📈 Banff Hotels Jump +60%

Good morning, Bow Valley!

One of our Bow Valley Insider readers, Mitch, was one of the first to capture footage of “The Boss” leaving his den on Friday. He sent us the footage, and it hit 1.5 million views in the first six hours. We’ve already had hundreds of people ask where they can find the den, and our answer is always the same: we’re not sharing it. Best to give the big guy some space while he wakes up.

A lot of people are calling it a sign of spring. Doesn’t exactly feel like it out there right now.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

BANFF HOTEL RATES HIT $453, UP FROM $284 IN 2019

What’s Happening? Banff isn’t seeing a major jump in visitor volume, but it is seeing a sharp increase in spending per trip, as hotel prices and total tourism revenue climb alongside record vehicle traffic.

More Cars, Less Core Congestion. According to a new town report presented to Banff council last week, nearly 7 million vehicles entered Banff in 2025, up 4.1% year-over-year, with August alone hitting close to 900,000 entries. That signals strong demand, now fully back to or above pre-2019 levels.

But inside town, behaviour is shifting. Traffic across the Banff Avenue Bridge is down 11% since 2019. Town data points to more people parking, often using the free parking at the train station, and relying on transit, walking, or biking instead of driving through the core. In practical terms: arrival pressure is up, but internal congestion is being managed differently.

Revenue Growth Without More Guests. Banff’s tourism economy is expanding without a surge in occupancy. Hotel occupancy has stayed relatively flat at around 70%, but total room revenue jumped to $676.3 million in 2025, up from $440.9 million in 2019.

The driver is pricing. Average nightly rates reached $453 in 2025, with July hitting $729. That gap between stable occupancy and rising revenue shows a clear shift toward higher-value visits rather than higher volume.

Who Gets Left Out? The data does not directly track who is being priced out, but rising rates at this scale likely narrow access to higher-income travellers. That has implications for regional visitation patterns, particularly for those visiting from Calgary and across Alberta, and who can realistically stay overnight versus visit for the day.

A Deliberate Shift to Year-Round Demand. Tourism officials say the goal is not to increase total visitors, but to improve value and spread demand more evenly across the year. Early signs show more activity outside peak summer, which could reduce seasonal strain if it continues.

“This is not about increasing the volume of visitors but improving value,” said Paul Shaw of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, with success measured through indicators like hotel revenue, overnight stays, and growth outside peak summer.

Read our full story.

WHAT $499K ACTUALLY GETS YOU IN CANMORE (NOW YOU CAN WALK THROUGH IT)

For a long time, buying in Canmore meant making decisions off floor plans, renderings, and a bit of imagination.

That just changed.

Altitude at Three Sisters is opening its sales center and three fully built show homes on April 25 (with 2 more to come), and for the first time, you can walk through what you’re actually getting, not just what it might look like. 

Think 2-bed, 1-bath condos starting from the $500s, and 2-bed, 2-baths from $659k with real layouts, real finishes, and real views of the Bow Valley. Not to mention access to a private residents’ spa with a hot tub, sauna, and an outdoor fire pit.

It’s also one of the few moments where new available units and show homes overlap, with a new block of townhomes releasing shortly. As always, the more affordable homes tend to go first, and pricing moves with each release.

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, this is where it gets real.

Book a private showing or request more information and see for yourself. 

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏘️ Poll: Bow Valley Insiders Prioritize Housing for Railway Site. A 1.06-acre former car dealership site at 707 Railway Ave, listed for $10.9 million across from Elevation Place, is being marketed for potential hotel or visitor accommodation development. In a Bow Valley Insider poll of 191 readers, 39% want the site developed for local housing, with mixed-use (housing and retail) close behind at 33%. Visitor accommodation trailed at 16%. Some floated bolder ideas like using the site for intercept-style parking to ease congestion, or having the Town of Canmore purchase and land bank it for future community use.

• 🚐 68 Canmore Workers Slept in Vehicles Last Season. More local workers are sleeping in vehicles and turning to Canmore’s Safe Park program for a legal place to stay overnight. The program hosted 68 people last season, with demand rising steadily since 2021. Participants must be employed locally and meet strict requirements, with access to basic services and overnight security. The town plans to reopen the program May 1, with applications launching in April, as it continues to support workers with limited housing options. Read our full story for a closer look at how the program works and who it serves.

• 📝 Survey Open on Future of Kananaskis. The province is asking Albertans to weigh in on the future of the Kananaskis region, which saw roughly 5 million visitors last year alone. A new survey, open until June 5, will help shape a long-term plan balancing recreation, conservation, and development as demand continues to grow. The area includes popular spots like Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Spray Valley, with input expected to guide how the landscape is managed for years to come. This is an important one for locals to have a voice in.

• 🦬 Bison Comeback Could Expand Beyond Banff. Parks Canada is looking to expand its bison reintroduction efforts after the success of the herd in Banff National Park. The population has grown from 16 animals reintroduced in 2017 to more than 130 as of 2025. Once absent from the region for over a century due to overhunting, plains bison are now being framed as a conservation win. Officials say the next phase will involve working with Indigenous groups and partners to explore new herds beyond park boundaries.

A Small Town Love Story

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BANFF CHILDCARE SHORTAGE LEAVES FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO STAY

What’s Happening? Banff’s childcare shortage is continuing to squeeze local families, with more than 150 children still on waitlists and limited progress translating into actual access.

Still Waiting. A year after first raising concerns, some parents are in the exact same position. “A year later, I’m back… and unfortunately, for families like mine, not much has changed,” wrote Sylvia McCabe in a submission to Banff council. Without childcare, she hasn’t been able to return to work full-time and now works about 15 hours a week.

