🤍 Fatal Fall

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Not sure what you’ve got planned for New Year’s Eve, but we asked around the Bow Valley Insider office and most of us will be in bed before 9:30 PM. Call it lame, call it practical. And yes, we’re fully aware we now get to use the corniest line in human history: see you next year.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

AVALANCHE TERRAIN JUST GOT RE-RATED IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

What’s Happening? Avalanche terrain in the Rockies just got a major update. Bow Valley Insider sat down with Canmore-based mountain guide and avalanche forecaster Grant Statham to unpack ATES 2.0, the updated Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale, a system that changes how avalanche risk is classified.

The Old Rule of Thumb is Out. For years, avalanche advice boiled down to slope angle: below 30 degrees felt safe, above it dangerous. Statham says that approach has always been incomplete. Avalanches can start above you, travel long distances, and run into flatter areas where people feel falsely protected.

“Terrain matters far beyond the slope,” he told us.

So What Changed With ATES 2.0. ATES long rated terrain as Class 1, 2, or 3. The updated system expands that to five classes, with the biggest changes at both ends. Class 0 now clearly identifies terrain with no avalanche exposure, while Class 4 captures very large, steep, high-consequence terrain that was previously grouped together.

In Statham’s words, it finally separates low-risk outings from what he calls “tiger country.”

Why Slope Angle is Not Enough. Slope angle can create a false sense of safety. You might be standing on relatively flat ground while steep, unstable slopes loom above you. If an avalanche releases higher up, it can still sweep into the area you’re in. Even small slides can become deadly depending on what lies below. In some terrain, the greatest risk is not being buried by snow, but being pushed into a cliff or narrow gully.

Instead of focusing only on steepness, ATES looks at overall exposure. It considers where avalanches start, where they travel, how often they occur, and what happens if someone is caught.

In Places Like Canmore and Banff, where recreation overlaps with serious terrain, ATES 2.0 brings added clarity. Daily snow conditions still come from Avalanche Canada. Used together, the tools help people choose terrain that matches the snow conditions on any given day.

Learn more in our full article on how Alberta Parks is re-mapping Kananaskis using computer algorithms and the new ATES classification. 

THE POST-HOLIDAY RESET YOU’LL THANK YOURSELF FOR

A quick shout-out to our favourite cleaner, Zoe. She’s been cleaning our publisher Ben’s place for nearly a year, and he still swears by her. After the holidays, there’s nothing better than hitting reset. Less clutter, less chaos, more breathing room. If your place could use a fresh start after hosting, traveling, or just surviving December, Zoe’s your person. She told us she has a few openings in January. (Yes, she also does offices.)

Book a quick call with her and see how she can make your life easier.*

THE DIGEST

• 🤍 Skier Dies After Falling Into Deep Snow at Sunshine Village. A 47-year-old woman, Farah Merchant, died Saturday after falling into deep snow on a green run. The incident was witnessed, with ski patrol arriving within minutes, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful. Sunshine says the death was caused by deep snow immersion. According to the National Ski Areas Association, this type of accident can lead to immobilization and suffocation. December has been the resort’s fourth snowiest on record. Here’s everything we know so far.

• 🎆 No Fireworks Planned for New Year’s Eve in Canmore or Banff. If you’re waiting for midnight fireworks, don’t hold your breath. In Canmore, fireworks are fully banned after council removed its last exemption in 2024, including for New Year’s Eve. In Banff, municipal bylaws and national park rules prohibit them altogether. Both towns are leaning into quieter celebrations this year, with skating, music, and family-friendly events instead of pyrotechnics.

• 💩 Litter and Human Waste Are Becoming a Bigger Problem in Banff. Banff’s parks staff say litter and human waste are showing up more often across town, adding pressure to already stretched crews. At a recent council presentation, staff cited everything from trash to fecal matter and discarded diapers, tied partly to shifting visitor patterns and more day users. There’s no specific fix proposed yet, just an issue staff say they’re managing as best they can. See the hotspot locations. 

• ❄️ Snowbanks in Lake Louise Are Actually Buried Cars. You’re not going to believe these photos sent to us by a Lake Louise local. That “snowbank” is actually parked cars buried under more than a metre of snow. After four straight days of intense snowfall, some vehicles were left untouched and disappeared, taking locals hours to dig out. The relentless snow is reshaping daily routines and turning shovelling into a full-on community event.

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.

TOWN OF BANFF REJECTS NEW $3.5M PARKING LOT

What’s Happening? Town of Banff council unanimously rejected a proposed East Intercept Parking Lot, shelving a $3.5 million pilot near the town’s east entrance after raising concerns about safety, cost, and whether the location made sense at all.

