⛑️ False Rescue Alarm

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Ben here. For those who read Friday’s note: yes, the password spreadsheet has been recovered. Sadly, Mount Robson wasn’t summited. I didn’t make it to the summit of the tallest peak in the Rockies, but the consolation prize was a fantastic sunrise view of it from neighboring Mount Resplendent. Here’s the photo many of you asked for. Thanks for all the “good luck” messages. Anyway, enough of my shenanigans. Back to the stuff that matters.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

NEW STUDY SAYS BANFF’S HOUSING RULES DON’T ADD UP

What’s Happening? Banff’s housing crunch isn’t going anywhere fast. A new Deloitte study says tweaking floor area ratios (the rules that tie business size to staff housing obligations) won’t be nearly enough to fix the shortage. Watch the full study recap here, starting at 1:01:35.

By the Numbers:

• Vacancy rate: less than 1%

• Staff housing needs: 7,195 bedrooms

• Bedrooms required under current rules: 3,075

• Shortfall: 4,120 bedrooms

How the Rule Works. Under Banff’s land-use bylaw, businesses must supply staff bedrooms based on their size. Hotels, restaurants, and other operators each have different ratios, designed to prevent businesses from growing without also adding housing. But there’s a catch: the rule only applies to new developments or expansions, leaving older businesses “grandfathered out” and contributing nothing to the housing pool.

Who’s Short, Who’s Surplus. Hotels are the worst off, needing 2,161 staff bedrooms but providing only 665. Restaurants, meanwhile, are technically overburdened, mandated to supply 1,538 bedrooms when they only need 1,217. That’s because the ratios are tied to floor space, which often exaggerates restaurant staffing needs compared to how many employees they actually require.

Beyond Workers. Banff’s nonworker population (mostly retirees) has ballooned 68% since 1991, outpacing worker growth of 40%. That shift has some councillors wondering whether retirees, not just workers, are tightening the housing squeeze.

The Takeaway. Even if ratios are bumped up, the study suggests Banff needs a mix of new policy tools to balance worker housing demand with a growing retiree population. Or, as Deloitte’s Jamie Vann Struth put it: “It’s pretty clear from this data that [adjusting floor area ratios] alone is not going to be enough to resolve the issues.” 

CONTACTS FOR 40+? OH YES, THEY’VE CHANGED.

Still reaching for readers? You might not have to.

Today’s contact lenses have come a long way, especially for folks over 40 who want to see clearly and keep their freedom. New multifocal lenses let you focus up close and at a distance, all without juggling glasses on hikes, patios, or powder days.

At Canmore Family Eyecare, Dr. Jo & Dr. Jared fit lenses specifically for active adults who thought their contact days were over. Whether you’re managing distance blur, struggling with near vision, or just sick of foggy lenses on mountain adventures, there’s likely a better option now.

You’ll get a personalized fitting, trial lenses, and expert guidance on which type fits your lifestyle. No pressure, just real solutions that help you see (and live) better.

Want to test the new tech?

Book your contact lens consult with Dr. Jo & Dr. Jared.

_{*Presented by Canmore Family Eyecare.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛑️ False Rescue Alarm. While this isn’t Bow Valley-related, it’s too good not to share. In B.C.’s Central Okanagan, rescuers rushed to help after hikers reported cries for help, only to discover a solo camper belting Nickelback tunes. The surrounding acoustics turned his tent-side concert into a distress call. He was fine, just “singing his heart out to the trees.” Turns out the emergency was just his musical taste. 

• 🔥 Banff’s Fire Danger Hits Extreme. Parks Canada has pegged the fire danger in Banff at extreme, meaning fires can start easily, spread fast, and burn hot. There are no wildfires in the park right now and no fire bans yet, but officials warn conditions could change quickly. Campfires are still allowed in designated pits. Meanwhile, in Canmore, fire danger is moderate.

• 🚑 Highway 1 Collisions: Fewer, But Still Serious. Highway 1 through Banff National Park sees about 10–14 major crashes a year, often involving fatalities or serious injuries. Numbers have leveled off in recent years, helped by twinning and wildlife fencing. Still, risks remain. This week, Banff Fire crews practiced vehicle extrication to sharpen the skills needed to save lives when serious collisions happen.

• 🚧 Banff Upper Hot Springs Closing for Fall. Not that many locals go anyway, but Parks Canada will fully close the Banff Upper Hot Springs from September 2 until late December for maintenance and upgrades. They say it’s to "improve the visitor experience.” We’re guessing that means a waterslide from the top of Sulphur Mountain… but probably not. Looking for hot springs alternatives? Check out our top picks. 

• ✅ Rocky Mountaineer’s Parent Company Just Bought a Local Restaurant.  Armstrong Collective, the folks behind those luxury dome-car trains serving gourmet meals through the Rockies, has acquired the Lake Louise Railway Station and Restaurant. With more than 50,000 train  passengers rolling through Lake Louise each year, the purchase feels like a natural fit. In all our years in the Bow Valley, we’ve never eaten there, so you may just have to tell us what we’ve been missing (or not).

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RUNDLE FOREBAY CONFUSION: WHAT’S ACTUALLY ALLOWED

What’s Happening? If you’ve been confused by the signs at Rundle Forebay, you’re not alone. Some say “no swimming, boating, or dogs allowed,” while the Town’s website just says recreation is “not recommended.” We asked the Town of Canmore to clear it up so you don’t waste energy getting annoyed at people who seem to be “breaking the rules.”

The Backdrop. The Rundle Forebay isn’t just a popular paddleboarding spot; it’s also Canmore’s main drinking water reservoir. Since July 28, TransAlta has been doing routine repairs on the Spray Canal, which feeds the Forebay. During the work, water levels are being lowered, and the Town has already introduced Stage 1 outdoor water restrictions to safeguard the drinking water supply and firefighting capacity.

