😳 Canmore's New Shame Signs

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, it’s not every day a ski resort comes up for sale. For the low, low price of $6 million, you could take over Silver Summit Ski Resort, about 2.5 hours north of Jasper. Sure reopening would take some work, but imagine never fighting for first tracks again. If everyone reading chips in a few bucks, we might just have a business plan. Who's in?

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

WOMAN KILLED IN FIVE-VEHICLE COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LAKE LOUISE. 

What’s Happening? A woman has died following a five-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near Lake Louise on Saturday, Nov. 7. The crash involved four commercial vehicles and an SUV, with icy conditions reported along the Trans-Canada Highway at the time.

What Do We Know? RCMP received a call about the collision around 11:40 AM. Const. Lindsay Grant confirmed to Bow Valley Insider that the woman driving the SUV died as a result of the crash.

Police have not released further details about her identity or whether anyone else was injured.

The collision closed eastbound lanes between Highway 93 and Lake Louise, with the highway reopening in all directions around 12:26 PM.

How Bad Were Road Conditions? RCMP warned drivers about extremely icy conditions throughout Banff National Park, extending west toward the B.C. border.

"Yesterday there were lots of reports of black ice on that road," Grant told BVI. She also warned that changing weather and high winds can make winter driving conditions unpredictable.

Police have not confirmed whether road conditions contributed to the collision.

What Should Drivers Know? RCMP are reminding motorists that winter driving conditions can change quickly in the Bow Valley, particularly along mountain highways. Drivers should reduce their speed, allow extra travel time, and carry emergency supplies in case of unexpected closures or delays.

Another Fatal Collision Earlier This Year. On June 28, a 24-year-old Canmore woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 1, approximately two kilometres west of the Banff park gates.

Read our full story

THINKING ABOUT BUYING A VACATION RENTAL IN THE ROCKIES? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Owning a vacation property in the Rockies sounds pretty appealing. Having someone else book it when you're not using it? Even better.

But before jumping in, there are a few numbers worth understanding.

Meet Banff Legacy Resort. This new 132-unit development in Harvie Heights, just five minutes from Canmore, is offering one-, two-, and four-bedroom townhouse-style vacation properties designed for personal use and short-term rentals.

And unlike some hotel-condo developments, owners aren't required to join a rental pool or use a particular short-term rental manager.

So, What's The Investment? According to the project's Realtor, Thomas Krause, one-bedroom units start at approximately $670,000, two-bedroom units at $915,000, and four-bedroom residences at $1.499 million.

Buyers pay a 15% deposit, with the remaining 85% due at closing.

What About Rental Income? Two local property managers estimate that a two-bedroom vacation rental valued around $900,000 could generate between $90,000 and $130,000 annually in gross rental revenue.

But earnings fluctuate. Summer occupancy can approach 90% to 100%, while quieter months can see occupancy fall to around 50% to 60%.

And The Expenses? Owenrs need to consider property management fees, maintenance, cleaning, insurance, utilities, property taxes, condo fees and mortgage payments.

One property manager estimated that a two-bedroom rental generating $130,000 annually could leave approximately $77,000 after management-related expenses.

What If You Want To Stay There? Owners can reserve their property for personal use, but there's a trade-off. With peak-season nightly rates potentially reaching $1,000, a week-long summer vacation could mean forgoing up to $7,000 in gross rental revenue.

When Will It Be Ready? Banff Legacy Resort is under construction, targeted for completion by the end of 2027. Planned amenities include underground parking, ski and bike storage, a hot tub and concierge service.

Fill out this quick form to learn more about the investment (scroll down for the form).

_{*Presented by Banff Legacy Resorts.}

THE DIGEST

• 🗑️ Canmore's New Anti-Dumping Signs Aren't Holding Back. After years of unsuccessful awareness campaigns, the Town is trying a cheekier approach to illegal dumping. Two bright pink signs, costing just $98, have appeared near the high school and on Moraine Road. They list excuses for leaving junk beside garbage bins, including “I'm a jerk,” “I'm lazy” and “My parents still clean up after me.” The Town says someone dumps a large item beside a residential bin somewhere in Canmore every day. See pictures of the new signs. Whether the approach works remains to be seen. Meanwhile, residents can skip the embarrassment and book free large-item pickup right from their homes.

• 🔥 Fire Advisory is in Effect Across Kananaskis. Don't let the cooler weather fool you. Wildfire danger remains high across Kananaskis and parts of the Bow Valley, even though Alberta's official fire season ended Oct. 31. Warm temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds have created conditions where fires could spread quickly. A fire advisory remains in effect across the Calgary Forest Area, with residents encouraged to postpone outdoor burning and avoid burning when winds exceed 15 km/h. The area recorded 107 wildfires this year, burning more than 23 hectares, although none were active as of Nov. 6.

