🚡 Canmore’s Gondola Plan

Semi Truck Drives Wrong Way on Hwy 1

Author

Bow Valley Insider
March 18, 2026

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Quick heads up: our Bow Valley Insider ice climbing day in Canmore is happening this Saturday, and we’ve had two last-minute spots open up. If you and a friend want in, register by end of day today. You’ll be climbing frozen waterfalls with our guide Nolan from Leviathan Mountain Guides, no experience needed. Find details and the registration link here.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

SILVERTIP GONDOLA PLAN FOR LADY MAC ENTERS NEW PHASE

What’s Happening? Alberta is asking for public input on whether land on Lady Macdonald should be redesignated for resort development, a key step that could move the long-discussed Silvertip gondola closer to reality.

Why This Stage Matters. The gondola proposal has been around since at least 2017, but this is the first formal move to change how the land is classified. The province is considering whether to designate the area under the All-Season Resorts Act, which would allow the project to enter a structured approval process. 

What the Land Change Actually Does. If approved, the redesignation would make the land eligible for resort development proposals. The project would still need environmental assessments, Indigenous consultation, and multiple regulatory approvals before anything gets built.

Inside the Proposal. Stone Creek Resorts is proposing a gondola from Silvertip to the summit ridge of Lady Mac, with a mid-station, viewing platforms, and a base-area transit hub. The company says the goal is to improve access for a wider range of visitors, including those who cannot hike to the summit.

“Our role at this stage is to provide transparent information and complete the technical studies needed so the province can make an informed decision,” said Jessica Lawson of Stone Creek Resorts.

Environmental Concerns Surface. The proposed area overlaps with land classified as prime protection and critical wildlife zones. Local environmental groups say that raises bigger questions about cumulative development in the Bow Valley.

“It is our view that for the government to ignore its own current land use zoning would be wrong headed, inappropriate and irresponsible,” said Gareth Thomson of the Biosphere Institute.

He added that key uncertainties remain around wildlife movement and habitat impacts, especially for species like bighorn sheep.

What Developers Say. Stone Creek says the gondola would pass above wildlife corridors and not fragment them. “No portion of the project will introduce new activities in the wildlife corridors,” Lawson said.

What’s Next? Public feedback is open until May 14. The province will use that input to decide whether to proceed with the land-use change.

Read our full story for a deeper look at the proposed gondola and land use changes, then submit your feedback to the province here.

SMALL ADJUSTMENTS. BIG PERFORMANCE GAINS.

If you ride, hike, run, lift, or ski, you already know that a tiny imbalance can turn into a slow grind of tight hips, sore low back days, or that one annoying side that always feels weaker. Precision Spinal works with a lot of active Bow Valley locals who want to feel stronger and move better, not just chase pain around.

Their focus is NUCCA, an upper cervical technique that starts at the top of the neck and can influence your entire posture from head to hips. A small correction there can change how evenly you load your legs, how efficiently you generate power, and how quickly you recover after long days on the trail.

The process is precise. Laser aligned X-rays. Posture analysis. Muscle scans. Gentle adjustments. And a focus on helping your body hold the position longer so you can train without constant maintenance.

If you want your movement to feel more balanced and your performance to feel smoother, this is worth exploring. Fill out this quick form, and they’ll be in touch.

*Presented by Precision Spinal.

THE DIGEST

  • 🚚 Semi Truck Drives Wrong Way on Highway 1, No Charges. A semi-truck was caught on dash cam travelling against traffic on Highway 1 near Mini Thni on March 8. RCMP say the truck lost control in icy conditions and ended up in the wrong lanes before being safely redirected, with no collisions reported. The footage spread quickly online, drawing strong reactions from drivers. The incident happened along one of the region’s busiest corridors, where Sunday evening traffic was heavier with weekenders heading back to Calgary. See the footage.

