🐻Can Banff Save Its Wildlife?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you recall, a few weeks ago, we shared a global study on the best views in Canada. Two Bow Valley classics—Ha Ling Peak and Tunnel Mountain—made the list. But many of you were disappointed—because if you're a local, you know there are better views out there in Canmore and Banff. So we stepped in with a far more legitimate survey of our 10,000+ readers—a study so advanced, it involved actual locals. The results are in—the first link under the Digest has the details.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• The uncertain future of wildlife corridors and fencing in the Bow Valley 

• Our quest to find the best burger in Banff & Canmore has begun 

• A third youth skier in less than two weeks airlifted to hospital

• Plus: free concerts at Sunshine, a hilarious theatre show, & Easter Brunch plans!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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WILDLIFE CORRIDORS IN CRISIS: BANFF AT A CROSSROADS

What’s Happening? Wildlife connectivity in the Bow Valley is faltering, according to experts at Banff’s annual planning forum. More humans = less room for critters to roam.

The Science Says. Studies show bears, wolves, and wolverines are steering clear of busy trails and roads, with some populations shrinking or fragmenting. Despite efforts like wildlife crossings, animal movement is getting squeezed.

Recreation's Hidden Cost. Turns out our hiking, biking, and Instagramming are having a “bigger and more cumulative” impact than we realized. Wolves, for example, now avoid areas up to 600m from busy trails.

The Big Concern. Plans for more tourism, trails, and even a new parking lot could unravel 30 years of hard-won conservation gains.

The Vision. Experts say Banff must protect secure habitats, concentrate recreation, and lead globally by setting the “gold standard” for wildlife conservation—or risk becoming just another cautionary tale.

MEET THE BOW VALLEY’S WORKPLACE INCLUSION CHAMPIONS

Is your workplace on the list?

Inclusive workplaces build stronger communities. The Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter helps local employers take action to ensure everyone feels like they belong.

Congratulations to the 2024 Workplace Inclusion Champions!

• Gold: Banff Lodging Company, Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Emerald Lake Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay Resort, SkiBig3, The Fat Ox of Banff, YWCA Banff

• Silver: Arctos & Bird, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit, Basecamp Resorts, Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, Bow View Lodge, Frankie D's Donuts, Municipal District of Bighorn, Peaks Hotel & Suites, Scale Naturally Inc., The Rimrock Banff

• Bronze: artsPlace, Ashton Construction Services, Banff Canmore Foundation, e=mc² The Centre for Business Excellence, Fairmont Banff Springs, HI Banff Alpine Centre, Lake Louise Inn, The Alpine Club of Canada, Tourism Canmore Kananaskis

Is your workplace next?

The 2025 Workplace Inclusion Charter is now open to new employers. Join the movement, take action, and become a recognized leader in inclusion.

Learn more: The Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter

_{*Presented by Bow Valley Immigration Partnership.}

THE DIGEST

• ✅Locals Voted For The Best Views In Canmore & Banff. When the touristy lists missed the mark, we asked Bow Valley Insider readers for the views that actually stop you in your tracks. Spoiler: Ha Ling and Tunnel Mountain didn’t make the cut. Read the full list here.

• 🍔The Bow Valley Insider Burger Quest is Officially On. We teamed up with long-time local chef Dallas Suttie to find the best burger in Canmore and Banff—starting with CanGolf’s Crush Burger. Our first review just dropped. Think you know a better one? Watch the video and let us know. 

• 💰YWCA Banff's VINEart Gala Smashed Records. This year’s event raised $224,315, pushing their 10-year total over $1 million—a major milestone for building safety, dignity, and hope in the Bow Valley.

• 🚁Third Youth Skier Airlifted in Two Weeks. A teenage skier was airlifted to Edmonton after colliding with a tree at Marmot Basin. It follows two other youth skiers airlifted from Sunshine Village and Nakiska last week. No updates yet on the conditions of any of the injured skiers.

• ⛷️Spring Concerts Return to Banff Sunshine. The Untracked Concert Series is back, with live music every weekend from now through May 19. Skiers, boarders, and après fans can catch free shows with Canadian artists—and theme weekends mean discounts if you dress up.

CANMORE LEADERS TO PROVINCE: DO THE FENCE RIGHT

What’s Happening? Canmore’s new 10-kilometre wildlife fence along the Trans-Canada Highway is meant to save animals — but without proper crossings, experts say it could backfire.

The Problem. The Bow Valley human-wildlife coexistence roundtable warns uninterrupted fencing will block wildlife movement, fragment populations, and spike conflicts.

The Fix. Leaders are urging the province to retrofit bridges, upgrade culverts, and eventually build a wildlife overpass near Harvie Heights—before the fencing starts this summer.

Local Pushback. Canmore’s mayor, Banff’s mayor, and conservation groups are all calling foul, arguing the current plan is short-sighted and could undo decades of conservation wins.

Bonus Beef. Officials also flagged the lack of a pedestrian overpass near the Palliser lands, warning that without one, locals might just cut the new fence themselves to jaywalk across the highway.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Spring Swap-O-Rama. The biggest clothing swap in the Bow Valley is back. Drop off donations of gently used clothing beginning today. 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library. 

• Food Rescue. Bring a bag and help keep good food from becoming waste. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Lower level, Sundance Mall. Free. 

• FireSmartPeaks Virtual Information Session. Discuss the plans FireSmart Peaks has been cooking up to make the Peaks more resilient to wildfire and, importantly, how you can get involved. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Online. Free.

