🚆 Calgary-Banff Train By 2031?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

A quick thank you today. On Friday, we put out a call for volunteers for this week's Canmore MTB Classic, and many of you stepped up. Organizers tell us they're now in a much better position to welcome hundreds of athletes from around the world to Canmore this week. 

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

ALBERTA TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD CALGARY-BANFF PASSENGER RAIL

What’s Happening? Alberta is officially moving from studying passenger rail to planning it, with the province committing $15 million over three years to begin implementing its Passenger Rail Master Plan. The long-term vision includes a higher-speed rail connection between Calgary and Banff, while one private-sector proponent believes service could be running by 2031.

Calgary-Banff Rail Remains In The Plan. Alberta's newly released Passenger Rail Master Plan identifies Calgary-Banff service as part of a proposed 30-year rail network connecting major cities, airports and tourist destinations. The plan envisions trains travelling at more than 160 km/h, departing as often as once per hour, and completing the trip between downtown Calgary and Banff in about 70 minutes.

The province estimates the corridor could attract roughly 18,000 passenger trips per day by 2055.

From Analysis To Action. The announcement was welcomed by Adam Waterous, chairman of Liricon Capital, the company behind the proposed Calgary Airport-Banff Rail project.

"The starting gun for the Calgary Airport Banff Rail project just went off," Waterous told Bow Valley Insider.

Waterous said local municipalities and transportation advocates have been pushing the province to study passenger rail since 2016.

"After 10 years of study, the province has, for the very first time, moved this from analysis to implementation," he said.

A Long-Term Vision, But An Earlier Timeline? The province's rail plan looks decades into the future and estimates a Calgary-Banff rail corridor could cost between $13 billion and $22 billion, depending on whether it is built as a conventional or higher-speed rail service.

However, Waterous said Liricon plans to resubmit a previously stalled proposal now that the master plan is complete. He believes Calgary-Banff passenger rail could be operating by 2031 if the project receives provincial approval and private-sector support.

Why It Matters. Calgary-Banff rail has long been discussed as a way to reduce vehicle traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway and provide an alternative transportation option for residents and visitors. Premier Danielle Smith said a Calgary-to-Banff rail connection would also support Alberta's tourism economy.

Read our full story

THE CHEAPEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRE

Most people think FireSmart starts with removing trees.

It usually doesn’t.

In fact, one of the most effective ways to protect your home is also one of the cheapest. Cleaning your gutters. Clearing debris under your deck. Moving firewood away from the house.

Because during a wildfire, the biggest threat isn’t always a wall of flames. It’s an ember storm. Small embers that travel through the air and land in places you don’t think about. Gutters full of dry needles. Corners of your deck. Piles of debris near your foundation.

That’s what actually ignites homes.

Nordic Tree Care sees it all the time. Homeowners ready to remove trees, when the real risk is much closer to the house.

That’s why they start with a proper assessment. Sometimes tree removal is part of the plan. Often, it’s not.

Fred, the owner, meets homeowners directly to walk through the property and identify what actually matters.

You can book a free estimate and get a clear plan before spending money in the wrong place.

_{*Presented by Nordic Tree Care.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚗 Parks Canada Imposes No-Stopping Zone For Bear Safety. If you're driving the Bow Valley Parkway, don't plan on pulling over near Protection Mountain. Parks Canada has imposed a 1.5km no-stopping zone after a series of "bear jams." The area has drawn significant attention in recent weeks after one cub was killed by a train there in May, and another was filmed standing on the tracks just moments before an oncoming train last week. Officials say crowds gathering to photograph the bears can block their escape routes and create additional risks. The restriction took effect June 3, with fines of up to $25,000 for violations.  

• 📈 Bow Valley Job Openings Surge Despite Housing Crunch. While much of Canada continues to grapple with elevated unemployment, the Bow Valley is seeing the opposite problem: too many jobs and not enough workers. A new report found local employers posted 1,822 job openings between November and April, up 58% from a year earlier. The catch? Housing. Researchers say the region's biggest challenge is no longer creating jobs but finding enough workers who can afford to live here. Only about one-third of local job postings include staff accommodation, a constraint employers say is increasingly limiting growth. 

