🚗 Banff Mayor Isn’t Buying It

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We hope you’re enjoying your holiday Monday. Before we jump in, we'd like to welcome two new part-time journalists to Bow Valley Insider. Brendan Nogue previously reported for the Crag & Canyon (long-time Bow Valley readers might remember it), while Alexia Chambers grew up in Canmore competing in biathlon and is now completing her master's in journalism. You'll start seeing their bylines in this week's editions. 

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers

BANFF MAYOR SAYS LAKE LOUISE PLANNING OVERLOOKS BANFF 

What's Happening? Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno says Parks Canada's latest visitor planning for Lake Louise misses the bigger picture. While the agency is focused on managing traffic at individual destinations, she argues the real challenge is how people move through Banff National Park as a whole. 

The Backdrop. Parks Canada is developing a long-term visitor management plan for the Lake Louise area after years of record visitation and growing congestion. Options range from reservable parking and timed entry to eliminating personal vehicles at Upper Lake Louise in favour of shuttles, public transit and active transportation. A final plan is expected this fall. If you missed it, we've got a full breakdown of what's being considered for future visits to Lake Louise. 

A Park-Wide Problem. While DiManno said she appreciates Parks Canada's efforts to address congestion, she told Bow Valley Insider the consultation doesn't go far enough. "We're continuing to plan for areas like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon and Lake Minnewanka in isolation, when what we really need is a comprehensive, park-wide transportation vision," she said.

She argues the proposals still assume visitors will drive into Banff National Park before transferring to shuttles, meaning many will continue travelling through the Town of Banff. "Traffic in the Town of Banff is not just a town problem; it is also a national park problem," she said.

Looking Upstream. DiManno says the long-term solution isn't just changing how visitors reach Lake Louise, but reducing the need for them to drive into Banff National Park in the first place. The Town of Banff has long advocated for expanded regional transit, including a replacement for the former On-It bus service from Calgary and, eventually, passenger rail connecting the corridor.

Another Pressure Point. DiManno also pointed to the growth of commercial shuttle operators. According to figures she shared with Bow Valley Insider, the number of companies operating in Banff has grown from about 19 in 2021 to 69 this year, with non-resident operators accounting for most of the increase. She argues those buses still rely on Banff's roads and infrastructure, an impact that isn't fully reflected in the current consultation. 

What's Next. Bow Valley residents were among the strongest supporters of the most restrictive option considered by Parks Canada, with 64% backing a shuttle-only system for Upper Lake Louise. 

Read our full story

MEET FRED, THE BOW VALLEY’S TREE GUY

If you’ve had tree work done in the Bow Valley recently, there’s a decent chance you’ve come across Fred.

He started Nordic Tree Care a few years ago to help fund his cross-country ski racing. What began as a side hustle has quickly turned into one of the valley’s fastest-growing tree companies, with a full crew, serious equipment, and a reputation for doing things properly.

You’ve probably seen his work without realizing it. The burn project behind the Canmore Nordic Centre? That’s Fred’s crew. And it’s not just large-scale projects like that. Most of their work is right in people’s backyards.

Fred meets homeowners on-site, walks the property, and gives a real assessment. Not just the tree you’re worried about, but anything else worth flagging. And in many cases, that means not recommending removal at all.

If you’ve got a tree you’re unsure about, or you’re wondering how to properly FireSmart your property, book a free estimate and have Fred take a look.

_{*Presented by Nordic Tree Care.}

THE DIGEST

• 🤍 Man Drowns at Canmore's Quarry Lake. A 33-year-old Rocky View County man has died after disappearing beneath the water while swimming at Quarry Lake on Saturday evening. Witnesses told RCMP they saw the man, who was not wearing a life jacket, go under and fail to resurface despite attempts by others to find him. Fire rescue crews later recovered the man from the water. The Town of Canmore reminds visitors that Quarry Lake is an unsupervised swimming area and Alberta’s mountain lakes remain extremely cold throughout the summer. Here’s everything we know. 

