🐻 Bears Avoiding Forests Now?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, if you have been following along the past couple of weeks, you know we have been finding social media accounts from twenty-something Aussies arriving in Banff and documenting their daily life in Canada. We just came across another one, and this time he gives a full look inside staff accommodations at the Fairmont Banff Springs. You cannot help but picture the chaos three blokes will get up to in a room that size. Good luck, Callam. Welcome to the Bow Valley.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

FIRE GUARDS AROUND CANMORE COULD PULL WILDLIFE OUT OF TOWN, BIOLOGISTS SAY 

What’s Happening? Canmore’s new fire guards are doing more than protecting homes. According to provincial biologists, they’re also reviving long-lost wildlife habitat and could help pull bears, elk, and other animals out of town.

Why This Matters. After a century of fire suppression, the Bow Valley’s forests have grown unnaturally dense. That thick canopy blocks sunlight, reduces berries and grasses, and pushes wildlife toward the nearest food source: backyards, school grounds, and trailheads. Wildlife biologist John Paczkowski says the new fire guards are unintentionally restoring what the valley used to look like. Think fewer dark forests, more sunlit meadows. And wildlife is already responding.

The Science Behind It. GPS data from well-known Bow Valley grizzlies shows a clear pattern: they spend roughly 75% of their time in cut blocks and openings. Early regeneration at sites like Stoneworks Creek has already produced lush grass, young aspen, and some of the best berry patches in the valley. Grizzlies, elk, and even open-country bird species tend to gravitate to these areas. “The lack of sunlight getting to the forest floor means a lack of productivity,” Paczkowski said. “This work brings that back.”

A Valley Transformed. Historical photos show that Canmore’s hillsides were once patchy and open, shaped by frequent fires, including many lit intentionally by Indigenous peoples. Today’s wall-to-wall forest is an outlier. Cliff White, a former Parks Canada fire specialist, put it bluntly: even with current thinning, we’re still nowhere near the natural fire regime that shaped the Bow Valley.

The Catch. Those massive debris piles from logging? You’ve already seen them burning this winter, and the smoke isn’t going away soon. Still, if the plan works, Canmore could end up with both stronger wildfire protection and habitat that draws wildlife out of town. Or as Paczkowski said, “If we do this carefully and cautiously, we can come out with real benefits for wildlife.”

Read our full story for the science behind the openings.

HOLIDAY COMPANY IS COMING. IS YOUR HOME READY?

There is a special kind of stress that hits when you remember you invited people over for the holidays. The floors need help. The bathroom is not passing inspection. And the guest room is in “please don’t open that door” condition. 

This is where our favourite cleaner, Zoe, steps in. She has been cleaning our publisher Ben’s place for most of 2025, and now 46 other Bow Valley Insiders can vouch for her as well.

If you want a fast, reliable reset before company arrives, she is the one to call. Book a time to chat here._*

THE DIGEST

• 🚌 How Locals Actually Get Around Banff. We get asked all the time how to deal with Banff’s parking and traffic, and our answer is always the same: just take Roam. So we put together a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to get around like a local. Roam’s routes hit all the main spots, including regional buses that reach Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Canmore. Kids under 12 ride free, and the Token Transit app makes fares easy to pay. 

• 📈 New Tourism Data: Bragg Creek Isn’t Slowing Down. Tourism in Bragg Creek held steady again this year, with locals saying the area has settled into a “comfortable” level of visitors. Bragg Creek Days drew one of its biggest crowds, and new parking solutions helped ease summer congestion. Unlike a decade ago, traffic no longer drops after Thanksgiving, thanks to winter events, steady Kananaskis Pass users, and a growing mix of shops, trails, and stops on the way to Elbow Falls.

• ⚡ Banff Takes Big Step Toward Net Zero. Banff’s community pavilion just added $60,000 in rooftop solar panels, pushing the busy Sundance Park hub closer to net zero. The new system will generate about 19,000 kWh a year, and it will cut more than eight tonnes of emissions, roughly the same as driving from Banff to Vancouver about 20 times. The project keeps the pavilion fully electric as Banff works toward steep emissions reduction goals for 2050.

• 🚴🏻‍♀️ How a Canmore Race Turned Into a Cycling Movement. A small idea in Canmore to host a women’s enduro built for every skill level has grown into one of the largest all-female cycling teams on the continent. The first race brought 81 newcomers and enough momentum to launch Peak Pursuits, a nonprofit that now supports 38 riders, including youth and para athletes. With volunteer coaches and strong local sponsors, the team has already earned provincial wins and a national title. Read more about their story. 

Step Into the Marketing Ring…

In this corner:
✅ Access to 16,000+ Bow Valley Locals
✅ Scroll-stopping copy written in our voice
✅ Trackable results you can brag about

And in the other:
🛑 Print ads your customers flip past with their morning coffee

Ready to fight smarter?
➡️ Partner with Bow Valley Insider and join the winning team

EFFORT TO REVERSE CANMORE CHILD MINDING CLOSURE DEFEATED

What’s Happening? Canmore’s final attempt to save Elevation Place’s child minding service failed last week, after councillors voted 4–3 against funding the program for 2026. The decision ends the town’s only drop-in child minding option and closes the book on months of emails, petitions, and parent advocacy.

The Vote. Councillors Foubert, Marran, and Murray supported continuing the service. Mayor Krausert and Councillors Graham, Hilstad, and Mah voted against it, citing declining usage, rising subsidies, and staffing challenges. With the Finance Committee meeting representing the last procedural opportunity to reverse the earlier closure, the defeat is final.

