🍺 Banff Campgrounds Go Dry

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Happy start to your Easter long weekend. We hope you’re reading this after a proper sleep-in. Over here, it’s still business as usual around the Bow Valley Insider office, just with a few more chocolate Easter eggs for breakfast.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

ALL 5 WILDFIRES IN JASPER IN 2025 WERE HUMAN-CAUSED

What’s Happening? All five wildfires in Jasper National Park in 2025 were caused by humans, according to Parks Canada. None were sparked by lightning.

Small Fires, Fast Containment. Each fire was contained before reaching 0.1 hectares and all ignited within five kilometres of the Jasper townsite. Officials say early public reporting played a key role, allowing crews to respond immediately.

Parks Canada staffs two dedicated initial attack crews during wildfire season, trained to detect and suppress new fires quickly. 

Human-Caused, Fully Preventable. None of the fires were intentional, but all were linked to everyday activity.

“In a national park setting, ‘human-caused’ typically refers to accidental ignitions from common activities, such as illegal campfires, improperly discarded cigarette butts, and unattended campfires,” said Landon Shepherd, Fire and Vegetation Specialist with Parks Canada.

Despite that, no fines or charges were issued. Parks Canada says each incident is still investigated, and penalties under the Canada National Parks Act can reach up to $25,000.

 “Parks Canada takes each incident report very seriously and thoroughly investigates and responds accordingly,” Shepherd said.

A Notable Shift From 2024. The absence of lightning-caused fires stands out. In 2024, Jasper recorded seven lightning-caused fires and experienced the second most expensive wildfire in Canadian history, causing an estimated $1.23 billion in insured damage.

By comparison, 2025 had milder fire conditions, including zero days rated as extreme fire danger. 

Why This Matters Now? Officials say the biggest opportunity to reduce wildfire risk is not weather dependent. It comes down to behaviour. 

“While we can never fully eliminate the risk of natural wildfires, human-caused fires are preventable,” Shepherd said.

In Jasper, campfires are only allowed in designated fire pits or boxes, and visitors are expected to fully extinguish fires before leaving.

Read our full story.

THE BEST WINTER GROUP ACTIVITY THAT’S NOT SKIING

When thinking of things to do in winter, skiing isn’t always the answer. Especially on those colder days, or when you don’t feel like dropping $160 on a lift ticket.

That’s where Silvertip’s private Golf Simulator Lounge fits in.

The lounge is booked by the hour in a fully private space that works for individuals, coaching sessions, or groups of friends. One bay, everyone rotating through shots, with the rest of the group watching, chatting, and calling their shots. You can play a full virtual round, set up simple competitions like closest-to-the-pin, or just hit balls and see how far they go.

Because it’s fully private and indoors, it works well for mixed groups. Golfers get their perfect winter tee time. Non-golfers still have something to do. Food and drinks come straight from Stoney’s Grill, so it naturally turns into a hangout rather than a timed activity.

Book the Golf Simulator Lounge here and make it the plan.

_{*Presented by Silvertip Resort.}

THE DIGEST

• 🍺 Banff Is Drying Out Long-Weekend Campgrounds. Parks Canada is banning alcohol and cannabis at several Banff campgrounds during three long weekends: May Long (May 15-28), August Long (July 31-Aug 3), and Labour Day (Sept 4-7). The rule covers major sites including Tunnel Mountain, Two Jack, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain, and several along the Icefields Parkway (see all sites). Break it and you could get kicked out and face fines up to $25,000. Guess the only buzz those weekends will be the mosquitoes.

• ✅ Banff Hot Springs Reopen, But The Work Isn’t Done Yet. The Banff Upper Hot Springs is back open as of March 31, but it’s not exactly business as usual. After months of reopening delays, visitors can return with reduced hours (1 PM to 10 PM daily) while construction continues outside. Federal documents show this wasn’t light maintenance. The project included major structural work, with costs estimated between $1M and $5M. Timelines slipped early, with tenders delayed and plans shifting from partial access to a full closure. Parks Canada hasn’t explained what caused the extended timeline. Here’s everything we know.

