✈️ Americans Take Over Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Congrats to the Canmore Eagles on winning their first AJHL Championship on Saturday! More on the win and what’s next in the sports section below.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

BANFF SEES 50% INCREASE IN US SKI VISITORS

What’s Happening? Banff’s ski resorts saw U.S. visitation jump more than 50% this season, as historically poor snow conditions across the western United States pushed skiers north.

A Tale of Two Winters. Snowpack across key U.S. markets was well below normal. By April 1, Washington sat at roughly 52% of normal snowpack, while Utah dropped to just 19%, the lowest on record dating back to 1930. Seasons shortened, terrain shrank, and demand shifted. 

Banff delivered the opposite. Sunshine Village recorded about 948 cm of snowfall this season, while Lake Louise saw roughly 941 cm. If you’ve been reading Bow Valley Insider since December, you might remember our coverage when cars in Lake Louise got buried, as the resort set an all-time early-season snowfall record by Dec. 28.

Bookings Shifted Mid-Season. Rachel Wilson, marketing director at SkiBig3, said the surge wasn’t fully visible until after winter began.

“We had strong performance numbers early in the season… but the majority of year-over-year growth came after the season started,” she told Bow Valley Insider. 

That points to more last-minute booking behaviour, driven by real-time snow conditions rather than early planning. Most U.S. visitors came from California, Washington, Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts, with Washington standing out due to both poor snow and proximity to Alberta.

Marketing Followed the Snow. SkiBig3 adjusted quickly, leaning into current conditions.

“Yes, we focused more on snow messaging,” Wilson said. “We boosted organic social content with current conditions and included the number of feet of snow in our digital ads.”

What Didn’t Change. Despite the surge, average stays held steady. 

“USA length of stay did not change year-over-year and remains at five nights on average,” Wilson said. 

There were subtle differences in behaviour, though. “We have heard U.S. visitors tend to tip more, customary to their culture.”

Zooming Out. The spike far outpaced Alberta’s broader tourism growth, which saw U.S. visits rise about 5% in 2025, underscoring how quickly snow conditions can reshape travel patterns in a single season.

Read our full story

SUPPORT LOCAL… UNTIL YOU NEED A PLUMBER

We all like to say we support local.

Until something leaks.

Then it’s straight to Google, clicking the biggest name, hoping someone picks up.

But here’s the thing. A lot of the work happening in the Bow Valley isn’t coming from big companies. It’s coming from people like Cleon.

He’s the owner of Cool Runnings Plumbing. Based in Banff and servicing the entire Bow Valley. Over 20 years of experience. The kind of person who answers the phone, shows up when he says he will, and actually takes the time to explain what’s going on.

His business is built almost entirely on word of mouth. Do good work, people tell their neighbours. Repeat.

And around here, that matters.

Cool Runnings handles everything from small fixes to full system upgrades, with a focus on doing it properly so you’re not dealing with the same issue again in a few months.

Reach out to Cool Runnings Plumbing if you want a quick look at what’s going on behind the scenes before it turns into something bigger.

_{*Presented by Cool Runnings Plumbing.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐻 Bear Warning Issued for Vermilion Lakes Area. Parks Canada is urging extra caution around Vermilion Lakes after bears were spotted feeding on fish carcasses along the shoreline and road. The warning comes as a follow-up to our story on this winter’s fish die-off, where low oxygen levels led to a buildup of dead fish, an easy food source for wildlife. Visitors can still access the area, but should carry bear spray, keep distance, and stay alert, especially as warmer weather brings more people, and more wildlife, into the same space. 

• 🧗‍♀️ Climbing Community Reflects on Loss of Will Stanhope. The death of professional climber Will Stanhope in Squamish isn’t a local story, but it’s hitting close to home. Many Bow Valley guides and climbers shared ropes, routes, and long conversations with him over the years. Stanhope, an ACMG guide, died following a fall and is being remembered for his intensity, curiosity, and deep connection to climbing. For locals, the loss is more about a tight-knit community reflecting on someone who shaped their mountain experience. Canmore-based alpine guide Will Gadd shared his reflections on Instagram, adding a more complex, human layer.  

