👋 Banff Sign? Gonzo.

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We hope none of you were the recreational pilot who flew into G7 airspace yesterday and got escorted down by two CF-18 fighter jets. That’s one way to find out you missed a memo. If you’re reading this while your plane gets impounded—well, welcome to the newsletter! Pretty sure the cops told you to subscribe so you don’t miss the next time we mention restricted airspace over the Bow Valley.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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CANMORE & BANFF ADVANCE MAJOR HOUSING PROJECTS

What’s Happening? Canmore’s tackling the housing crisis on two fronts—one led by the Town, the other by the local school division.

Town Takes a Big Swing. Council signed off on new rules for the Moustache Lands for up to 350 affordable units, with parks, plazas, and commercial space. It’s a multi-agency effort involving Canmore Community Housing, YWCA Banff, Rocky Mountain Adaptive, and Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation. Bonus pressure: shovels must hit dirt by spring 2026.

Classroom Crisis = Construction Site. Canadian Rockies Public Schools is also stepping up. They just secured a $2.5M grant for a 120-unit project near Lawrence Grassi Middle School. Twenty units will be rented at below-market rates to staff—aimed at solving the growing issue of teachers turning down jobs due to Canmore’s rental market.

Pushback + Progress. Both projects saw concerns about density and traffic, but supporters say they’re long overdue. When combined with other nearby builds, these efforts could add over 1,400 units—with 1,000 of them geared toward affordability. That’s more than a dent—it’s a shovel to the problem.

Meanwhile, over in Banff. Canalta Hotels wants to build a 19-unit staff housing complex. It’s part of a bigger housing push in town: new rules have sparked a wave of development, with 315 new homes either approved or in the works. That’s nearly a 10% boost to Banff’s total housing stock.

WHY IS INFINITY SOLAR TAKING OVER THE BOW VALLEY?

Are they launching a solar-powered gondola? Offering rooftop tanning memberships?

Nope. Even better…

They’re helping Bow Valley homeowners slash their power bills and boost home value with customized solar systems and financing that actually makes sense.

Here’s the part that gets people talking:

Every kilowatt of solar you install could bump your home value by 4.1%. And thanks to net metering, any extra energy your panels produce can go toward future utility bills.

But the real game-changer?

Canmore and Banff now offer the Clean Energy Improvement Program — which lets you finance solar upgrades through your property taxes. That means no massive upfront cost, just low monthly payments that stay predictable.

If you’re just slightly curious, you can get a personalized free estimate in just 48 hours.

(Unless you’d rather keep paying bloated power bills for the fun of it.)

_{*Presented by Infinity Solar.}

THE DIGEST

• 💦 Locals Skip The Banff Hot Springs—For Good Reason. The Upper Hot Springs are iconic, but not always the relaxing soak people imagine. We rounded up local-approved alternatives—from wild natural pools to luxe spa retreats—so you’ve got better options no matter your budget or schedule. Check out our full guide.

• 🛣️ New Wildlife Overpass Gets a Meaningful Name. Alberta has officially named its newest wildlife crossing near Lac Des Arcs the Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass. It’s the province’s first outside a national park and is expected to cut animal-vehicle collisions by 80%—a fitting tribute to the man who created Kananaskis Country.

• 🤍 A Bow Valley Legend Has Passed. Mark Whalen, ACMG guide and first ascensionist of famous climbing routes like True Grit, passed away May 7 at 71. From winter ascents of Mount Robson (the tallest peak in the Rockies) to teaching at the Banff Army Cadet Camp, he shaped the Rockies’ climbing and ski culture for decades. Celebration of life: July 5.

• 🐻 New Cougar And Grizzly Warnings Now In Effect. A cougar warning is active near Ole Buck Mountain after several sightings on local trails. Meanwhile, part of the Peter Lougheed paved trail is closed due to a grizzly feeding on a carcass near Lower Lake. Both advisories are in place until further notice—check trail conditions before heading out and pack your bear spray.

• 🏆 Banff and Canmore Patios Make National List. Banff’s Lupo and Three Bears, plus Canmore’s Bridgette Bar, were named among Canada’s top 100 outdoor dining spots by OpenTable—a reservation platform that pulled data from over 1 million verified diner reviews. They’re three of just 16 Alberta picks, standing out for their scenic patios and popularity with both locals and visitors alike.

BANFF SHRUGS OFF G7 SUMMIT BUZZ

What’s Happening? Despite the G7 Summit unfolding just down the road in Kananaskis, Banff remained business as usual this weekend—minus a few more Mounties in town.

Tourists Want Bears, Not Politics. While some visitors were curious if they’d spot a world leader or motorcade, most were more interested in snapping photos and, ideally, spotting a bear. “We’re not really interested in the famous people,” said one tourist. “She just wants to see a bear.” Though with bear closures popping up across Kananaskis, sightings are more “Bear Aware” than “Bear There.”

Locals Unfazed. Servers and shop staff said crowds felt typical for a June weekend—busy, but not unusual. Some businesses had prepped for a G7 bump, but others said it wasn’t necessary. One worker called it exciting to have world leaders nearby, but added, “It hasn’t really affected us.”