• 💰 Canmore Man Wins $100K in Lotto 6/49 Draw. A Canmore local is $100,000 richer, and like most of us would, he didn’t trust it at first. Alex Brunet scanned his Extra ticket, saw the win, then immediately scanned it again on the Lotto Spot just to confirm he wasn’t seeing things. The winning ticket was bought at the 7-Eleven next to the Tim Hortons on Bow Valley Trail on Feb. 14. He says the plan is simple: enjoy it with family. And if you go looking for him online, good luck. His digital footprint seems to have quietly disappeared.

• 🚙 Free Park Entry Renewed for Métis Citizens in Alberta. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government has renewed a five-year deal with Parks Canada, giving its citizens free entry to parks like Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. This time, the passes come as custom-designed hang tags featuring Métis artwork. Officials say the program supports reconnection to traditional lands, with roots tied to past displacement.

We recently chatted with a local community group.

They were running workshops and needed more people to sign up. It cost $30 per person.

They told us they spent $500 on print ads to promote it.

Only two people signed up because of the ads.

That means they spent $500 to make $60. Tough math.

Print can work sometimes. For this group, it didn’t. The point is this: your marketing should clearly pay for itself.

If you want to talk about marketing with results, fill out this quick form.

ALBERTA LIMITS CANMORE’S LIVABILITY TAX, REVENUE SET TO BE CUT IN HALF

What’s Happening? Canmore’s Livability Tax, which applies higher property taxes to homes not used as a primary residence, is back in the news after moves in the provincial legislature yesterday. The program is still moving ahead in 2026, but a new bill would narrow who it applies to, cutting expected revenue by roughly half.

A Tax Reshaped, Not Removed. The change comes through Bill 28, introduced by the Alberta government, which amends the Municipal Government Act.

Municipalities will still be allowed to tax homes differently based on whether they are a primary residence, but they cannot apply higher tax rates to Alberta residents.

That means Canmore’s tax will now apply only to out-of-province second-home owners, instead of all non-primary residences as originally designed.

Revenue Hit Is Real. The town had projected about $10.3 million annually from the tax. That figure is now expected to drop significantly.

“We obviously are expecting a decreased amount of revenue… at least half of what we were expecting,” Mayor Sean Krausert said.

The town has already begun collecting updated declaration data, where homeowners report how their property is used and whether they are Alberta residents. That information will determine how the revised tax is applied.

Housing Projects Still Moving. The reduced revenue, which goes toward building below-market housing for locals, is expected to affect timing more than viability. (Below-market housing refers to homes that are sold or rented at prices well below typical market listings.) 

For example, Canmore’s Moustache Lands project, a proposed 270-unit affordable housing development, is still moving forward. However, Canmore’s planned $10 million contribution from the Livability Tax may now be spread over multiple years.

Legal Win, Political Compromise. All of this follows a recent Alberta Court of Appeal decision that upheld Canmore’s authority to implement the tax in the first place, which we’ve already covered in detail.

Bill 28 reinforces that authority, but reflects provincial concerns about taxing Alberta residents.

What Happens Next. The provincial changes come just before the town finalizes its 2026 tax rates, allowing council to adjust the program before tax notices are issued.

Read our full story for more, including everything Mayor Krausert said during a media scrum yesterday.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Live Tonight: Caroline Whyte at Canmore Brewing. Catch singer-songwriter Caroline Whyte, whose voice and modern Americana style draw inspiration from the landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. Her debut single The Hollow has already landed on major playlists. Settle in, grab a pint, and discover a rising local voice. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

Saturday

• Spring Market at The Gem. Spring shopping season kicks off with a lively market at The Gem. Spend the afternoon browsing local vendors offering clothing, gourmet food, handmade gifts, home goods, and even a local distillery. It’s an easy way to support Bow Valley makers. 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. The Gem, Harvie Heights. Free Entry.