Why It Was on the Table. Supporters argued that the program helped families stay active, supported mental health, and filled a niche not covered by daycare. Murray said the decision ran counter to council’s goals around attracting young families, while Foubert noted that short-term care is “not provided by others” in Canmore.

Opponents pointed to numbers. Staff projected roughly $12,000 in revenue against more than $60,000 in staffing costs, plus additional facility expenses. Visits have fallen by half over the past decade, despite Canmore’s population growth. As Councillor Graham put it, “This one is not financially viable as we have been doing it… We are not in the daycare business. The daycare business is a provincial issue.”

The Community’s Response. Parents had described the service as a “lifeline,” particularly for newcomers, shift workers, and those without childcare. Many said they only learned of the closure through staff rather than public notices. Councillors acknowledged the emotional weight of the feedback, with Mayor Krausert saying, “It pulls at your heart.”

What’s Next? The service will close at the end of December. The room will be used for day camps in the summer and will be available for public rentals throughout the rest of the year.

Read our full story for more numbers behind the decision. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Flea Market at Canmore Brewing. Browse unique vintage clothes, home goods, jewelry, workwear, and more. Enjoy snacks and drinks while soaking up the cozy atmosphere. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free entry.*

Tuesday

• Brit Rock 7. Experience the best of UK climbing films at Brit Rock 7. Watch inspiring stories like Big Walls and Bedtime Stories, Little Wings, and Trad Stars, featuring epic ascents, humor, and climbing culture. This 100-minute showcase is perfect for climbers and adventure lovers alike. 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Canmore Opera House. $25-30.

• Royal Wood in Concert. Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Royal Wood has earned acclaim for his unique musical voice. His eighth studio album, What Tomorrow Brings, was considered for Best Folk Album at the 2024 Grammys. With multiple JUNO nominations, millions of streams, and songs featured on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Wood’s captivating live performances have graced iconic venues everywhere. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20.*

• The Debaters Bring a Holiday Show to Banff. CBC Radio’s hit comedy series is celebrating 20 years with a cross-country holiday tour, and Banff is on the list. Host Steve Patterson joins comedians Deborah Kimmett and Matt Wright for stand-up sets and two classic debate segments created just for the live audience. 7:30 PM. Banff Centre. $40. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍶 Meet the Potter Behind the Mugs You Love. We want you to meet our friend Julia Rayne, who has been shaping clay in Canmore since 2009. Her shelves are fully stocked, and she’s opening her home studio for private, by-appointment visits. If you want to support a long-time local artist this Christmas and pick up something handmade, functional, and very Bow Valley, reach out by email: [email protected]. Check out some of her work on Instagram.*

• 💝 Giving Tuesday: Make a Difference. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity that brings people together to support meaningful causes. Bow Valley Christmas Spirit is working to brighten the holidays for more than 1,300 residents in Canmore and the MD of Bighorn, and your donation directly supports local families. Contributions help provide toy gift cards, groceries, and essential holiday support. Consider donating today or tomorrow and stand behind one of the best local charities in the Bow Valley.*

• 🛒 Exshaw Legion Christmas Mini Market. Mark your calendars, this mini market takes place Saturday, December 6, from 11 AM to 4 PM, featuring local vendors, crafts, sweets, and festive treats. Visitors can enjoy free hot chocolate, take part in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, and support the Veterans Food Bank through a bake sale.*

• 🍲 A New Dish at Murrieta’s in Canmore. If you’re looking for something new to try in town, Murrieta’s just added a blackened Icelandic Cod that some Bow Valley Insiders tell us is incredible. It comes with sweet corn purée, a savoury mushroom and spinach ragout, and grilled asparagus. Here’s a quick pic to convince you it’s worth trying.*

• 🚧 Banff Closes Area Near Cave and Basin for Fire Mitigation. Parks Canada has closed the entire stretch between Cave and Basin and the Bow River, including the Sundance Trail, Sundance-Highline Horse Trail, Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail, and part of the Marsh Loop. Crews will be thinning forest, hauling logs, and burning debris as part of the Spray wildfire reduction project. The closure runs until July 1, 2026. See closure map.

• 🚧 K-Country Closures to Know About. Alberta Parks has closed the Blackshale Suspension Bridge for the winter after snow buildup made the handrails too low and the deck too slick to use safely. A separate closure is now in place around Kent Ridge North and the James Walker Drainage due to a grizzly denning in the area. And remember, Highway 40 just past the Highway 742 junction on the way to Highwood Pass is now closed until spring. 

• ✅ Scout Hall Christmas Trees Are Back. Banff’s Scout Guide Association is running its annual Christmas tree sale again, with Douglas firs ranging from tabletop size to 12 feet tall, roughly $20 to $80. It is cash only, with an ATM next door at Shell. Sales run through December at the Scout Guide Hall on Lynx Street.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Backs Education Tax Shift, Canmore Wary. Banff supports the province taking over collection of the education tax, saying it would make bills easier for residents to understand after its 2025 amount jumped 29 per cent. Canmore is more cautious. Mayor Sean Krausert says the change could eventually give the province control over all property taxes, which he worries would weaken local decision-making.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, December 1st, 2025, 2:00 PM: Peaks + Prairies Ensemble Live in Banff: Pictures At An Exhibition. Location: St George in the Pines Anglican Church, Banff.  $25.

• Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, 9:00 PM:Banff Punk Night. Location: Pump and Tap, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Eagles Forward Signs With the Calgary Hitmen. Canmore Eagles forward Cohen Daoust has signed with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen after a strong run in the AJHL. Daoust played 135 games with the Eagles and steadily developed into a Major Junior-ready player, despite not being drafted into the WHL. His move reflects the growing pathways between Junior A and the WHL, and marks a big milestone for both Daoust and the Eagles program.

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.