❄️ Avalanche Hits Early

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We hope you had a chance to step outside around 7 PM last night and catch the incredible light show dancing over the Bow Valley. Our social media feed was filled with photos of pink and purple auroras lighting up the skies above mountains from Rundle to Cascade. Even Banff’s mayor couldn’t resist posting about it.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CANMORE BREWING TOPS ALBERTA’S BEST WITH TWO MEDAL BEERS

What’s Happening? Canmore Brewing is raising a glass after winning Gold and Silver at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. The local brewery’s Georgetown Brown Ale topped the Brown Ale and English Bitter category, while its Highline Lager took Silver among light lagers, both judged blind by certified beer experts from across Alberta.

Behind the Brews. Head brewer Nikos Schwelm says the competition’s rigorous process, with four samples per beer and multiple rounds of judging under Master-level oversight, makes the win especially rewarding. The Georgetown Brown, a caramel-forward ale first brewed in co-owner Brian Dunn’s garage in 2015, was designed to change how people think about dark beer. The Highline Lager, at just 4 percent ABV and brewed entirely with Alberta-grown ingredients, celebrates the local trail it’s named after.

What It Means. For a brewery that began with small-town roots, the recognition places Canmore Brewing among Alberta’s top craft producers. Co-owner Susan Dunn says it proves that staying true to craftsmanship, rather than chasing trends, still pays off. “Our team has worked really hard to stay focused on what brought us into this business in the first place,” she said.

More Than Medals. While awards are nice, the brewery says the real validation comes from the locals who fill its taproom. Canmore Brewing’s Community Fridays feature live music and $6 pints, and its Order of Good Cheer club connects beer lovers through early tastings and events. General manager Alain Parent says the goal is simple: great beer and good community.

Read our full story to learn how Canmore Brewing perfects its recipes.

THE BOW VALLEY’S CLEAN-UP CREW (OF ONE)

Forget big-name “teams” that send a new stranger every week. Zoe is just Zoe and that’s exactly why locals trust her. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, she brings consistency, care, and a spotless finish to every clean. From regular upkeep to move-outs, she’s your one-woman cleaning crew. She’s now taking on new clients, so if you want a cleaner who actually gives a damn, book a quick chat today.*

THE DIGEST

• ⛷️ Avalanche in Rogers Pass Serves as Early-Season Reminder. A user-submitted report to Avalanche Canada describes a skier-triggered slide near Harvey Pass on Nov. 9, one of the first incidents of the season in the region. The skier triggered a size 1–1.5 avalanche after attempting a ski cut, was carried about 50 metres, and escaped uninjured. A slide of that size is strong enough to bury someone or destroy a small structure. Backcountry users are reminded to carry proper gear, travel cautiously, and check forecasts before heading out.

• 🌪️ Banff Cleans Up After Overnight Windstorm. Banff woke up to chaos Monday morning after powerful overnight winds toppled trees, damaged homes, and blocked streets. Gusts reached up to 115 km/h across southern Alberta, with crews and residents spending hours clearing debris. Fire Chief Keri Martens urged caution around weakened trees, warning that “strange noises” could mean another one’s about to fall. Environment Canada says more Chinook-fueled gusts could hit later this month.

• 💡 How Banff Became a Secret Playground for WWII Spies. In the 1940s, while visitors soaked in the hot springs, Banff quietly brushed shoulders with wartime espionage. Winnipeg-born William Stephenson, the real-life inspiration for James Bond, is rumored to have used the Banff Springs Hotel for discreet meetings away from prying eyes. Historians can’t confirm it, but tales of coded messages and secret guests still linger in the hotel’s halls, hinting that the Rockies once guarded more than just mountain secrets. Read the full story. 

• 🐻 Bears Still Active Across the Bow Valley. Don’t pack away that bear spray just yet. Parks officials say some black and grizzly bears are still roaming at lower elevations, even as others begin to den for winter. Males like “The Boss” have been known to stay active into January. Residents are reminded to secure attractants, and drivers should slow down and watch for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.

• 🛣 Locals Sound Off on Highway 1 Speed Limits. The province is asking Albertans whether some divided highways, including the stretch east of Banff, should increase from 110 to 120 km/h. Many of you had strong opinions, so we’re putting it to an official poll. Here’s a sample of what Bow Valley Insiders told us: “Highway 1 is already a nasty race track,” “If it’s 120, people will go 135,” and “Wildlife is greatly at risk.” What do you think?

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.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s chat

CANMORE’S CONNOR HOWE OPENS OLYMPIC SEASON WITH DOUBLE GOLD

What’s Happening? For many Bow Valley athletes, the journey to the next Winter Games begins in earnest, and Canmore’s own Connor Howe is already mid stride.

Strong Start to an Olympic Year. At the 2025 Canadian Long Track Championships in Calgary, held from October 23 to 26, Howe once again proved why he is Canada’s man to beat. He captured his fifth straight national title in the 1,500 metre, finishing comfortably ahead of the field, and then won the 1,000 metre by just 0.12 seconds, a margin that shows how fine the line is at this level.

Why It Matters? These wins reinforce Howe’s place as Canada’s top middle-distance skater, but they are only the first step toward the Winter Games. The national titles help secure his ranking at home, yet his Olympic ticket will depend on results in the opening four World Cup events this fall, beginning in Salt Lake City from November 13 to 16 and continuing in Calgary from November 21 to 23. 

