🌊 Banff Hot Springs Reopen?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The Banff Upper Hot Springs have been closed since September 2 for maintenance. They were supposed to reopen in December, but that timeline came and went. Details on the delay have been pretty limited, but as of yesterday, we’re hearing it's back open. We’re working on a full story to see what’s changed, but for now, if you’ve been waiting for a soak, you’re good to go. Let us know if you check it out.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

SKIJOR UPDATE: ROAM TRANSIT HIT RECORD USE BUT COULDN’T OFFSET BANFF TRAFFIC SURGE

What’s Happening? Remember skijoring weekend in January, where sidewalks were packed shoulder to shoulder and traffic backed up toward Canmore? A new Bow Valley Regional Transit report shows people did try to ditch their cars. Record Roam Transit ridership drove strong demand for buses, but it still couldn’t keep pace with nearly 24,000 vehicles entering town that day.

Transit Demand Was Real. Capacity Was Not.  Roam Transit logged 4,672 boardings on Saturday, the highest in its history, with a 71% jump on the Canmore-Banff route.

 “The use of Roam showed that many people wanted to do the right thing,” said CEO Martin Bean.

But buses filled up quickly. “Because Roam operates with fixed routes… the demand to ride Roam exceeded our capacity.”

Cars Still Dictated the Day.  Mayor Corrie DiManno said, “We were stretched to our limit.” The issue wasn’t just volume. It was timing. Thousands arrived and left within a few hours, creating record hourly traffic spikes that strained roads, sidewalks, and emergency access.

Roughly 24,000 vehicles entered town, just below daily peak summer levels. But between noon and 1 p.m. alone, 1,745 vehicles arrived, the highest hourly volume ever recorded.

That surge slowed buses, too. Buses were running late about 25% more often. “The influx of personal vehicles… created traffic congestion on our bus routes,” Bean said.

Event Design Made Transit Less Effective. Seven bus stops were closed as part of event-related road closures, including the shutdown of Banff Avenue, one of Roam’s busiest corridors. Buses were forced onto detours, but illegal parking along routes added further delays.

What This Means Going Forward. Roam says it’s designed for steady demand, not large crowds moving at once. Bean pointed to private shuttle systems as a better fit for events of this scale.

The weekend showed people are willing to take transit. But without changes to event design, transportation planning, or capacity, buses alone won’t solve the problem when thousands show up at the same time.

Read our full story.

GET RELIEF.

Brought to you by Banff Sport Medicine

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Not as a reward.
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It improves movement.
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Recovery after workouts you definitely overdid.

It’s good if you’re injured.
It’s good if you’re not.
It’s good if you just want to feel normal again.

Athletes love it.
Hikers love it.
Desk people love it.

Also your immune system might appreciate the effort.
(No promises. But it won’t complain.)

Book a massage.
Or don’t.
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_{*Presented by Banff Sports Medicine.}

THE DIGEST

• ❄️ Rockies Snowpack Is Stacked This Year, But It’s Not All Good News. New data shows parts of the Rockies, from Kananaskis to Jasper, are sitting on “remarkable” snowpack levels, in some cases more than double the average. That could mean one of the strongest spring melts in years, helping refill rivers after recent low-flow summers. But it also raises the risk of high stream flows if rain hits during melt. Meanwhile, southern Alberta is telling a completely different story, with record-low snowpack and potential drought conditions. 

• 🔥 Heads Up: Smoke Near Lake Louise This Week. If you’re driving out to Lake Louise starting today or over the long weekend, don’t be surprised by flames and smoke near the highway. Parks Canada kicks off 24-hour-a-day controlled burning as part of wildfire prevention work behind the Lake Louise Operations Centre. Crews will be burning debris for several days, with smouldering continuing after. Smoke will linger, especially in the mornings. No need to slow down to take a look, just drive as usual. Some trails and parking areas are temporarily closed. See the closure map.

