🤍 Fatal Crash Near Ha Ling

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We mentioned this on Monday, but it’s worth a proper spotlight. Our friends at Heart Mountain Rescue just welcomed a litter of five six-week-old husky puppies and then, at 11 p.m. last night, texted to say seven more had arrived. That’s twelve pups now looking for forever homes. If you’ve ever even casually thought about adoption, this is a pretty great excuse to take a look.

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

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUSPECTED CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AT A CANMORE HOTEL POOL

What’s Happening? Eleven children were hospitalized after a suspected chemical exposure at the indoor pool at the Canmore Inn and Suites on Sunday morning, prompting emergency crews to declare a mass casualty incident.

What We’ve Learned. We heard about the incident shortly after it happened on Jan. 25, but held off reporting until officials could confirm what occurred, how serious it was, and the likely cause. Over the past 48 hours, we followed up with the Town of Canmore, Alberta Health Services, and RCMP to piece together a clearer picture.

What Happened Inside the Pool Area. According to the Town of Canmore, witnesses reported a strong odour in the pool area, followed by vomiting and coughing among children staying at the hotel for a weekend youth hockey tournament. About 30 children were in the pool area at the time. Canmore Fire-Rescue, Alberta Emergency Health Services, and RCMP responded and evacuated pool users to a triage area near the lobby. 

Nine patients were assessed on site and sent to Canmore General Hospital with their parents. One child was transported by ambulance. In total, 11 children were assessed at hospital. Ten were in stable, non-life-threatening condition. One was later transferred to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary in serious but stable condition, according to Alberta Health Services.

What Caused It? Fire-Rescue air monitoring detected elevated levels of a hazardous substance in the pool area, suspected to be chlorine based on symptoms and location. Ventilation was implemented, and an independent contractor later assessed the pool and mechanical room, finding no immediate danger.

How Common Is This? According to Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health records, hotel pools are among the more common sites for recreational water facility closures in Alberta. Between 2018 and 2025, hotel pools accounted for six of eight closure orders province-wide, with half occurring in the Bow Valley.

What Officials Are Saying? RCMP say the incident is not believed to be criminal and that there is no ongoing public risk. Premier Danielle Smith publicly thanked first responders and wished the children a full recovery.

A SPA DAY… FOR YOUR EYEBALLS

Dry eyes aren’t just annoying, they’re exhausting. The stinging, burning, gritty feeling? That’s your corneas begging for backup.

At Canmore Family Eyecare, Dr. Jo offers something beyond the usual drops and hot compresses: a high-tech, in-clinic treatment that’s basically a spa day for your eyes.

Using gentle radiofrequency heat and intense pulsed light, these treatments target the root cause, clogged or underperforming glands that affect your tear quality. It’s warm, soothing, and surprisingly relaxing.

Bonus? It also helps stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation around the eyes, hello, brighter skin.

It’s the only clinic in the Bow Valley offering this level of dry eye care, and winter is when symptoms hit hardest.

Bow Valley Insiders get 10% off their dry eye consultation and treatment.

Fill out this quick form to receive the offer, and Dr. Jo and her team will be in touch to book your appointment.

_{*Presented by Canmore Family Eyecare.}

THE DIGEST

• 🔥 A Big Bill for Bragg Creek Responders. A December fire destroyed part of the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services station near Bragg Creek, wiping out a four-bay hall and critical response equipment. The volunteer service covers Redwood Meadows, Bragg Creek, and large sections of Kananaskis. Crews remain operational thanks to mutual aid and donated vehicles, but insurance only goes so far. With no commercial tax base and just 351 homes, the service now faces a $1.5M rebuild gap. Read our full story to see photos from the blaze and learn how you can help. 

• 📚 Canmore’s Most Borrowed Books Look Nothing Like Banff’s. You may remember we recently shared Banff’s most borrowed books of 2025. Now the data’s in from the Canmore Public Library and the contrast is kind of wild. There’s zero overlap between the two towns. Canmore readers leaned hard into fantasy epics, contemporary fiction, and even a local history title, alongside a single Lonely Planet guide. Check out the full Canmore list here, and yes, you can reserve every one of them locally.

