🧗‍♂️Climbers, Hikers, Rejoice!

Good morning, Bow Valley!

A quick heads-up: First, there won’t be a newsletter on Wednesday—we’re taking the day off to enjoy Christmas. Second, we’ve reviewed all your feedback from last week’s Annual Survey (thank you!). Curious about what’s changing with Bow Valley Insider in 2025? Scroll to the end for all the details.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Cougar Creek re-opens (finally)

• New restaurants in Canmore & Banff

• What’s next for Banff’s Railway Lands? 

• Plus, sleigh rides, ski with Santa, torchlight parade, free yoga, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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

CANMORE’S ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND IS BACK OPEN

What’s Happening? Cougar Creek is back! After a decade-long closure following the devastating 2013 floods, Canmore’s iconic Cougar Creek Canyon has reopened, offering climbers, hikers, and ice enthusiasts a reason to celebrate.

Climb On. Adventure awaits at Cougar Creek, home to hundreds of sport climbing routes spread across over a dozen crags. Scramblers can tackle challenges like the East-Southeast Ridge of Lady MacDonald, while ice climbers will enjoy Ghoster Coaster, a moderate and fun route nestled deep in the canyon.

Safety First. Thanks to new flood mitigation infrastructure, the area is safer than ever. However, visitors should respect marked closures, as some short-term restrictions for landscaping and signage might still pop up. 

The Big Picture. Cougar Creek’s reopening is more than just an outdoor milestone—it’s a testament to resilience, community spirit, and the promise of new adventures. 

KIDS PAINT NIGHT HOSTED BY CROCK A DOODLE CANMORE

Sign the kids up for a fun-filled evening of creativity at Kids Paint Night on Saturday, December 28th, at Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre! 

This in-person event is perfect for young artists looking to unleash their imagination.

Talented instructors from Crock A Doodle Canmore will guide the kids through step-by-step instructions to create their own masterpieces. Whether they're budding Picassos or just love to paint, this event promises a memorable experience.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to let your child's creativity shine!

$45 per child - Price includes painted piece and DINNER for kids!  

Only a few spots left. Register now

(Adults: take a few hours to enjoy a child-free dinner at Table Food + Drink, including live Music)

_{*sponsored content}

THE DIGEST

• 🛎️Eleven new restaurants and cafés opened across Banff, Canmore, Jasper, and Radium Hot Springs this year, bringing everything from Korean shaved ice to Italian cuisine with an alpine twist. Whether you’re craving breakfast poutine, locally sourced cocktails, or omakase dining, the Rockies’ food scene just got a major glow-up.

• 💪Chip Olver, Banff’s longest-serving council member, celebrated 30 years of service and announced she’s running again in 2025. Known for her dedication to wildfire preparedness, affordable housing, and community engagement, Olver’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and listening—traits that have made her a local favorite since 1994.

• 🤩Supposedly, there’s another “Moraine Lake,” but this one’s in Washington. Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park boasts turquoise glacial waters and alpine peaks that rival Banff’s famed gem. The kicker? It’s way less crowded. We’ll believe it when we see it.

• 🦌Tourists in Banff National Park got way too close for comfort, surrounding a wild elk for selfies. A boy walked within inches of the animal, thankfully leaving unharmed. Close calls like this risk lives—human and animal. Pro tip: admire wildlife from a distance, and don’t test your luck with antlers.

• 🛏️Looking for accessible mountain accommodations? These standout spots include Buffalo Mountain Lodge’s cozy, wheelchair-friendly suites and the Rimrock Resort’s roll-in showers and assistive devices. For ultimate inclusion, William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis offers cabins, RV sites, and trails designed for all abilities. Because nature should be for everyone.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BANFF’S RAILWAY LANDS?

What’s Happening? Banff is giving the green light to a significant environmental review for its railway lands redevelopment plan. Parks Canada has approved the plan’s compliance with federal laws, kicking off the next step: a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

What’s an SEA? Think of the SEA as an environmental check-up. It examines the potential impacts—both good and bad—of proposed activities, policies, and developments in the area. Bonus: it looks at cumulative effects too, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

Your Input Matters. Parks Canada is inviting feedback on the draft Terms of Reference, which act as the SEA’s "to-do list." Public and Indigenous engagement will shape the SEA’s focus and may even lead to tweaks in the overall redevelopment plan.

The Big Picture. Once the SEA wraps, its findings will inform the Minister’s final decision. Banff’s railway lands project is moving forward with a clear eye on environmental responsibility—and a roadmap designed by the people.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Free Yoga. All levels of yoga practitioners and readers are welcome to join. Children are welcome to attend, but they must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Banff Library. Free. 

• Sleigh Ride. Cuddle under a cozy blanket with your hot chocolate and be amazed at the winter oasis and snow-covered forest along beautiful trails. 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM. Boundary Ranch. Adults $49 / Children 3 - 12 $35.

• Public Swim. Access the leisure pool, lazy river, waterslide, and space in the lap pool for foam toys. 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply. 