• 🛣️ The Icefields Parkway Has a Rougher Backstory Than You Think. Our friends over at Jasper Local just revisited how the Icefields Parkway came to be, and it’s less “scenic drive” and more survival story. Built during the Great Depression as a relief project, over 2,000 men worked for as little as $5/month before wages later jumped. The final stretch dragged on during WWII, and when it finally opened in 1940, there was no celebration. Even the name didn’t stick until 1971. Turns out, one of the world’s best drives had a pretty bumpy start.

• ⛷️ Crazy Canucks’ Still Inspiring Generations, 20 Years Later. A recent Calgary film screening looked back on the “Crazy Canucks,” the Canadian ski team that racked up 107 top-10 World Cup finishes and challenged Europe’s dominance in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Their rise, built on grit and audacity, helped redefine Canadian ski racing. As one of the filmmakers put it, what still resonates is their belief that they could win. There’s also a local thread: Ken Read, one of the original Crazy Canucks, lives in Canmore, and his son Jeffrey Read recently competed at the Olympics, finishing 25th in the downhill.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner,

From one local biz to another: you’ve got a lot of ways to market yourself. But before you spend another dollar, ask this: “How do I know if it’s actually working?” If they can’t answer that, maybe it’s not where your money belongs. Truthfully, we know Bow Valley Insider isn’t the right fit for everyone. And that’s okay. We’re honest about it. We care more about results than selling ad space. If it is a fit, we’ll show you exactly how we can help your business grow. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

➡️ Reach out and let’s see if working together makes sense.

CANMORE IS REWRITING THE RULES FOR WHAT GETS BUILT

What’s Happening? Canmore is rewriting its land use bylaw, the 600+ page rulebook that decides what gets built and where, with support from developers but early warnings about uncertainty, slowdowns, and community pushback.

Why This Is Happening Now. The current bylaw has been patched together over years, making it difficult to use in practice.

“After many years of amendments, duplications and inconsistencies can begin to accumulate,” said Alexandra Piper, executive director of the Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association (BOWDA).

Town planners say the goal is to simplify things and better align rules with what the community actually wants to see built.

 “We really want to make sure that the new land use bylaw improves accessibility and usability… and supports community priorities,” said senior planner Nathan Grivell.

What Could Actually Change. Early ideas include simplifying zoning into broader categories like low, medium, and high density, and focusing less on what gets built and more on how it impacts neighbours like height, shadowing, and privacy.

The Town is also looking at loosening rules around secondary suites and removing barriers to energy-efficient construction.

 “We want to make sure that the regulations… aren’t actually discouraging energy efficiency,” Grivell said.

Support, With Caution.  BOWDA supports the rewrite, but is already flagging risks.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” Piper said.

She noted that changes tied to density, height, and zoning often trigger community tension, even when they’re linked to affordability.

“This is a large and highly complex undertaking… some of the changes required… will be difficult for the community to accept,” Piper said.

The Risk: Slowing Things Down. One of the biggest concerns is what happens during the transition.

 “When development slows, there can be downstream impacts on housing supply, affordability, and the delivery of community services,” Piper said.

BOWDA is also warning against adding more layers of rules or creating policies that look good on paper but don’t work in reality.

Bottom Line: This isn’t a housing fix on its own. But rewriting the rules could shape what gets built in Canmore for decades.

Read our full story.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Learn to Darn Your Socks. A relaxed, drop-in workshop where you’ll learn how to repair holes and extend the life of your favourite socks. No experience needed. Just bring a worn pair and settle in for a casual morning of crafting. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Origin at Spring Creek in the Craft Kitchen. $10 suggested donation.

• Gentle Jog Club. A low-pressure weekly social run that’s more about meeting people than pushing pace. Expect an easy jog through town, fresh air, and a chance to connect along the way. All levels welcome. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Central Park Gazebo, Banff. Free.