• 🐻 Development Is Quietly Reshaping Grizzly Movement. A new study tracking over 100 grizzlies across the southern Rockies found that roads, towns, and human activity are making it harder for bears to move freely. Even when the landscape looks wide open, highways and development are fragmenting key corridors, with about 80% of movement pathways already showing reduced connectivity. In some cases, bears are even drawn toward roadside food sources, increasing the risk of collisions and conflict. Researchers warn that if this trend continues, some habitats could become population “sinks” over time. Read the full analysis.

• 🧠 Health Project Turns Conversations Into Card Deck. A Bow Valley mental health initiative that started with “Donuts and Conversations” is scaling up with a new card deck designed to bring guided conversations about how people are feeling into homes, workplaces, and community spaces. Created by Frankie D’s Donuts, the deck builds on years of local sessions, with questions that range from light check-ins to more personal, deeper conversations. It’s now available for pre-order, with early demand helping fund a first production run and future community-based mental health programming.

Over The Last 12 Months…

1.9M+ Bow Valley Insider editions sent
22M+ views across our social media

We’ve become the go-to media brand for Canmore, Banff, and Calgary weekenders.

And we use that reach to drive real business for our partners.

➡️ Want to see what a partnership looks like? Fill out the form

BOW VALLEY, KANANASKIS INCLUDED IN $275M PARKS INVESTMENT

What’s Happening? Alberta is rolling out a $275M, three-year parks investment, with a slice earmarked for Kananaskis and the Bow Valley as visitor numbers keep climbing.

Where the Money’s Going. The first $87M (2026-27) will fund 70+ projects across the province. Locally, that includes:

• Upgrades at Elkwood and Boulton Creek campgrounds near Lower Kananaskis Lake

• Improvements to the Pocaterra Cirque trail (you know, that larch hike)

• Water and wastewater infrastructure work

• Upgrades along the Powderface Trail corridor

• Paving rehab and vault toilet replacements across high-use sites

In short, less “new attractions,” more fixing and reinforcing what’s already getting hammered.

Why Now? Demand isn’t slowing down. Kananaskis alone sees about 5 million visits annually, and summer camping reservations hit 280,000 in 2025, up 7% year-over-year.

The province says project selection is driven by usage, environmental impact, and infrastructure condition.

“This investment funds a variety of projects that prioritize safe, accessible, and sustainable outdoor recreation,” the department of Forestry and Parks told Bow Valley Insider.

Managing Pressure, Not Expanding Capacity. Most of the work is aimed at managing heavy use, not dramatically increasing capacity. Think trail repairs, better parking flow, and upgraded facilities to reduce erosion, congestion, and safety risks.

Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen framed it as a response to growth.

“Budget 2026 is focused on building what matters to Albertans,” he said.

The Bigget Picture. The province plans to add 900 campsites by 2033 (about 300 in the near term), but it’s unclear how much that will actually reduce crowding in already busy areas. The investment also lands amid ongoing questions about funding. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass brings in about $15M annually, but that still falls short of operating costs.  

Read our full story for a breakdown of what’s planned 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Adult Drop-In Volleyball. This casual drop-in game is a solid Monday night option. Bring your indoor shoes and your best serve. Players must be 16+. 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Lawrence Grassi Middle School, Canmore. Cost is $5 cash, paid to the volleyball coordinator. 

