🏆Canada's Best View?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Friday, we asked if you golf in the Bow Valley, and 48% of you said yes—plus another 10% who are eager to start. So, we may sneak in some local golf updates and events in the coming months. That said, with 26cm of fresh snow in the past 24 hours (and more on the way), your clubs might stay in hibernation a little longer.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Is Highway 1 ready for a mass wildfire evacuation?

• Banff’s rec centre's new changing room design sparks debate 

• Banff is ahead of schedule with its housing commitments 

• Plus, wine pairings, film premiere, run club, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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HIGHWAY 1: CAN IT HANDLE A MASS WILDFIRE EVACUATION?

What's Happening? Bow Valley communities are preparing for the inevitable challenge of a regional wildfire evacuation. With climate change increasing wildfire risk, Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn have secured $150K in provincial funding to model evacuation scenarios—especially the impact on Highway 1, the region’s main escape route.

Why It Matters? A wildfire evacuation would likely involve multiple communities at once, overwhelming roads and emergency services. The modelling will help refine evacuation plans, assess traffic flow, and account for visitors, who often outnumber residents.

Key Challenges:

• Highway 1 bottlenecks—most evacuees would funnel onto this corridor.

• Limited exit routes—Banff only has one vehicle bridge across the Bow River.

• Visitors & non-drivers—Many lack personal vehicles, requiring mass transit solutions.

What’s Next? Parks Canada is evaluating a potential new evacuation route west of Banff. Officials urge residents to sign up for Voyent Alerts and expect emergency notifications via RCMP, Alberta Emergency Alert, and even door-to-door knocking.

WHO IS THIS SOLAR LOVING COMPANY?

And why are they getting a front-row seat in Bow Valley Insider?

This is Infinity Solar—and they’re about to help Bow Valley homeowners take control of their power costs.

They design custom solar setups with $0 down financing, competitive rates, and a 25-year warranty—helping you cut power costs over time.

Here’s a wild fact: Installing solar can increase your home’s value and lower electricity costs.

Even better? The Clean Energy Improvement Program for Banff and Canmore offers financing repaid through property taxes.

The best time to switch? Before your next winter power bill lands like a gut punch.

Get a free solar estimate in 2 days. You might as well. It’s free.

(If you didn’t click, you either love overpaying for electricity or have an emotional attachment to your old power bill.)

_{*Presented by Infinity Solar.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏆Best View in Canada. A global study which analyzed almost 500,000 traveller reviews has deemed that Waterton’s Park’s Bear’s Hump has conquered all the rest in being the best view in Canada. Other Albertan sights making the list include Ha Ling Peak in Canmore at #10 and Tunnel Mountain Trail at #11.

• 🌟Bridging the Gap—Literally. The Bow Valley Gap Wildlife Overpass just bagged the Minister’s Award for Transportation Innovation. Designed by Dialog, the overpass east of Banff cuts wildlife-vehicle collisions while preserving migration routes. With exclusion fencing and a naturalized design, it’s set to make Alberta’s busiest highway a little safer—for both drivers and wildlife.

• 👀Banff’s Rink Renovation Debate. The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre is eyeing $2.4M in upgrades, including separating dressing rooms from washrooms and adding glass windows for visibility. The town says it boosts safety and inclusivity, but not everyone’s on board. Some residents worry about privacy, while others see it as a win for equity in sports. See the proposed designs in this video. 

• 🚧Icefields Parkway Shutdown. Heavy snowfall—up to 45 cm—is hitting Jasper and Banff National Park. The Icefields Parkway is closed today (March 10th) for avalanche control north of Saskatchewan Crossing. However, these closures change quickly. So, check 511.alberta.ca for real-time updates before heading out.

• 🥌Take a Curling Vacation. Curling clubs in Banff and Canmore offer more than just ice—they’re hubs for community and post-game camaraderie. The Banff Curling Club, inside The Fenlands, boasts stunning Mount Norquay views, while Canmore Golf & Curling Club showcases Olympic memorabilia. Whether playing or spectating, these venues are worth a visit.

BANFF’S HOUSING PLAN IS WORKING—AND FAST

What's Happening? Banff is fast-tracking housing development and is already ahead of schedule on its Housing Accelerator Fund commitments. With 137 new units in progress, the town is well on its way to meeting its 240-unit target by 2027, including 43 below-market homes.

What’s the Housing Accelerator Fund, Again? Announced in February 2024, the $4.66M federal fund helps municipalities speed up housing approvals, provide homeowner incentives, and remove barriers to construction.

Policies That Work. Banff’s success comes from density-friendly zoning changes, reduced parking requirements, and an e-permitting system that speeds up approvals. Financial incentives for homeowners to add rental units have also helped.

Developers Stepping Up. Mayor Corrie DiManno praised the surge in permits, saying private builders just needed better policies to take action. “The municipality can’t do this alone,” she noted.

