🍽️ Another Canmore Restaurant Flips

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you joined our Try It Biathlon night on Tuesday, you met Ema Chlepkova, one of the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre athletes. Well, she just became the 2026 national champion. She won gold in the individual event at the Canadian Championships at the Nordic Centre yesterday, finishing just 9.0 seconds ahead of second place. Not a bad reminder that the athletes showing you the ropes one night are competing at the highest level the next. Feel free to send her a congrats on Instagram. 

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

CANMORE RESTAURANT REOPENS AS ART LOUNGE WITH FOOD, MUSIC, AND A RAVE IN THE WORKS

What’s Happening? A longtime Canmore restaurant has reopened under a completely new concept, transforming the former Elita Restaurant into a hybrid art lounge with food, retail, and live music.

From Restaurant to Art Lounge. After nearly two decades of operating Elita, owners Victor Koletchko and Lana Ossipova decided it was time for something different.

“With time, our objectives within Elita’s format were achieved… we started to outlive Elita’s location and concept,” Koletchko said.

The space is now Crazy Hats Arts & Food Lounge, designed less like a traditional restaurant and more like a place people can hang out, browse art, or listen to music, with or without ordering anything.

“Clients can walk through the place without buying anything… with coffee or without a coffee in hand,” he said.

A More Creative Direction. The shift reflects what the owners were already doing outside the restaurant. Ossipova had been selling handmade hats and jewelry, while Koletchko was producing music.

The new space leans into that, blending visual art, retail displays, and smaller music events like open mics, with larger events still being explored, including a planned grand opening rave. (Yes, we said rave).

What Stays the Same. Food is still part of the equation, but with a shift toward more accessible pricing and a menu that evolves based on customer feedback.

Koletchko also pointed to new ventless kitchen equipment, which he says reduces grease waste by up to 99%, as part of a broader push to rethink how the space operates.

Not an Isolated Shift. This isn’t the only shake-up in Canmore’s food scene.

In recent months, multiple longtime spaces have been reworked or reimagined, including The Drake’s partnership with Screaming Retriever Brewing, Uprising Bake Shop reopening as a European-style pub called The Corner Pub, and a Main Street space shifting from Das Schnitzel Haus to Luigi’s Italian Kitchen.

The throughline: operators are adjusting concepts to match changing demand, costs, and personal direction.

Zooming Out. Whether the hybrid art lounge concept sticks is still an open question. But it reflects a broader shift in Canmore’s hospitality scene: adapting when something no longer fits.

WHY BUYERS IN CANMORE ARE CHOOSING NEW BUILDS

There’s something different about owning a new home. It’s not just the look. It’s the ease, efficiency, and thoughtful design that reflect how people want to live today.

With new construction, you’re not inheriting someone else’s choices or future renovations. Instead, you have the opportunity to personalize the details and create a space that truly reflects your style, all backed by the confidence of a new home warranty.

It also offers a more flexible path to ownership, with structured deposit timelines that allow you to secure your home while it’s being built and plan ahead with confidence.

And now, there’s an added advantage for first-time buyers. The federal government has introduced a GST rebate on qualifying new builds, eliminating GST on homes up to $1,000,000, with a phase-out to $1,500,000. This can translate to saving tens of thousands of dollars. Helping reduce upfront costs and making homeownership more attainable.

If you’ve been considering a move, this could be the right time to explore what’s possible. Follow along on Alder & Stone’s Instagram for real-time updates on Canmore’s newest community, or start exploring your options today.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐻 First Bear Closure Hits Lake Louise Campground. The first bear-related closure of the season is in effect at the Lake Louise Trailer Campground. As of March 25, tents, tent trailers, and any soft-sided units are no longer allowed due to seasonal bear activity in the area. Hard-sided RVs are still permitted. The restriction is expected to remain in place through December 15, a reminder that wildlife season is already underway and Parks Canada is aiming to reduce risk for both people and bears.

• 🎸 Banff’s Punk Scene Is Still Alive, Just Harder to Find. Banff’s underground music scene is still kicking, but it runs on grit more than infrastructure. Local band Regal Foul is preparing to release its second album, recorded DIY in a small industrial jam space, while also helping sustain the scene through Banff Punk Night. Musicians say challenges include limited venues and rehearsal space, alongside a shift toward DJs and cover acts. The Banff Centre remains a major arts hub, though its facilities are primarily tied to formal programming, with some rental and performance opportunities available to locals when space allows. Read our deep dive.

• ✅ Icefields Parkway Reopens After Major Avalanche Cleanup. The Icefields Parkway is back open as of Thursday at 2 PM, restoring full access between the Trans-Canada Highway and Jasper. However, expect single-lane alternating traffic through the area, plus a no-stopping zone, as cleanup is still underway. The closure followed a major avalanche near Mount Hector that buried a 250-metre stretch of highway under up to 12 metres of debris. Parks Canada says it’s the first time that slide path has hit the road twice in one season. 

• 👶 Banff Childcare Crunch Mirrors Canmore’s Waitlist Problem. Banff is now calling its childcare shortage a “critical need,” with more than 220 kids on waitlists despite only about 150 licensed spaces in town. Officials are exploring grants, expansions, and temporary fixes, but space, not staffing, remains the biggest constraint. It closely mirrors what we just saw in Canmore, where a new centre built for 50 spaces already has ~200 children waiting before opening. Across the Bow Valley, childcare is shaping up as core infrastructure, not just a service, with real impacts on families, workers, and whether people can stay here long term.

Step Into the Marketing Ring…

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And in the other:
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CANMORE’S UPHILL MOUNTAIN SHOWDOWN IS BACK

What’s Happening? A low-key but highly competitive uphill running challenge is returning to Canmore this spring, with 64 runners going head-to-head over four weeks.

