teens (10+) can join Calgary cartoonist Sho Uehara for a hands-on comic-making workshop. 1:30–2:30 PM. Banff Library. Free with registration.

• Evergreen’s Pizza Night. Enjoy a Margherita, Pepperoni, BBQ Chicken, or Veggie for only $17. Pair it with a cold local brew and you’ve got one of the best weeknight deals in town. 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. We’re already planning to stop by. See you there. Evergreen Lounge, Banff.*

• Wednesday MTB Ride. Join an intermediate-to-advanced group ride on a Canmore trail, then cap it off with a pint at Canmore Brewing. 6:00–8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company, 1460 Railway Ave, Canmore. Free to join; beer extra.*

Thursday

• Media Meet Up. A casual evening for photographers, models, and media creatives to swap ideas, find collaborators, and chat over coffee. Whether you’re looking for your next project or just want to meet fellow creatives, this is your spot. 6:00–7:20 PM. 220 Bear St, Banff. Free with RSVP.

• Morning Yoga in the Park. Every Thursday, Lululemon Banff and Flow State lead a free, all-levels yoga session. Beginners and seasoned yogis welcome. 7:00–8:00 AM. Central Park Gazebo, Banff. Free.

• Movie Under The Stars. Gather your family and friends, pack some snacks, get your blankets out, and head down for Ferris Bueller's Day Off under the stars. 7:00 PM. Sundance Park, Banff. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Green Gables, But Make It a Party. Closing Aug 31, OH, ANNE! is your last chance to see this crowd-pleasing musical comedy. Expect live fiddles, fast laughs, and a fiery redhead bringing Avonlea to life. At the Carter-Ryan Theatre in Canmore. Use BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off. Get tickets here.*

• 🎉 Sept Long Weekend At Kananaskis Lodge. If you need one more reason to stretch summer out, this is it. Spend the long weekend feasting on build-your-own charcuterie boards ($25 small, $30 large) stacked with local cheeses, meats, and all the fixings. Sip wine on the Blacktail Patio with live music Saturday, then roll into Sunday brunch with a DIY caesar and mimosa bar (10 AM–1 PM). Check out all the food, drink, and activities.*

• 🍻 Canmore 5 Peaks Run: Help Needed. Mark September 6 on your calendar. The Canmore 5 Peaks run is one of the most fun days at the Nordic Centre, with steep climbs, flowy singletrack, and a big party vibe at the finish. We highly recommend volunteering if possible. The crew is awesome, you get race swag and even a future race entry. Come help make the day a success. Check all spots and roles here.*

• 🚧 Yamnuska Day Use Area, Trails, and Climbing Area Closure. Access to Yamnuska will be temporarily closed starting today due to quarry blasting (blowing up rocks with explosives). Closure lasts 1–2 days. All trails and climbing areas will be off-limits until reopening. 

• 🏞️ Spot a Kettle Lake Close to Home. So what is a “kettle lake”? It’s a depression formed when a giant block of ice melted, leaving behind a water-filled hollow. Geologist Dr. Dale Leckie says you can spot one at Middle Lake in Bow Valley Provincial Park, a 2.6 km loop with 77 meters of elevation gain.

• 💡 New to Banff or Canmore? This 16-week program connects newcomers in rural Alberta with local mentors to build career skills and learn Canadian workplace culture. Mentees commit about 16–18 hours online and 12–16 in person, covering topics like communication, digital literacy, teamwork, and career strategies. Mentors share guidance and experience, creating meaningful community connections.

CIVIC NEWS

• August Housing Operations Update In Canmore. All 45 Wolf Willow homes are now in the Vital Homes Ownership program. Inventory grows to 174 homes, with 18 more coming at Ptarmigan Pointe. July saw 26 new ownership and 76 rental applications. Demand stays high as signings and waitlists continue to grow.

• Open House: Caribou Street Reconstruction. Drop in to learn more about the upcoming Caribou Street Reconstruction project, starting September 2. The work will replace nearly 100-year-old water, sewer, and storm systems to ensure safe, reliable services for the future.The event will take place Monday, August 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM directly on Caribou Street in front of the Masonic Lodge.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Mari Rosehill.  Location: NWMP Barracks, 609 8th Street.  No Cover. 

• Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Bunny Hops. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover. 

• Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Open Mic with Garry from The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, August 21st, 2025, 9:30 PM: Electric Lemonade. Location: The Drake, Canmore. $15.

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Luke Philp Heads to Sweden. Fresh off his honeymoon, Luke Philp signed a one-year deal with Färjestad BK in Sweden’s top hockey league. After six AHL seasons and a short NHL stint, the 29-year-old centre is chasing a fresh start in Karlstad—best of luck, Luke, in your upcoming season abroad. 

• Japanese Climbers Honour Mount Alberta Centennial. A century after Yuko Maki’s historic first ascent, a team of Japanese alpinists summited Mount Alberta on July 24 to mark the milestone. Led by Canmore-based Takeshi Tani, the climb took 32 hours in snowy, difficult conditions and included a Parks Canada rescue for an injured teammate.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.