📷 Banff’s New Photo Spot

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The Banff sign has officially been relocated. As of last night, it now sits at the Train Station, safely off the road and perfectly lined up with Mount Norquay. The move cost $1.2 million, fully paid by Norquay (not taxpayers), and comes with a new parkette, landscaping, and restoration of the old site. And with thousands of tourist photos a day now featuring Norquay in the background, that 1.2 million looks like “marketing money” well spent. See photos + videos from the Norquay owner and mayor.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

WILL HIGHWAY FENCING IN CANMORE HELP WILDLIFE OR HURT IT?

What’s Happening? Wildlife fencing is coming to the Trans Canada between the Banff East Gate and Harvie Heights, with construction now expected to start in 2026. The province says the 10 kilometre fence is about safety, but local leaders and conservation groups worry the current plan will box animals in without enough safe places to cross.

Fencing Helps Safety, Not Connectivity. Fencing is not the same thing as a wildlife crossing. The fence is meant to stop animals from popping onto the road, but without enough crossings, it can end up trapping wildlife on one side of the valley.

Why the Fence is Coming Now. Alberta is using its Alberta Wildlife Watch program to target wildlife hot spots, including the busy stretch through Canmore. The new fence, along with a short extension on Highway 1A near Elk Run, is expected to cut collisions by up to 80 percent. The approach mirrors decades of work in Banff National Park, where fencing paired with overpasses and underpasses has reduced wildlife vehicle collisions by roughly 80 to 90 percent.

The Big Worry. Critics like Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) say best practice is a wildlife crossing about every two kilometres. Instead, the current design leaves nearly 10 kilometres with no suitable crossing. Biologists worry this will worsen an already tight valley where animals struggle with trains, traffic, and development. Research in the Bow Valley shows that when wildlife lose safe routes to move for food, mates, and den sites, populations can decline even if roadside deaths go down.

What To Watch Next. Alberta Transportation says it has no plans to upgrade crossings as part of this fence. Canmore’s mayor and groups like Y2Y are pushing to retrofit interchanges and pair the fence with new structures.

THIS IS THE PART WHERE YOU FALL A LITTLE IN LOVE WITH A HOUSE

This house sits on the 10th hole at Stewart Creek.
Which means your backyard is basically a fairway.
So please, act surprised when golf balls show up.

It’s mountain-modern.
Timber beams. Big windows.
The kind of home that knows it looks good.

Solar panels on the roof.
Fire-Smart sprinklers too.
(Probably more prepared than most of us.)

Four bedrooms.
Four bathrooms.
A sunken hot tub that feels like it should come with a warning label:
May cause neighbours to suddenly become friendlier.

The backyard is private.
The views are real.
The serenity is included.
The golfers are… unavoidable.

If you want quiet luxury without saying “quiet luxury,” this is it.

Ready to poke around inside? Alex and Lori have the keys.

This ad ends now.
Unless you scroll up again. Then it restarts. 

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• ❄️ First Avalanche of the Season Hits K-Country. Kananaskis logged its first avalanche involvement of the winter on November 15, when a small wind slab on Highwood Ridge cracked under a skier and carried two people downslope. No one was buried or hurt, but the slide ran to the ground thanks to a thin, fragile early-season snowpack. See pictures of the avalanche. 

• 🐦‍⬛ A Raven Turned a Banff Woman’s Amazon Delivery Into Confetti. Banff resident Brittney Huerlimann came home to find her Amazon package shredded across her doorstep, courtesy of a very committed raven. The bird struck around 3 PM on November 18, tearing the cardboard into a full porch display while somehow leaving the carpet cleaner inside untouched. See pictures and the Ring footage. 

• 🔒 Banff Upper Hot Springs Delays Reopening to 2026. The Banff Upper Hot Springs, closed since September 2 for general maintenance, was originally slated to reopen at the end of December. But Parks Canada now says additional structural issues were uncovered during the project, pushing the reopening into early 2026. A firm reopening date will come once repairs are further along.

• 🛏️ Canmore’s Emergency Shelter Saw a 1420% Surge in Overcapacity Nights. The shelter hit 71 overcapacity nights last winter, a sharp jump that challenges the idea that most users are transient. More than half had lived in the Bow Valley for five years or longer. The same pressure showed up in summer, when the town issued 55 Safe Park permits, which are required for locals who live in their vehicles. Together, the numbers show housing stress is increasing.

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 PUSHES FOR MAJOR CUT IN CONSTRUCTION WASTE

What’s Happening? Canmore is rolling out a multi-year plan to overhaul how construction waste is handled in the Bow Valley. The goal is simple: keep far more material out of the landfill and move the region closer to its long-term zero waste targets.

Why This Matters. Construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste is one of the biggest contributors to the Bow Valley landfill. Staff say boosting “diversion rates,” meaning how much material is reused or recycled instead of dumped, is essential for extending the life of the landfill and reducing environmental impact.

The Big Target. The short-term goal is ambitious: get CRD diversion rates above 70 percent. That means more than two-thirds of construction materials would need to be sorted, recycled, reused, or otherwise recovered before reaching the dump. For a sector that has long relied on disposal, this would be a major shift.

A Regional Push. Canmore is not doing this alone. The plan aligns policies across Banff and the MD of Bighorn so contractors face the same expectations throughout the Bow Valley. Shared permitting rules, consistent education, better tracking, and more collaboration with private haulers are all part of the strategy.

