🤯Craziest Ski Descent in History?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re getting some more details about exactly which trails will be closed for the G7 summit in Kananaskis, some of which close as early as March. More details below.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• RCMP releases the “Controlled Access Zone” for the G7

• An insane first ski descent on the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies

• Banff’s hotel values skyrocket in value 

• Plus, half-priced pasta, theatre deals, cross-country ski races, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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

MORE CLOSURES ANNOUNCED FOR G7 SUMMIT IN KANANASKIS

What’s happening? As security tightens for the 2025 G7 Summit, new details about road, trail, and airspace restrictions have emerged. The RCMP will establish a Controlled Access Zone (CAZ) from June 10–18, impacting access to Kananaskis. Some closures start months earlier and extend beyond the summit dates.

Major Closures Ahead:

• Kovach Pond Day Use: Closed March 10 – July 31

• Nakiska Ski Area: Closed April 22 – July 30

• Troll Falls Day Use: Closed May 12 – June 20

• Mount Lorette Ponds, Galatea & Beaver Ponds: Closed June 6 – June 20

• Kananaskis Village & key businesses: Closed June 10 – 18

Which trails are impacted? Several popular trailheads—including Rummel Lake, Buller Pass, and Galatea—will be fully closed, while others, like Barrier Lake and Chester Lake, remain open up to the CAZ boundary. See the full list here. 

Need access? Only authorized personnel, residents, and businesses with accreditation will be allowed into the CAZ. Expect security checkpoints along Highway 40 and delays. More details will be released as the event approaches.

LOVE THIS COUNTRY? MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION

Share your home and Canadian lifestyle with someone who cares!

Open your home to an international student for 5 or 10 months.

Step-by-step training, ongoing support, and remuneration are provided.

➡️Check out the article CRPS Homestay Program: Everything You Need to Know

Homestay applications are being accepted now for the 2025-26 school year.

Our students choose Canada and the Rocky Mountains for a reason. Help make their dreams come true!

_{*Presented by CRPS International Student Program.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛷️Historic Ski Descent on Mount Robson. Christina Lustenberger and Guillaume Pierrel just made history, becoming the first to ski Mount Robson’s treacherous south face. The duo spent days climbing before tackling the 3,000-metre descent, which required multiple rappels and near-zero visibility at times. This makes double black diamonds look like the bunny hill. 

• 💨Avalanche Risk High.  Avalanche Canada warns of “very dangerous” conditions right now, urging backcountry users to avoid avalanche terrain. Spray Valley is seeing ongoing slides, with a skier-triggered avalanche reported below the treeline. Meanwhile, the Icefields Parkway is closed until noon today (Monday) for avalanche control—check 511 Alberta for road updates.

• 🚀Banff Hotels Surge in Value. Banff’s hotel values have skyrocketed 70% since 2019, with total assessments now hitting $407.5 million—up 25% from last year. Unlike Canmore, Banff’s limited hotel supply drives up values. The Fairmont skews the average, but median hotel assessments still jumped from $6M to $27M. 

• 🚒FireSmart Recognition for Peaks of Grassi. Peaks of Grassi is joining FireSmart Canada's Neighbourhood Recognition Program, working with Canmore Fire Rescue to reduce wildfire risk. Six neighbourhoods will implement mitigation plans, including clearing deadfall and moving firewood piles. A community clean-up is set for June 7. Want to help? Email [email protected].

• 🙌Banff Gets NYT Spotlight. The New York Times just gave Banff a major nod, featuring a 36-hour itinerary packed with classics like the Gondola, Hot Springs, and Lake Louise—plus some local gems like the Whyte Museum and Rose & Crown. Surprisingly, Moraine and Peyto Lakes were left out. 

BANFF’S WILDFIRE DEFENSE GETS A $1.4M BOOST

What’s happening? Banff is ramping up its wildfire mitigation efforts with a $1.4 million investment focused on clearing deadfall, thinning forests, and protecting municipal infrastructure. Another $200K is being allocated for new firefighting equipment, response planning, and homeowner rebates to make properties more fire-resistant.

Clearing the fuel. Outland Forestry Services will remove conifers and deadfall from 20 hectares of town-managed land along the urban-forest border. Crews will work through April, clearing high-risk areas like Valleyview, Surprise Corner, and Tunnel Mountain Road. Burning the debris on-site cuts costs and reduces fire hazards.

