❄️10-15cm of Snow Today?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Winter is coming…early! Yep, you read that correctly. There’s a weather alert for Kananaskis. Expect 10 to 15 cm at elevations above 1600m. For context, the Ha Ling trailhead is around 1700m.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• An American company owns 85% of paid attractions in Banff & Jasper 

• Canmore restaurant named in Canada’s best 100

• One more final update (hopefully) on Banff’s Ped Zone

P.S. Thanks to Blair P. for referring so many new subscribers to Bow Valley Insider! He and his Wheaten Terrier, Charles, love exploring the Bow Valley's trails. When he's not adventuring, Blair enjoys dining at his favorite spots, The Wood & the Mineshaft. Cheers, Blair! 🌟

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

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AMERICAN COMPANY DOMINATES TOURISM IN BANFF AND JASPER

What’s happening: VIAD, an Arizona-based American company operating as Pursuit, controls 85% of the traffic to sightseeing venues in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Rival companies in Banff are concerned about VIAD’s growing influence and are urging the federal government to intervene. The issue has sparked significant discussion on Facebook recently.

Pursuit's Holdings: Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection includes the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Jasper’s Maligne Lake Cruise, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Brewster Express bus line, ten hotels in Banff/Jasper, and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park. 

With its recent acquisition of Jasper SkyTram, Pursuit's market share could reach 90%. Competing firms have requested Parks Canada to block this acquisition.

Local Business Concerns: Businesses like Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine Village argue that Parks Canada favors VIAD over Canadian-owned entities. They claim VIAD's monopoly harms local attractions, increases congestion, and that Parks Canada has previously blocked projects that would benefit Canadian companies.

Next Steps: These local companies are lobbying the federal government to halt further acquisitions by VIAD and requesting a formal investigation by the Competition Bureau of Canada to address alleged anti-competitive practices.

THE DIGEST

• 🚶Banff’s Pedestrian Zone will remain in place until September Long Weekend and be removed following Labour Day. Banff Ave will be reopened for vehicles once traffic signals have reset accordingly.  

• 🛎️Canmore’s very own Ankor was ranked #76 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants for 2024 due to the menu’s refined flavors and the plate’s artistry that rivals the surrounding mountains’ beauty. It also won the People’s Choice Award! We know where we’re headed for our next dinner.

• 😎Here’s another “best list” for you: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park was ranked #2 on Outside Magazine’s Most Beautiful Places You’ve Never Heard Of. Of course, we live in the Bow Valley and we have definitely heard of this beauty. The park is also admired for having one of the most scenic roads in Canada (Highwood Pass). 

• ⛔Although the Icefields Parkway was reopened for traffic last week, it was made clear that the Highway was a no-stopping zone between Athabasca Glacier and the Jasper townsite. RCMP has had to give several warnings to drivers. 

• 🎠Mînî Thnî Indian Relay returns, bigger and faster than ever. Twenty-five teams from Alberta and Saskatchewan competed at Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation in this second annual event, celebrating traditions and heritage. The sport features one jockey switching between three horses, often at full gallop, over three laps with sharp turns and rapid exchanges.

KANANASKIS BRIDGE DISMANTLED FOR LOGGING PLAN

What’s happening: A bridge over the Highwood River in Kananaskis is being dismantled, raising concerns about a logging plan that could harm critical fish habitats due to sedimentation.

The logging plan: West Fraser Timber, a BC lumber company, plans to install a new one by summer 2025 to access logging areas. The company aims to clear 2,000 football fields of forest in the Upper Highwood. Logging is set to begin in fall 2025 after a public review of the revised plan.

Conservation concerns: The Highwood River is vital for threatened native trout, including bull trout, which spawn from late August to October. Conservationists, including the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, fear that logging and new bridge construction will damage these habitats.

Next Steps: West Fraser Timber will hold a public review in spring 2025 to address concerns and refine its plans to ensure environmental protection and sustainable forest management.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Banff Canoe Club is hosting Canoe for a Cause! For an afternoon of big boat rides, BBQ, live music, auction, and fun, head to Banff Canoe Club. All proceeds from the day will go towards fire relief for displaced Jasperites. 

• Take a morning, mind-body stretch. Join a Pilates class at Banff Fenlands Centre, 9am-10am. Free for Banff residents! 

• Need to renew your Permanent Residency card? Learn more about PR Card renewal and tips for a successful application by joining a session with Settlement Services via Zoom, 5pm-6pm. 

• Improve your local trails! Volunteer for Trail Night at Highline Berms. 6pm-8:30pm, meet-up is at the Quarry Lake Parking Lot. 

• Fancy watching the classic Charade starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant? Community Movie Night is on at Canmore Brewing, 7pm-9pm. Tickets (including one beverage) are $7.50, pizza slices are $5, and there are prize giveaways. 

