🤖 A Bow Valley Tech Experiment

Good morning, Bow Valley!

So here’s something a bit unconventional. A runner is attempting to set a new FKT, or fastest known time, by running the entire Icefields Parkway. He starts tomorrow around 2 PM and will run straight through the night, hoping to finish the 230-kilometre route in under 31 hours and 8 minutes. We’ll be interviewing him at the finish line regardless of how it goes. So stay tuned, and if you’re driving the Parkway over the next couple of days and spot him, give him a cheer. Not familiar with the story? Read our prior coverage for the full details.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers

COULD AUGMENTED REALITY CHANGE HOW CLIMBERS NAVIGATE BOW VALLEY ROCK

What's Happening? A University of Calgary master's student has developed technology that can overlay a 3D climbing route directly onto the rock in front of you. The prototype currently maps two routes on Mount Yamnuska and could eventually help climbers find routes, navigate them and access up-to-date information without pulling out a phone.

Think Google Maps, But For A Cliff. Longtime Bow Valley climber and computer science student Ben Pearman developed RockXR for Apple's Vision Pro headset, using drone imagery to create 3D models of cliffs that climbers can study beforehand or view while climbing.

The technology can project a route directly onto the rock and answer questions like how far away the next bolt is. Pearman even imagines climbers eventually following a virtual "ghost" of someone who completed the route before them, similar to racing a previous lap in Mario Kart.

Why Build It? Finding your way on a climbing route can be surprisingly difficult, particularly on long climbs where the correct path isn't always obvious. Climbers often rely on guidebook descriptions, photos or apps, which can mean stopping to check a phone while on the wall.

Pearman sees hands-free 3D information as another tool, not a replacement for climbing skills or experience.

There's A Bigger Problem: The Information. Climb Alberta executive director Rhys Beaudry told Bow Valley Insider that climbing already has plenty of guidebooks, websites and apps. The challenge is keeping route information accurate and updated in one place.

"There's just like a chronic data problem in climbing," Beaudry said.

That matters when bolts are removed, routes change or climbs are still being developed.A recent Moose Mountain accident involving an unfinished route highlighted what can happen when climbers and route developers rely on different sources of information.

And Don't Expect AR Glasses Tomorrow. RockXR is still a master's thesis project and isn't publicly available. Apple's Vision Pro starts at $5,299, while drone restrictions complicate mapping routes in national parks.

But Pearman is thinking 15 years ahead, when augmented-reality glasses could be smaller and cheaper. He's making RockXR open source so other climbers could eventually map routes and update information themselves.

His goal: make climbing information more accessible and help people make better-informed decisions.

Read our full story

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO CALGARY TO BUY WINDOWS

Replacing your windows is already a big enough project. Spending half a day driving to Calgary to visit a showroom probably doesn't need to be part of it.

Windows Canmore has been installing windows across the Bow Valley for over a decade, with a local crew that comes directly to your home.

They'll measure your existing windows, talk through your options and provide a free quote, without the showroom trip, mountain travel fees or handing the installation off to a Calgary subcontractor.

There's another advantage to hiring locally: they know what Bow Valley windows are up against.

Think intense UV, freeze-thaw cycles, Chinook temperature swings and plenty of winter weather. Their Energy Star-certified windows come standard with triple-pane glazing designed for our climate.

And if your windows don't actually need replacing? They'll repair foggy glass, failed seals and broken hardware where possible before recommending new ones.

Planning a window project? Get a free consultation from Windows Canmore.

_{*Presented by Canmore Windows.}

THE DIGEST

• 🤍 Woman Dies After Fall on Mount Yamnuska. A woman died after being seen falling from Mount Yamnuska on Aug. 19. RCMP told Bow Valley Insider they were called shortly after 5 PM, and the woman was recovered later that day. Police say the death is non-criminal and not suspicious, but few other details have been released, including where on the mountain she fell. Yamnuska has two main hiking routes, the East Ridge and West Col, with the East Ridge leading into more serious scrambling terrain. It’s the fourth fatal hiking or scrambling incident in Banff and Kananaskis this summer. 

