🚦 Banff vs Parks Canada

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Wednesday, we dug into the problem of “100% booked” campgrounds sitting empty when people no-show instead of cancelling (read article). It’s an issue that frustrates campers and leaves prime spots unused. After 240 locals voted in our poll, the top solution (43.33%) was adding a no-show penalty to encourage cancellations and free up space. With plenty of Alberta Parks and Parks Canada readers here, maybe this will kick off some meaningful conversations about change.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CANADA STRONG PASS: BANFFITES SAW IT COMING

What’s Happening? What Banffites saw coming is now hitting the rest of Canada. The Canada Strong Pass, which gives free national park entry and discounted camping, is bringing big crowds and big problems.

What Locals Said Back in June. Before the pass launched, we polled 514 Bow Valley Insider readers. 80.5 percent opposed the plan, with many saying it should be for Canadians only, not international tourists. In another poll of 743 readers, 85.7 percent said Banff should adopt two-tiered pricing, charging tourists more.

Now the Rest of Canada is Catching On. In P.E.I., the pass is fueling congestion. P.E.I. National Park has turned away visitors multiple times this summer due to full parking lots. The surge has also led to renewed warnings to stay off fragile sand dunes that protect the coastline from storm surges. Locals say many visitors are ignoring the signs, with people walking and digging on the dunes, damaging the grass that holds them together.

Banff Feels It Too. Traffic in Banff is on pace to beat last year’s record 6.7 million vehicles. At the main entrances, July saw 867,581 vehicles, up 1.68 percent from last year and 3.55 percent from 2019. Year-to-date traffic is six percent higher than 2024, and tour bus activity has rebounded to pre-COVID levels, filling lots to capacity. 

The Question Now. Countries like Japan, Ecuador, and Costa Rica already charge tourists more to enter their parks, and the U.S. is set to follow in 2026. Whether Canada makes that move remains to be seen, but if our polls are any sign, Banffites are more than ready.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 4–124 SILVERTIP RIDGE

There’s a reason you don’t see this stretch of Silvertip on MLS every day. 4–124 Silvertip Ridge is a meticulously maintained 4-bed, 3-bath half-duplex sits just steps from the Silvertip Golf Course, with over 2,500 sq. ft. of space and south-facing windows framing the Three Sisters, Ha Ling, and EEOR.

The vaulted primary suite comes with a generous 5-piece ensuite, and the kitchen’s stainless steel appliances open onto a private BBQ deck. Downstairs, there’s plenty of room to spread out, and the attached double garage easily fits two Bow Valley-sized vehicles (plus all the gear that comes with living here).

Check out the property tour video here.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 📈 Alberta Doubles Down on Tourism Growth. Despite Banff’s infrastructure feeling like it’s bursting at the seams, the Alberta government has put $72M into Travel Alberta this year to court visitors and attract tourism investment. Visitor spending hit a record $14.4B in 2024, and with projects like Canmore’s Alexander Spa Hotel and Lake Louise’s Basin Glacial Waters Spa, the province aims to nearly double that to $25B annually by 2035.

• 💰 $25M Fund Eyes Canmore’s Short-Term Rental Market. CHK Group is seeking $25M from Canadian investors to acquire and upgrade luxury short-term rentals, which have Canada’s highest short-term occupancy rate (49%) and a 5,000-room shortfall. Currently, demand from 4–5M annual visitors far exceeds supply. Getting new short-term zoning approved in Canmore’s current political climate, however, will be an uphill battle. Investors are being pitched 13–18% net returns and a 6–8% annual cash yield.

• 🛣️ Roadwork Season Hits Banff National Park. Lake Louise Drive will see single-lane traffic from Aug. 15 for creek bank stabilization, with delays up to 15 minutes and possible turnarounds during peak times. On Highway 93 North near Rampart Creek, culvert work continues into October, bringing single-lane traffic and delays of up to 20 minutes. Check Alberta 511 before heading out. 

• 🗣 Canmore Subway Owner Speaks Out After Racist Incident. Bhavesh Gajjar, who has lived in Canada for 15 years and owns two Canmore Subway locations, says two women entered his store Aug. 12 and made repeated comments about immigrants taking Canadian jobs and government grants. Gajjar shared the encounter on Facebook to raise awareness for the Bow Valley’s immigrant-run businesses, drawing an outpouring of community support and condemnation of the behaviour.

• 🪦 Digitizing Cemeteries to Keep Memories Alive. The Alberta Family Histories Society has documented 348 cemeteries and nearly 260,000 residents since launching its Alberta Ancestors site in 2021, including Canmore’s. Volunteers go beyond headstone photos to research unmarked graves, ensuring even those without markers have their stories preserved.

Marketing That Slaps (In a Good Way)

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PARKS CANADA VS BANFF: THE BATTLE OVER DOWNTOWN PARKING

What’s Happening? Parks Canada’s $50 to $60 million plan to redevelop the east 200 block of Banff Avenue could include an underground parkade, the opposite direction the Town of Banff has been working toward for over a decade. 

Why the Pushback. Town officials say downtown parkades lure more cars into the core, making congestion worse. For 12 years, Banff’s transportation strategy has focused on “intercept parking” outside downtown and improving transit, walking, and cycling. About 20 percent of traffic downtown is just drivers hunting for parking.

What the Rules Say. In downtown Banff, developers can only build 10 percent of the required parking spots and must pay the Town $21,000 for each of the rest. The rule discourages adding more parking downtown, and the funds help pay for parking outside the core. However, Parks Canada does not have to follow these rules. The Town has recently pushed for more collaboration after feeling left out of key decisions, so time will tell how closely the two sides align on this project.