• Movie Night. Reel Time presents Universal Language. A series of three strange and seemingly unconnected stories that eventually collide in unexpected ways. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Lux Theatre, Banff. $14. 

Tuesday

• Get a Grant For Your Project or Business. A free, one-hour webinar to learn about available community grant funding. It will cover what funds are available, who is eligible, and how the process works. 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Online. Free. 

• Writing Group. Join the writers of the roundtable, aka The Canmore Writing Group, for dedicated writing time. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Malcolm Hotel, Second Floor. Free. 

• Happiness Basics Workshop. Learn research-based habits to boost happiness and positive emotions. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Screening Room, Origins (808 Spring Creek Drive) or Online. Free with registration.

• Swim for a Toonie. Public Swim includes access to the leisure pool, lazy river, and space in the lap pool for foam toys. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place. $2. 

• Indigenous Talking Circle. Join a respectful conversation on the State of the Earth and the World, led by Tobias Ear of Mini Thni and Ariole K. Alei. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Ralph Connor United Church Hall, 617 Main St. Canmore. Free; cash donations welcome.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭Holy Hilarity Unleashed. Nuns making secret wine? Reporters undercover as clergy? Drinking Habits is a laugh-out-loud farce where chaos, romance, and paranoia spill over. Catch this comedy with Pine Tree Players, April 16-26 at Canmore Miners’ Union Hall. Get tickets now. Only a few left!

• ⛳Fore! Win a Golf Getaway With Rounds at Canmore’s Top Courses—Stewart Creek, Canmore Golf & Curling Club, and Kananaskis—plus a luxury stay at The Malcolm Hotel. Only 500 tickets! Proceeds support The Rotary Club of Canmore’s community programs. Play for a cause—get your ticket now!

• 🐣Easter Brunch at Table Food + Drink. Indulge in a scrumptious buffet featuring seasonal delights, classic brunch favorites, and decadent desserts, all crafted by talented chefs. April 20th, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Book today before it’s too late!

• 🥾Sunrise Magic on Wasootch Ridge. Bow Valley Insider’s newest team member, Brooke, took us along for an unreal sunrise hike—cloud inversion, perfect lighting, and all. Catch the full video here.

• 🌤️Finding Good Weather Forecasts for the Mountains. Locals know to pack for all conditions, even for a walk on Main Street or Banff Ave. For a hike or backcountry adventure, the Friends of Kananaskis Country have compiled a list of who exactly you can trust for a good forecast based on detailed terrain models.

• 🚩Avoid Spray Lakes Road (or Think Twice). Local drivers on Facebook are warning each other of the extra horrendous conditions on Spray Lakes Road near Goat Creek–think massive puddles. After checking it out ourselves Friday night, we can confirm it’s rough out there.

• 🚮Highway Cleanup. Sign up to help Parks Canada on June 4th to pick up litter along the Trans-Canada near Cascade Ponds outside of the Banff Townsite. A complimentary lunch is included. 

• 🏃Single Elimination Uphill Race. It’s like March Madness but for local runners. Every runner will be randomly placed into a 64-person bracket. They will then go head-to-head in pairs to see who can post the fastest time on a hill climb. Check out the full race information here. 

• 🚶🏻Join the Canada Day Banff Parade (In a Non-Motorized Vehicle). The Town of Banff is accepting applications for people-powered entries such as bicycles, walking performances, mascots, music or dance groups, push carts, or other innovative ideas to join the parade.

• 🥚Egg Hunt on a Mountain. There will be thousands of Easter eggs in the snow, and adventurous kids of all ages are needed to help find them. Bring your family and friends to join because the more egg hunters, the merrier! All proceeds go to the Bow Valley Food Bank.

• 🐶After Two Years, Bedard Has Found His Forever Home. The Bow Valley SPCA announced that Bedard, a longtime shelter favourite, has been adopted. After surviving on his own in the NWT and spending over two years in care, he’s now thriving with a family—and two new little best friends.

CIVIC NEWS

• Palliser Affordable Housing Info Session. The Town is addressing the housing crisis by exploring affordable housing options for the Moustache Lands in Palliser. This phase looks at the number and types of units, possible housing providers, and opportunities for commercial, retail, and social enterprise spaces. Join the April 15 session to learn more.

• Catch Up On Everything Happening At The Md Of Bighorn. This quarter’s issue includes an update on the Land Use Bylaw Review, the Harvie Heights Area Redevelopment Plan, and updates on developments in Deadman’s, Exshaw, and Harvie Heights. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, April 7th,  2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, April 7th,  2025,  10:00 PM: Karaoke Mondays. Location: Drake Pub, Canmore No Cover. 

• Tuesday, April 8th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Calgary Opera Rising Stars Concert. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50. 

• Tuesday, April 8th, 2025,  10:00 PM: New Originals. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Two Canmore Athletes Named to Canada’s Women’s Rugby Roster. Holly Phillips (Bristol Bears) and Krissy Scurfield (Loughborough Lightning) are among the 36 players named to Team Canada for the Pacific Four Series, kicking off May 2. It’s a big year, with the Rugby World Cup set for August in England.

• Canmore-Based Biathletes Secure Fourth Olympic Spot. After a tough season, Canada’s men’s biathlon team clinched four starting spots for the 2026 Olympics. Training out of the Canmore Nordic Centre, the team fought through injuries, setbacks, and a tight Nations Cup race to get it done.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, same time, same place!