• 🚒 Firehouse Subs Is Officially Open in Canmore. We stopped by the ribbon-cutting yesterday and chatted with new owner Parv Shah, a longtime Bow Valley hospitality veteran who’s returning to the region after working in Banff and Jasper. Part of what drew Shah to Firehouse Subs was its support for first responders, something that hit home after watching firefighters battle wildfires in Jasper. The new restaurant is at 320 Cascade Drive in Three Sisters. Read our interview with the owner and what makes Firehouse special. 

• 🏃 Jasper Runners Complete A Monster Version Of The Canmore Quad. Two Jasper ultrarunners have created their own version of the Canmore Quad, only this one is more than twice as long. Alex Lader and Ellen Whitman connected four prominent Jasper peaks by foot, covering 115 kilometres and 6,250 metres of elevation in 28 hours and 25 minutes. The adventure included severe dehydration, blistered feet, baby food, an ultra-power nap and hundreds of toads on the trail overnight. They’re now hoping the “Jasper Quad” catches on with other runners. We took a quick poll around the office. Hard pass from all of us. 

• 🥾 Not Everyone Comes to Banff To Hike. We’ve been sharing some awesome trail recommendations this summer from our resident hiking writer, but we also know plenty of locals and weekend visitors don’t always want to spend their day grinding uphill. So we spent a full weekend trying some of Banff’s best non-hiking activities and put together our favourites. Our No. 1 pick? It’s surprisingly underrated and gives you a pretty spectacular mountain experience with almost none of the work. Bonus: we included how much walking each activity actually requires, what it costs, and how to get there without a car. Here’s our full list.

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

August? Gone.
September? Only 1 spot remaining
October? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

60% OF CANMORE EMPLOYERS SURVEYED SAY THEIR WORKFORCE HAS SKILLS GAPS

What's Happening? A new Town-commissioned study found 60% of Canmore employers surveyed reported skills gaps among their workers, rising to 93% in construction and 83% in accommodation and food services. But the study identified another problem: nobody in the Bow Valley currently has both the responsibility and funded staff to coordinate the training employers say they need.

What Kind Of Training Is Missing? Consultants surveyed 120 employers and 118 residents and examined 104 different skills. Potential opportunities for local training include handling complaints and difficult interactions, supervisory skills and workplace English, while other needs include construction safety certifications, budgeting, leadership, marketing and AI tools.

Not everything needs a new local course. In many cases, suitable training already exists online or in Calgary, but employers don't necessarily know where to find it or whether it's worthwhile.

There's A Catch: Time And Money. Most employers willing to pay for training said they could spend no more than $250 per employee and generally wanted courses lasting two days or less.

Workers face similar constraints. Only 7% of interested residents said they'd participate if they had to cover the entire cost themselves. The study also found Canmore's high cost of living can make training difficult for people already working multiple jobs.

So, Who Organizes It? That's arguably the study's biggest finding. Consultant Jane Worton told council there isn't currently a Bow Valley organization with both the mandate and funded staff capacity to coordinate training.

The report identified the Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre as the organization whose existing role most closely fits the job. A coordinator could connect employers with courses and funding, bring instructors into the valley and maintain a central training calendar.

What Happens Next? Nobody approved a new coordinator or training program last week. Instead, Canmore's economic development team will develop options for how the Town could support training and partnerships, with those choices expected to come before council during the upcoming budget process.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Canoe for a Cause. The Banff Canoe Club’s Canoe for a Cause returns Wednesday, with rental proceeds supporting the Banff Canmore Foundation and local community initiatives. There’s also a BBQ, silent auction, live music and the Big Canoe Races from 1-3:15 p.m. Barry the Beaver may even make an appearance. 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Corner of Wolf Street and Bow Avenue, Banff. Free. 

