🤑Banff’s $19M Tourism Gamble

Good morning, Bow Valley!

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In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Kananaskis is about to get a serious security upgrade

• A $5,000 chef showdown is coming to Banff 

• A Canmore favorite is closing its doors 

• Plus, beer league ski racing, ski demo days, free total body assessments, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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TIGHT SECURITY INCOMING: G7 SUMMIT IN KANANASKIS

What’s Happening? If you’re planning to visit Kananaskis Country in June, brace yourself—security is about to get intense. With world leaders arriving for the G7 Summit (June 15-17), the RCMP-led Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) is ramping up patrols, checkpoints, and controlled access zones from June 10-18.

Security Overload. While ISSG is keeping details vague, expect an increased police presence, restricted airspace, and a “large controlled access zone.” If history repeats itself (like the 2002 G8 Summit), locals could see military-grade surveillance, vehicle searches, and even decontamination tents at Canmore General Hospital in the event tear gas is used to disperse protesters.

Business & Recreation Impact. Nakiska Ski Area, Mount Kidd RV Park, and parts of Kananaskis Country Golf Course will be closed or restricted. The good news? Businesses affected may be eligible for compensation (details here).

Local Leaders in the Loop. Canmore officials say this G7 will be “very different” from 2002, with better regional coordination. But one thing remains: for those in Kananaskis, normal life will take a backseat to global politics.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 3-103 RUNDLE DRIVE

Check out the property tour of this mountain-modern 3-bedroom townhome, just listed and ready for you to call home!

Perfectly situated just across the bridge from Main Street, 3-103 Rundle Drive offers the best of both worlds—walkable access to downtown and the tranquility of lush, treed green space the borders the property.  

Built in 2023, enjoy a spacious tandem garage, walkout backyard, the comfort of air conditioning and MORE! Don’t miss your chance to explore this stunning property!

Be sure follow Alex and Lori on Instagram for more property updates, and visit CanmoreAgent.com for a look at what’s new in the market!

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate}

THE DIGEST

• 👏Rocky Mountain Live hits the stage. A new platform is helping connect artists, venues, and audiences across the Rockies. Launched by Canmore’s Jimmy Stevens, Rocky Mountain Live serves as a central hub for live music, featuring event listings, band profiles, and industry resources to strengthen the region’s music scene.

• 🛎️Banff’s biggest food fest returns.  The Made With Love Banff Food and Cocktail Festival is back from April 22 to May 4, featuring 16+ top restaurants, creative food and drink pairings, and a street fair on Bear Street. The highlight? A high-stakes chef and bartender competition with a $5,000 prize or a trip to Italy. We’ll bring you more details as the dates approach.

• 🐅Cougar hunting debate intensifies. The Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta says its focus is conservation, not trophy hunting, citing the link between bighorn sheep and cougar populations. With sheep numbers declining and cougar numbers rising past sustainable levels, they support ethical, legal hunting to balance the ecosystem, particularly in the Bow Valley.

• 🏗️New rules, smoother builds. Canmore updated its engineering and design guidelines after two years of back-and-forth with developers. The tweaks clarify permits, drainage, infrastructure, and flexibility for creative solutions. Both the Town and builders say the process was collaborative, aiming for lower costs and long-term community benefits.

• 🚧Bataan Trail closed. Increased mining activity by Graymont has shut down the old Bataan approach trail. Bow Valley Climbers Access Society is working on a long-term access solution. 

 MORE MONEY, MORE WINTER TOURISTS?

What’s Happening? Banff & Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT) is making a big push to attract more overnight visitors during the winter season. Their 2025 budget is set at $19.2 million, outpacing their projected revenue of $17.8 million—but thanks to healthy reserves, they’re taking the hit to invest in long-term growth.

Where’s the Money Going?

BLLT is pouring an extra $1 million into winter marketing, including:

• $500K for a U.S. micro-targeting campaign

• $300K for a luxury business conference in Lake Louise

• $200K to boost lodging sector promotions

They’re also upping their employee investment by $900K to strengthen their team for these expanded efforts.

Why It Matters? Winter hotel occupancy has been below 60% in recent years, and officials see this as an opportunity to boost employment, stabilize seasonal jobs, and support local businesses.

More Events, More Stays. BLLT is banking on expanded winter events, incentive travel, and cultural experiences to lure midweek and extended-weekend visitors. The goal? Make Banff and Lake Louise a true year-round destination.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Chess Night at the Library. Enjoy a game of chess, connect with other chess players, and maybe even pick up a new trick or two. All skill and experience levels are welcome. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free.  

• Beer League Ski Racing. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you hit the slopes for an exciting night of skiing and friendly competition. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just looking for some fun, everyone is welcome! 6:45 PM. Mount Norquay. $25 for race registrations. Lift ticket not included. 

• Ecstatic Dance. Move your body, and let rhythm guide you in a safe and welcoming space. Featuring an immersive live DJ, you will return to a state of calm and connection. 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. $10 in advance / $15 cash at the door. 