• ⚡Thousands Still Without Power in East Kootenays. While it's outside the Bow Valley, plenty of local residents have friends, family or property in B.C.'s East Kootenays. As of last night, nearly 18,000 BC Hydro customers remained without power after wildfire smoke and storm damage damaged major transmission infrastructure. Communities including Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs were affected, with BC Hydro saying restoration depends on safe access for repair crews. 

• 🎬 Kananaskis Keeps Landing Hollywood Productions. Dinosaurs, westerns and thrillers have all been filmed in Kananaskis Country over the past few years, and the list keeps growing. Netflix's new docuseries The Dinosaurs features scenes shot at Sheep River Falls and Fortress Mountain, while Alberta Parks says more than 320 movies, TV shows, documentaries and commercials have been filmed across Kananaskis in the past five years. Industry advocates say the region's diverse landscapes continue to make it one of Alberta's most sought-after filming locations. 

• 🚁 Search Concludes for Missing Great Divide Trail Hiker. We covered this search last week, and Parks Canada has now confirmed that 81-year-old Golden, B.C., resident Bob Toothill was found dead in Waterton Lakes National Park on July 30 after a week-long multi-agency search. Specialized ground and air crews, including K-9 teams, drones and thermal imaging, had searched daily after Toothill failed to complete the opening section of the Great Divide Trail. RCMP are leading the investigation, and Parks Canada has extended its condolences to his family and friends. 

Over The Last 12 Months…

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KANANASKIS TRAILS ‘DRYING OUT WELL’ FOLLOWING JUNE FLOOD

What's Happening? One month after heavy rain triggered a state of emergency across Kananaskis Country, most trails and primary access routes are back open. While some bridge repairs and trail closures remain, officials say the park avoided the kind of widespread destruction seen during the 2013 floods.

Why It Turned Out Better. Around 170 mm of rain fell in just 24 hours in late June, but Trevor Julian, executive director of Friends of Kananaskis Country, a non-profit trail stewardship organization that works alongside Alberta Parks, told Bow Valley Insider, "We really got lucky with this particular event." Rainfall was less than one-third of what fell during the 2013 floods, and most well-built trails weathered the storm with only localized damage concentrated around stream crossings, drainage areas and low-lying sections. 

Back To Business. A dry July accelerated trail recovery, and Friends of Kananaskis has largely returned to its regular maintenance program after spending weeks assessing damage and clearing debris. Julian said most trail users will now encounter little more than dried mud or isolated wet spots rather than widespread flood impacts. The organization also saw a spike in volunteer sign-ups following the flooding as more Bow Valley residents stepped forward to help.

What's Still Closed. Most remaining issues involve damaged infrastructure rather than washed-out trails. Several footbridges were damaged or swept away, affecting routes to Forks, Three Isle Lake and Turbine Canyon. The Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Trail, High Rockies Trail and Wedge Pond Trail also remain closed while Alberta Parks plans longer-term repairs.

Trail Etiquette Still Matters. Julian urged hikers, bikers and horseback riders to avoid trails that remain muddy or waterlogged, warning that using them too soon can cause lasting damage that takes far longer to repair than the flood itself.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Final Day of Canmore Folk Fest. Today is your last chance to catch the Canmore Folk Music Festival, with workshops, family activities, artisan vendors and performances from Sarah Harmer, Barney Bentall, Miko Marks and more. 9:30 AM-11:00 PM. Centennial Park, Canmore.*

• Karaoke Night at The Drake. Whether you're chasing applause or just singing for fun, Monday night karaoke at The Drake is always a good time. Grab a pizza or pub favourite, then take the mic when inspiration (or liquid courage) strikes. 10:00 PM. The Drake Screaming Retriever, Canmore. Free.*

Tuesday

• Cheap Tuesday Movie Night In Banff. Christopher Nolan brings Homer's legendary epic to the big screen with The Odyssey, following Odysseus's perilous journey home after the Trojan War as he faces the Cyclops, Sirens, Calypso and other mythic dangers. The all-star cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. 6:30 PM. Lux Cinema, Banff. $8.99.

STOP CHASING SYMPTOMS. START LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE.

Poor sleep. Low energy. Digestive issues. Brain fog. Stress.

It's easy to think of these as separate problems. But what if they're connected?