Thursday

• Mountain Culture Adventure Films. The Mountain Culture adventure film series brings together powerful films that celebrate climbing, skiing, exploration, and life shaped by the outdoors. This screening features a film that dives into the challenges and triumphs of life in the mountains. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12.50 - $25.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥦 Canmore’s First Vegan Chef Challenge Kicks Off Today. Canmore restaurants are going plant-based for a month-long showdown. The inaugural Vegan Chef Challenge runs April 1-30, with local spots competing for top-rated vegan dishes. Diners can browse menus, try featured items, and vote for their favourites. Participating restaurants already include The Iron Goat, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, and The Stirling Grill & Lounge, among others. Check out all the participating restaurants.*

• 🏕️ Teen Camp Connects Youth With the Land. A new summer program at Camp Chief Hector is putting land-based learning front and centre. The 13-day “HOWL Discovery” camp invites teens to explore the Kananaskis region through outdoor adventure, conservation education, and cultural learning guided by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and community leaders. Campers will travel to different sites, participate in volunteer projects that support local communities, and learn about reconciliation and stewardship firsthand. The program runs August 9-21 for youth aged 14-15. 16 spots are available, and 3 are already taken.*

• 🥞 Easter Brunch at Evergreen Lounge. From April 3-6, Evergreen Lounge is serving up its classic brunch favourites alongside a playful, chocolate-inspired feature menu for the long weekend. Think Eggs Benny, Bison Game Hash, and Brioche French Toast, plus indulgent treats like Mini Eggs pancakes, chocolate gelato waffles, and a candied apple trio. It’s Banff, so you should reserve early here.*

• 🏒 Canmore Eagles Playoff Tickets. The Eagles are through to Round Two after winning their first-round series, and tickets for the next round of their Provincial Cup run go on sale today at noon. If recent games are any indication, they won’t last long. Set a reminder and grab your seats early for another round of playoff hockey in Canmore.

• 🎬 Find Local Filming Spots on Netflix. Netflix just rolled out a feature called “In Your Neighbourhood” that shows real filming locations from its shows. Try searching Can This Love Be Translated? and you’ll get a map of where scenes were shot. Around here, that includes Quarry Lake, the Central Park pedestrian bridge, and a few spots in Banff you might recognize. Try it here.

• 📝 Trail Survey Open for Bow Valley Users. If you spend time on local trails, this is worth a few minutes. Trans Canada Trail is running a national survey to understand how people use trails, what’s working, and what’s getting in the way. It takes about 10-15 minutes, is anonymous, and helps shape future trail planning, including here in the Bow Valley.

• 🚗 Canmore Safe Park Applications Open Today. Canmore’s Safe Park program offers a designated overnight parking option for people living in their vehicles while working locally. Applicants must have proof of employment in Canmore and meet program requirements. The program runs May 1 to Sept. 30, with a possible extension to Oct. 15. Want more details? Read our full story.

CIVIC NEWS

• Harvie Heights Flood Mitigation Work Underway. Construction on the Harvie Heights flood mitigation project began Monday, March 30. The first phase includes clearing trees north of Grotto Road to make way for a flood protection berm. Work is expected to run 1-2 weeks, 8 AM to 5 PM, and nearby residents may hear chainsaws during clearing operations. 

• Canmore Appeal Board Rejects Eagle Terrace B&B. A proposed bed and breakfast in Eagle Terrace has been denied after the Town of Canmore Subdivision and Development Appeal Board upheld the Town’s earlier refusal. The property did not meet the 50-metre spacing rule from another B&B next door.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, 10:00 PM: Tommy's Open Mic. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, 6:00 PM: Steph O'Dette. Location: The Bison, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, 7:00 PM: Arif Boga. Location: The Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Banff Skater Wins Provincial Gold Solo. Banff’s Avery Vanwynsberghe took gold at the StarSkate Provincial Championships on March 22, and did it without a full-time coach by her side. After stepping away from the sport for nearly eight years, she returned to competition and leaned on experience to guide her program. Competing in the Gold Women Adult category, she scored 36.23 points, with a standout double loop. 

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.