• Canmore Brewing Group Ride. Canmore Brewing’s Wednesday ride rolls out at 6 PM, led by Cycling 101 founder Ryan Draper, a longtime endurance racer, certified coach, mountain bike instructor and guide. Intermediate and advanced riders will hit a local trail, pick up some pointers and return to the brewery for an 8 PM pint. Bikes, buddies, beer. Solid Wednesday. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free to Ride.*

Thursday

• Yoga in the Park. Take your mat outside while you still can. Local instructors lead an all-levels class, with the mountains doing a fairly convincing job as studio décor. The weekly summer series is presented with Flowstate and Lululemon. 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM. Central Park, Banff. Drop-in fees apply. 

• New Originals at the Rose & Crown. New Originals hit the Rose & Crown Thursday night, bringing together musicians from Calgary and the UK for a high-energy mix of crowd-pleasing live music. Expect plenty of familiar hits and a busy dance floor. 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM. Rose & Crown, Banff. No cover.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎤 Award-Winning Folk Artist Coming to Canmore. Daniel James McFadyen is playing The Drake on Sept. 17, bringing his folk and roots sound to Canmore. The Canadian singer-songwriter won three Music Nova Scotia Awards in 2024 and has since sold out venues across the country. His latest album, Back To The Country, was recorded live in a cabin on Shuswap Lake and leans heavily into Americana and Canadiana. Get tickets here (only a few left).*

• 👨🏻‍💼 Banff Canmore Foundation Seeks New Executive Director. Banff Canmore Foundation (BCF), a leading community foundation connecting philanthropy with Bow Valley priorities, seeks its next Executive Director (ED). Reporting to the Board, they will provide strategic and operational leadership, advancing BCF’s mission, financial stewardship, philanthropic growth, and lasting community impact. As chief ambassador, you will build trusted relationships with donors, nonprofits, governments, Indigenous communities, businesses, and civic leaders. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic executive, combining financial acumen, creative thinking and commitment to community. Learn More.*

• 🌭 Valbella Has a $9 Daily Patio Special. Here’s one worth knowing about: Valbella is serving a European-style hot dog and your choice of beer for $9 every day from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM. Add a mountain view and the ability to grab a few groceries while you’re there, and you’ve got a pretty efficient afternoon stop. Dinner, drink and errands for under $10. Not bad. Check out the size of their hot dogs on Instagram.*

• 🚧 Fish Creek Closed For Native Trout Restoration. Parks Canada has closed Fish Creek and its tributaries from the Lake Louise Ski Area to the Bow River through Sept. 1 for fish restoration work (see closure area). Crews are using rotenone to remove non-native fish, an important step toward recovering threatened westslope cutthroat and bull trout populations. The closure also includes McNair Pond, Kingfisher Pond and Corral Day-Use Area. And if you notice pink water downstream, don’t panic: that’s an expected part of the treatment process when crews apply a neutralizing agent. 

• 💼 Winter Hiring Season Is Almost Here. The Bow Valley Winter Job Fairs return next month, with Banff hosting Sept. 15 and Canmore Sept. 22, both from 1-3:30 PM. Employers and job openings will be announced soon, but now’s a good time to get that resume ready. The Job Resource Centre is also offering resume feedback, printing and one-on-one career coaching ahead of the fairs. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Plans Immigrant Engagement Event. Canmore council has unanimously supported creating an annual event where immigrant residents can connect directly with the mayor and councillors. The first could happen as early as October. The Bow Valley Immigration Partnership says some newcomers want greater involvement in local issues but face barriers to traditional civic participation. The group says 32.8% of Bow Valley residents were born outside Canada, while local agencies supported nearly 1,800 newcomers from more than 65 countries over the past year.  

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 26th, 10:00 PM: DJ Raven. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, August 27th, 6:30 PM: Andy Curtis & the Bow River Drifters. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, August 27th, 10:00 PM: New Originals. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $5.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Make Changes Ahead of Title Defence. The Canmore Eagles are reshuffling their organization as they prepare to defend their AJHL championship. Kris Klein has been hired to oversee business and media operations, including sponsorships, social media and game broadcasts. On the hockey side, Ayrton Chapman has been promoted to assistant coach, while former NHL defenceman Jay Bouwmeester will take on a larger role focused on player development and coaching consultation. The changes will also allow GM Andrew Milne to spend more time on hockey and coaching operations. 

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.