At Heaven on Earth Herbals in Canmore, Caroline Evans takes a different approach. As a UK-trained Master Herbalist with more than 25 years of experience, she works with clients to look beyond individual symptoms and better understand what's happening as a whole.

As a Traditional Naturopath and Iridologist, Caroline combines herbal medicine, nutrition and natural health principles to create personalized wellness plans designed around each person's unique needs. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, she helps clients unravel the layers contributing to how they're feeling and develop practical strategies to support their overall wellbeing.

Even better, consultations provided under Traditional Naturopathy are covered by many extended health insurance benefit plans.

We recently stopped by Heaven on Earth Herbals to meet Caroline, tour the shop and learn more about her approach to natural wellness. If you'd like a closer look, watch our short video.

_{*Presented by Heaven on Earth Herbals.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🦫 Scientists Put Marmots on OnlyFans. Yes, really. After losing federal research funding, scientists behind one of the world's longest-running marmot studies launched OnlyMarms, a free OnlyFans page where fans can tip to support research on yellow-bellied marmots. The account features wholesome marmot content (nothing racier than a hibernation update), and the team is also launching "Fat Marmot Week" later this month. It's probably the only OnlyFans account you'll feel good explaining to your friends.  

• 🍽️ Northern Italy Comes to Banff. Fat Ox's next Long Table Dinner is inspired by Festival delle Sagre, one of Northern Italy's best-known food festivals where entire villages gather around long communal tables to celebrate local cooking and wine. On Sept. 11, that tradition comes to Banff with a welcome cocktail, live music, mountain views, and a five-course menu featuring beef tartare, vitello tonnato, roasted carrot risotto, Alberta short rib, and chocolate bonet. If you're looking for a memorable date night, this is a pretty good excuse to book one.*

• 📖 Explore More Than a Century of Bow Valley Mountain History. The Alpine Club of Canada has launched a free online Reading Room where you can browse Canadian Alpine Journals dating back to 1907, past editions of The Gazette, biographies of legendary Canadian mountaineers, and annual State of the Mountains reports tracking changes in Canada's alpine environment. Whether you're researching a historic climb, planning your next hut trip, or just love Rockies history, all you need is a free ACC account. We've already been digging through old editions ourselves, and it's surprisingly easy to lose an hour. 

• 💡 Free Campfire Programs Return to Kananaskis. Alberta Parks is once again hosting its free evening amphitheatre programs across Kananaskis, and you don't have to be camping to attend. This year's lineup includes musical theatre-style shows about bears, bighorn sheep, invasive species, birds of prey, fish, forests and more. They're designed for families but entertaining enough for adults, too. Just remember: you'll still need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass if you're driving in. 

• 🐻 Berry Season Means Changing Your Plans. Berry season is drawing bears closer to busy trails, campgrounds and neighbourhoods across the Bow Valley. Current closures include Lake Minnewanka backcountry campgrounds LM8, LM9, LM11, LM20, LM22 and LM31, while wildlife warnings remain in effect for the Lake Minnewanka Loop and Paddy's Flat Campground. After a recent viral grizzly encounter, WildSmart's advice is simple: leash your dog, keep your phone in your pocket, and make getting everyone out safely your only priority. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Wants to Keep Its Trails Wild. As Canmore updates its long-term Open Spaces and Trails Plan, residents are sending a clear message: protect the natural character that makes the community special. While people broadly support better trail connections and accessibility, the most common piece of feedback was to keep parks and trails as wild and undeveloped as possible as population growth, tourism and new development continue putting pressure on the network. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, August 3rd, 10:00 PM: Andrew Staygold. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, August 4th, 10:00 PM: DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canada's Best Paddlers Are Coming to Kananaskis. The Canadian National Whitewater Championships return to Canoe Meadows in Kananaskis this week (August 3 to 9), bringing the country's top athletes to the rapids for a week of slalom, kayak cross, freestyle, downriver racing, and more. If you've never watched elite paddlers take on the Kananaskis River, it's surprisingly spectator-friendly, fast-paced, and one of the coolest free sporting events you'll see all summer. 

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.