• 🚧 Spray Lakes Road Closure Continues. As of last night, the section of Spray Lakes Road between the Grassi Lakes and Ha Ling parking lots remains closed following the June 1 rockslide. Officials say the slope is unstable, and no timeline has been announced. The restriction applies to both vehicles and foot traffic, although hikers can still access Grassi Lakes from the parking area. The closure cuts off a large portion of Kananaskis Country from Canmore, with the alternative route to Spray Lakes via Highway 40 adding roughly two hours to a trip that would normally take about 20 minutes. For current updates, check Alberta 511.

• 🏃‍➡️ Apparently, You Can Make Butter While Running Now. We thought this was a joke. It's not. A Canadian dairy company has unveiled a limited-edition running vest designed to churn butter while you run. The insulated vest holds cream in special compartments that use your stride to turn it into fresh butter after about 10km. Lactantia says it created the vest after "butter runs" unexpectedly became a viral fitness trend online (one video alone racked up 13 million views). Ten vests are being given away through a contest, and we suspect at least a few Bow Valley trail runners have already entered. 

Need to get the word out for an upcoming event or initiative?

Here’s what one of our current partners, Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, had to say:

➡️ Want results like this? Let’s see if it’s a fit

DEEP SNOWPACK COULD EXTEND BOW VALLEY RAFTING SEASON

What’s Happening? If last week's flooding was any indication, there's still a lot of snow sitting in the mountains. One of the deepest mountain snowpacks in decades could keep Bow Valley rivers flowing later into the summer, potentially extending rafting and paddling opportunities. 

Snowpack Remains Well Above Normal. Provincial snow surveys conducted in late May found some alpine areas near Lake Louise, Larch Valley, and Katherine Lake were carrying 60% to 96% more snow than normal. Even after weeks of melting, early June surveys still showed snowpack levels 41% to 76% above average.

In a March interview with the Calgary Herald, John Pomeroy, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and director of the Global Water Futures Observatories, called the snowpack "remarkable" and said snowmelt this year could be "one of the highest in our lifetimes."

Good News For Paddlers. Chris McKenna, founder and co-owner of Canmore Raft Tours, told Bow Valley Insider the above-average snowpack could help keep rivers flowing later into the summer after several years of declining water levels by mid-June.

“After years of uncertainty of how much water and how long our season will run, it would be nice to have a good water year,” McKenna said.

He said waterways including the Bow, Kananaskis, Spray, Cougar Creek, and Pipestone River could see stronger flows than recent seasons, depending on weather conditions in the weeks ahead.

But Runoff Season Comes With Risks. The same snowmelt that could benefit paddlers is already creating hazardous conditions. 

Alberta Forestry and Parks warned that rapidly changing river conditions, cold water, floating debris and rising afternoon flows can create serious safety risks. McKenna echoed those concerns, encouraging paddlers to have proper training, cold-water gear and a realistic understanding of their abilities before heading onto mountain rivers during runoff season.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Canmore's Slackline Community Is Back. Looking for something a little different on a Monday night? Slackjamz and Circus Hangs are back at Riverside Park, bringing together slackliners, flow artists, musicians, hammock enthusiasts, and anyone else looking to spend an evening outdoors. Stop by St. Michael's for dinner at 5 PM, then head to the park to practise skills, learn something new, or simply hang out. 6 PM to 9 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free.