Sign of the Times. One visible change? The iconic Banff entrance sign is gone—until June 18th. The town temporarily removed it to prevent illegal parking near the G7 protest zone across the road. One California family who’d waited days for the crowds to thin out arrived just in time… to watch crews take the sign down.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Try Disc Golf. A fun, beginner-friendly intro to disc golf—no experience needed. Open to Permanent Residents and Refugees (18+). Includes gear, instruction, and transport. 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free.

• Canmore Food & Friends. This week's menu is sloppy joes! Meat and non-meat options available. Served with green salad. Everyone is welcome to this weekly community dinner. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Church, Canmore. Pay what you can.

• Outdoor Yoga. Breathe deep, stretch it out, and flow by the river. All levels welcome, by donation. Sign up at Eventbrite. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free. 

Tuesday

• Community BBQ. Open to young adults living/working in Banff. Banff Pride has teamed up with Basecamp, a drop-in social space where you can connect, make friends, and feel welcome. No registration. 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Sundance Park Pavilion, Banff. Free. 

• Bike Maintenance 101. Learn basic tune-up tips like tire changes, brake checks & chain care. Bring your bike. Space is limited—register here. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

• Stoney Nakoda Film Project. Stories We Have Earned explores the exploitation of Stoney Nakoda culture in Alberta’s entertainment history—from Banff Indian Days to Hollywood. Join filmmaker Cody Lefthand for this powerful retelling, followed by a short Q&A. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING YOU NEVER THINK ABOUT

Your driveway is aging faster than your knees. (And with fewer complaints.)

Cracks, stains, and weather damage build up slowly—until one day, it’s beyond repair. Oakley from Pine Peak Paving can resurface and seal it now, saving you thousands down the line.

👷‍♂️ Local. Trusted. Detail-obsessed.

All done by the guy in the photo.

Book a free quote with Oakley

_{*Presented by Pine Peak Paving.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛍️ Support Local. Support Alberta-Made Products! Alberta’s Own on Main Street is packed with locally made art, gifts & goods—all sourced right here in Alberta. Whether you’re after a souvenir or something for yourself, this Canmore favourite is worth a visit. Take a tour with us here.*

• 🥂 Annual Patio Party at The Stirling (June 19th). Enjoy live music by Charlie Butler from 4:00 - 6:30 PM, plus a large selection of beverage vendors and food stations. Tickets are $35, and all proceeds support Rocky Mountain Adaptive—helping make outdoor adventures possible for everyone. Celebrate summer for a great cause!*

• 🧘🏻‍♀️ Celebrate Summer Solstice at The Fat Ox (June 20th). Start off with Morning Yoga and a Mimosa from 10-12 PM, then hit the patio for spritz specials, lawn games, marshmallow roasting, and sunny vibes. Book a table or just drop in.*

• 🌱 Exshaw Plant Tours. Lafarge offers weekday tours for community members interested in its operations. Tours are 1-2 hours, and safety gear is provided. If you’d like a tour, please email [email protected] with your preferred date and time.

• 🐕 Henry has spent 365 days at the BVSPCA. This smart, loyal 2-year-old shepherd needs a calm, structured home with an experienced dog owner who’ll give him the stability, training, and love he missed early on. Not a dog person? They have cats for that. 

• 🪦 Cemetery Headstone Restoration Group. This summer, help conserve moss- and lichen-covered headstones at the Old Banff Cemetery. Free hands-on workshops run Saturdays & Sundays at 10 AM—tools and training provided! Join their Facebook group here for more information on this unique volunteer opportunity. 

• 🚴 Parade Your Pedal. Parade your bike with Community Cruisers in the Canmore or Banff Canada Day Parade! They have bike decorations, so you roll out in style. Prizes are awarded for the best wheels. Check out some of the bike designs from last year. 

• 🫔 Sleeping Bag Drive. From now until June 30, you can donate new or gently used sleeping bags to the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley. Find out how. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Committee of the Whole Meeting. Canmore’s Committee of the Whole meets Tuesday with delegations from Tourism Canmore Kananaskis and AltaLink regarding a transmission line rebuild; results from the 2025 Citizen Perspectives Survey, and an update on the Moustache Lands Feasibility Land Survey. View the full agenda here. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday June 16th,  2025, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

• Tuesday, June 17th,  2025, 10:00 PM: Karaoke Tuesdays with Andrew Staygold. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover. 

• Tuesday, June 17th,  2025, 10:00 PM: Halle Ponton.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Locals Place Strong At Banff Half. Out of 1,771 runners in the half-marathon, Canmore’s Harry Woodward placed 3rd with a time of 1:18:35. In the 10K, which saw 1,329 competitors, Banff’s Sam Watson finished 2nd (38:51), with locals Clayton Knox (8th, 41:08) and Jocelyn Poissant (10th, 42:07) rounding out a strong local showing.

• Canmore Teen Heads to Freestyle Kayak Worlds. Jordy Munro, 17, is set to represent Canada at the Canoe Freestyle World Championships in Germany, June 16–21. Known for tricks like the McNasty and Tricky Woo, Munro honed his skills on the Kananaskis and now has his sights set on the second round—and maybe a few new fans, too.

• Canmore Hurdlers and Runners Clean Up at Provincials. Lukas Boruta defended his title in the 100m hurdles at ASAA provincials with a blistering 13.27s finish. Teammates Nya White, Ben Bachmann, and Marie Kirschstein also cracked the top 10 in events from long jump to the 1,500m, marking a standout weekend for Canmore Collegiate’s track and field squad.

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.