🚗 Banff Parking Just Jumped 71%

Good morning, Bow Valley!

You’ve probably already heard Skijoring is taking over Banff this weekend. If that’s your jam, go early. Our advice: arrive before 9 AM, park at the train station while spots still exist, and grab brunch before the action kicks off at 2 PM. (We’ve got brunch picks below.) If Skijoring isn’t your thing and you’re just trying to survive the crowds, here’s the key heads-up: Banff Avenue is closed in both directions from Moose Street to Caribou Street from today through Monday. Traffic will detour via Beaver and Marten streets. Here’s the traffic map for locals.

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

BANFF APPROVES $12/HOUR PEAK SEASON PARKING, A 71% INCREASE

What’s Happening? The Town of Banff has approved a new bylaw that raises peak-season paid parking from $7 to $12 an hour, a 71% increase, while leaving off-season rates unchanged.

The Big Change. The $12 hourly rate will apply during Banff’s busiest months, when parking demand and congestion are at their highest. Council tied the increase directly to rising visitor volumes, which are expected to climb again with the return of the federal Canada Strong Pass, offering free national park entry.

“There’s no real end in sight to the popularity here in summertime,” said Mayor Corrie DiManno, noting Banff saw 1.8 million vehicle entries in July and August last year and is projected to exceed that number in 2026.

Why Council Supported It. Coun. Jeff Fullerton said the increase is about both congestion management and long-term finances. The added revenue is expected to reduce reliance on taxation and help rebuild municipal reserves. He also framed Banff as a “premium destination,” pointing to comparable resort towns like Vail, Colorado, where parking runs about $14 an hour.

Fullerton argued past parking hikes haven’t changed visitor behaviour. Rates jumped from $3 an hour in 2022 to $7 by 2025, with no measurable drop in demand. If $12 influences behaviour at all, he said, any congestion relief would likely be modest.

The Pushback. Not everyone was convinced. Coun. Brian Standish opposed the size of the jump, warning against moving too fast and proposing a $10-per-hour cap instead. “You don’t want to cook the golden goose,” he said. The amendment failed, with council voting to keep the $12 rate.

Bottom Line. Parking is getting more expensive in peak season, and council is betting visitors will keep coming anyway. The new fees took effect January 1st.

QUIET CANMORE LIVING BACKING ONTO THE BOW RIVER

Tucked into a peaceful, sought-after spot along the Bow River, 112-150 Crossbow Place is a south-facing 1,200 sq. ft. condo offering easy living and excellent value.

This thoughtfully designed two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is part of a welcoming community known for its friendly atmosphere and well-maintained amenities. Reasonable condo fees cover the essentials, including heat, water, sewer, garbage, snow removal, and professional management.

The building itself stands out from a typical condo setup. Residents enjoy exclusive access to a fully equipped fitness centre, along with a spacious clubhouse featuring pool tables, ping pong, a cozy lounge with fireplace, a steam room, and a hot tub. It is an ideal spot for après-hike or ski hangouts.

Additional highlights include:

• Heated underground parking

• Generous storage for bikes and gear

• Easy access to trails, nature, and the upcoming Gateway Shops and Restaurants

For more information or to schedule a private viewing, contact Alex and Lori.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🔥 Wind-Blown Embers Spark January Wildfire Near Kananaskis. A small but fast-moving wildfire broke out on Wednesday (Jan. 14) near the Kananaskis YMCA after wind carried embers from debris piles burned in late December into dry grass. Crews from multiple agencies contained the 0.3-hectare fire quickly, and it’s now listed as “under control.” Officials say warm temperatures and snow-free ground have created unusually early wildfire conditions. Here’s everything we know about the cause. 

• 💽 From Banff Bus Driver to Debut Album, Tyler Wood Hits the Stage. By day, Tyler Wood drives bus routes around the Bow Valley. By night, he’s launching Launchpad, his debut album due this September. His new single, You’re Doing Okay, dropped this week and blends soul and R&B with a subtle country edge.  Read our full interview and listen to the track here. Then, catch him live at Tavern 1883 in Canmore on Jan. 23 and 24 at 9 PM. 

