🤍 A Canmore Guide Remembered

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Just a reminder that today is your last chance to support our local high-performance biathlon athletes through the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre's silent auction. There are some pretty incredible items up for grabs, including stays at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Lodge at Bow Lake, round-trip flights for two to Whitehorse, a helicopter tour, and plenty of ski gear. All proceeds help cover training and competition expenses, which can exceed $30,000 per athlete for an international season. The auction closes tonight at 8 PM, so get your bids in and help our local athletes compete on the world stage!

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

GAS PRICES IN BANFF AND CANMORE UP TO 66 CENTS HIGHER THAN AT SOME CALGARY STATIONS.

What’s Happening? If your weekend plans involve a drive between Calgary and the Bow Valley, where you fill up could make a surprising difference to your budget. As of Thursday morning, regular gasoline in Banff and Canmore was up to 66 cents per litre more expensive than at some Calgary stations. That's an extra $33 on a single 50-litre fill-up, enough to cover lunch on your weekend adventure.

Let's Do The Math. Eight gas stations in Banff and Canmore were reporting regular gasoline at 169.9 cents per litre Thursday morning, according to GasBuddy. Meanwhile, several Calgary stations were reporting prices below 120 cents per litre.

Here's what 50 litres of regular gasoline would have cost you:

• Banff and Canmore: $84.95

• Calgary Costco: $51.95

• Calgary Domo: $57.45

• Several Calgary Esso stations: $58.95

Even without a Costco membership, you could save more than $25 by filling up at select Calgary stations.

Meanwhile, Gas Prices Are Falling. According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the national average dropped to 153 cents per litre Thursday, its lowest point in a month and down 23.5 cents from a month earlier. Banff and Canmore were sitting nearly 17 cents above that average.

So, Why Are We Paying More? Natural Resources Canada says local competition, fuel sales volumes, operating costs and transportation expenses can all contribute to price differences between neighbouring communities.

One thing that doesn't explain the gap? Alberta's provincial fuel tax. The province suspended its 13-cent-per-litre tax on gasoline and diesel Oct. 1, with relief applying provincewide until at least Dec. 31.

The specific reasons behind the current price difference remain unconfirmed.

Before You Hit The Road. If Calgary is already part of your weekend plans, it might be worth saving your fill-up for the city. These prices reflect Thursday morning's GasBuddy reports, so be sure to check for updated prices before heading out.

Read our full story

UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH

One of the biggest reasons people put off dental appointments isn't fear of treatment. It's uncertainty about what they'll need and what it will cost.

At Floss, financial transparency is part of the care process from the very beginning. Before treatment starts, the team explains your recommended care, expected costs, and the options available to you. Whether you have private insurance, qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, or are paying out of pocket, the goal is to help you understand the cost of your care before any treatment begins. When insurance providers allow it, Floss can also submit predeterminations to help reduce uncertainty. 

The conversation doesn't stop at your benefits. Both the front desk team and your dental hygienist can walk you through treatment options, discuss different ways to stage care over time when appropriate, and answer questions about costs before any decisions are made.

The goal is simple: no surprises. When you understand your treatment plan, your expected costs, and your options, it's much easier to move forward with confidence.

Floss has clinics in both Banff and Canmore. You can book your first comprehensive dental hygiene appointment here.

_{*Presented by Floss.}

THE DIGEST

• 📈 Airbnb Earnings Climb as Travellers Flock to the Bow Valley. New Airbnb data obtained by Bow Valley Insider reveals that Canmore accounted for a whopping 97% of bookings across the Bow Valley between April and June. Searches across both communities rose 6% year over year, while collective host earnings climbed more than 17%. That doesn't necessarily mean individual hosts are pocketing more, though, as the number of active listings also increased. And who's booking all those mountain getaways? Canadians account for more than half of bookings, with Edmonton and Calgary leading the pack.

• 🚴 Nakiska’s Mountain Bike Park Is Taking Shape. Ski season is just getting started, but Nakiska is already preparing for summer 2027. Recent updates show trail testing underway for 30 km of lift-access mountain biking trails, designed with help from Canmore-based former pro rider Matt Hadley. The network will include beginner flow trails, intermediate routes, an advanced technical line, and a skills development area. The existing Silver Chairlift will provide access, with additional plans for over 3 km of hiking trails and a 970-metre mountain coaster operating year-round. If everything goes to plan, Nakiska will become Alberta's only lift-serviced mountain bike resort. Ticket prices haven't been announced yet.