More Demand Than Spaces. The math hasn’t changed. More than 150 children remain on waitlists for 146 fully occupied spaces. “Many parents want to return to work but are prevented from doing so,” wrote Matthew Perdeaux, pointing to the financial strain of being pushed into a single-income household.

Patchwork Parenting. Families are filling the gaps however they can. “We’ve both exhausted our sick and vacation days… and we are exhausted,” wrote Meagan Teodoro and Tyler Wickens, after trying waitlists, informal care, and family support. Others say the stress is constant, with some now considering leaving Banff altogether.

More Than a Family Issue. Parents are also linking the shortage to broader workforce challenges. “Families are not only losing childcare access, but also housing stability at the same time,” wrote McCabe, highlighting how staff accommodation can disappear once children are involved.

Meanwhile, Over in Canmore. The pressure isn’t isolated to Banff. A new childcare centre in Canmore has already drawn a waitlist of about 200 children before opening, despite planning for just 50 total spaces. “We knew there was a need, but I don’t think we fully anticipated just how quickly the waitlist would grow,” said Taylor Dupuis, director of the centre.

Progress, But Not Yet Felt. The Town of Banff says a new facility is planned. Elements Childcare is set to open in a church facility on a temporary three-year term. But families say it hasn’t changed access. “It has been nearly a year with little progress and no meaningful updates,” said Teodoro and Wickens, alongside calls for more interim solutions and employer partnerships.

Read our full story. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Pasta Monday at Evergreen. Mondays just got an upgrade. Head down to Evergreen on Banff Ave for pasta night featuring favourites like rigatoni bolognese, salmon pesto penne, white wine chicken fettuccine, and eggplant lasagna. It’s warm, hearty, and makes easing into the week feel a little better. 4:00 PM - close. Evergreen Lounge, Banff. $16.*

• Mellow Film Tour. Four films featuring big climbs.  The Mellow Film Tour rolls into town, showcasing some of the hardest ascents on the planet, with climbers like Brooke Raboutou, Sean Bailey, and Connor Herson pushing limits. It’s a front-row seat to the next generation of climbing. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25.*

Tuesday

• Women’s Adventure Film Tour. A night of stories from the edge of adventure. The Women’s Adventure Film Tour brings a lineup of films celebrating fearless women in the outdoors, from climbers and runners to explorers pushing into wild places. One featured film, Run Antarctica: Beyond Limits, follows an ultramarathon runner chasing a world record across the harshest landscape on Earth. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12.50 - $25.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛒 This Weekend: Market Brings Local Makers Together for One Day Only. A new market is popping up at The Gem in Harvie Heights this Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM. The Collective Spring Market will feature a lineup of local vendors selling artisan crafts, handmade goods, gourmet food, clothing, housewares, and other unique finds. The venue sits right along Highway 1, about two minutes past Canmore, just before the Banff gate. Entry is free, and parking is available onsite, with plenty to browse for anyone looking to support Bow Valley makers.*

• 💰 Summit Club Aims for 30 New Local Donors. If you spend time hiking, skiing, or spotting wildlife around the Bow Valley, this one’s pretty straightforward. The Summit Club is a monthly donor program supporting local climate action, environmental education, and human-wildlife coexistence. The goal is 30 new members, with donations starting at about $5 per month. It’s designed as a steady, year-round way to fund local projects that protect the landscapes and ecosystems people here rely on. Tax receipts are provided for any amount.*

• 🥂 A Patio Party at Fat Ox to Kick Off the Long Weekend. Here’s something you can plan for this upcoming long weekend. On Saturday from 2-6 PM, a patio party is lined up with Modelo on tap, Coronas, Cutwaters, and Fat Ox snacks. Expect music, spring energy, and a crowd ready to ease into aprés season. Dress bright and tropical if you’re into it. If the weather holds, even better. If not, it moves inside. Either way, not a bad way to start the weekend.*

• ⭐ “Celebrity” Spotted in Banff… Apparently. We’re using quotes because only one person on our team knew who Jason Tartick was. He apparently rose to fame on The Bachelorette and made the classic Bow Valley rounds: skiing at Sunshine Village, a stroll through Johnston Canyon, and a nighttime visit to Fairmont Banff Springs. Solid itinerary… except maybe next time, check in with us for something less obvious. If you’re into The Bachelorette, you can check out the pics.  If not, carry on. 

• 🚧 Banff Road Closure: Caribou & Lynx Intersection. Heads up for getting around Banff this spring. The Caribou and Lynx intersection will be closed from March 30 to June 30 for major water main repairs. No vehicle access through that stretch, so if you’re coming in or out via Lynx Street, plan to reroute along Banff Avenue. 

CIVIC NEWS

• MD of Bighorn Business Licensing Program. The MD of Bighorn is developing a new business licensing program and wants input from residents and business owners. A short 2–5 minute survey is now open to help shape how the program works before a potential 2027 launch. Have thoughts on how business should operate in Exshaw, Dead Man's Flats, and Lac Des Arcs? Now’s the time to weigh in.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, March 30th, 2026, 6:30 PM: Mister Bird. Location: Murrieta’s, Canmore. No Cover.

• Tuesday, March 24th, 2025, 9:00 PM: DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Nearly 40 Athletes Brave Blizzard at Equinox Triathlon. The Spring Equinox Triathlon took place March 21 at the Canmore Nordic Centre, putting athletes through trail running, fat biking, and cross-country skiing. This year meant icy trails, slushy climbs, and near-blizzard conditions. About 40 participants took part, from experienced locals to first-timers, including international competitors. Organizers adjusted the course to keep things safe, while local athletes posted some of the fastest times.

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.