⛷️ Another Glacier Tragedy

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We accidentally sparked a full-on Bow Valley gas debate this week after asking on Instagram why people stop at the Esso on Hwy 40 when the Good Stoney Gas Bar is consistently about 10 cents cheaper. The post is now closing in on half a million views, and honestly, the comment section has made surprisingly compelling arguments for both sides.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

SKIER DIES AFTER FALLING INTO CREVASSE ON ATHABASCA GLACIER

What’s Happening? A 38-year-old backcountry skier from the Czech Republic, who had been living in Revelstoke, B.C., has died after falling into a crevasse while skiing on the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park.

On The Columbia Icefield. Alberta RCMP said emergency crews were called to the Columbia Icefield around 5:20 PM on May 12 after one of three backcountry skiers and snowboarders fell into a crevasse while descending the Athabasca Glacier from the south ridge of Mount Andromeda (route here as described in a separate trip report).

Parks Canada spokesperson Karly Savoy told Bow Valley Insider the group was travelling through steep, heavily crevassed terrain near the glacier’s highest icefall, a section of broken ice marked by deep cracks and unstable conditions, when the skier fell roughly 25m into a crevasse.

Savoy said the group attempted to rescue the skier using crevasse rescue gear before calling for help, but surrounding crevasses made it too dangerous to safely reach him.

Why This Area Is So Dangerous. Experienced ski mountaineer Oakley Werenka, who has completed more than seven expeditions on the Columbia Icefield, told Bow Valley Insider the Mount Andromeda south ridge is considered a classic spring ski mountaineering route, but one with major hazards.

Werenka said skiers generally choose between two lines: travelling closer to large hanging ice formations known as seracs, which can collapse without warning but usually involve fewer crevasses, or descending more directly through the glacier’s centre where exposure to hidden crevasses increases significantly.

Experts generally consider roping together best practice in heavily crevassed terrain, though Bow Valley Insider was unable to confirm whether the group involved was roped at the time of the incident.

Recovery Delayed. Parks Canada said visitor safety specialists from Jasper and Banff national parks descended into the crevasse around 7:30 PM and confirmed the man had died from injuries sustained in the fall. Poor weather and hazardous glacier conditions delayed recovery efforts until May 14, two days later.

A similar fatal crevasse incident also occurred on the Columbia Icefield in 2011 near Mount Snow Dome, when a man fell roughly 30 metres into a crevasse while travelling unroped in a group of three. 

Read our full story

THE BOW VALLEY PEST PROBLEM NOBODY TALKS ABOUT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE

Every year around this time, the same thing happens across the Bow Valley.

Someone notices a few ants near the kitchen sink. A wasp or two starts hovering around the deck. Maybe there’s scratching in the ceiling at night that everyone collectively agrees to ignore for another week.

Then July hits, and suddenly it’s not “a few ants” anymore.

That’s the thing about pest problems in Alberta: the expensive, stressful situations usually start as small spring warning signs people brush off.

Innovative Pest Solutions built their residential programs around stopping those problems before they escalate. Their team handles everything from ants, spiders, wasps, and rodents to wildlife exclusion, sealing entry points and preventing repeat issues before they turn into mid-summer headaches. 

And honestly, this is probably the best time of year to deal with it. It’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to stop a small issue in May than a full infestation in July.

Get a free estimate (they started local but also serve Calgary and Cochrane, too).

_{*Presented by Innovative Pest Solutions.}

THE DIGEST

• 🪧 Banff’s Most Photographed Sign Has Disappeared Again. Before anyone starts posting conspiracy theories in the Banff Facebook groups, the giant “BANFF” letters beside the Train Station are only gone temporarily. The Town of Banff says the sign is heading back into storage for roughly 3-4 weeks while crews finish pathways, landscaping, seating areas, and the surrounding public gathering space. The sign originally moved from Norquay Road last year after safety concerns around tourists stopping beside traffic for photos. It’s expected to return sometime in June. 