• Ski With Santa. Santa will be out skiing with his elves and Griff the Grizzly, stopping for pictures and handing out candy to everyone on the Nice List! 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Lake Louise Ski Resort. (Psst… he’ll be out Tuesday and Wednesday too).

• Locals Xmas Party. Everyone is invited, whether you’ve been in the Valley for three weeks or 30 years! Book a simulator or grab a bite to eat and a couple of drinks before you get to dancing. Family-friendly until 9:00 PM! 6:00 PM - Late. CanGOLF. Free entry until 9:00 PM / $10 Cover after 9:00 PM. 

Tuesday

• Family Skate. Come out with the kids and enjoy an hour of skating during the week. Strollers are permitted and helmets and balance bars are available upon request. 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Drop-in fees apply. 

• A Canmore Christmas Eve. The Malcolm Hotel team members invite all guests and neighbours to this Christmas Eve exclusive event. With the Three Sisters Mountains as a backdrop, the Valley Winds Chorus will celebrate the sounds of the season with Christmas carols. 6:30 PM. Edinburgh Ballroom, Malcolm. Free.

• Torch Light Parade. Watch specially trained torchbearers put on a nighttime show for the guests of the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Sunshine Village. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍽️Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve. If cooking for family and friends is low on your list this year, here is a list of restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Banff! 

• 💜Emergency Shelter. The Emergency Winter Shelter program is for those unhoused and/or housing insecure within the Bow Valley to access safe accommodation and wrap-around, community-based support, especially during the holidays.

• 🥌Open Curling. To attend open curling, you must be 16+ or be accompanied by a supervising parent/ guardian, have an active Banff Curling Club membership, or recently attended a Learn to Curl program. 

• ⛸️Skating at the Pond. In Canmore, all the outdoor rinks are now open and ready for skating—including the pond!

• 🛤All-Aboard! Swing by the Train Station ‘platform’ outside Kananaskis Outfitters and enjoy a tour with mountain views and holiday cheer! Running every 20 minutes from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM daily.

• ♻️Tree Recycling. Over the Holiday season, recycling bins will be placed the week of December 16th and picked up the week of January 13th. Locations can be viewed here. 

• 🏒Ball Hockey Tournament. Sign a team up to be a part of the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada ball hockey tournament! Teams should consist of different genders and skill levels!

• 🎗 Support. Free walk-in counseling service is available to everyone (including Canadians and non-Canadians alike), 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM daily at both the Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff, and the Canmore General Hospital.

• 🐶Viral Dog Update! Remember Kohen, who the Bow Valley helped to raise funds for diagnosis and treatment in record time? He’s doing well and ready for a forever family! 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Community Housing (CCH) will receive $480,000 from selling a small piece of municipal land in Teepee Town to a private developer. This land will be developed into affordable housing units, and the funds will support future housing projects in the Palliser lands.

• The MD of Bighorn is changing its ward boundaries, with final approval pending from the provincial government before the 2025 municipal election. The new boundaries will see Lac Des Arcs join Exshaw in Ward 1 while other wards remain mostly unchanged. Despite some opposition, the council believes this change will better represent residents and address future growth.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, December 23th, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. 10:00 PM. No Cover

• Tuesday, December 24th, 5:00 PM: Family Carols. Location: St George in the Pines, Banff. 5:00 PM. Free. 

• Tuesday, December 24th, 10:00 PM: DJ Nazo. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. 10:00 PM. No Cover

SPORTS

• Giant Slalom. Canmore's own Erik Read secured 20th place in the men's giant slalom at Alta Badia, Italy, clocking in at 2:34.28. This marks his best World Cup finish this season, following a 21st place in Aspen earlier.

BOW VALLEY INSIDER IN 2025

Thank you for sharing what you love about Bow Valley Insider, what could be improved, and what we should focus on in the future. Even the critiques were shared with kindness and constructive feedback. After reviewing your responses, we’ve charted a path forward for 2025 based on what you told us matters most:

1) Community Highlights and Things to Do are your favourites

Community Highlights—our roundup of local stories and updates—was your favourite feature. You also love our Things to Do section, which keeps you updated on local events. We’re doubling down on these sections in 2025 to keep them your go-to sources for staying connected.

2) More food

Many of you asked for a greater focus on food, particularly local restaurant specials. Expect more coverage of delicious deals and standout menu items.

3) Volunteer opportunities and meeting fellow locals

Volunteer opportunities also ranked high on your wish list. You want ways to give back and meet fellow locals.  So, we will highlight opportunities that make it easy to connect while making a positive impact. We’ve already started featuring local charities in our Wednesday newsletters.

4) Keep it local, keep it actionable

Shopping locally matters to you. We’ll continue to highlight local businesses and help you uncover hidden gems even longtime locals may not know about.

5) The format you love

You love the no-fluff, no-filler approach of our newsletter, paired with a witty tone that makes it informative and enjoyable to read. We’ll stick to this winning formula.

That’s the plan for 2025, guided by you, our readers. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of connection, growth, and everything that makes our community extraordinary.

That’s all, folks!

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