• ❄️ Kananaskis Ranger Reminds Skaters to Check Before They Glide. Wild ice skating season is underway, and skaters are heading to the mountains to make the most of the Bow Valley's frozen lakes. But before you lace up, Kananaskis park ranger Joe Ramsdale told Bow Valley Insider that skaters should check ice thickness in multiple spots and never assume it's safe just because others are out there. Parks Canada recommends at least 15 cm of ice for solo skaters and 20 cm for groups. We caught up with Ramsdale to learn more about ice safety, what to pack, and what to do if someone falls through. Read our interview.

• 👨🏻‍💻 Could Parks Canada’s Workforce Adjustments Be Put on Hold? As Bow Valley Insider recently reported, 536 Parks Canada employees across the mountain parks, including 194 in Banff, have received workforce adjustment notices. While not all notices will result in job losses, a new parliamentary petition is calling for a halt to the adjustments until an independent review examines what they could mean for wildlife, visitor safety and communities like ours. More than 6,200 people have already signed, with the petition open until Jan. 2, 2027.

We Sold A $1M+ Canmore Townhouse

This summer, we partnered with Altitude in Three Sisters to showcase their new homes, from $500K+ condos to $1M+ townhouses.

Over a few months, we featured the project in our digital publication and created a couple of social media videos to give people a closer look.

The result? One purchaser of a $1M+ townhouse already, with 46 more locals currently touring the properties and getting more information.

Run a Bow Valley business? Let’s talk about what we can do for you.

FILM HONOURING CANMORE GUIDE LARRY SHIU TO OPEN IN MORE THAN 40 TAIWANESE THEATRES 

What’s Happening? The story of two Canmore mountain guides whose friendship took them to some of the world’s most iconic climbing destinations is heading to the big screen. Back on North Face, a documentary honouring the life of late Canmore guide Larry Shiu and following his best friend Patrick Lindsay’s return to the mountain where Shiu died in 2022, will open in more than 40 theatres across Taiwan on Nov. 20.

More Than Climbing Partners. Shiu and Lindsay met in 2008 while studying adventure guiding in Kamloops, B.C., before eventually settling in Canmore. Their adventures took them from Alaska’s Denali to Yosemite’s El Capitan and even to Greece, where Shiu witnessed Lindsay’s proposal to his now-wife.

Shiu was just one exam away from becoming what Lindsay says would have been Taiwan’s first fully certified mountain guide. He was also bringing Taiwanese climbers to the Canadian Rockies to teach them mountaineering skills.

A Journey Back. On Oct. 6, 2022, Shiu died in a fall while attempting to establish a new climbing route on Taiwan’s Yushan mountain. He was 40.

After Shiu’s death, Lindsay took over his program for visiting Taiwanese climbers. Among the participants in 2023 was I-Hsin Wang, who, after hearing Lindsay’s stories about his friend, approached him about making a documentary.

In 2024, Lindsay travelled to Taiwan to visit the accident site.

A Lasting Tribute. Rather than attempting the route where Shiu died, Lindsay and his team established a new, roughly 200-metre climbing route above the accident site. They named it “Shiu Be Here,” a play on the words “should be here.”

Will It Come to the Bow Valley? Wang plans to organize Canadian screenings in summer 2027 and is still looking for a distributor. Lindsay has also suggested submitting a shorter version to the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, though nothing has been confirmed.

For Lindsay, the story is ultimately about more than climbing.

“It’s definitely more about the people and the relationships that you build … without that stuff, the mountains are just unnecessary risk in some ways,” he told Bow Valley Insider.

From their early days as climbing partners to Lindsay’s return to Taiwan, discover the friendship that inspired the film and the legacy Shiu left behind in our full story.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Fridays Bring Local Musicians to Canmore Brewing. Community Fridays are back at Canmore Brewing, and this week's performer is local singer-songwriter Sue Chick Denton. Swing by for some acoustic tunes, $6.50 happy hour pints from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM and a catch-up with familiar faces. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company, Canmore. No cover.*

Saturday

• Sip Your Way Along the Banff and Lake Louise Hot Chocolate Trail. The annual trail kicked off on Nov. 12 and runs until Feb. 7, with limited-time creations from local cafés and restaurants, including The Fat Ox, The Prow and the Rose & Crown. Make it your winter mission to find your favourite, and bring a reusable mug. Daily during opening hours. Various locations, Banff and Lake Louise. Prices vary.*