The New Hire Driving It. A key step forward is the creation of a Zero Waste Coordinator, expected to start next year. Their role is to keep the circular economy plan moving. That includes working with contractors, improving compliance, collecting data, and identifying gaps in local recycling and reuse options.

The Long Game. The long-term goal is zero construction waste going to the landfill. Staff say this will take decades, but momentum is building. With a dedicated coordinator in place, the region expects progress to accelerate in 2026 as more systems come online and reporting becomes more detailed.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• An Evening with the Poet Laureate. Settle in for a relaxed night of verse, stories, and mountain-made humour with Banff’s Poet Laureate Heather Jean Jordan. Bring a friend, grab a pint, and enjoy an evening where the words flow as easily as the beer. 6:30 PM. Banff Legion. Free, donations appreciated.*

• November Night Run and Fireside Social. Join a relaxed group run through local trails, then gather back around the fire for snacks, s’mores, drinks, and winter trivia. Bring warm layers and a love of starry November nights. Run at 6:15 PM. SkiUphill – RunUphill Canmore. Free.

• Friday Night Comedy: Chris Gordon. Get ready to laugh with Vancouver comedian Chris Gordon. Gordon blends sharp wit and relatable storytelling, turning everyday moments into hilarious anecdotes. Hosted by Scott Dumas, a seasoned comedian with decades of stand-up experience. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 / $21.25 members.*

• Biosphere’s Square Dance Fundraiser. Kick up your heels at the Third Annual Square Dance Community Fundraiser. No experience needed. Enjoy live music, light snacks, a cash bar, and a silent auction. All proceeds support the Biosphere Institute’s community programs. All ages. 7:30 PM - Late. Cornerstone Theatre, Canmore.*

Saturday

• Metropolitan Opera Streaming Live: Arabella. This sumptuous production by Otto Schenk transports audiences to 19th-century Vienna, featuring soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Arabella, Louise Alder as her sister Zdenka, and bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as the dashing count. 10:55 AM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 / $21.25 members / $12.50 youth.*

Sunday

• Juno Award Winner Ashley MacIsaac in Concert. Three time Juno Award–winning fiddler Ashley MacIsaac brings his legendary Cape Breton fire to Canmore Brewing for two unforgettable, up-close shows (Sunday & Monday). Expect blistering fiddle tunes, foot-stomping rhythm, flying bows, and big East Coast energy. 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company.*

LAST CALL: JOIN OUR DECEMBER ICE CLIMBING ADVENTURE

We’re running two small-group ice climbing trips in Canmore this December, and we need to know ASAP if you’re in. 

Choose the mid-week dates (Dec 4–5) or the weekend option (Dec 6–7). No climbing experience needed. 

It’s a two-day guided adventure with Leviathan Mountain Guides. 

Details and cost here. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🔒 Two Downtown Canmore Businesses Are Closing. After 15 years, Shoes t' Boot will close on December 31, with all fall products currently 30% off. Das Schnitzel Haus, known for its classic German comfort food, will serve its final meals on January 4. If these spots have been part of your routine, now is the time to stop in and give them a proper farewell.

• 📚 The Book About Banff’s Most Famous Bear. Before The Boss became a Banff icon, he was a timid cub learning courage in the Rockies. The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss follows his journey through real Banff landmarks, teaching kids that bravery isn’t about being fearless but about standing tall when it matters. A story as heartwarming as it is local, it’s a gentle reminder that every legend starts with a little courage. Available on Amazon now.*

• 🖼️ The Perfect Gift for Mountain Lovers. Give something that actually means something. Toni’s paintings capture the wild beauty and heritage of the Canadian West, making them a lasting gift for anyone who loves this land. Each piece is original, heartfelt, and created by a local artist. Explore or purchase Toni’s latest works, Here I am and Sacred Place, or reach out to him directly with questions. Support a local artist this holiday season.*

• 🚧 Nordic Centre Construction Closure. Several upper trails at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park will be closed until further notice due to Bow Valley Fireguard construction. Trails affected include Killer Bees, Ziggys, Backdoor, Oven, Nector Noodle, and Alpine Meadows. Work involves mechanical tree removal, forest thinning, and log hauling. Visitors are asked to follow all signage.

• 📸 Marilyn Monroe in Banff. In 1953, a 27-year-old Marilyn Monroe strolled Banff Avenue while filming River of No Return. Local photographer Eddie Hunter, now 99, captured two iconic shots of her pausing to look over her shoulder. Hunter, who spent his career filming ski and mountain scenes, recalls that fleeting encounter as one of the true highlights of his life and career. Read his story here. 

CIVIC NEWS

• New Faces on Banff’s Planning Commission. Fourteen residents competed for five seats on the Municipal Planning Commission, which guides what gets built in Banff and how projects support the town’s housing goals. New public members Peter Eshenko, Michelle Lem, and Richard Yuh join returning appointees Stavros Karlos and Tamra Malczyk on this key development board. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 21st, 2025, 5:00 PM: Isaac Brothers.  Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, 9:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, 10:00 PM: Dangerous Cheese. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

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

• Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, 7:30 PM: Jeremy Gignoux Acoustic Ensemble. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15. 

SPORTS

• World Cups Expected to Bring Over $1 Million Dollars to Canmore. Canmore will host two Para Nordic World Cups this December, bringing 200+ athletes from up to 20 countries to the Nordic Centre. The events mark the start of the Paralympic season and include sitting, standing, and vision-impaired races. Teams have already begun arriving, some staying weeks. A comparable 2021 event generated $1.14 million locally, and officials expect this year to deliver a similar economic lift.

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.