🚗 Can Banff Ban Cars?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Here’s a note from our publisher Ben: he hiked in Banff both Saturday and Sunday and didn’t see a single person on the trail. Proof it is still possible to have a peak all to yourself if you are willing to leave the beaten path.

That is also why we have been toying with the idea of organizing unique adventures just for the Bow Valley Insider community. Ideas range from a “try ice climbing” day to a via ferrata outing to multi-day backcountry hut trips. If that sounds like your kind of fun, let us know by filling out this quick form.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF’S BIG QUESTION: CAN YOU TURN CARS AWAY?

What’s Happening? Every summer the question pops up: could Banff just cap the number of cars allowed in town? The short answer, according to Mayor Corrie DiManno and officials, is no. The town cannot legally stop vehicles at its gates.

What the Mayor Says. On the Overheard podcast, DiManno was blunt: only Parks Canada has authority to limit vehicle entry. Banff, she said, can shape parking, transit, and incentives but “cannot limit people’s movement.” Even during COVID, when the town declared a state of emergency, drivers still had to be allowed off the highway for fuel, food, or lodging.

What Residents Want. At a Sept. 8 hearing on Banff’s 10-year vision, locals floated ideas ranging from turning back cars once lots are full to creating resident passes and automated vehicle recognition. Some called for a clear “town is full” sign at the gates. Council reminded them that any real turn-back system would require Parks Canada, not the town.

What Precedent Looks Like. People pointed to traffic controls at Lake Louise as proof of concept. But officials stressed Banff’s unique setup: it sits directly on the Trans-Canada Highway and inside a national park, making access more complicated.

The Strategy Banff Can Control. Instead of a hard cap, the Community Plan emphasizes expanding mass transit, adjusting parking bylaws, and studying human use across the whole system. The goal is to make transit and active transport more attractive than driving, not to put up gates across the road.

Our full article explores the nuance of hard caps in Banff. Share it with a fellow local who has an opinion on the car crunch.

CANMORE’S BEST-KEPT DESIGN SECRET

Tucked just past the registry in Canmore is a storefront most locals have walked by without realizing it’s a treasure trove of home style.

Micheline Lambert has been quietly transforming homes, patios, rentals, weddings, and storefronts in the Bow Valley for 15 years through F2 Floral Fashion, her one-woman design studio. Inside is a massive collection of vases, vessels, botanicals, and one-of-a-kind décor pieces sourced from around the world.

She creates custom, high-end looks that feel effortless because she does everything: design, delivery, and setup. From antique mirrors and area rugs to full-scale outdoor planters that can withstand every chinook, her work is both eye-catching and built to last.

You’ve probably admired her work around town without knowing it. But now you do.

If a room in your home feels unfinished or your patio’s looking a little sad, book a free design consultation call. No pressure, just a local expert ready to bring your space to life.

_{*Presented by F2 Floral Fashion.}

THE DIGEST

• 🛟 Update: Upper Kananaskis Drowning. Last week we reported that two boaters were still missing after a canoe flipped on Aug. 26. RCMP has now confirmed the bodies of a 33-year-old Banff woman and a 34-year-old Canmore man were recovered. Two others survived. None of the boaters were wearing life jackets.

• 🚡 Castle Mountain Adds New Lift, Ends Cat Skiing. Castle Mountain will open the Stagecoach Express this winter, its first new lift since 2006. The refurbished four-person chair, bought from Sunshine Village, adds about 20 runs, mostly black-diamond glades. The trade-off? Cat skiing, a three-decade staple at Castle, is now retired.

• 🐻 Cougar and Bear Warnings in K-Country. Alberta Parks issued three new wildlife warnings: a cougar spotted twice near Mount Baldy climbing area, plus separate bear bluff charges on the Village Rim Trail and Burstall Pass. Officials urge hikers to carry bear spray and report sightings to 403-591-7755.

• 🏇 Hollywood’s Cowboy With Bow Valley Ties. Legendary stuntman John Scott is set to receive the Alberta Order of Excellence for five decades of work supplying horses, wrangling animals, and doubling actors in films shot across Alberta. His credits include Legends of the Fall (1994) and Unforgiven (1992), both with key scenes filmed in the Bow Valley. Check out our full guide to famous movie locations you can actually visit.

• 🤍 Remembering Justin Way, Owner of Red Rock Pizza. The Bow Valley is mourning Justin Way, owner of Red Rock Pizza in Canmore, who passed away August 30 at age 44. A Red Rock Facebook post on September 7th said, “We’ll do our very best to carry on what he built.” Dozens of locals, from Elizabeth Rummel School to former employees, shared heartfelt condolences and memories, underscoring how deeply Justin touched the community.

A Small Town Love Story

You: A great local business.

Us: A newsletter with 16,000+ locals who love supporting local.

We keep bumping into each other… but you’ve never said hi.

Let’s stop pretending this isn’t a thing.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s finally connect

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES TRAVERSE NO ONE HAD FINISHED…UNTIL NOW

What’s Happening? Local athlete Adam Mertens has completed the first-ever “Bow Valley Cirque,” a continuous, human-powered 146 km loop connecting nearly every skyline peak between Canmore and Banff. It took him 70 hours, 20 minutes, and 11,000 vertical meters of climbing, about the same as summiting Everest from base camp just over three times.

The Route That Shouldn’t Exist. This was not a race, but a map-doodler’s fever dream. Over long winters, runners sketch wild ideas, most of which stay on paper. Mertens turned one into reality: linking Cascade, Rundle, Ha Ling, the Three Sisters, Grotto, Lady MacDonald, Girouard, Inglismaldie, and more. His first attempt in 2024 failed. This year, he closed the loop.

