🦌 A New Way to Save Elk in Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

So here’s a quick recommendation if you like pie. And who doesn’t. If you find yourself driving through Field like we were yesterday, stop at Truffle Pigs and order a slice of apple pie. They don’t even call it apple pie. They call it “The Pie.” And if something is confidently called “The Pie,” don’t ask questions. Order two. Thank us later.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF BACKS TARGETED PLAN TO REDUCE ELK DEATHS ALONG RAILWAY

What’s Happening? The Town of Banff has approved a small, targeted plan to reduce elk deaths along the railway by thinning vegetation near a known collision hotspot.

Why It Matters? Between 2005 and 2017, Parks Canada recorded 416 wildlife deaths caused by trains in Banff, including 163 elk. While wildlife crossings and fencing have dramatically reduced deaths along the Trans-Canada Highway, collisions along the rail corridor have remained largely unchanged.

The Plan In Plain Terms. Council unanimously approved thinning vegetation on about 0.93 acres of Town-owned land beside the CPKC line near the industrial compound. The goal is to give elk clearer escape routes when trains approach. Dense vegetation can block those exits, leading animals to run along the tracks rather than off them.

Town staff described the cleared area as a “runaway lane” for elk, allowing them to see approaching trains sooner and move laterally away from the rails.

Cost And Timing. The project would cost $20,000 every five years, starting in 2027, funded through the Town’s environment reserve rather than new taxes. The work would be carried out in partnership with Parks Canada, which has used similar vegetation management approaches elsewhere in the Banff townsite for non-rail wildlife management.

Limits And Concerns. Council acknowledged that vegetation thinning is not a standalone solution. Some collision research focuses more on bears than elk, and clearing understory vegetation can sometimes improve habitat and attract more animals. Others emphasized that fencing and other measures are often needed alongside habitat management.

The Bigger Picture. Mayor Corrie DiManno framed the decision as another step in Banff’s broader human wildlife coexistence strategy, building on efforts like waste management bylaws, fruit tree rules, and FireSmart fuel reduction work.

At $20,000 every five years, councillors described the cost as modest relative to the potential benefits of reducing wildlife deaths along a corridor where mitigation has lagged far behind the Trans-Canada Highway. 

Read more about animal collision data in our full article.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT MITCHELL KOCIAN REAL ESTATE

As we ring in the New Year, we are looking ahead to everything 2026 has to offer. Thank you to our clients and colleagues for an incredible 2025. Your trust, collaboration, and support made the year both enjoyable and rewarding.

Here’s to a new year filled with opportunity, growth, and shared success.

As we step into 2026, it is also a great time to explore what’s next in real estate. Whether you are curious about your home’s value, considering expanding your real estate portfolio, or exploring new investment opportunities, we are here to help. If you would like to start the conversation, get in touch. We would love to discuss your goals and how we can support you in the year ahead.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚨 Attempted Kidnapping Reported Near Banff Christmas Market. Police are asking for help after masked suspects allegedly tried to kidnap a man near the Banff Christmas Market. Investigators say a family was leaving the market around 5 PM on Dec. 13 when several masked individuals attempted to force a 44-year-old man into a vehicle. The attempt failed, and the suspects fled in a dark sedan and a truck. Banff RCMP and Calgary Police Service are asking witnesses or anyone with photos or video to come forward.

• 🎿 Ski Biking Is Quietly Gaining Traction in the Bow Valley. Ski biking draws curious looks on local hills, but Jayden Paul is betting that novelty turns into demand. The Electric Mountain founder is building rentals, resort partnerships, and helped launch a Canadian Ski Biking Association to legitimize the sport. He says most riders pick it up quickly, including people with knee injuries who can’t ski anymore. The biggest barrier isn’t safety, he argues, it’s unfamiliarity, something he’s working to change at places like Sunshine Village. Read this local entrepreneur’s story. 