• 📈 Canmore’s Largest Entrepreneurship Cohort Yet Just Graduated. Canmore’s SMARTstart entrepreneurship program graduated a record 19 local entrepreneurs this spring, with businesses ranging from mountain guiding and landscaping to bridal makeup and accounting. The eight-month program helps early-stage business owners develop business plans, mentorship connections, and practical skills during the difficult first few years of running a company. According to the Town, small businesses still account for roughly 95% of businesses operating locally. Applications for next year’s cohort are already open. 

• 🚎 One of the Columbia Icefield’s Giant Glacier Vehicles Just Went Electric. You’ve probably seen the Ice Explorer vehicles crawling across the Athabasca Glacier. One of them has now gone electric, powered by rooftop solar panels and regenerative braking technology. The vehicle can complete roughly 30 to 35 glacier trips per charge and is expected to reduce about 50 tonnes of emissions, roughly equivalent to taking 10 passenger vehicles off the road for a year. This year will act as a pilot project to see whether more diesel vehicles could eventually be replaced.

• 👉 The Rockies Are About to Get Very Busy Again. We’re now less than a month away from Parks Canada making admission free again for the summer season through the Canada Strong Pass, running June 19 to Sept. 7. This year also brings back 25% off camping, plus discounted VIA Rail fares and museum admission. Timing-wise, it comes just as a new national ranking named Jasper, Banff, and Waterton, the top three parks to visit in Canada this summer. Last year’s program drove a 13% jump in Parks Canada visits nationally 

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

May? Gone.
June? 90% booked
Summer? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

DAUGHTER OF BANFF’S FAMOUS “BOSS” GRIZZLY LOSES CUB TO TRAIN

What’s Happening? A grizzly bear cub from one of Banff National Park’s most recognizable bear families was struck and killed by a train on May 17, renewing attention on the ongoing challenge of wildlife deaths along the park’s rail corridor.

Part Of A Well-Known Bear Family. Parks Canada said the cub was one of two offspring travelling with Grizzly Bear 142, a well-known female in the Bow Valley and the daughter of Bear 122, better known as “The Boss.”

Wildlife staff received reports around 8 PM that the cub had been struck and killed near the Eldon siding, close to Protection Mountain Campground (map here).

Parks Canada said Bear 142 and the surviving cub remained in the area afterward and were observed “behaving normally.”

Why Bears End Up Near The Tracks. Parks Canada temporarily implemented a no-stopping zone along the Bow Valley Parkway after visitors reportedly stopped along roadsides and, in some cases, walked near railway tracks to photograph the bears.

The agency said lingering snowpack this spring may be concentrating bears into valley-bottom areas where some of the first accessible vegetation is emerging.

“With an above average snowpack persisting in most of the region, there is limited habitat for bears to forage,” Parks Canada told Bow Valley Insider. “The rail corridor at the valley bottom provides a convenient way for bears to travel and contains some of the limited vegetation currently available for bears to feed on.”

Staff also investigated the site and found no evidence of a major grain spill, one of the attractants historically linked to bear activity near rail lines.

A Longstanding Problem. According to Parks Canada, 19 grizzly bears have been killed on railways in Banff National Park since 2005.

The collision comes despite years of mitigation work between Parks Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, including alternate wildlife travel routes, vegetation management, prescribed burns, forest thinning, and remote wildlife monitoring near high-risk rail sections like Morant’s Curve and Five Mile Bridge.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Banff Burger Club at Fat Ox. Smash burgers return to Banff for one day only. The menu includes classics like the Smash Burger, Haystack, Bison Smash, and Forest Burger, plus fries, truffle tots, chili cheese fries, and banana splits. 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM. The Fax Ox, Banff. Reservations preferred, walk-ins welcome as space allows.*

• Comedy Roast Master Performs in Canmore. Mike Dambra, the “Smart-Ass King of Comedy,” is bringing his fast-paced, crowd-work-heavy stand-up show to Canmore. The comedian has spent more than 35 years performing internationally, opening for names like Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25. Tickets.*

Saturday

• Sports Gear Swap. Got outgrown cleats, spare balls, or a garage corner full of forgotten gear? This community swap gives sports equipment a second life. Gear can be dropped off from 10 AM-12 PM, with swapping from 12-2 PM. Canmore Library. Free.*

