🥾 Backcountry Permits: What to Know

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you’re like us, perhaps you’ve wondered what books locals actually read last year. So we reached out directly to Kelly Turpin, Assistant Director at Banff Public Library, to pull the borrowing data for us. A clear pattern emerged: mystery and crime led the charge, with a few book-club staples and genre curveballs mixed in. This is based on real checkout numbers, not staff picks or bestseller lists. We broke down the full rankings here.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CANMORE PREPARES LIVABILITY TAX COMPROMISE FOLLOWING TALKS WITH PROVINCE

What’s Happening? Canmore council will debate a proposed compromise to the town’s Livability Tax at its Jan. 6 meeting. The change, brought forward by Mayor Sean Krausert, would exempt Alberta residents who own second homes in Canmore from the higher non-primary residence tax rate, while keeping the higher rate in place for out-of-province owners.

Why This Matters. The Livability Tax was created to help fund non-market housing, meaning homes that stay affordable because their prices or rents are kept below market rates. Under the program, homes not used as a primary residence are charged an extra tax of 0.4% of assessed value. On a $1 million home, that’s roughly $4,000 on top of regular property taxes.

Town officials say the tax is one of the few tools available to help address Canmore’s housing shortage, which they describe as a long-term threat to the community’s workforce and character.

What Changed. While the tax was upheld by the courts last year, implementation was delayed until 2026. At the same time, the province signalled a new policy direction, asking Municipal Affairs to protect Albertans from specialized municipal taxes on non-primary residences.

After months of discussions with the province, the mayor says a compromise is now on the table.

“We weren’t so much fixated on a particular solution,” Krausert said recently on the Canmorite podcast, “rather than meeting the dire need that we have, which is money to build non-market housing.”

What Council Will Vote On. Council is not approving the final tax change this week. Instead, councillors will decide whether to direct staff to draft an amendment that reflects the Alberta exemption and bring it back for approval before 2026 tax rates are set.

What’s Still Unresolved. Exempting Alberta owners would reduce revenue from the tax. Town officials acknowledge the funding gap and say discussions with the province are ongoing to find other ways to support housing projects. Council meets tomorrow.

Read more about Mayor Krausert’s proposed changes in our full article.

LAST CHANCE TO JOIN OUR JANUARY ICE CLIMB

Quick heads up: registration closes this Friday. We’ve organized a beginner-friendly ice climbing day on January 31, fully guided by our friends at Leviathan Mountain Guides. You’ll climb frozen waterfalls in Kananaskis, learn some new mountain skills, and come home with a few photos worth keeping. No ice experience needed, but if you’ve already ice climbed, this will likely feel too basic. First come, first served. Full details and booking here.

THE DIGEST

• 🥾 Backcountry Booking Season Is Almost Here. If you are hoping to camp or hike some of the Rockies’ most popular backcountry routes this summer, January is when the rush begins. Reservations open in waves through Parks Canada, and many marquee trips are booked within minutes. Lake O’Hara, Egypt Lake, the Rockwall, and the Skyline are all in the mix, each with slightly different rules this year. We laid out exactly when each park opens and how to be ready. Get the full park-by-park breakdown below.

• 💍 A TV Figure Skater’s Banff Engagement Went Global. What looked like a quiet skate on a frozen lake turned into an international story. Vanessa Bauer, a pro skater on Dancing On Ice, got engaged while skating at Vermilion Lakes. The moment was low-key and instantly recognizable to locals, but it quickly became viral and made its way through overseas media. Bauer’s partner, James Rowe, had learned to skate specifically so he could propose this way. 

• 🚘 AI Could Soon Help Predict Banff Traffic. An Edmonton college (NorQuest) is testing artificial intelligence to help forecast congestion in Banff during peak summer months, when traffic volumes now top 1.8 million vehicles. The idea is a public dashboard that helps locals and visitors better plan when to travel and when to avoid the townsite altogether. Banff officials say transit investments are helping, but visitation keeps growing and the town is only four square kilometres. Whether the AI tool is ready by summer remains unclear. 

• 👶🏻 Bow Valley’s First Baby of 2026 Has Been Announced. The Bow Valley officially welcomed its first baby of 2026 at 9:08 AM on New Year's Day. Beau Jayce Bujold was born at Canmore Hospital to parents Madison Bujold and Marcus Zomar-Davis. He is a Cochrane local, but we will allow it. His arrival marks a feel-good start to the year and gives the Bow Valley a new youngster to quietly celebrate.

• ⛷️ Michael Kors Turned Banff Into a Luxury Après-Ski Set. The luxury accessories and lifestyle brand Michael Kors filmed its entire winter holiday campaign in Banff. It featured a lineup of models we do not recognize because, well, we are not fashion journalists, but we do recognize the scenery. Some of Banff’s most iconic landscapes show up throughout a very polished commercial. There is also plenty of fantasy involved, like casually carrying designer handbags while hauling skis. Watch the 30-second ad.

Traditional Media Called. It Wants Its Budget Back.

We get it. You’ve “always done” print.

But your customers are in their inbox, not your neighbor’s recycling.

We deliver clicks and sales, not column inches.

➡️ Stop funding nostalgia. Start driving results.