The Clarification. So, can you swim or paddle there right now? Not technically banned, but the Town and TransAlta are strongly discouraging it until the Spray Canal repairs wrap up on September 26.

Why It Matters. Lower water levels mean less flow and higher risk of contaminants if people or pets use the Forebay. Even though it isn’t illegal to swim or paddle, the Town is asking residents and visitors to cooperate to protect the community’s water supply.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• The Faces of Canmore. Launching today at artsPlace, this free interactive exhibition celebrates 10 years of community and creativity. From decorating masks and marking the gallery walls to adding your spot on a threaded map.. Runs Aug. 25–Sept. 20. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• Monday Night Slackjam. The Bow Valley Slackliners are back. Slacklining is like tightrope walking on a flat webbing strap a few feet off the ground. Practice, learn, or just hang out. Everyone welcome. Mondays, 6–9 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free.

• Pottery Painting. Spend an evening getting creative with pottery and paint at the Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre. Choose a bowl, mug, or plate, and once you are finished, your masterpiece will be glazed and kiln-fired. Pick it up the following week. 7–8 PM. Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre. $25.

Tuesday

• The Sisterhood Circle. A heart-centered gathering for women with guided meditation, breathwork, energy healing, and gentle embodiment practices. Come as you are and reconnect with yourself and others in a supportive space. 7–8 PM. Creekside Villa. $20.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐶 Outdoor Dog Photos You’ll Treasure Forever. The hike ends, the memory doesn’t. You’ve taken hundreds of hikes with your dog, but can you see them right now? Ears up, tail wagging, eyes lit up with that “best day ever” look? Let’s make that memory impossible to lose. One session. One day. Your dog. Your mountains. Get in touch with Joy. She’s our favorite local dog photographer.*

• 🛎️ Woody’s Pub Rolls Out a Fresh Menu. Woody’s at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge has refreshed its lineup, and it’s more than just post-hike fuel. New dishes like shrimp po’boys, beer-battered cod and chips, BBQ ribs, and a blue cheese bacon wedge salad join the classics like wings, Kananaskis nachos, and poutine. Save room for sticky toffee pudding or red velvet cake. Check out the new menu.*

• 🎨 Help Bring The Festival of Arts & Creativity to Life. The Canmore Festival of Arts & Creativity is back September 12–14, marking 10 years of artsPlace with free music, workshops, markets, and performances. To pull it off, artsPlace needs volunteers, from guest services to artist support to pouring drinks. If you’re game, sign up for a shift here. You’ll get front row seats to the action. Guaranteed good time.*

• 🐕 Meet Tate: Looking for His Forever Family. Tate’s an affectionate pup who loves nothing more than Netflix-and-chill time, but he’s also up for fun. His favorite summer pastime is running through the sprinkler, and he never says no to a good sniffari. Ready to bring him home? Adopt through Heart Mountain Rescue, or at the very least, take a look at his cute, smiling face here. *

• 🏊 Canmore’s Elevation Place Pool Closing For A Month. The Aquatics Centre shuts down tomorrow, August 26, for its annual deep clean and upgrades. The lap pool and steam room return September 20, while the leisure pool and hot tub reopen September 26. Plenty of time to reconsider whether that Speedo was ever a good idea. Splash passes pause automatically, and Go Beyond members can request a temporary hold. 

• 🏞 Why You Might Want a Helmet at Grassi Lakes. Canmore local Sara Parsons recently shared a video of a goat scaling cliffs above the second lake. It’s a reminder why Alberta Parks installed a gate there: because rockfall is constant. Wildlife, wind, and rain send down debris daily, from golf-ball pebbles to microwave-sized boulders. The advice? Wear a helmet if going beyond the gate.

CIVIC NEWS

• Have You Noticed A Certain Smell in Canmore? If you’ve caught a whiff of something unpleasant in recent years, you’re not alone. Council has too, and they’ve been working on it. Since 2023, $2.6 million has gone into odour mitigation at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, but the problem isn’t fully solved. Last week, council moved to cap the “digesters,” the big tanks where bacteria break down material, and investigate other possible sources. An update will be presented at the September 16th council meeting. 

• Banffites: Learn More About the Caribou Street Project. Caribou Street between Banff Avenue and Lynx Street is set for a major overhaul starting Sept. 2. The work will replace nearly 100-year-old water, sewer, and storm pipes, rebuild the road surface, and realign the Lynx intersection for safer crossings. Want the details? Drop by the open house today from 11 AM to 5 PM, in front of the Masonic Lodge.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, August 25th 2025, 6:00 PM: Sunset Festival with Steph O’Dette. Location: Banff Gondola Summit. Free with gondola ticket or hike to the top.

• Monday, August 25th 2025, 9:00 PM: Open Mic hosted by Liam Cowan. Location: The Beaver Bar, Banff. Free.

• Monday, August 25th 2025, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee Live. Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. Country and roots music with stories, laughs, and cold beer. No cover. 

• Tuesday, August 26th 2025, 6:00 PM: Sunset Festival with Phillip Alexander Nugent. Location: Banff Gondola Summit. Free with gondola ticket or hike to the top.

• Tuesday, August 26th 2025, 10:00 PM: Tony Kaye Trio Live. Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. Electrifying blues and rock from one of Canada’s top power blues bands. No cover. 

SPORTS

• Backpacking Ribbon Creek with Jenna Alexis. Watch local hiker Jenna Alexis take on the Ribbon Creek Trail solo, continuing past Ribbon Falls up the chains to Ribbon Lake. Along the way she shares trail history, snacks, thunderstorms, bugs, and those big mountain views. A down-to-earth look at one of Kananaskis’ most popular backpacking routes.

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.