• ✅ Canmore Nordic Centre Goes All-In on Biathlon and Year-Round Use. A $27.1M expansion is complete at the Canmore Nordic Centre, delivering Olympic-calibre biathlon facilities while expanding access for everyday users. Upgrades include new operations buildings, redesigned competition trails, expanded stadium and range, upgraded snowmaking, and the world’s longest engineered snow trail. The investment helped secure the 2029 Biathlon World Cup Finals and supports a site that sees more than 900,000 visitors a year.

• 🐻 Why Parks Canada Overruled Its Own Wildlife Experts. You may remember the black bear relocated near Sunshine Village earlier this winter. New documents obtained by an access to information request show the move was ordered by Banff National Park leadership despite repeated objections from wildlife staff, who pushed for closures and traffic restrictions instead. Managers cited public safety concerns tied to heavy skier and vehicle traffic at the resort. The bear was moved anyway. Despite that, it later re-denned in the Sunshine area, prompting a closure around its new den.

• 🤍 Paraglider Killed After Crash Near Ha Ling Peak. RCMP say a male paraglider died after crashing into the side of Ha Ling Peak on Jan. 18. Officers and emergency crews responded just before noon, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the incident is not believed to be criminal, though the cause remains under investigation pending autopsy results. Ha Ling is listed as one of two authorized launch and landing areas in Kananaskis.

We recently chatted with a local community group.

They were running workshops and needed more people to sign up. It cost $30 per person.

They told us they spent $500 on print ads to promote it.

Only two people signed up because of the ads.

That means they spent $500 to make $60. Tough math.

Print can work sometimes. For this group, it didn’t. The point is this: your marketing should clearly pay for itself.

If you want to talk about marketing with results, fill out this quick form.

POLL FINDS BANFF DIVIDED ON SKIJORING, BUT UNITED ON ONE POINT

What’s Happening? A Bow Valley Insider reader poll following Banff’s skijoring weekend shows a narrow split on whether the event should continue, but broadly aligned on one point: it has outgrown Banff Avenue.

The Numbers. Out of 669 respondents, 53.66% said the negative impacts now outweigh the benefits, while 46.34% said skijoring is still worth it. That’s a slim margin. The comments, however, were far more decisive.

Where Both Sides Agree. Across hundreds of responses from residents, visitors, and business owners, one theme cut across the divide: the scale of the event now exceeds what Banff’s narrow main street can safely and comfortably handle. Even many supporters described the issue as “a great event in the wrong place.”

Economic Boost vs. Lived Reality. Supporters pointed to packed hotels, busy restaurants, and a rare January surge for workers and businesses. Critics did not dispute the economic upside, but described sidewalks at capacity, blocked driveways, limited emergency access, and crowding that made it difficult to even see the races. Several respondents also raised concerns about open alcohol consumption and behaviour they felt clashed with a national park setting. These observations echoed operational measures taken during the weekend, including traffic controls at the east gate to preserve emergency access.

A Convergence on Solutions. Despite differing views on whether skijoring should continue, suggested fixes were strikingly consistent: remote parking with frequent shuttles, ticketing or capped attendance, added infrastructure like seating and washrooms, and relocating the event away from Banff Avenue.

What Happens Next? The Town of Banff is now convening a multi-agency review with Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, Parks Canada, Roam Transit, and emergency services.  The debate has shifted from whether Banff should host skijoring to how and where an event of this scale can exist. As one respondent put it: “Don’t kill it. Fix it. And maybe move it.”