FireSmart everywhere. The Town is removing 230 trees around key municipal sites, from Central Park to the wastewater plant, while incentivizing homeowners to do the same. Rebates are available for roof replacements, tree removals, and sprinkler systems, with free home assessments and community FireSmart programs helping Banff residents level up their wildfire defenses.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Pasta Mondays. Mondays just got better with half-price pasta and a weekly rotating special to keep things fresh. Pair your plate with $7 build your own negronis, $6 wine, $5 house lager, or $2 Italian sodas. Gluten-free and kid-friendly options are available. The Prow, Banff. 

• Public Climbing Grading Experiment. Climb two ungraded routes in the right-hand corridor near the slab wall, assign a grade, and drop your responses anonymously in the box provided. 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Elevation Place. Drop-In Fees Apply.

• Cookie Kitchen. Calling Banff residents! Come bake cookies to enjoy with provided tea and coffee. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Catharine Robb Whyte Building. $3.

• Clocktower Club. Gather under the stars for a chilling evening of strategy and intrigue featuring Mark Walker. Explore this haven for cunning, investigation, and duplicitous fiends. All skill levels are welcome. 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Banff Library. Free. 

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. 

• Wildfire Panel Discussion. Attend a Public Panel Discussion to meet the experts in the Bow Valley Interagency Wildfire Committee and learn about the work being done to help reduce the risk of the spread of wildfire in our area. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Banff Park Lodge and online. Free. 

• Movie Night. Imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, a man finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated inmates. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 📝Sign-Up For a Fun or Competitive Cross Country Ski Race. Registration closes Feb 27 at 4 PM. Don’t miss your chance to experience the Lake Louise Loppet—Western Canada’s longest-running ski event. Sign up now and hit the trails before it’s too late!

• 🌌Engaging Astrophysics Presentation. The Mountain Grannies are bringing Astrophysicist Dr. Phil Langill back to Canmore to present an entertaining and informative talk on recent discoveries from our solar system, including a rare planetary alignment happening right now! 

• 🧑🏻‍⚕️Accepting New Patients. Doctors at Alpine Medical in Banff are accepting new patients. 

• 🎭One Act Play Festival. Starting Wednesday, Pine Tree Players is pleased to present an entertaining evening of three one-act plays: Dad Joke Intervention, Mudflap Girl, and Waiting for End of the World. Get your tickets now! 

• 🦐Fresh Seafood and Meat Market. Yes, there is a fresh seafood market in Canmore located at the Wagashi Tea House. Spread the word! 

• 🍞Uprising Bakery News. Their Banff location is now permanently closed, but the Uprising Craft Bakery in Canmore is open with specials and treats for Bow Valley Locals. 

• 🙋Volunteer Opportunity for Music Lovers. Rocky Mountain Live is looking for 1 or 2 volunteers in the Alberta Rockies to help with event listings & basic social media planning on https://rockymountainlive.ca! Email [email protected]  if interested. 

• 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻Model Call. The GEM in Harvie Heights is hosting a styled wedding shoot this Tuesday, February 25th, from 12 PM - 3 PM, and they’re looking for one lucky couple to star in it! If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, please send Trinity Chapman a direct message!  

CIVIC NEWS

• Amendments to Banff’s Bed and Breakfast regulations will go to a third reading with the Council on Monday afternoon. If approved, the bylaw will be forwarded to Parks Canada for final approval. Livestream the meeting here. 

• With all the focus on Canmore and Banff, it’s easy to forget that the Bow Valley is made up of a number of hamlets. Please contact the MD of Bighorn today at 403-673-3611 to schedule a FREE FireSmart assessment at your property. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, February 24th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, February 17th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Karaoke Mondays. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.  

• Tuesday, February 25h, 2025,  10:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Curling. Bonspiel season is here at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club! The Junior Funspiel (U12 & U15) hits the ice on March 16, with prizes for all participants. Then, the Mixed Doubles Bonspiel follows on March 22, including lunch! Only 3 spots left—call 403-678-5959 ext. 236 to register.

• Ice Climbing. This isn’t a local story, but something we thought many of you would appreciate anyway.  A clip of an 85-year-old ice climber is going viral. Turns out, there’s an Amazon Prime documentary covering his climbing career called The Pat Callis Story.  

That’s all, folks!

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