• 🚧 “Pirate Trails” Around Canmore Could Be Shut Down Under New Provincial Plan. The province is moving to close hundreds of unofficial “pirate trails” around Canmore that were never planned or reviewed for wildlife impacts. Under a draft trail plan, roughly 275 km of these informal routes would be decommissioned and replaced with fewer, purpose-built trails. Alberta Parks says research shows dense, unplanned trail networks significantly shrink usable habitat, as wildlife avoids not just trails, but the surrounding areas as well.

• 👨‍🚒 Field Fire Department Moves Under New Management. The Field Fire Department is now managed by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, ending years of strain under Parks Canada oversight. The shift brings professional fire management, standardized training, and administrative support already used across the region. Columbia Shuswap Regional District will run operations, while Parks Canada continues funding through a three-year agreement. Officials say there are no tax changes for Field residents.

Local Ads That Actually Work

Advertising isn’t a gamble. It’s an investment. And if that investment doesn’t pay off, what’s the point? At Bow Valley Insider, we don’t just run ads, we deliver outcomes. Pine Peak Paving booked a $7,500 job from a single ad. Zoe’s Cleaning added 46 new clients in 60 days. Osteopathy for All gained 21 new patients from five ads. That’s real, trackable ROI, not vague “reach” or “brand awareness.” If you’re tired of throwing money at ads you can’t measure, we’re the local partner who ensures your marketing dollars come back stronger.

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BANFF MOVES TO STUDY WHAT FLOWS OFF ITS STREETS AND INTO THE BOW RIVER

What’s Happening? Banff council has approved funding to study untreated stormwater runoff after monitoring revealed elevated contaminants flowing from town streets into local creeks and the Bow River.

Why It Matters? Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated before discharge. In Banff, rain and snowmelt from roads, parking lots, and rooftops often flow directly into waterways. Monitoring done with Parks Canada shows that runoff is exceeding federal guidelines meant to protect aquatic life, with unpublished data pointing to declining ecosystem health downstream of the townsite.

What The Data Is Showing. Since 2021, sampling has identified two recurring contaminants: chlorides and heavy metals. Chlorides spike in winter and are closely linked to road salt, while heavy metals associated with vehicle use appear year round. Much of the pollution comes from impermeable surfaces that shed water quickly, funneling contaminants straight into storm drains.

One major focus is the Wolfe Street drainage area near the canoe docks, a large section of town that collects runoff from residential streets, busy roads, and several potential contamination sources. Town staff described it as a highly visible outfall where problems quickly show up in the river.

How Stormwater Is Handled Today. Banff’s stormwater system was built to prevent flooding, not to clean water. Apart from a few isolated fixes, like treatment at the Buffalo Street boat launch and underground soil cells on Bear Street, most runoff receives no treatment at all before reaching the river.

What The New Plan Will Do. The approved study will look at the stormwater system as a whole, mapping where runoff comes from, where it goes, and what treatment options could work over time. That includes both end-of-pipe solutions and ways to reduce pollution at the source.

Why Council Moved Now. The plan is required under the Banff National Park Management Plan and was described as non-negotiable. Council approved $150,000, calling it a necessary first step toward better stewardship of the Bow River and surrounding waterways. 

Read more about the funding and accountability in our full article. 

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Climb for a Toonie. Head to the Canmore Climbing Gym and climb for $2. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or just curious, it’s a low-commitment way to move your body and try something new. All Day. Canmore Climbing Gym.

• Canmore Eagles Vs Olds Grizzlys. Start the year the Canmore way: at the rink. The Eagles take on the Grizzlys in their first game of the new year, and it’s shaping up to be a lively one. Expect quick plays, lots of local cheers, and that cozy arena energy that makes junior hockey such a good night out. 7:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre. $18.