• An Evening of Folk, Celtic, and Fiddle. Bow Valley acoustic veteran Bradley Bischoff teams up with Calgary fiddler Scott Duncan for a night of western Canadian storytelling, traditional fiddle tunes, and acoustic music inspired by folk and Celtic roots. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25.*

Sunday

• Pickleball Try-It Session. Curious about pickleball? The Bow Valley Pickleball Association is hosting a low-cost beginner session for locals wanting to try the sport. Registration closes Saturday at 11:59 PM, with play starting on Sunday 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Veterans Park, Canmore. $10.

LAST CHANCE TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT THIS FALL

Canadian Rockies Public Schools urgently needs more Bow Valley host families secured before the end of May.

Host families receive $1,575 per month for the 2026-27 school year, plus a $200 sign-on bonus for new hosts who apply before May 31.

But many local families say the experience becomes far more meaningful than they expected.

Students from countries like Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Spain come to Banff and Canmore to study and experience life in the Rockies firsthand. In return, many host families build lifelong friendships, experience new cultures, and stay connected with students years after the program ends.

There’s also a direct benefit to local schools. International students pay tuition fees that help support teachers, classroom resources, and educational opportunities for Bow Valley students.

You also don’t need to be a “traditional family” to host. Empty nesters, couples, retirees, and single adults regularly take part.

Fill out this quick form to express your interest.

_{*Presented by Canadian Rockies Public Schools.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏞️ One Of The Rockies’ Best Summer Patios Just Reopened. Cilantro on the Lake at Emerald Lake Lodge officially reopened for the season, bringing back one of the most scenic patio setups anywhere near the Bow Valley. Sitting right on Emerald Lake, the seasonal restaurant has quietly become a bit of a post-hike ritual for locals heading west. This year’s menu includes things like bison shawarma, boar chorizo pizza, lamb burgers, and handhelds designed for people who just spent six hours outside. They also added a new grab-and-go window this season for coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and trail snacks. Details.*

• 👋 Okay Bow Valley, Someone Needs to Apply for This. We’re only sharing this because we genuinely want one of the hardy Bow Valley outdoors people to enter and win. A new Canadian wilderness adventure challenge series called Project Survival is now casting contestants, with a grand prize of up to $250,000. Producers say they’re looking for resilient Canadians ready to survive and compete in the northern wilderness. Applications require an audition video. 

• 🌊 Miette Hot Springs Reopens for the Season. Located an hour from Jasper, the Miette Hot Springs are the hottest in the Canadian Rockies and a favourite among the Bow Valley Insider team over Banff Upper Hot Springs. Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to go earlier in the season before summer crowds ramp up, especially with free national park admission returning soon. That said, the late-night quiet hour from 10-11 PM is pretty hard to beat, too.

• 👩🏻 Bow Valley Baddies Women’s Group. A new free community group is helping women in the Bow Valley find friends, get outside, and make plans that actually leave the group chat. Bow Valley Baddies is open to all ages and abilities, with activities like hikes, bikes, climbs, happy hours, and more. The group already has nearly 80 members, with more events coming, including a group hike on June 13.

CIVIC NEWS

• Got Junk? The MD of Bighorn Wants It Gone. The spring large-item drop-off program runs until Monday for residents in Exshaw, Lac des Arcs, Dead Man’s Flats, and Harvie Heights. Large bins are now set up throughout the community for oversized household items. All locations are posted here.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, May 22, 2026, 9:00 PM: Andy Curtis.  Location: Tavern 1883. No Cover.

• Saturday, May 23, 2026, 8:00 PM: Canmore Punk Night.  Location: Core Values, Canmore. Free.

SPORTS

• Bow Valley Students Put Up Big Results at Regionals. Local athletes delivered standout performances at the Bow Valley Regional Track and Field Meet in Canmore, with several competitors posting personal bests and qualifying for zones in Calgary. Banff Community High School’s Emmitt Minty highlighted the meet with an 11.55-second 100m sprint.

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.