• Karaoke Night. Think you’ve got pipes or just confidence? Grab the mic and find out. The Drake’s weekly karaoke night kicks off, with a crowd that’s usually more supportive than critical. Bonus: their fresh, oven-baked pizzas are quickly becoming a local go-to. 10 PM. The Drake Screaming Retriever. Free.*

Tuesday

• Oscar Buzz Hits artsPlace with Hamnet. The acclaimed drama, led by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, arrives with serious awards momentum, including 2026 Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actress, and more. An emotional story inspired by Shakespeare’s world, it’s equal parts heartbreak and beauty. 7:45 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Tickets are $12, or $6 for youth.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚧 Owl Closure Hits Grassi Lakes Climbing Routes. This one’s pretty niche as not many people are rock climbing this week anyway. But with warmer weather on the way, it’s worth noting: part of the Graceland climbing area at Grassi Lakes is now closed until further notice due to an owl nesting site. If conditions turn and you’re heading out, expect those routes to be off-limits for the time being. Updates will be posted here.

• 🔥 $1,299 Smoker Giveaway. We’ve teamed up with Artisan Fireplaces to give away a Deckboss Legacy Edition smoker, and it’s about as plug-and-play as smoking gets. We checked it out in-store, and the built-in tech makes it ridiculously easy to use. To enter the giveaway, just like the video on Instagram, follow Artisan Fireplaces, and drop your email through this link. Winner gets drawn in one week and notified by email. Open to Alberta residents 18+. Must pick up in-store.*

• 💧 Rain Barrels Return to Canmore This Saturday. If you’ve been thinking about cutting your water use this summer, this is the easiest place to start. Around 100 rain barrels will be sold at the Canmore Canadian Tire at a subsidized price of $80 on May 2, with sales starting at 9 AM and expected to move quickly. The push ties into the Town of Canmore’s goal to significantly reduce residential water use over time.*

• 🍱 Last Call for Dinner Grab & Go Deals at Valbella. Dinner rescue is waiting. Valbella’s April specials are still available, with two solid options. Pasta Night ($15) includes Rummo pasta, Sicilian sauce, and Parmesan for a quick, no-fuss meal. Schnitzel Night ($18) leans more comfort, with pork schnitzels, spaetzli, and German red cabbage. Both are designed to be easy, affordable, and ready when you don’t feel like cooking. Order online, and then pick-up in store before April 30.*

• 🍂 Free Compost Returns to Canmore. Canmore’s annual compost giveaway is back May 12-13, offering residents up to 100L of free, finished compost for their yards and gardens. It’s a small perk with a bigger goal: cutting down the roughly one-third of landfill waste that still comes from food scraps. Pickup runs 11 AM to 7 PM at the Rec Centre back lot, but you’ll need to book a 15-minute slot in advance. Bring your own shovel and containers, this is a shovel-it-yourself situation. 

• ⚽ Canmore Wolverines Registration Open. High school football season is gearing up, and the Canmore Wolverines are now accepting players for 2026. Open to grades 9-12, the program focuses on more than game day, emphasizing confidence, teamwork, discipline, and skill development. No tryout cuts here; every athlete makes the team and has a chance to grow. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Considers $700K Break for Affordable Housing. Canmore council is considering waiving up to $700K in its own development and building permit fees for the 120-unit affordable housing project in the Palliser area. These are municipal fees typically paid by builders to cover plan reviews and permits, so the waiver would reduce upfront costs. The project is already backed by a broader funding mix, including roughly $10M from the town sourced through its livability tax. The proposed fee relief could help stretch those dollars further while supporting long-term affordability. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, April 27th, 6:30 PM: Mike Petroff. Location: Murrieta’s, Canmore. No Cover.

• Monday, April 27th, 10:00 PM: Andy Curtis. Location: Rose & Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Tuesday, April 28th, 10:00 PM: Silver Fox Duo. Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. Free.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Capture First AJHL Championship. The Canmore Eagles are bringing home their first-ever AJHL title after a 2-1 win over the Whitecourt Wolverines on Saturday, closing out the series 4-1. The win sends them to the 2026 Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A championship, running May 7-17 in PEI. Goaltender Alexander Scheiwiller was named playoff MVP, capping off a standout postseason run between the pipes. 

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, 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.