• Women in Business Workshop. Bow Valley Chamber’s next Women in Business event digs into resilience, confidence, unconscious bias, and how access to opportunity can shape business growth. Entrepreneur Bontu Galataa will share personal stories, research, and practical insights on grit in business, with guided reflection exercises to spark new thinking around growth and readiness. 5:30 PM. Canmore Opera House. Tickets are $45 for members and $85 for non-members.*

Tuesday

• Movie Night: Blue Moon. ArtsPlace is screening Blue Moon, the Oscar-nominated biographical drama starring Ethan Hawke as legendary songwriter Lorenz Hart. Set on the opening night of Oklahoma!, the film follows Hart as he reflects on his career, relationships, and changing place in the theatre world. Also starring Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott. 7 p.m. ArtsPlace, Canmore. $12 ($6 youth).*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 👩‍⚕️ $41,000 Available for Future Bow Valley Health-Care Workers. The Canmore Hospital Foundation has opened applications for its 2026-27 Bow Valley Health Care Scholarships and Indigenous Health Professional Bursary, with $41,000 available to local students pursuing careers in health care. Individual awards range from $2,000 to $5,000, and preference is given to applicants who plan to return and work in the Bow Valley after graduation. Eligible fields include nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, emergency services, mental health, and more. Applications close July 3 at 4 p.m. and successful applicants will be notified in August. Learn more and apply.*

• ⛰️ What’s Under Grotto Mountain Is Unlike Anything Else Here. Most people come to the Rockies for what’s above ground. This is the opposite. Rat’s Nest Cave runs for over 4 km beneath Grotto Mountain, with fossils, pictographs, and formations that have been building for thousands of years . There are no walkways or lights. You’re geared up and guided through a real cave, learning the geology and stories as you go. It’s about as far from a crowded viewpoint as you can get. Bow Valley Insiders can book here and get 20% off, applied automatically at checkout. This deal only runs until end of June, so grab some friends and go.*

• 📌 A Venue That Actually Supports Local Non-Profits. If you’re planning a fundraiser, AGM, community event, or awareness campaign, the Canmore Opera House offers something rare: 50% off rentals for Canmore non-profits. That’s a real budget saver for organizations trying to do more with less. The space itself checks every box, seating for 120, plus a stage, projector, sound system, microphones, tables, chairs, bar, and even a fire pit, all included. Set in a log cabin in Spring Creek with mountain views, it’s a venue that feels as community-driven as the events it hosts. Inquire here.*

• 🍄 Mushroom Walk Explores Nature And Identity. This Pride Month workshop blends mushroom identification, nature exploration, and discussion about connection and belonging. Participants will learn the basics of identifying fungi, head out on a guided mushroom walk, create spore prints, and explore the concept of queer ecology. Saturday, June 13, 10 AM to 2 PM. $10, with complimentary spots available. Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ participants only.*

• 🔥 FireSmart Ambassadors Wanted. Want to help make the Bow Valley more resilient to wildfire? The Biosphere Institute is looking for volunteers to join its FireSmart Ambassador program, helping educate neighbours about practical ways to reduce wildfire risk around their homes. Volunteers receive training, materials, a volunteer shirt and name tag, and can choose flexible shifts throughout the summer and fall. No experience is required. Learn more.*

• 🏌️‍♀️ UnGolfed: A Very Unconventional Golf Tournament. Golfers, non-golfers, and “I’m just here to network” people are all welcome at this playful twist on a business golf event. Co-hosted by the Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association and the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce, UnGolfed focuses on connection over perfect putts. It runs June 25 at Brewster’s Kananaskis Ranch, with lunch at 2 PM, shotgun start at 3 PM, and an after-party dinner from 6-9 PM. Tickets are $180 for golf, with dinner-only tickets available. Registration closes June 15.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Indian Flats Road Proposal Heads To Public Hearing. Canmore council has given first reading to a plan that would allow the Alpine Club of Canada to redevelop its Indian Flats Road property. Future plans could include staff housing, hostel-style accommodation, office and maintenance buildings, outdoor storage, and improved parking for trail users. A public hearing is scheduled for June 30. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, June 8th, 10:00 PM: Andrew Staygold. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, June 9th, 9:00 PM: DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Duo Makes Disc Golf History. Local players Kota Postma and Fanny Kempf made history at the 26th Big Bears Disc Golf Championships, becoming the first Bow Valley athletes to sweep both the men's and women's professional titles. Competing on their home course at the Canmore Nordic Centre, the pair say they hope the milestone helps grow interest in disc golf across the Bow Valley.

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.