Three Days, Six Peaks a Day. He split the traverse into six 10 to 14 hour sections with minimal sleep. Day 1: Cascade and the Rundle Traverse. Day 2: Ha Ling, Lawrence Grassi, the Sisters, Wind Ridge, and Grotto. Day 3: Lady Mac through Inglismaldie, including a near-bailout on Girouard when loose rock and lightning made him question everything.

Endurance Meets Risk. Though technical climbing was involved, Mertens calls it primarily an endurance challenge. He trained with back-to-back 30 km mountain runs and dozens of practice laps on the Rundle Traverse and NE Face of Ha Ling. He urges anyone eyeing even sections of the route to carry proper gear, seek mentorship, and know what they are getting into. Unlike athletes who post every move for clout, Mertens is an unassuming presence online, more interested in testing himself in his backyard than in chasing viral fame.

A Community Effort. Mertens leaned on friends for pacing, caches, and cheering. Local filmmaker Philip Alexander is creating a documentary that he hopes to submit to the 2026 Banff Mountain Film Festival. As for Mertens, 32, he says the Cirque was the “perfect backyard adventure,” a once-in-a-lifetime experiment he is happy to retire undefeated.

Read more in our full article, which includes a video of the route. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Aquafit Class. A low-impact pool workout combining cardio and strength training, great for ages 16+ and all fitness levels. 8:30–9:30 AM. Sally Borden Fitness Centre. $5.

• Running Group. Monday Night Runs welcomes all levels for scenic trails, hills, and intervals in a friendly setting. No registration needed. 5:30–6:30 PM. Meet under the big Canadian Flag at the Nordic Centre. Free.

Tuesday

• Kendal Mountain Film Tour. Enjoy award-winning films that capture daring feats and breathtaking landscapes from around the world. Whether you’re an avid explorer or a nature enthusiast, this inspiring event promises to thrill and ignite your love for the wild. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20 / members $17 / youth $10.00.*

• Literary Cabaret: Science Fiction Readings. An evening of live readings where residency writers share original sci-fi works, hosted by award-winning author Premee Mohamed. Grab a drink, browse books, and mingle with authors. 7:00–9:30 PM (doors 6:15). Banff Centre. $20.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Win a Personalized SkiBig3 Pass. Why settle for a season pass that looks like a bad passport photo? SkiBig3 is letting five winners personalize their 25/26 pass with a shot that actually shows personality. Picture yourself mid-bite into a giant poutine, rocking vintage neon gear, or holding your skis like an air guitar solo. Buy your pass and post your photo by September 19 to enter. Early bird pricing will also save you up to $650.*

• 💡 Discover Canmore By Solving Riddles. ClueSolvers turns the town into a giant game board. Using their app, you and your crew follow clues, solve puzzles, and tackle quirky challenges as you explore. Part escape room, part walking tour, it’s outdoor fun with a brainy twist. Perfect for families, friends, or team outings. Come along with us as we try it out.*

• 🥘 Let Cornerstone Cafe Cook For You. Just a pro tip to share: Cornerstone Café inside the Nordic Centre has become our shortcut on busy nights. Their Reheat & Eat meals like Bison Stew, Butter Chicken, or Beef Bourguignon are house-made, gluten free, and actually taste homemade. Just heat them up and dinner is sorted.*

• 🎂 Wild Flour Turns 20. Banff’s beloved bakery is celebrating two decades with a new Vanilla Birthday Cake, available to order online. One lucky customer will win one to take home. The cake serves 10 and is baked with the same care Wild Flour has been putting into breads and coffee since 2005.*

• 🧁 Crave Cupcakes Are Coming. We’ll always point you first to the locals who’ve been baking here for decades (like Wild Flour). But we also know plenty of you are Crave die-hards. If that’s you, Crave is taking pre-orders and you’ll be able to pick them up in Canmore at the Mountain Made Market this Thursday. 

• 👉 Bow Valley Cirque with Adam Mertens. You’ve read the story, now hear it firsthand. Adam Mertens will share the behind-the-scenes of his 146 km, 11,000 m Bow Valley Cirque, from the doubts to the breakthroughs. This Friday (September 19) from 7–8:30 PM at SkiUphill in Canmore. It’s free.

• 👩🏻 Date Night with Childcare. Canmore couples with kids under six are invited to a free Creative Connections date night at Elevation Place, Sept. 25 from 5:15–7:15 PM. Hosted by Family Connections Centre with ArtsPlace, the evening includes activities, dinner, and childcare. Preregistration required. Find out more here.

CIVIC NEWS

• More Programs for Young Adults. BanffLIFE is expanding in 2025 with 73 programs for ages 18–34, from arts and wellness to outdoor adventures. Backed by the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation, the goal is to help young adults connect, grow, and feel at home in the mountain community.

• Bighorn Council to Review Paintball Permit. Council meets Tuesday at 9:00 AM to decide on renewing the permit for Capture the Flag Paintball & Airsoft. The discussion will cover rules, community impact, and operations for the longtime local recreation spot.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, September 15th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Jesse Peters. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Banff U13s Score First Tournament Win. Banff Soccer’s U13 team, the town’s first competitive youth squad, earned their first-ever win at Revelstoke’s Little Bear Tournament, beating Nelson South 4–2 before finishing fourth overall. Coach Tim Stafford praised the team’s progress since their debut in May. The U11s finished sixth. Season resumes in spring.

• Banff Bears Back in Championship Final. The Banff Bears men’s rugby team is headed to the Calgary Rugby Union finals after a 38–20 semifinal win over Lethbridge. The Bears, league leaders at 7-2-1, face the Calgary Canucks this Saturday at 2 PM. It’s their first title shot since 2022, when they beat the Bow Valley Grizzlies.

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.