• ⚖️ Jasper Moves Closer to Controlling Its Own Development. After 30 years of pushing, Jasper is working toward taking control of local planning and development decisions from Parks Canada, something Banff has had authority over since 1990. The change would give Jasper's elected council more say over housing, building permits and future development, rather than leaving those decisions to the federal government. The town hopes to reach an agreement by spring 2027 and complete the transfer within three years. National park restrictions on town boundaries and commercial development would still apply.

• 🚧 Grizzly Activity Shuts Down Part of Mount Indefatigable. Planning a hike in Kananaskis? Alberta Parks has closed several areas of Mount Indefatigable in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park following grizzly bear activity. The closure took effect Nov. 7 and includes Indefatigable Bowl below the south peak, the true summit, and east peak. There's no reopening date yet. If you're heading into the area, check the closure map before setting out. And remember, bears can still be encountered outside the closed areas, so carry bear spray, travel in groups and make noise.

We Have 1 Spots Open For Our Food & Drink Partnership Program

Run a restaurant, bar, or café? We have one spot opening at the end of November for our year-round Food & Drink Partnership Program.

We feature your menus, specials, events, and whatever else you’ve got cooking, reaching 26,000+ digital publication readers and 75,000+ social followers.

And there’s an appetite for it: 74% of our audience say they want more food and drink content.

You’ll join local favourites like Grizzly Paw Brewing, Rose & Crown, Eclipse Coffee Roasters, Valbella, Juniper Bistro, Stirling Lounge, and more. We cap the program at 30 partners, so once these two spots are filled, that’s it for the year.

Want in? Fill out this quick form.

CANMORE RETAILERS SAY THEY CAN'T COMPETE WITH RESTAURANT TIPS 

What’s Happening? Canmore retailers are facing challenges recruiting and retaining employees, with competition from restaurant jobs and high housing costs adding pressure. Longtime gallery owner Jason Bantle says the ability to earn tips in restaurants is making it harder for businesses like his to compete for workers.

A Changing Workforce. Bantle has operated All in the Wild Galleries in the Bow Valley for more than 20 years. His galleries previously employed six or seven local workers, but he says maintaining four has become difficult.

Some employees have left after just two or three weeks for restaurant positions, where tips can supplement their wages.

According to federal Job Bank figures, the median hourly wage for food and beverage servers in the broader Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House region is $20, compared with $17 for retail salespeople. 

However, those figures don't establish actual earnings in Canmore or how much tips contribute to workers' income.

What Does Local Research Show? Canmore's 2024 Labour Market Recruitment and Retention Strategy identified low profit margins and limited opportunities to earn tips as factors making it difficult for retailers to compete with restaurants and bars.

Housing is another challenge. A 2026 town-commissioned workforce assessment identified high living costs as a barrier to workforce development, with some residents working multiple jobs.

Bantle says he's received applications from people interested in working in Banff or Canmore who haven't secured accommodation.

The Broader Impact. Staffing challenges have affected other local businesses. Canmore retailer Charisma Collective announced its closure in September, with owner Sharon Gerrard identifying difficulties recruiting and retaining employees as the primary reason.

Meanwhile, the Bow Valley Job Resource Centre recorded 1,822 job openings between November 2025 and April 2026, a 58% increase over the same period a year earlier.

What Could Help? Bantle believes more accessible employee housing and improved public transportation from surrounding communities could help smaller businesses attract workers.

For now, he says his galleries remain viable, partly because he and his wife have taken on more day-to-day responsibilities.

"You can't work seven days a week and still function in your business in a retail setting," he said.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Canmore Is Getting An Old-School Thrift Store. Rockies Rentals is hosting its first Free Range pop-up, with secondhand clothing, housewares, sheets, towels and other odds and ends looking for new homes. Many items are available by donation, while the rest are priced to keep thrifting affordable. Proceeds will help fund future community events, including game nights and workshops. Bring a reusable bag and see what you find. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM. 3A-1306 Bow Valley Trail. By donation.

Tuesday

• Free Banff Lecture Explores Indigenous Art And Its Connection To The Land. The mountains aren't just a pretty backdrop. They can be a source of stories, knowledge and artistic inspiration. Secwépemc and settler artist Tania Willard is exploring exactly that, sharing how Indigenous languages, traditions and connections to the land influence art and offer a different way of understanding the world around us. 4:00 PM. Banff Centre, Room 204, Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Building. Free.