  • ❄️ Historic Avalanche Cycle Expected in Banff This Week. A powerful storm is setting up what forecasters say could be a rare avalanche cycle across Banff National Park, with danger rising to extreme by Thursday. An atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy snow, rain, and strong winds, rapidly loading an already fragile snowpack. The forecast on Avalanche Canada’s bulletin warns large slides could reach valley bottoms, putting even lower elevation terrain at risk. Parks Canada has begun closures and control work, including along the Icefields Parkway.

  • 🏞️ Some First-Come Campsites Now Reservable in Kananaskis. Booking a campsite in Kananaskis will be more predictable this year. Alberta Parks says Interlakes Campground, right on Lower Kananaskis Lake, will now offer reservable sites starting March 30 at 9 AM. It’s one of three campgrounds making the shift away from fully first come, first served, alongside Cataract Creek and Paddy’s Flat. About 40% of sites will remain that way, and any unbooked reservable sites will revert to same-day access.

  • 🏠 Canmore Offers $5K for Fire-Resistant Roofs, With a Catch. Canmore is offering up to $5,000 to help homeowners replace flammable roofs, but not everyone will qualify this year. The new incentive covers 50% of costs for roofing materials, aiming to reduce wildfire risk from ember ignition. The catch: you must already have a FireSmart home assessment completed between 2023 and 2025 recommending a roof upgrade. Applications are open until March 31. If demand is high, priority goes to the most at-risk homes.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner,

From one local biz to another: you’ve got a lot of ways to market yourself. But before you spend another dollar, ask this: “How do I know if it’s actually working?” If they can’t answer that, maybe it’s not where your money belongs. Truthfully, we know Bow Valley Insider isn’t the right fit for everyone. And that’s okay. We’re honest about it. We care more about results than selling ad space. If it is a fit, we’ll show you exactly how we can help your business grow. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

➡️ Reach out and let’s see if working together makes sense.

NO LOCAL DISCOUNT FOR NEW SULPHUR MOUNTAIN PARKING FEE

What’s Happening: Parks Canada has confirmed there will be no local discount for the new $17.50/day parking fee at Sulphur Mountain, as part of a three-year pilot launching May 15.

Since we first reported this story, a bunch of questions came in from readers. We took those straight to Parks Canada and got some answers worth sharing.

No Local Break. One of the biggest questions: do Banff residents get a discount? Short answer, no. The fee applies to all personal vehicles, regardless of where you live. Parks Canada says locals are encouraged to use Roam Transit instead.

Why Cars, Not Buses? The fee targets personal vehicles only, at least for now. Tour buses won’t be charged in year one and can still use dedicated drop-off spots for free. The thinking here is simple: personal vehicles are the main source of congestion.

How It’ll Work. Expect four payment machines across the upper and lower lots. Park first, then pay. Skip that step and you could come back to a ticket.

Where the Price Comes From. The $17.50 rate isn’t random. Parks Canada says it’s based on national pricing guidelines. Over the next three years, they’ll track traffic, parking availability, and visitor behaviour to see if the fee actually changes anything.

If Lake Louise is any indication, prices could climb. That program started around $12 in 2021 and is hitting $42 this summer.

Why This Matters Locally. At peak times, up to half of vehicles heading to Sulphur Mountain used to turn around when lots filled, sending traffic straight back through town. This pilot is trying to fix that. Whether it works is the big question heading into summer.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

  • Test Drive an EV This Winter. Curious how EVs handle Bow Valley winters? Test drive one with a local owner and get honest insights on charging, range, and cold-weather performance. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. By appointment. Free.*

Thursday

  • Clothing Swap at Canmore Brewing. Refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime. Bring gently used clothing, shoes, or accessories and trade them in using a ticket system for new-to-you pieces. Anything left over can be donated locally or taken back home. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

PURSUIT COMMUNITY FUND OPENS FOR WINTER GRANTS

Non-profits and grassroots groups across the Bow Valley can now apply for funding through the Pursuit Community Fund, with the winter grant intake open until March 31.

