🏢 Banff Ave Redesign Revealed

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you voted in Monday’s poll, we’ve got an update on how your feedback is shaping our outdoor coverage. Details below.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

SIX CONCEPTS UNVEILED FOR MAJOR BANFF AVENUE REDESIGN

What’s Happening? Parks Canada has released six finalist concept designs for the long-planned redevelopment of the 200 block of Banff Avenue, and the public is now being asked for structured feedback.

Why This Is a Big Deal. This stretch of Banff Avenue is effectively the park’s front door. The redesign will shape how millions of visitors arrive, orient themselves, and move through downtown, while also affecting how locals experience one of the most prominent blocks in town for decades.

What the Designs Have in Common. Despite very different architectural styles, the concepts share several themes: a new or expanded visitor centre, a central public plaza set back from the street, strong mountain view corridors, and year-round gathering space. Indigenous representation features prominently across proposals, with ceremonial areas, interpretive landscapes, and dedicated cultural and educational spaces. Landscape design does a lot of the heavy lifting too, with native planting, water management features, and outdoor teaching areas showing up repeatedly.

The Parking Question (Again). Parking remains the most closely watched wildcard. Some designs include underground parking beneath the site (designs 2, 3, and 5), while others lean toward transit connections, bike facilities, and pedestrian-first layouts. This revives a long-running tension between Parks Canada and the Town of Banff, which has discouraged adding new downtown parking.

How Public Input Works. This is not a public vote. Feedback submitted through the survey (open until Feb. 27) will be summarized and shared with an independent jury from the design competition, run in partnership with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

What’s Next? A preferred concept is expected to be selected this spring, followed by detailed design and further consultation. The images released now are directional, not final, but they offer the clearest look yet at how Banff’s front door could change.

Our full story breaks down the designs and explains how to submit feedback before the deadline.

CANMORE CLINIC OPENS NEW SHOP FOR INJURY PREVENTION AND RECOVERY

What’s Happening? Banff Sport Medicine has opened a new in-clinic bracing and recovery retail space in Canmore, giving Bow Valley locals access to joint supports, braces, and mobility tools with professional guidance included.

The Big Idea. Instead of sending patients elsewhere or leaving them to figure it out online, the clinic brought bracing and recovery products under the same roof as its medical and rehab services. The goal: fewer guess-and-check purchases, more “this actually fits and works.”

What’s On The Shelves? This is not just knee braces. The shop carries supports for knees, ankles, wrists, shoulders, and backs, plus compression garments, orthotics, mobility aids, and recovery tools. The emphasis is on injury prevention, recovery, and long-term joint health.

Who’s It For? Not just high-performance athletes. The shop is designed for anyone who moves, which in the Bow Valley is… pretty much everyone. That includes tradespeople, weekend warriors, seniors looking to stay mobile, and people managing chronic joint issues.

Why Location Matters? Because the shop is integrated within the clinic, staff can coordinate directly with physicians, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and strength and conditioning coaches. That means product recommendations are based on how you actually move, heal, and live, not just what’s trending online.

Why This Beats Online Shopping? Every visit starts with a conversation about activity level, injury history, and goals, followed by a proper fitting. Translation: less wasted money, lower re-injury risk, and more confidence using the gear.

Where to Find It? 213-300 Old Canmore Road, second floor (Shops of Canmore). No appointment necessary. 

_{*Presented by Banff Sport Medicine.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛲ Rome Just Put a Paywall on Its Most Famous Fountain. This one isn’t Bow Valley-related, but we keep an eye on other global tourist towns to see how they manage crowds at iconic sites. This week, Rome began charging tourists €2 to access the Trevi Fountain, citing crowd control. Locals enter free. The 18th-century fountain is basically Rome’s Lake Louise: iconic, busy, and endlessly photographed. The fee applies daily from 9 AM to 10 PM. Online reaction is mixed, with a viral Instagram clip fueling the debate.