Saturday

• Adventure Film Night. This month’s session kicks off with three Rocky Mountain-rooted films exploring memory, loss, resilience, and belonging. From Mary Schäffer Warren’s early journeys to the Jasper wildfire to Filipino-Canadian climbers reshaping the mountains, these stories remind us that the Rockies are alive and well. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. $10 in advance ($15 at the door if any remain).*

Sunday

• Prime Rib Dinner Special. If cooking feels like too much today, this is your sign. A classic prime rib dinner is on the menu, complete with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, carrots, and plenty of gravy. It’s hearty, comforting, and exactly what winter evenings call for. 4:00 PM - Close. Sandtraps, Canmore. $39.*

ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT FOR OUR JANUARY ICE CLIMBING ADVENTURE

Just a quick reminder that we’ve organized a beginner-friendly ice climbing day on January 31, fully guided by our friends at Leviathan Mountain Guides. You’ll climb frozen waterfalls in Kananaskis, learn some new mountain skills, and yes, get some great photos to kick off 2026.

No ice climbing experience is needed. Some rock or gym climbing is fine, but if you’ve already ice climbed before, this will likely feel too beginner. We’ve got four spots left, first come, first served. Expect a fun day out with other Bow Valley Insiders in a pretty incredible setting.

Here’s the link for details and booking. P.S. If the payment page won’t let you check out, the spots are already gone

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌲 Christmas Tree Recycling. Give your Christmas tree a proper send-off. In Banff, drop natural trees at the Beaver Street Parking Lot beside the Fire Hall until January 16. In Canmore, trees can be taken to the Quarry Lake Parking Lot or the Boulder Crescent Recycle Depot.

• ⛷ Three Quiet Changes Are Coming to Banff’s Skijor This Year. If you’re heading to the annual skijor event in Banff on Jan. 17–18, there are three key changes this year that haven’t been widely shared yet. We break them all down in our video. For those unfamiliar, skijor features professional teams performing ski stunts while being pulled behind horses down Banff Avenue.. 

• 🖼️ Histories of Film In The Rockies. This exhibition at The Whyte looks at how Hollywood has used the Canadian Rockies for more than a century, often as somewhere else entirely. Drawing from archival film history and local stories, the exhibition explores how these portrayals shaped ideas of Canada, wilderness, and identity, revealing both the pride and frustration of seeing familiar landscapes transformed on screen.

• 🥾 The “Green Monster” Might Be the Perfect Winter Hike. We just wrote a complete guide to hiking Green Monster in Kananaskis.  It is a massive frozen waterfall with a big pay off, and you will pass seven other waterfalls along the way, all tucked into a canyon that feels far more dramatic than the effort required.  The trail is packed down, the route is easy to follow, and the area stays out of avalanche paths. 

• 💡 2026 Goal-Setting & Vision Boards. Want to actually stick to your New Year’s goals? Swing by the Canmore Library on next Tuesday (Jan. 6), from 6–7 PM, and make it happen. You’ll learn simple goal-setting techniques and create your own vision board, with all materials provided. It’s fun, creative, and surprisingly motivating. Only a few spots left. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Tax Increase Approved. MD of Bighorn council has approved an 11% municipal tax increase for 2026 to rebuild shrinking reserves and fund long-term infrastructure. For the average homeowner, that means about $216 more on their annual tax bill. The move is meant to front-load funding for roads, fire services, and capital projects now, rather than risk larger shortfalls and higher costs later.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, January 2nd, 2025, 5:00 PM: Irene Poole.. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover. 

• Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, 9:00 PM: Deejayzorrow.. Location: Sizzlers, Banff. No Cover. 

• Saturday, January 4th, 2026, 9:00 PM: DJ Dougy Deep.. Location: Banff Ave Brew Co. No Cover.

SPORTS

• The Canmore Eagles Wrapped Up December With Two Big Home Wins. The Canmore Eagles picked up back-to-back home wins, beating Grande Prairie 8-3 and Drumheller 5-2 to move into third place in the AJHL South. More than 3,300 fans packed the Canmore Rec Centre in December, where the Eagles won four of five home games. 

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.