Banff’s Track Record. The 500-stall intercept lot at the train station has been part of the summer parking shuffle since 2019, and it still fills up on busy weekends. Transit keeps expanding, and surveys show strong public support for limiting vehicles downtown, with 78 percent opposing any increase in car traffic in the core.

What’s Next. Parks Canada’s international design competition closed August 12. Up to six finalists will submit concepts to a jury overseen by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Soon we will find out whether those designs include an underground parkade, a decision that could shape Banff’s transportation future.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Swap. This week’s full moon means it’s time to swap at the library. Drop by anytime during swap hours to drop off, swap, or shop. 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

• Comedy Night. Known for her down-to-earth style, quick delivery, and hilariously relatable stories, Brittany Lyseng has quickly become one of Canada’s most beloved comedic voices. She’s joined by openers Art Bellerose and Scott Dumas. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore.*

Saturday

• Walk for Art. Banff’s summer outdoor art tour features 65+ works along a self-guided route from Banff Park Museum to Bow Falls and back via the Nancy Pauw Bridge. All Day. Banff. Free.

• Background Beats & Patio Pints. Born and raised in the Canadian Rockies, Liam Cowan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer based in the Bow Valley. He’s a little bit of everything but distinctly his own Canadian flavor. 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

Sunday

• Yoga at the Library. Start your Sunday with free yoga. Instructor Chie will begin the hour with a reading-related icebreaker, leading the class into body-opening shapes. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Banff Library. Free.

• Acting Workshop. Val Planche leads a scene study and character development session covering character, script, and physicality basics. Open to all, no experience needed. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Canmore Miner’s Union Hall. Pay What You Can.

SHE’S GOT BEEF WITH YOUR BASEBOARDS

Zoe doesn’t care if you “did a quick tidy.” She’s coming for your baseboards like they owe her money. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, she’s built for local messes: muddy boots, mystery crumbs, the works. She does regular cleans, deep cleans, move-outs, and more. Reach out before she breaks into your house and cleans it out of spite.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛎️ New Menus at Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge. If you haven’t hit Forte’s patio lately in Kananaskis, now’s the time. Their new lunch and dinner  menu’s a winner. Try carbonara pizza, watermelon salad, and a Sicilian cannoli worth saving room for. Gluten-free crust’s on offer too. Check out the full menu.*

• 🍽️ 4-Course Dinner at The Juniper. Chef Sergio Garcia is serving a limited-time four-course menu. Think baked gooseberry brie, steelhead trout, and pistachio cake with wild rose syrup. Daily, 5–6 PM, until Aug. 31. Check out our video of Chef walking you through the menu and showing exactly what to expect. Book resos here.*

• 🧱 Open House: Exshaw Cement Plant. Ever driven past the stacks and wondered what actually goes on in there? Here’s your chance to find out. On Aug. 25, get a behind-the-scenes look at how cement is made, meet the crew, and see the operation that’s been shaping this valley for decades. 11 AM–3:30 PM. Exshaw. Free. Register here.

• 👣 Trails and Pathways. Discover Canmore like never before using the town’s new Interactive Trail Maps. Explore detailed routes, points of interest, and real-time trail updates right at your fingertips. Perfect for hikers, bikers, and outdoor adventurers of all levels.

• 🙋 Eagles Volunteer Opportunity. The Canmore Eagles are seeking security volunteers for the upcoming season. Help keep game nights safe and fun as our fandom grows at the Canmore Rec Centre.

• 🗳️ Voter Registration. With candidates signing up for the Oct. 20 election in Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn, now’s the time to make sure you’re on the voters list. Check here to confirm. Your vote shapes our mountain communities far better than complaining on Facebook ever will.

• 🚌 Explore Kananaskis Shuttle. In case you missed our announcement, you can skip the parking hassle and ride this free hop-on, hop-off shuttle to top Kananaskis spots like Troll Falls, Boundary Ranch, and the golf course. Runs daily, first-come, first-served, with stops from the Village Centre to Mt Kidd RV Park.

CIVIC NEWS

• MD of Bighorn Council Approves Post-Election Pay Increase. MD of Bighorn councillors will earn $47,975 annually, and the reeve (the top elected official equivalent to a mayor) $75,945 starting Oct. 20, after the municipal election. The change, aimed at market fairness, raises council’s annual budget by $26,867 and introduces $220 meeting stipends. 

• Banff B&B Expansion Approved on Appeal. Banff’s Development Appeal Board has overturned a Municipal Planning Commission decision, allowing Melissa and Maurio Mauriello to add a second short-term rental suite and a long-term housing unit to their Otter Street property. The revised plans address setback concerns raised by neighbours.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, August 15th 2025, 6:00 PM: Irene Poole. Location: Banff Gondola. Free. 

• Friday, August 15th 2025, 6:00 PM: Shane Ghostkeeper & Lauren Dillen. Location: The Whyte, Banff. $28.50.

• Friday, August 15th, 2025, 9:00 PM: Funk The Haus! Location: Canadian Brewhouse, Banff. $10 Cash Cover at the Door. 

• Saturday, August 16th, 2025, 3:00 PM. Liam Cowan. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.*

• Saturday, August 16th, 2025, 9:00 PM. Dr. Z Duo. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, August 17th, 2025, 3:00 PM. DJ Bunny Hops. Location: Magpie and Stump, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• 2025 Senior Club Golf Champions Named. Canmore Golf & Curling Club crowned Jason Desoto as Senior Men’s Champion and Paul McKenna as Super Senior Men’s Champion. Mary Anne Kamenka took the Senior Ladies title, and Lori Hogarth repeated as Super Senior Ladies Champion.

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.