Looking Ahead. With $1.16M received so far, Banff expects to surpass its housing targets well before 2027—welcome news in a town still short 750–1,000 units.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Pilates. Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout anyone can do! Your instructor will lead you through a warm-up and plenty of stretching before moving on to muscle isolating exercise. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Fenlands. Drop-In Fees Apply.

• Free Community Dinner. Today’s menu at Food & Friends includes South African Bobotie, tossed salad, a dinner roll, and cookies. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s, Canmore. Pay what you can. 

• Run Group. Lace up and meet up with other runners at Lululemon on Banff Ave for the Monday night run club. 6:00 PM. lululemon, banff. Free. 

• Film Premiere.Reel Rock debuts three new films: Death of Villans, The Cobra and The Heart, and Riders on the Storm. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. $30 / members $25.50

Tuesday

• Free Soup. Enjoy a bowl of soup for free every Tuesday. 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Banff Park Church. 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. 

• Beginner Latin. Learn the foundational basics of the Ancient Latin language, including pronunciation, conjugation, short phrases, and history, with this beginner lesson. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Library, Free. 

• Career Coaching. Join a career coach from the Banff Canmore Job Resource Centre to walk through creating a cover letter and resume. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. 111 Banff Avenue. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥂Sip, Savor, And Celebrate In The Heart Of The Rockies! This month, Murrieta’s is offering a special “Rioja Centennial: Best Pairings Month,” featuring unique tapas creations designed to complement the exquisite notes of Rioja wine.

• 📺Reality TV: Canada’s Ultimate Challenge Has Begun! Canmore’s Mark Manysiak is already turning heads amidst the competition. Watch the first episode here. 

• 👨‍🍳Big Fan of Top Chef? The Top Chef episode featuring Canmore drops this week!  

• 🎗️Unique Fundraiser for Military Veterans. The Hamilton Gault Memorial Fund, in partnership with Canmore Cave Tours, presents a unique caving expedition to raise awareness and funds for military veterans and their families who are battling PTSD and other mental health challenges.

• 📽️Local Stories on CBC. Last Saturday, CBC’s The Home Stretch spoke about a popular whitewater spot on the Lower Kananaskis River that has undergone some big changes. This Thursday, Chris and Jenny will be broadcasting from the Banff Public Library. 

• 🤍Longtime Face Around Canmore Passes. Former Canmore Flyers player, Eagles coach, and Canmore Legion regular Larry Shellian passed away peacefully last month. Larry has requested a party in his honor, and more information will follow regarding the celebration once details are finalized.

• 🍵Tea and Bake Sale. Save the date for the St. Patrick’s Tea and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 15 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Banff Senior Centre.

• 📘Book Release. Local author Jordan H. Bartlett releases her 3rd book Queendom Come. It officially launches on Tuesday, March 11th, and is available at Whyte Museum in Banff, or you can order it with promotion pricing available on her website.

• 🏇🏾Spring Enrolment Open. The Bow Valley Equine Adaptive (formally Rundle Riders) has spots available for new participants in their therapeutic and horsemanship programs. 

• 🙋‍♀️10 Women-Led Local Food Businesses. International Women’s Day has passed, but you can still support these women-led businesses in the Bow Valley every day of the year. 

• 🦷Oral Care Waste Recycling. Luminous Dental Hygiene in Canmore recycles used toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes. This is one more way to keep waste out of the landfill.

• 🖐️Volunteer Opportunity. The Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre is a volunteer to lead our English conversation group in Banff. Please email or phone us for more details.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff property taxes are rising due to a 29% hike in the provincial education tax, with homeowners paying 13% more and businesses 48% more. Mayor DiManno criticized the burden, as much of the revenue won’t stay local.

• At 9:00 AM on Tuesday, there will be a public hearing about removing tourist homes as a use in various land districts. A number of written submissions in opposition have already been submitted for consideration. Watch the meeting here.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, March 10th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Steve Hill. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

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

• Tuesday, March 11th, 2025,  7:00 PM: Bantall Taylor Ulrich. Location: Eclipse (Railway Ave, Canmore). $40. 

• Tuesday, March 11th, 2025,  10:00 PM: New Age Phonograph. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Canmore Skiers Dominate at Lake Louise. Bow Valley athletes swept the U19 girls' podium at the Jr. Big Mountain Challenge, with Anjah Morgan-Smith, Mary Huggill, and Reese Anderson taking gold, silver, and bronze. Canmore’s John Maffey also claimed U19 boys’ gold. Local skiers shined across age groups, proving their freeride prowess on home turf.

• Canmore’s JBD Heads to Buffalo. The Ottawa Senators traded Canmore’s Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Buffalo Sabres in a deadline deal. The Sens sent JBD and Josh Norris to Buffalo for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick. Bernard-Docker, currently injured, is in the final year of his contract and set for restricted free agency.

That’s all, folks!

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