• Free Local Live Music On Community Fridays. Every Friday evening through the winter at Canmore Brewing Co., you'll find $6 happy hour pints along with all your friends & neighbours, too. 

Saturday

• Family Opera. This season’s Family Opera is a Canadian and English language premiere: Nino Rota’s The Witty Squirrel.1:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.

• Adoptable Dogs Open House. Long-term resident dogs Daisy, Kiki, Kohen, and Bedard will be available for visitation (and adoption). 2:00 PM - 3:45 PM. Bow Valley SPCA, Canmore. Free.

• Embodied Astrology. This workshop will guide you on a self-healing journey that combines cosmic science with psychology, shadow work, and creative somatic practices. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Flow State, Banff. $65. 

• Queer & Trans Climb. The event will be hosted by queer and trans climbers/staff members and volunteers from Canmore Pride. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Climbing Gym. Free for Members / $15 for Non-Members. 

• heARTburn Exhibition Closing Party. Expect an engaging evening of creative expression. Wearable Art pieces and live sets with local DJs. 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM. artsPlace, Canmore. By cash donation. Proceeds go to Eagles Nest Stoney Family Shelter.

Sunday

• Lake Louise Demo Day. Find the Blizzard skis, Nordica skis, Salomon Alpine, and Salomon Snowboards tents in the base area, and their team will set you up. A limited number of demos are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All Day. Lake Louise Ski Resort. Free. 

• Massage Ball Workshop. Join Lydia for a blissful workshop where you will explore different ways to flush the body with the help of a ball. 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. $50 includes your own massage ball.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💆Ever Wonder What’s Actually Causing Your Aches And Pains? Osteopathy For All is doing free total body assessments right now—perfect if you’ve got nagging back pain, headaches, or sciatica and want to get to the bottom of it. No pressure, just answers. You can book a free assessment if you’re curious!

• ☕Coffee Shops. Here are our top three must-visit coffee shops in Canmore.

• 🎬Last of Us Season 2. Locals will finally see the Bow Valley come to life on April 13 when season 2 of The Last of Us debuts. 

• 🥬Hello Community Gardeners. For a $50 registration and 1-2 hours of water/weeding a week, enjoy an entire summer of garden-to-your-table goodness. Online registration for the 2025 season opens Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Registration will close when full.

• 🔒Deli Closing. Red Gables has announced they will be closing their doors on March 15th but will continue to serve their Canmore-famous locally sourced products until then.

• 🖐️YWCA Banff Needs Volunteers. The 10th annual VINEart Gala and Auction is set for March 15, and they’re looking for help with setup, coat check, auction assistance, and teardown. Proceeds support emergency shelter, housing, and counselling services. Sign up to support a great cause!

• 🙋‍♀️Another Volunteer Opportunity. Food and Friends in Canmore is able to keep running with people like you. Sign-up is week to week. 

• 🦜Calling Bow Valley Birders. Not all birds fly south for the winter! Some of our feathered friends that call Canmore and Kananaskis home year-round

• 🧗‍♀️Ice Climbing Spots in the Valley. These spots aren’t just climbing destinations; they’re gateways to experiencing Canada’s winter beauty in its most dramatic form. 

• 🏕️“Glamping” in Banff? Don’t want to set up a tent? No problem! Banff National Park offers Equipped Campsites at Two Jack Main Campground, featuring a trapper-style tent already set up and ready for you! Available to book on February 27, 2025, starting at 10 AM. 

• 🎬Open Casting Call. Billy the Kid is back, and they are looking for individuals of Latin American heritage to authentically portray residents of early 19th-century New Mexico. 

CIVIC NEWS

• The Town of Canmore’s Report to the Community lays out big targets: rent hikes capped at 5%, more non-market housing, better Roam transit ridership, and stronger emergency preparedness. Sustainability gets a push with GHG cuts and waste reduction, while efforts to increase diversity, reconciliation, and public engagement are also on the agenda.

• MD of Bighorn reviewed its code of conduct bylaw to align with election cycles, update policies on social media, electronic meetings, and strengthen governance.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, February 21st, 2025,  5:00 PM: 6 x 4 Blues Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, February 21st, 2025, 7:30 PM: Black Umfolosi Location: artsPlace, Canmore.. $40 / members $34 / youth $20

• Friday, February 21st, 2025,  9:00 PM: Arn Smit Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, February 21st, 2025,  10:00 PM: Peach Panic. Location:Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, February 22nd, 2025,  9:00  PM: Mr Bird. Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, February 22nd, 2025,  10:00 PM: Peach Panic. Location:Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, 3:00 PM: Sunday Sessions. Location: Core Values, Canmore.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Skiing.  Alpine Canada has named its 13-athlete roster for the 2025 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Italy (Feb 27 - Mar 6). The team includes eight returnees, with Canmore’s Britt Richardson coming off a gold medal win last year.

• Alberta scores big on sports. The province is hosting three international events and two national championships in the next two months, backed by $440K in grants. Canmore will welcome the Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals (March 17-23), bringing 800+ skiers and $4.6M in economic impact.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place!