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• How Building Materials Shape a Project’s Carbon Footprint. Curious how construction choices affect emissions before a building even opens its doors? Join Joe Henke of ENBIX and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for an in-person workshop breaking down how carbon shows up in building materials and what that means for projects in Canada.  8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre. $15 (breakfast included)*

• Learn to Sew. Got a favourite piece of clothing that needs a little love? Bring garments with small tears, missing buttons, or fallen hems and learn how to repair them yourself with help from skilled volunteers. This hands-on mini lesson blends practical skills with sustainability. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company Free.*

• Light My Bike Banff. Celebrate winter with a glow-up on wheels. Join Community Cruisers at their bike workshop at The Fenlands, where you’ll deck out your bike with LED lights, reflectors, and flair before heading out on a relaxed evening cruise. Prizes for the brightest, most creative ride. 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. $10.

Thursday

• Meet the People Behind Bow Valley Businesses. This relaxed social brings together local business owners for easy, no-pressure networking. It’s a chance to make connections, spark collaborations, and get a better sense of who’s doing what in the Bow Valley. The evening includes two complimentary drinks, light snacks, and a mix of current and future members of the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce.  5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Wildlife Distillery, Canmore.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛎 A New Winter Dinner Worth the Drive: The Emerald Sky Dome at Emerald Lake Lodge. It’s a heated, clear dining dome where you sit under the night sky and settle in for a six-course chef’s blind tasting menu, with optional wine and cocktail pairings. It’s built for couples, double dates, or small groups, and feels more like a private alpine living room than a restaurant. Make it a full getaway and stay the night, or head over after a ski day at Lake Louise. It’s honestly something we’d recommend trying at least once this winter. More details and bookings.*

• 🦬 Inside Banff’s Growing Bison Herd. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after bison come back to Banff, this one’s for you. Parks Canada is hosting a virtual talk on Feb 4, Bringing Bison Back to Banff, tracing how the herd has grown from just 16 animals to more than 160 in a decade. The session looks at why bison were reintroduced, where they roam now, and how they’re reshaping the landscape for wildlife and people alike. Register here.

• ☕ Fuel Up While You Watch the Nordiq Championships. If you’re popping by the Nordiq Canada Championships at the Canmore Nordic Centre between Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, don’t forget to eat. Cornerstone Cafe will be open throughout the event, serving hot locally roasted coffee, baked goods, and proper lunches for spectators, volunteers, and athletes in between races. You can also order ahead of time, and pick it up when you’re ready.*

• 🎬 Canmore Summer Theatre Festival Is Casting. The Canmore Summer Theatre Festival is holding auditions for its 2026 outdoor season. This year’s productions are Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, featuring a mix of community performers and theatre professionals. Auditions take place Feb. 24 and 26 in Canmore, with video submissions also accepted. Rehearsals start in April, and performances run July 8-19. No experience required. Fill out this form. 

• 🤎 Whitebark Café Reopens With a Fresh Look. After a round of renovations, Banff’s Whitebark Café reopens today (Jan. 28), welcoming locals back into a refreshed space. Coffee and baked goods are front and centre, with a lighter food menu to start. Expect grab-and-go breakfasts, hearty daily soup, salads, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, all made in-house. The full food menu returns Friday (Jan. 30).*

CIVIC NEWS

• MD of Bighorn Emergency Calls Surge. MD of Bighorn saw a 30% increase in emergency calls in 2025, driven largely by tourism-related motor vehicle collisions along Highways 1 and 1A. Fire officials are adding staff and relying on mutual aid with nearby communities, including Canmore, as call volumes are expected to remain high into 2026.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, 3:00 PM: Viva La Noche. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $10 Cash Cover at the Door.

• Thursday, January 29th, 2026, 7:30 PM: Ladom Ensemble. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20.

SPORTS

• The Mount Robson First-Ascent Debate Isn’t Settled (Again). Gripped Magazine just resurfaced one of Canadian mountaineering’s longest-running debates: who really first climbed Mount Robson. In 1909, George Kinney claimed the summit, but doubts followed for decades. The Alpine Club of Canada ultimately credited the first ascent to Conrad Kain’s 1913 team. New analysis suggests Kinney and Curly Phillips likely reached the summit ridge, but not the true top, possibly mistaking a high point in poor conditions.

That’s all, folks!

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.