• 💰 Canmore Gets $103K to Keep Big Stuff Out of the Landfill. The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley has secured a $103,000 grant to plan a reuse-it centre in Canmore. The goal is to divert bulky items like couches and appliances from the Francis Cooke Landfill just outside Exshaw, which receives 7,000+ tonnes of waste annually and has no room to expand. The concept mirrors a successful free reuse centre already operating in Banff. Location and timing are still TBD.

• 🚡 Update From Monday: Fortress Puts Its Vision on the Record. If you missed our story, here’s the quick version. Fortress Mountain has released a proposal outlining an all-season resort with gondolas, zip lines, mountain coasters, summer attractions, and a phased build toward a resort village of hotels and condos. Canmore will now have a dedicated in-person session on Feb. 17, from 2-7 PM at the Canmore Miners Union Hall, hosted by Fortress. We’ll remind you closer to the date, but this is the moment to weigh in.

• 🐺 Reminder: Coyote Mating Season Is Back. Coyotes in Banff and Canmore are entering mating season, a time when officials say they become more territorial, more visible, and more defensive, especially around dogs. Parks Canada warns conflicts are most common near denning areas and neighbourhood edges. Pet owners are urged to leash dogs, remove food attractants, block access under decks and sheds, and give coyotes plenty of space. 

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.

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“WE HAVE THREE MONTHS TO SURVIVE THE YEAR,” BOW VALLEY RESTAURANT OWNER SAYS

What’s Happening? Bow Valley restaurant owners say rising costs and short peak seasons are squeezing margins, even as dining rooms stay busy during summer and holiday rushes.

The Big Picture. Nationally, the pressure is real. A recent study from Dalhousie University estimates Canada could see about 4,000 restaurant closures in 2026, after roughly 7,000 in 2025. Meanwhile, Restaurants Canada reports that 41% of foodservice businesses are operating at a loss or just breaking even. The common thread: higher food, labour, and operating costs.

Why the Bow Valley Feels Different. Local operators describe a split reality. Peak tourism months still deliver traffic, but shoulder seasons are getting harder to carry. Canmore and Banff businesses rely on a narrow window to make the year work. As Tracy A. Little, owner and chef at Sauvage, put it, “We essentially have three months to make enough money to survive the entire year.”

Costs That Don’t Care About Seasons. Input pressures are broad-based. The national Food Price Report forecasts restaurant prices rising 4-6% in 2026, with meat costs up 5-7%. Coffee, cocoa, shipping, and wages are all trending higher. Food prices overall are already 27% higher than five years ago. At Whitebark Cafe, owner Dorothy Woolstencroft said those increases are hitting core products the business relies on most. While the cafe remains busy at times, she said higher costs make it harder to absorb slower days or smaller purchases without feeling the pinch.

Changing Diners, Tighter Tabs. Several operators said they are seeing clear shifts in how people dine out. Brian Dunn, founder of Canmore Brewing Company, said customers are spending less once they arrive. “They are eating and drinking less if they do come out, they stay for shorter periods and there are fewer of them,” he said.

Why Local Support Matters. There may not be a visible closure wave yet in the Bow Valley, but margins are thin. Just a reminder that choosing independent spots during quieter months, returning to favourites, and recommending them to friends can make a real difference in keeping local restaurants afloat in a seasonal economy.

Read our full story for more local restaurant perspectives. 

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Live Audio 101: Behind the Scenes of Sound. A six-week, hands-on intro to live audio production, covering microphones, mixers, monitors, and practical sound setup. Designed for beginners and anyone building core audio skills. 5:30–7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $165.75-$195.*

Thursday

• Try Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding. Adults new to skiing or snowboarding are invited. This beginner-friendly program is open to permanent residents, refugees, and foreign workers. Transportation, equipment, lift tickets, and instruction are included. Participants must be 18 or older. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sunshine Village, Banff. Free. 

• Bags at the Brewery. Join Bags at the Brewery, a feel-good afternoon of sewing tote bags for women in need. Finished totes are donated through the YWCA Banff and filled with toiletries by St. Michael’s Anglican Church. Bring your sewing machine. Fabric and patterns are provided. Registration is required. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

POLL: SHOULD WE CONTINUE SHARING LESSER-KNOWN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR LOCALS?