Thursday

• Are you made for the stage? Pine Tree Players is excited to produce Seminar by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Lauren Hawkeye. They are holding auditions in Canmore Minors’ Union Hall from 6pm-9pm. 

• Want to get in the spirit of Halloween and give to a good cause? Join this Canmore Charity Ghost Walk, where you’ll be guided to discover Canmore's spooky and haunted corners. All funds will go to the Bow Valley Connections Centre program that helps kids with developmental disabilities. Meet at Canary Coffee, 6:30pm-8:30pm.

• Practice your poker face! The Canmore Legion has a weekly drop-in Poker Night from 7pm.

• Do you need running inspiration? RunNation Film Festival is coming to Canmore as part of their World Tour and is a curation of short films, not only about the highs and lows of running but, ultimately, tell the story of the human spirit. Artsplace, 7pm. Tickets are $15.

• Spend the morning’s early hours watching the stars at Moraine Lake! For this unique way of visiting Moraine, join Stargazing at Moraine Lake Adventure. The shuttle departs from Canmore at 10:30pm and Banff at 11pm, returning at 2am for $148.95 per person.  Book by texting JMK at 4034938207. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛠️Stewart Creek Rise, part of Canmore’s community housing program, has made exciting progress, including another concrete pour and completion of the South building foundation walls.

• 🏷️There is 15% off at Nesters today! Remember that Nesters offer a 15% local discount on the last Wednesday of every month.

• 🔍Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre seeks volunteers to lead their Banff English Conversation groups. Contact [email protected] for more details.

• 🧋Bella Boba Can, the home of Bubble Tea in Canmore is offering a buy one get one half-priced deal on smoothies and slush. This summer bargain ends this week, so you have Wednesday and Thursday to get the deal!

• 📣Canmore General Hospital is looking for Bow Valley artists to contribute to the Heart Gallery exhibitions in Oct 2024 and April 2025 to enhance the healing environment for patients, visitors, and staff. To increase the exposure of your work, email your name, medium used, photo sample, and preferred exhibition date to [email protected].

• 👨‍✈️The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program is free and accessible to youth ages 12-18. The 878 Banff/Canmore Squadron is accepting new cadets for 2024/25 year. Training is every Wednesday at 602 7th Avenue in Canmore, with transportation from Banff and back provided. 

• 📌Save the date! On Saturday, 31st August, between 1:30pm and 3pm, Bow Valley SPCA is holding a Dog Day Open House. You can meet and greet adoptable dogs like Daisy the Staffy, Bedard the Shepherd, or Kiki the American Pit Bull. 

• 🙋‍♂️Would you like to volunteer with horses? The Bow Valley Equine Adaptive offers riding and horsemanship to people who are neurodivergent or have physical/emotional challenges and need volunteers to help with various lesson times. Sign up here.  

• 👨‍🎤Banff Sunshine Village will host its third annual Indigenous Days celebration on August 30th, 31st, and September 1st. First Nations communities will share the beauty of their culture through things such as teepee demonstrations, pow-wow dances, and stories from elders.

CIVIC NEWS

• The Town of Canmore has its Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 3rd. The agenda will be available on Thursday.  Stay tuned as we’ll send updates on anything important.

• On the same day, the Town of Canmore holds a public hearing at 9am regarding two bylaws pending approval: Discouraging Employee Housing in Industrial Areas (2024-07) and Removal of Employee Housing from Industrial Areas (2024-08).

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 28th, 6pm-9pm: Singer and guitarist, Steph O’dette. Location: Farm & Fire, Banff.

• Wednesday, August 28th, 7:30pm-9:30pm: Ecstatic Dance. Location: The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Tickets $20.

• Wednesday, August 28th, 10pm: Latin Fiesta Night. Location: Melissa;s Missteak, Banff. Entry is $10 on the door.

• Wednesday, August 28th: Jam Night. Location: Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub. No cover.

• Wednesday, August 21st, 10pm: Party Beats with DJ Tenax. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.

• Thursday, August 29th, 4pm-6pm: Singer and guitarist, Steph O’dette. Location: Bison, Banff.

• Thursday, August 29th, 10pm: Rocky Mountain Fever. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.

SPORTS

• Just when you thought The Bow Valley couldn’t be the home to any more outdoor sports. Now there’s river surfing in Kananaskis! The Mountain Wave Classic annual event was a success last weekend, and the Alberta River Surfing Association is already looking forward to its 20th anniversary next year. 

• The annual Banff Springs Golf Club championship was also a success last weekend, with two junior Banff golfers winning first place; Alexa Carswell in the female division and Seth Sands in the male division. Three strokes behind Sands was another Banff local, Robson Horyn, tying to win second place.

That’s all, folks!

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