Not Your Typical Race. If you’re picturing a crowded start line, this isn’t that. The Queen and King of the Hill challenge runs May 25 to June 21, with runners tackling a new uphill route each week on their own time.

“It is simply an online game where we nudge people to go run a trail and tell us how fast they can go,” said Joël Desgreniers, co-owner of Ski Uphill and organizer of the event.

Participants get the route each Saturday, have until the following Sunday to submit a GPS-verified time, and can attempt the climb as many times as they want.

Built Out of COVID, Still Going Strong. The event started in 2021, when races were limited and runners were looking for something competitive but flexible.

“We wanted to give runners a reason to get after it and provide a real challenge… without the logistical commitment of a race,” Desgreniers said.

That format has stuck, partly because it lowers the barrier to entry while still offering a competitive edge.

From Weekend Warriors to Elite Runners. The field now spans a wide range of ability levels, from casual runners to high-level athletes.

“That full range… is what gives the event its character,” Desgreniers said.

Past participants include Emma Cook-Clarke, a Canadian National team ski mountaineering athlete, and Karl Augsten, a World Mountain Running competitor who holds course records across the Rockies.

Why It’s Capped at 64. Organizers intentionally limit participation to avoid overcrowding trails.

“Our trails are busy and shared by everyone so we deliberately cap participation,” Desgreniers said.

Zooming Out. About half the runners come from Calgary, reinforcing the Bow Valley’s role as a go-to training ground.

Read our full story to get the breakdown of how the challenge unfolds each week.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Live Music + $6 Pints. Catch Brad Bischoff live with his signature blend of folk, roots, and western. He’s shared stages with Blue Rodeo and Ian Tyson and brings big energy to every set. Plus: $6 pints of your favorite local beer. 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

Saturday

• Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race. A true Norquay classic. The 58th Bruno Engler Memorial Race brings generations of skiers together for a day of racing, nostalgia, and mountain community. Expect a two-run GS on Cascade, the return of the family race, and an après-style awards celebration to wrap it all up. 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Mount Norquay, Banff. Free to watch.

Sunday

• Canada: Our Story on Ice. The rink transforms into a full-on theatre for this stunning on-ice production by the Canmore Skating Club. Featuring local Bow Valley skaters and Olympian Keegan Messing, expect powerful performances, music, and lighting that bring the story to life right in front of you. 1:00 PM. $27-$33.40. Only a few tickets left.*

• Pub Choir: 1970s Edition. Dust off your disco alter ego and warm up those vocal cords. This 70s-themed Pub Choir is all about sing-along energy. No experience required. Just show up, join the crowd, and let loose. Costumes are encouraged. 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free to Attend.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🙆 Intro Canmore Pilates Classes, Limited Spots. If you’ve been curious about Pilates but not the packed-class version, this is your window. Flex Wellness is offering a 4-class April intro package for $100 (normally $45 per class), designed as a once-a-week, beginner-friendly start. The focus is on strength, improving movement, and developing body awareness for those easing back in or staying active long-term. Each small-group session (just 3 people) uses all the Pilates equipment. Spots are limited by design. Choose any four classes from April 8 to 29. Sign up before April 1.*

• 💚 Got a Green Idea? You Can Now Get $1K to Make It Happen. The Biosphere Institute has launched community microgrants offering up to $1,000 for local, environmentally focused projects across the Bow Valley. Open to individuals, grassroots groups, and nonprofits, the program supports ideas like workshops, youth initiatives, art, and small-scale climate action. The goal is simple: help locals turn good ideas into real-world impact, with mentorship included. Applications close March 30.*

• 👳🏻‍♂️ Arab Heritage Month Events Coming to Camore. artsPlace is marking Arab Heritage Month this April with a series of free Cultural Learning Circle events. The lineup includes a Gibran poetry reading with live East-West music (April 6), a curated night of Arab short films with filmmaker discussion (April 7), and a beginner-friendly Moroccan dance workshop (April 8). All events are free, with donations welcome, and offer a chance to experience music, film, and culture you don’t typically see in the Bow Valley.*

• 🫎 Found Antlers This Spring? Here Are The Rules. Shedding season is underway, and Parks Canada is reminding visitors that any antlers found in Banff National Park must stay where they are. They’re a key food source for small animals, and removing them can lead to fines up to $25,000. 

• 🦮 Local Dog Sled Team Lands a TV Moment. Canmore’s Mad Dogs Expeditions popped up on TV this week, capturing a classic Bow Valley scene of dogs doing what they do best out on the trails. If you haven’t heard of them, they’ve been guiding sled dogs here for over 30 years. Catch their spotlight. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Wants Fewer Cars, But Most Trips Still Drive. Canmore is aiming for 40% of trips to be car-free by 2030, but it’s currently sitting around 25%. The challenge is geography. With limited room to expand roads, the town is betting on shifting how people move instead of building more space for cars. A new transportation plan will map that shift through 2040, with recommendations expected this fall.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, March 27th, 2026, 10:00 PM: With Intention. Location: Banff Ave Brewing Company. $10.

• Friday, March 27th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Section 8. Location: The Drake, Canmore. No Cover

• Saturday, March 28th, 2026, 7:00 PM: The 3 for 1 Tour. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover

• Saturday, March 29th, 2026, 9:00 PM: Country Night with Five N' Dime. Location: Banff Ave Brewing Co., Banff. No Cover

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Game Night. The Canmore Eagles are back on home ice tonight taking on the Calgary Canucks, with the playoff series tied 2-2. Tickets are still available, but it’s standing room only, so expect a packed house and playoff vibes. Show up loud and cheer them on. 7:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre. $18.

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.