HOW COAT COLOUR IS INFLUENCING PUPPY ADOPTIONS IN THE BOW VALLEY

What’s Happening? A recent litter at Heart Mountain Rescue (our Bow Valley-based dog rescue) revealed a familiar but uncomfortable pattern: brown puppies were snapped up fast, while black-coated pups were largely overlooked.

The Numbers Tell the Story. When six puppies became available, the two brown pups each received five or more applications. The four black pups received none. After a follow-up social media post addressing “Black Dog Syndrome,” interest improved, but one black puppy, Plum, is still waiting for a home.

What’s Behind the Imbalance. Black Dog Syndrome is debated in rescue circles, but Heart Mountain Rescue says the trend shows up often enough to be hard to ignore. Our conversation with Founder Briana MacLeod point to two recurring factors:

• Photos don’t help. Dark fur absorbs light, making facial features harder to capture. In a world where first impressions are made on a phone screen, that matters.
  

• Perception creeps in. Some adopters unconsciously see black dogs as more intimidating, even though temperament doesn’t support that idea.

Why It Matters for Rescues. Dogs that receive less interest tend to stay in care longer, stretching foster capacity and resources. To counter that, the rescue intentionally takes in black litters, shares more video content, and sometimes asks applicants interested in lighter-coloured dogs to consider others in the litter.

Meet Plum. Plum (pictured above) is the last puppy still available and is described as the sweetest of the group, as well as a favourite of her foster family. Her situation highlights the gap between how a dog looks online and who they actually are in person.

The Bigger Takeaway. Rescue workers say a single photo rarely tells the full story, especially for black dogs. Videos, meet-and-greets, and a second look can change outcomes fast. As MacLeod puts it, choosing the black dog doesn’t just help one pup. It eases pressure across the entire rescue system.

Read more about Plum in our full article. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• World Junior Hockey. Catch all the action live on the big screen. Watch the bronze medal game at 2:30 PM, then stick around for the gold medal showdown at 6:30 PM. Grab a seat, enjoy the atmosphere, and cheer on Canada. 2:30 PM. Stoney Nakota Resort, Kananskis. Free.

• Drop-In Run Group. All levels are welcome, and each week brings a mix of scenic trails, hill sessions, and light intervals in a friendly, supportive group setting. No sign-up needed. Meet under the big Canadian flag at the Nordic Centre and hit the trails. 5:30 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free.

Tuesday

• Opening Reception for a New Canmore Art Exhibition. The opening reception for Nature’s Embrace by Debra L. Kiel is happening Tuesday evening. The free community exhibition explores trees, the human form, and emotional connection through intimate, nature-driven artwork. Drop in to meet the artist, enjoy refreshments, and get a first look at the series before it settles in for the month. No ticket, no pressure, just art and conversation. artsPlace, Canmore. 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Free.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥣 $6 Community Chili Night. Warm up with a bowl and some local tunes. Starting this Wednesday (Jan. 7), Wild Flour brings back Community Chili Nights with vegan or beef chili for just $6, plus live music from The Ramblin’ Hey, Ho, Ha’s. Drop in between 5 and 7 PM, and enjoy an easy, cozy night with friends.*

• 🎠 Skijor Weekend at the Rose and Crown. Skijor is weird, wild, and very Banff, so naturally, there’s a party to match. On January 17, head to the Rose and Crown for rooftop daytime shenanigans, DJs, heaters, games, and drink specials, then stick around for live music and late-night chaos. Come for the horses ripping down Banff Ave, stay for the beers and the band.*

• 🎤 Valley Winds: Make Music Together. Valley Winds Music Association is welcoming new members across four performing groups, from jazz and concert band to mixed and men’s choirs. No auditions for the choirs, no pressure, and you can try one rehearsal for free. It’s a friendly way to make music, meet people, and bring a little extra joy into the Bow Valley.*

• 💃 Salsa Socials in Canmore. If your New Year goals include moving more and meeting people, this one’s for you. Salsa Socials return to ArtsPlace on January 10th with a beginner-friendly lesson at 8 PM, followed by a lively dance party until late. No partner or experience needed, just show up ready to try.*

• 💛 Volunteer With Bow Valley Palliative. Bow Valley Palliative is welcoming volunteers for its January 2026 intake, with roles ranging from compassionate companionship to event support, committee work, and board leadership. Volunteering here is about showing up for people during life’s hardest moments, while becoming part of a deeply caring local network.

CIVIC NEWS

• First Council Meeting of 2026. Canmore council kicks off the year on January 6 with a packed agenda and several high-impact public hearings. All eyes will be on proposed land use and development bylaw changes tied to Silvertip, Three Sisters Drive, and the Canmore-MD of Bighorn plan.

LIVE MUSIC

• Tuesday, January 6th, 2025, 7:30 PM: JP Cormier. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20. 

• Tuesday, January 6th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Banff Punk Night: Volume XII. Location: Pump and Tap, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• A Legendary Mount Robson Route Took Years to Complete. Long before it became known for a solo ascent, one of the hardest lines on Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak, was defined by persistence. Canmore local Barry Blanchard needed four separate attempts before completing the demanding route on the Emperor Face in 2002, enduring long days, exposed bivouacs, and sustained technical climbing. That determination laid the groundwork for the climb’s later fame, including Marc-André Leclerc’s historic solo (featured in the film The Alpinist). Read Blanchard’s story inside Gripped Magazine.

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.