• Adventure Film Nights Return To Canmore. The Bow Valley Film Institute is kicking off its monthly adventure film series with She Measures the Earth, a documentary following four women scientists exploring the Canadian mountains and their work in climate science. Directed by Canadian Rockies-based filmmaker Ching Yu, the film blends science, adventure, and mountain landscapes. Watch the trailer to get a preview. 7:00-9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.*

Sunday

• A Full Day of Football and Grey Cup Festivities in Banff. Why settle for one game when you can watch football all day? Red Zone Sundays is getting a Grey Cup edition, with NFL action starting at 11:00 AM before switching over to the 113th Grey Cup live from Calgary at 5:00 PM. Expect $6 beers, $15 fried chicken meals, giveaways and prizes. 11:00 AM onwards. Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⚡ Less Energy, More Savings for Bow Valley Businesses. Who wouldn't want a lower energy bill? A free training and coaching program is helping local hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses reduce energy costs and improve building efficiency. Businesses from Lake Louise to Kananaskis are eligible. Curious about how it works? A free information session will take place at the Canmore Opera House on Nov. 25 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Registration is required, but businesses can apply for the program without attending.*

• 🎭 Calgary's Award-Winning Comedian Comes to Canmore. Need a good laugh? Comedian Tommy Mellor is bringing his deadpan humour and clever storytelling to artsPlace for a night of stand-up comedy. Named Calgary's Best Comedian at the 2022 Laugh Shop competition, Mellor was also a semifinalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition and released his first full-length comedy special, The Prince Of All Comics, in 2024. The evening is hosted by veteran comedian Scott Dumas, who's performed across Canada for nearly 30 years. The show is on Fri., Nov. 20 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25. Get tickets (only a few left).*

• 🥼 Give Your Winter Gear a Second Life. Have a winter coat collecting dust or a pair of boots you no longer wear? Canmore's upcoming Full Moon Swap on Nov. 27 and 28 is a chance to clear out your closet while helping someone else stay warm this winter. Gently used coats, boots, mittens and even snow shovels are welcome. Looking to stock up on winter essentials yourself? You don't need to donate anything to take something home. Non-perishable food donations are also welcome.

• 🎬 Canmore Theatre Group Brings Dark Comedy Musical To The Stage. What happens when six teenage choir members meet an untimely end on a roller coaster? In Ride the Cyclone, they find themselves competing for a second chance at life. Equal parts dark comedy and heartfelt storytelling, this 90-minute musical features a live band and runs Nov. 18-28 at Canmore's Miners' Union Hall, courtesy of Pine Tree Players. Tickets are $35, with a pay-what-you-can opening night. Accessible performances are also available. With a limited run, tickets will go fast, so now’s your chance to support local theatre. Get tickets.*

• ✅ The Upper Spray River Valley Is Set to Reopen. The annual wildlife protection closure in Banff National Park's Upper Spray River Valley is scheduled to end Sunday, Nov. 15. The area closes to all recreational activities each year from April 15 to Nov. 15, giving wildlife several months to roam without human disturbance. With the seasonal closure coming to an end, outdoor enthusiasts will soon have another corner of the national park to explore. Check Spray River Valley trails on AllTrails. 

• 🍽️ Juniper Bistro Is Serving Up A Three-Course Harvest Feast. If you're looking for an excuse to head out for dinner in Banff, Juniper Bistro has a special menu available for one weekend only, Nov. 21-22. For $59 per person, Chef Sergio is serving a three-course harvest dinner featuring beet wedge salad with fermented honey dressing, followed by your choice of confit Alberta pork belly with corn polenta and mushrooms, or roasted butternut squash steak with pistachios and tahini sauce. Dessert is warm rhubarb pie infused with Alberta wild rose petals, served with vanilla sorbet. Reserve your table.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Expands Drop-In Recreation Programs. Looking for ways to stay active this winter? Banff has added more drop-in sessions, including pickleball, volleyball, dance aerobics, swimming, skating and shinny hockey. Best of all, Banff residents aged 26 and older can enjoy unlimited drop-in recreation for just $10 per year, while those 25 and younger participate for free. Pick up or renew your pass at The Fenlands and check out the full recreation schedule here.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 13th, 6:30 PM: Stompin' Ty and Baiden. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 14th, 10:00 PM: Styler Nazo. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, November 15th, 9:30 PM: Karaoke Night. Location: Banff Sizzlers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• The Canmore Eagles Are Flying High. The reigning AJHL champions are on a roll, sitting atop the South Division after a 5-1 win over the Drayton Valley Thunder on Sunday. That's four straight wins for the Eagles, who are taking their momentum on the road this weekend with games against Bonnyville, Lloydminster, and Camrose.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.