• ❄️“The Routes Are Just Gone": Guides Say The Mountains Are Changing. Mountain guides working in the Canadian Rockies say shrinking glaciers are rewriting the rulebook in real time. Routes used for decades are disappearing, ice once holding rock in place is gone, and familiar approaches now involve loose gravel, new lakes, and higher risk. Guides with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures say planning now changes season by season, sometimes week by week. Read our full story for firsthand accounts.

• 🩺 Mobile Mammography Is Back in Canmore Next Week. We mentioned this in December, but it’s worth flagging again now that it’s almost here. Alberta’s Screen Test mobile mammography clinic will be set up at Canmore General Hospital from Jan. 23 to 27, offering no-cost breast cancer screening for eligible residents ages 45 to 74. It’s an easy way to access early detection without leaving town. Appointments are required, and booking is already open. Visit here for details.

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BANFF LOOKS TO SPEND $346,000 TO FIREPROOF STREETS, PARKS, AND PUBLIC SPACES

What’s Happening? The Town of Banff is planning a major expansion of FireSmart landscaping, extending wildfire-resistant design beyond municipal buildings into boulevards, medians, parkettes, parking lots, and other public spaces across town.

The Big Shift. This isn’t a small tweak. Town staff told council that new FireSmart standards require a fundamental rethink of how Banff landscapes its public areas. That means moving away from flammable materials like bark mulch and toward rock ground cover and more fire-resistant plants. In short: fewer soft, foresty finishes and more hardscaping designed to slow fire spread.

Trade-offs On The Ground. Rock comes with challenges. Staff flagged increased evaporation, higher irrigation needs, and messier cleanup. Cigarette butts, for example, are a lot harder to remove from rocks than mulch. Still, town operations say this is the new baseline for wildfire resilience, and they’ll adapt as practices evolve.

The Price Tag. Administration requested approximately $346,000 to roll out the expanded program, to be funded through Banff’s Climate Change Resiliency Reserve. Ongoing maintenance and irrigation costs would be covered through regular taxation. This builds on a separate $940,000 FireSmart project approved last year to protect critical infrastructure, which is now more than 90% complete.

Council’s concern. Some councillors questioned how these changes affect Banff’s urban forest. The town has long invested in trees as a community asset, but wildfire risk is forcing a recalibration. Staff acknowledged the tension, saying the urban forest remains valuable, even as FireSmart requirements increase complexity and costs.

Why It Matters? This landscaping overhaul pairs with Banff’s upcoming wildfire safety bylaw for private properties, which would restrict storing combustible materials within 10 metres of buildings. Together, the message is clear: wildfire resilience is no longer just about emergency response. It’s now shaping how Banff looks, feels, and is maintained day-to-day.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Fridays at Canmore Brewing. Enjoy live music and happy hour beers. This week: sharing their first performance together, Rhonda Shippy on upright bass, Arif Boga on guitar, and Nurdjana de Rijcke on vocals, bring a vibrant mix of soul, jazz, and blues. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

• Canmore Eagles vs. Calgary Canucks. The Eagles face Calgary again after their Jan. 3 matchup ended in a late-game brawl (footage here) that led to six suspensions and a lot of league attention. Expect a physical rematch and a loud crowd. 7 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre. $11-$18. 