A quick recap on Monday’s poll, where we asked whether you’d like us to continue sharing unique outdoor experiences, like when one of our team members does something cool over the weekend and wants to pass it along.

For context, an earlier poll had this kind of content supported by 76% of readers. Monday’s results brought that down to 64%. That’s a dip, but it’s still clearly in positive territory.

Supporters told us Bow Valley Insider readers are generally more informed, more respectful, and more likely to follow Leave No Trace principles, which we agree with. Many also said sharing alternatives helps locals keep enjoying the outdoors while avoiding peak tourism pressure.

Those who opposed it raised valid concerns too. Several pointed to the environmental and wildlife impacts of publicizing quieter places, including trail braiding, litter, human waste, noise, and loss of habitat once a spot becomes widely known.

So here’s how we’ll handle this going forward: when we do share these kinds of experiences (which is only sometimes), we’ll be more intentional about pairing them with education and stewardship reminders. 

And of course, we’re always listening to your feedback if sentiment changes down the line. 

Check our winter activity recs here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💘 Valentine’s Murder Mystery. Indulge your dark side this Valentine’s Day at Death By Chocolate, a decadent murder mystery party at The Banff Rose & Crown. Amid cocktails and rich chocolate, romance takes a deadly turn as secrets surface and betrayal hardens. Help uncover the killer while enjoying laughter, scandal, and sweet treats included. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $50, with special chocolate drinks available.*

• 🥂 Fireside Sunset Après This Friday. Fireside Sunset brings a relaxed après vibe to the patio at Juniper Bistro. Cozy up around firepits and enjoy Chef Sergio’s fireside bites, cocktails or mocktails, and classic s’mores. Tickets are $33 and include food and one cocktail. Ski gear is encouraged.*

• 🎙️ Listen: Inside Electric Grizzly Tattoo With Derek Turcotte. The latest episode of the Overheard Podcast goes on location at Canmore’s Electric Grizzly Tattoo for a wide-ranging conversation with award-winning artist Derek Turcotte. The episode digs into what it takes to build a creative business in Canmore. If tattoos or small-business realities interest you, this episode is worth a listen.

• 🛠️ Banff National Park Demolition Notice. Parks Canada will complete minor demolition work in Banff National Park during February and March 2026. Aging sheds and shelters will be removed at Bow Lake Day Use Area, Mosquito Creek Campground, and Waterfowl Lakes Campground. No closures are expected, and work is planned to finish by March 31.

• 🎸 Battle of the Bands. Canmore Collegiate High School hosts its first-ever Battle of the Bands on Friday, February 6, in the newly renovated theatre. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the high school jazz band opening the night. All of the competing bands are local musicians. Four judges will score performances. Tickets are $10 at the door, with the show ending around 9:00 PM.  

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Reconsiders Its Required Housing Rules. Council approved $35,000 to hire a consultant after a town-commissioned study by Deloitte LLP found current rules leave a gap of more than 4,100 staff bedrooms. The system requires new businesses to build or pay for housing, but employment growth has outpaced development. Mayor Corrie DiManno says it’s time to explore new tools as vacancy rates hover around one per cent.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, 9:00 PM: Tech This Out. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $10 Cash Cover at the Door.

• Thursday, February 5th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Beau Valley Circus. Location: Bear Street Hub, Banff. Free. 

SPORTS

• Ice Climber Sarah Hueniken Stars in New Arc’teryx Film. Canmore-based mountain guide and ice climber Sarah Hueniken is featured in Fifty-Fifty, a new mini-documentary from Arc'teryx. The film follows Hueniken and alpinist Ines Papert as they reflect on longevity, aging, and still pushing hard well past 50. Shot in the Rockies and the Dolomites, the piece is less about ticking grades and more about what decades in the mountains can build. Watch on YouTube here.

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.