The fund supports projects that strengthen communities in Canmore, Banff, Jasper, and Golden. Funding is available for initiatives in four areas: community vibrancy and social events, community services and support, affordable living, and environment and sustainability.

Local programs have already benefited from the funding.

Last year, Banff Food & Friends received $12,000 through the fund to support its weekly community dinner at St. George-in-the-Pines hall. The program welcomes up to 230 residents each Monday, offering a free meal and a place to connect in a town where the high cost of living can make groceries difficult to access.

The Pursuit Community Fund is supported through donations and fundraising events organized by the Banff Jasper Collection. In 2025 alone, more than $400,000 was contributed to local initiatives through the program.

Events like Locals’ Days also help generate funding. During these events, residents can experience attractions around the region, such as riding the Banff Gondola for a $5 donation. Last year’s events drew more than 5,700 locals and raised over $52,000 for the fund.

Organizations working on community projects in the Bow Valley and surrounding mountain communities are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the winter round close March 31. 

(Note: The application opens at 10 AM. If you click the link before then, it won’t work.)

*Presented by Pursuit Collections.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 💃 Square Dance Night Hits Canmore. Happening this Friday, March 20, and it’s always a fun time, especially if you’ve never tried one before. No experience needed, just show up and follow along. With caller Leslie Gotfrit and live music by The Hip to be Square Collective, plus extra sets from local musicians and a bar on site. Proceeds support our local theatre production, Pine Tree Players. Doors at 7:00 PM, dancing starts at 7:30 PM. Miners’ Hall. Tickets are only $25.*

  • ⛷️ French Après-Ski Patio Party. If dancing isn’t your thing, then head to Banff Social on March 20 for a French-inspired après-ski afternoon. Enjoy fresh crĂŞpes, hot chocolate, drink specials, and live music as part of Francophonie Month. It’s a relaxed, social way to spend time on the patio with mountain views. 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Reserve here.*

  • 🙋‍♀️ Highway 40 Clean-Up Seeks Volunteers This May. Help kick off the season by joining the annual Highway 40 Clean-Up on May 2. Volunteers will cover 50 km from the Trans-Canada Highway to Highwood Gate, and over 100 people are needed. Individuals, families, and groups are all welcome. It’s a simple way to make a real impact.

  • 🔥 Planned Debris Burning at Bow Valley Campground. Woody debris burning is underway at Bow Valley Campground from March 18 to 21. Smoke may be visible in the area, especially if you’re driving through Exshaw along Highway 1A. This is a planned operation, so there’s no need to report it.

  • 📲 New Parking App Now Live in Canmore. Whether you’re local or coming in from Calgary, Canmore’s new PayByPhone parking app is now live. Download it from the App Store or Google Play to start your free resident hours or pay for parking. Banff still uses the Blinkay app, so make sure you’re using the right app for the town you’re in.

CIVIC NEWS

  • Bighorn Land Use Survey Open to Locals. Bighorn’s Land Use Bylaw survey is open until Friday, and it directly affects anyone who lives, rents, owns property, runs a business, or spends time in Exshaw, Dead Man’s Flats, or nearby. The bylaw will shape zoning, housing, and future growth in the area. You can review the draft and share feedback.

LIVE MUSIC

  • Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Wing and Sing. Location: Sizzlers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

  • Canmore Players Shift to Cochrane AAA Pathway. Starting in 2026-27, Canmore players will move from the Airdrie AAA system to a new Cochrane-based pathway. That means tryouts, coaching, and development will now run through Cochrane. Current AAA players get a one-time choice to stay or switch, while younger athletes will enter the new system. Expect spring ID camps to feel more like early tryouts. The upside: less travel, more local continuity, and a clearer Bow Valley development path.

That’s all, folks!

  • Have a cool story or event to share? Hit reply. 

  • Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form.

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.

Reply

or to participate.