YOUR WATCH TRACKS EVERYTHING... EXCEPT WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK

Your smartwatch can tell you your pace, heart rate, elevation gain, recovery score, and even how well you slept.

But it can't tell you if you're actually training at the right intensity.

That's where Blood Lactate Threshold Testing at Banff Sport Medicine comes in.

This 75 to 90-minute assessment measures how your body responds as exercise intensity increases, helping identify your true aerobic and anaerobic training zones. The result is personalized heart rate zones based on your physiology, not generic formulas, so you can train more efficiently and get more from every workout.

Whether you're training for your next race, chasing a new personal best, or simply want to make your time on the trails count, the assessment provides meaningful data you can immediately put to use.

And right now, you can save 15% on your assessment. Book your lactate test by December 15, 2026, and complete your appointment by February 28, 2027, to receive the discount. The offer applies to new bookings made during the promotional period.

If you're already putting in the work, make sure you're training as smart as you are hard.

Book your blood lactate threshold test and turn your training data into better performance.

_{*Presented by Banff Sport Medicine.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Lake Louise Ski Resort Offering Free Skiing for Military Personnel. From Nov. 9-15, Canadian military veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members can ski for free at Lake Louise. Eligible visitors simply need to present valid military ID at an outdoor ticket window or Guest Services to receive a free day ticket. The resort will also observe one minute of silence at 11 AM on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, to honour those who have served.

• 🍔 Banff Burger Club Returns With $13 Smash Burgers. The Fat Ox is bringing back its popular burger event for a fifth round. Choose from four burgers, including the classic Smash Burger with cheddar, pickles and burger sauce ($13), the Haystack with crispy shoestring potatoes and caramelized onion mayo ($13), the Bison Smash with blue cheese and roasted garlic mayo ($14), or the Forest Burger with roasted mushrooms, spinach and truffle mayo ($13). There's also an $18 Adult Happy Meal with a burger, fries, Trolley 5 lager and a toy. It’s all happening on Saturday, Nov. 21. Walk-ins welcome, or reserve a table.*

• 🫙 Canmore Preschool Society Is Hosting a Bottle Drive. Are your empties overflowing? The Canmore Preschool Society is collecting refundable bottles and cans Nov. 9, to raise funds for its preschool programs. Volunteers will pick up donations between 6 PM and 8 PM, so all you need to do is leave your returnables bagged or boxed on your driveway or porch. Just make sure to register your address and contact information in advance so volunteers know where to stop.

• 👨🏻‍💼 Canmore Miners' Hall Is Looking for a New Manager. Love local events and keeping things organized? Pine Tree Players is hiring a part-time independent contractor to manage bookings, assist clients, and oversee maintenance at the Canmore Miners' Hall. The position pays $50 an hour for approximately 20 hours a month, with a one-year contract starting Jan. 1, 2027. Some evening and weekend availability is required, along with the ability to meet clients in person in Canmore.*

• 📝 Funding Available for Local Wildlife and Conservation Projects. Have an idea to protect wildlife, restore habitats or get more people involved in conservation? The Alberta Conservation Association is accepting grant applications for 2027-28. Funding is available for wildlife and fisheries research, habitat restoration, conservation education and community projects. Applications are open to eligible organizations and researchers, with deadlines of Dec. 1 or Dec. 10, depending on the grant. Learn more and apply.

• 🚗 Alberta to Ease Driver's Licence Renewal Rules. For Bow Valley residents who rely on driving between communities, renewing a licence could soon get easier. During her Nov. 7 radio show, Premier Danielle Smith said Albertans waiting for federal proof of citizenship will soon be able to renew their licences using their application receipt. The proposed change follows complaints about new provincial identification requirements that have prevented some Albertans from renewing. A formal announcement is expected soon.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff and Blackfoot Confederacy Strengthen Ties. The Town of Banff and Blackfoot Confederacy signed an agreement Nov. 6 to strengthen cooperation on environmental protection, economic development and cultural initiatives. Building on longstanding connections, the agreement establishes regular meetings and dedicated staff to explore shared priorities. No specific projects or funding have been announced. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, November 9th, 9:00 PM: Open Mic Night. Location: Beaver Bar, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, November 10th, 10:00 PM: Karaoke Tuesday. Location: Melissa's Missteak, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Figure Skater Heads to National Competition. A tough free skate couldn't stop 19-year-old Addison Wolsey from earning her spot at Skate Canada Challenge. Representing the Canmore Skating Club, Wolsey finished fourth overall at the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Sectional Championships after placing second in the short program. She'll now compete against some of Canada's top senior skaters in Winnipeg from Nov. 26-30. 

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.