• Long Weekend Patio Party. Celebrate with a Saturday patio party featuring ice-cold Modelo on tap, Coronas and Cutwaters, party tunes, and Fat Ox snacks. Bring your brightest tropical fit and settle in for sunshine and good drinks. No worries if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the party simply moves inside. 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM. The Fat Ox, Banff. No Cover.*

• Monthly Adventure Film Night at Canmore Brewing. Grab a pint and settle in for the final night of the winter adventure film series. The lineup includes Reverie of Yukon, Andy’s Day, Altay Wild Snow, and A Blue Shangri-La, sharing stories of mushing, skiing history, and remote climbing expeditions. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. $10 in advance.*

Sunday

• Easter Bunny & Ski Hill Egg Hunt. Kids can say hello to the Easter Bunny, collect chocolate treats, and join an egg hunt while skiing or riding down Strawberry Chair. Five hidden eggs are scattered along the run, and young hunters can visit the bunny at the lift base to claim a prize. All day. Sunshive Village. Lift Tickets Required.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Chocolate-Inspired Easter Brunch at The Prow. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably hunting for a brunch spot this weekend. From now through April 6, The Prow is running chocolate-inspired features like Mini Eggs pancakes and chocolate gelato waffles, alongside staples like Eggs Benny, Bison Game Hash, and brioche French toast. It’s Banff, so you’ll probably want to snag a reso.*

• 💚 Immune Workshop Comes to Canmore. If you feel like you’re stuck in a permanent cough-and-cold loop, a full-day immune workshop is coming to Canmore on Saturday, April 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM Master Herbalist Caroline Evans will cover how the immune system works, which herbs and supplements may actually help, what foods support immunity, and how to make simple remedies at home. The session includes hands-on learning, practical protocols, and lunch. Details and register here.*

• ✨ Hosting an Event? Ditch the Hotel Boardroom. Planning a corporate off-site, leadership retreat, strategy session, training day, or client appreciation event? Swap fluorescent lighting and stale coffee for a bright log cabin in Spring Creek with real mountain views. The Canmore Opera House seats up to 120 and includes a stage, projector and screen, sound system, microphones, tables, chairs, bar, and fire pit. Everything is built in. No nickel-and-diming. Book an event held between now and the end of the month and receive 40% off your rental rate. Inquire here.*

• 🕺 Spring Thaw Dance. Shake off winter with the Valley Winds Jazz Band and special guests Midnight Blue, bringing a lively mix of jazz, funk, blues, and Latin rhythms. The dance runs Saturday, April 11 from 7 to 11 PM at Creekside Hall in the Canmore Seniors Centre (no, you don’t have to be a senior, it’s just a great space). Tickets are $30 in advance and tend to sell out quickly.*

• 🥞 Pancake Breakfast & Volunteer Fair. If you want to meet the people and organizations that keep the Bow Valley running, this is where to show up. On April 19, start your day with pancakes and a little community inspiration. The Bow Valley SPCA, Friends of Kananaskis, and many other local groups are hosting a Pancake Breakfast & Volunteer Fair to kick off National Volunteer Week. It’s an easy way to connect with the folks doing the work and maybe find your way into it too.

• 🌱 Plot Lottery Open. Dreaming of growing your own veggies this summer? The Gardening Society’s 2026 plot lottery is open until April 7. About 80 seasonal plots (May–October) are available across three community greenhouses in Banff. Apply for the lottery now. Successful applicants must attend a short orientation before the growing season begins.

CIVIC NEWS

• Three Sisters Village Bylaw Heads to Council Tuesday. Canmore council will review a bylaw amendment tied to the Three Sisters Mountain Village development. The update adjusts planning maps and realigns part of a north-end multi-use trail to better fit steep terrain. Staff say it doesn’t change land uses or development rules, but keeps the trail network connected across future phases and into the broader pathway system.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, April 3rd, 2026, 7:00 PM:  John Goulart. Location: Mineshaft Tavern, Canmore. No cover.

• Saturday, April 4th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Five N Dime. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak. No cover.

• Saturday, April 4th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Mo Marley. Location: Banff Rose and Crown. No cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Biathlon Team Closes Season with 26 Medals. Canmore’s Biathlon Alberta Training Centre wrapped its season on home snow at the 2026 Biathlon National Championships, bringing home 26 medals, nearly a third of all those awarded. “I’m happy with how I kept my cool in the range and stayed aggressive on the skis,” said Ema Chlepkova, one of the gold medal winners. “This season I’ve done more racing than ever, so pushing through Nationals and getting good results is satisfying.” We’ll have a full interview with Ema soon, but for now, you can follow their offseason on Instagram here.

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.