Saturday

• A 3-Week Inclusive Youth Art Program Starts. This three-week mixed-media art program is for neurodiverse and disabled youth and young adults (ages 15–25). Held Saturdays from January 17–31, sessions offer guided, flexible art activities like writing, collage, and painting in a low-pressure space. Materials and cookies are included. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25.50-$30.*

• Patio Party at Fat Ox. Brunch runs from 10-12 before the patio fully takes over. From 12-4 PM, DJ Tenax sets the soundtrack while the drinks keep flowing. Expect custom hat burning (designs burned directly into cowboy hats on-site), pop-up tattoos, and a Banff Burger Club takeover serving limited smash burgers made just for the weekend. Add western-inspired fits, and it’s peak Skijor energy.*

• Rooftop Party at The Rose & Crown. Doors open early at 12 PM, with the action moving straight to the rooftop patio for a no-cover afternoon party. Expect heaters going full tilt, cornhole, Jenga, table games, and DJ Nazo spinning from 2-5 PM. Drink specials include $7 Corona and Kokanee, plus half-price bottles of wine. 12:00 PM-Close. Banff Rose and Crown. No Cover until 10:00 PM.*

Sunday

• Winter Safety Day. This free, family-friendly event features hands-on demos from Alberta Parks, search-and-rescue teams, and local experts on avalanche awareness, wildlife safety, and winter travel basics. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Canoe Meadows Day Use Area, Kananaskis. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✅ Last Call to Weigh In on Canmore’s Future Trail Plan. We’ve already covered this provincial trails plan in depth, breaking down what it could mean for wildlife, recreation, and how Canmore-area trails may change. Now it’s the final chance to have your say. The province’s survey on the draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan closes in five days, on Jan. 21. If you hike, bike, walk your dog, or care about how land is managed around Canmore, this is it. Submit input before it closes.

• 👩🏻‍💻 A Peer Circle for Women in Business. The Summit Table is a program designed for established women business leaders in the Bow Valley. Created for those past the startup stage, it offers a confidential, structured space for candid conversation, shared experience, and meaningful accountability. The program includes monthly three-hour sessions starting in March. Applications close Sunday.*

• 🚧 Outdoor Rinks Closed Across Banff and Canmore. Roughly a month after opening, outdoor skating has been put on pause across the Bow Valley. Warm weather and standing water have forced closures in both Banff and Canmore, with crews needing sustained cold before ice can safely return. Check the Town of Banff and Town of Canmore updates before grabbing your skates.

• ❄️ Avalanche Conditions Are Still Touchy. It’s not just ice skating struggling in the warm weather. The snowpack is unsettled too. Recent flights spotted natural avalanches and collapsing cornices from the past week, including a deeper slide near Cirque Peak on the Icefield Parkway. On Jan. 14, a backcountry skier triggered a smaller slide near Sunshine, showing weak layers can still break without warning. Check avalanche conditions before heading out this weekend.

• 💡 Poetry Workshop. If you’ve ever been curious about slam poetry, this one’s for you. Local author and poet Nikki Tate is hosting a free, two-part workshop at the Canmore Library on January 21 and February 4 from 6-8 PM. Expect writing, performance practice, and tips on sharing your work publicly. Teens are welcome, but some mature themes may come up. Registration is required.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Re-Passes Levy Bylaw After Tribunal Order. Canmore council has re-approved its off-site levy bylaw after a provincial tribunal required changes by Jan. 16, shifting tens of millions in infrastructure costs back to the Town. The Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal ruled the 2024 bylaw didn’t clearly justify which projects could be charged to developers. More than $30 million, including a larger share of wastewater upgrades, will now be funded by the Town of Canmore. Developers say they support the revised approach.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, January 16th, 2025, 5:00 PM: Mister Bird. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover. 

• Friday, January 16th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Mike Petroff. Location: Mineshaft Tavern, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, January 17th, 2026, 9:00 PM: DJ Tenax. Location: Canmore Rose and Crown. No Cover. 

• Sunday, January 18th, 2026, 7:30 PM: Bellbird. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $17.50-$35.

SPORTS

• Canmore-Based Skier Alison Mackie Gains Olympic Momentum. Alison Mackie delivered a breakout performance at the Tour de Ski in Italy, finishing 12th overall, the best result by a Canadian in event history. The 20-year-old, who lives and trains in Canmore, climbed from outside the top 20 with a standout effort up the Alpe Cermis, the notoriously steep final climb. The result boosts confidence heading into Milano Cortina 2026, which is just weeks away.

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.