The Back Story. Howe grew up in Canmore and developed through the Banff Canmore Speed Skating Club. He made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, finishing fifth in the 1,500 metre. His personal best of 1:42.34 sits just shy of the Canadian record of 1:42.01, set by Denny Morrison in 2008. Morrison went on to win bronze in that distance at the 2014 Sochi Games.

The Next Chapter. Howe and the Canadian team face a demanding stretch of World Cup events that will determine who earns a spot at Milan Cortina. To make it, skaters must meet strict ISU time standards and accumulate enough World Cup points through the Special Olympic Qualification Classifications. For Howe, the mission goes beyond making the team. After a fifth-place finish in Beijing, he’s chasing not just qualification but a podium in 2026.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Sip & Paint Workshop. Guided step-by-step, you’ll create a beautiful botanical painting of soft leaves and bold flowers, perfect for beginners. Relax with a warm spiced chai latte included, let your creativity flow, and leave with a piece that’s both calming and uplifting. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. 1000 6th Avenue, Canmore. $37.66.

• Avalanche Rescue Night for Sledders. Sledders heading into the backcountry this winter can brush up on lifesaving skills at a free avalanche companion rescue webinar. The evening covers must-have gear, rescue techniques, and why practicing as a team could make all the difference when seconds count. 8:00 PM. Online. Free.

Thursday

• Sandy Lecour & The Dark Stars Live at artsPlace. Catch an inspiring night of original music with Sandy Lecour & The Brilliant Dark Stars. A former Paralympic gold medallist turned songwriter, Sandy’s music blends warmth, wit, and heart. Her latest album, Listen T’ Me, explores love, loss, and resilience through storytelling and song. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 general, $21.25 members, $12.50 youth.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Canmore’s Funniest Holiday Tradition. This local theatre tradition delivers the kind of laughs you won’t find on Netflix. Bob’s Your Elf takes over the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall with a tale of an elf who’s terrible at his job, helped (and sometimes upstaged) by a live choir of elves singing classic Christmas tunes. It’s silly, sweet, and perfect for all ages. Run by the Pine Tree Players, the show runs Nov 19–23 and 27–29. Tickets will sell out. Get yours here before opening night.*

• 🎄 Bow Valley Elves Return to Spread Holiday Cheer. Since 2012, the Bow Valley Elves have brought Christmas joy to local seniors and families in need. Starting today (Nov. 12), Rusticana Grocery and the Coast Canmore Hotel will display tags listing real gift wishes collected from seniors and families. Pick a tag, buy and wrap the gift, and return it to Rusticana by Dec. 10. Canmore Collegiate students and volunteers will deliver each present, spreading kindness and connection across the Bow Valley this holiday season. Full details here.*

• 🍽️ Cozy Five-Course Dinner at The Juniper. The Juniper has a new five-course dinner that sounds amazing. Chef Sergio’s put together a cozy, seasonal menu full of fresh, local flavours. You can add wine or cocktails if you want, and you’ll need a reservation. There’s even a short video on Instagram where he talks about the dishes.*

• 🍞 Banff Legion Bake Sale & Market. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 15, for the Banff Legion’s annual bake sale and market. Explore over 16 local vendors and grab delicious baked goods, all generously donated by the community. Entrance is free, and everyone is welcome, including kids. The event runs from 12 to 6 PM.*

• 🦴 Canmore’s Best-Kept Secret for Lasting Pain Relief. Fix the root cause of your pain with osteopathy. No gimmicks, just real results. Book a free total body assessment to understand the biomechanical root cause behind your symptoms and how to resolve it.*

• 🥓 Mix and Match Sausage Deal. This week only, stock up and save at Valbella. Mix and match any 5 packs of their delicious sausages: Bratwursts, Chorizo, Smokies, Classic Dogs, and more for $25. All made with premium meats and flavours. Deal ends Thursday (Nov 13) at 10 AM online and Saturday (Nov 15) in the Deli.*

• 👨‍🚒 How Fireguards and FireSmarting Can Improve Human-Wildlife Coexistence. On Monday, November 17th, join the Biosphere Institute and wildlife biologist John Paczkowski for a free Earth Talks presentation on how fireguards and FireSmart practices can help humans and wildlife live side by side. The talk is free, but registration is required.*

CIVIC NEWS

• MD of Bighorn Council Meets Today. The MD of Bighorn meets at 9 AM to review property tax cancellations, appoint a new auditor and Director of Emergency Management, and support a Fireguard grant and emergency response funding. Council will also hear departmental and RCMP updates before a closed session on Exshaw Mountain Gateway intersection upgrades. Full agenda here.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, 5:30 PM: Gather For Food Fall Fundraiser with Mari Rosehill. Location: Cornerstone Theatre, Canmore. $33.28.

• Thursday, November 13th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Envy. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Nordiq Canada Time Trials at Canmore Nordic Centre. About 90 athletes will compete in the Nordiq Canada Time Trials, racing for national event selections. Thursday, Nov. 13 features the Sprint Classic, and Friday, Nov. 14 hosts the Individual Start. Races begin at 9 AM, with trails including Frozen Thunder and the Biathlon Stadium reserved for competition from 8 AM to 1 PM. Spectators are encouraged to come cheer on Canada’s next Nordic stars.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.