The Idea, in Theory. Intercept parking is meant to catch vehicles before they reach downtown, then move people in by foot or transit. Banff already has a version near the train station, but has long lacked an intercept lot on the east side, where most visitors arrive.

Staff pitched the Hawk Avenue site as a proof-of-concept pilot on municipal land near the Roam Transit facility. The plan called for a surface lot, framed as low-commitment, with about $400,000 in year-one design costs and roughly $3.1 million to build.

Why Council Said No. Councillors focused on one major flaw: the site sits across the railway from town. Staff acknowledged it was “on the wrong side of the tracks” and would rely entirely on shuttle service, with no safe walking route.

Councillors worried visitors would inevitably cross the tracks on foot. Others questioned the value of piloting an expensive lot in a hidden, non-intuitive location that would require frequent shuttles and added operating costs.

The Bigger Question. Mayor Corrie DiManno framed the discussion as useful but revealing. While intercept parking is often suggested as a fix, she said the town remains land-constrained at the east entrance. She also questioned whether adding parking supply actually aligns with Banff’s goal of reducing car traffic, especially without stronger disincentives to driving into town.

Bottom Line. The motion failed unanimously. Banff’s long-discussed east intercept parking idea remains unresolved, constrained by land, rail safety, and a bigger debate about how the town wants people to arrive and move around.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday - New Year’s Eve

• Five New Year’s Eve Picks We Actually Recommend. We pulled together five New Year’s Eve plans we’d genuinely recommend to friends, from trivia night to candlelit dinners, live jazz, and fancy cocktails. There are solid options for couples, friends and families. If you’re still deciding, read the full list and pick your vibe before reservations disappear.*

Thursday

• New Year’s Day Brunch at Fat Ox. Start 2026 with comfort and indulgence. Perfect for a relaxed morning or a festive gathering with friends. The menu combines classic Italian warmth, you know, pasta for breakfast; with brunch favourites like steak and eggs or bison hash. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Fat Ox, Banff. Check the special brunch menu and reserve a table.*

• Slow Flow & Nidra. Join Lydia and Sarah for a nourishing yoga experience designed to help you unwind after the holidays and step gently into 2026. This workshop blends slow, mindful movement with deeply restorative Yoga Nidra, offering space to rest, reset, and reconnect. A calming, supportive practice for anyone craving softness, grounding, and a clear exhale before the new year. 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Yoga Lounge, Canmore. 

JOIN OUR JANUARY ICE CLIMBING ADVENTURE

If you’re feeling a little adventurous this winter, this one’s for you. 

We’re running a beginner-friendly ice climbing experience on Jan. 31 that’s equal parts instruction and fun. You’ll climb real ice waterfalls in Kananaskis with our friend Braeden from Leviathan Mountain Guides. No climbing experience needed. Rock or gym climbing is totally fine. But, if you’ve already ice climbed before, this will likely feel too introductory. 

Spots are capped at six so everyone gets plenty of time on the ice. More details here. 

Note: If the booking link won’t let you pay, the spots are already gone.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎬 Last Chance for ABBA in Banff. The ABBA-Solutely Fabulous Holiday Show wraps Jan. 4 at the Banff Springs, and audiences have been raving. One local called it “pure fun with infectious energy.” Another said, “I was singing and smiling the whole night.” With glitter, harmonies, and all the hits, this holiday party leaves no one sitting still. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off. Tickets here.*

• 💡 2026 Vision Board Workshop. Join resident yoga teacher, Chie, for a creative, low-pressure evening of reflecting, dreaming, and mapping out your goals for the year ahead. Bring personal images or mementos. Basic crafting supplies are provided. With two dates offered due to popular demand, choose the night that works best and register early.

• Borrow, Don’t Buy. Why buy it when you can borrow it? The Canmore Library of Things lets you check out all kinds of items, from a bread maker, board games, puzzles, and fidget toys, to walking poles, bike locks, a Nintendo Switch, and even tools like an impact drill, car code reader, jump starter, or extension cord. Save money, reduce waste, and try something new and it’s all for free with your library card. 

• 🥂 Canmore’s Own Award-Winning Yerba Mate. Dani and Alvaro fell in love with Canmore’s mountains and community and decided to make it home. They brought their Chilean yerba mate traditions with them, crafting energizing infusions designed for adventure, connection, and mountain life. This year, their drinks, No Se Llama Yerba Mate, were named Best Beverage Made in Alberta. Check out their drink collections here. 

• 🚗 A Good Time to Check Your Emergency Car Kit. With winter roads, traffic jams, and unexpected delays, it’s smart to keep an emergency kit in your car. Include non-perishable food, water, blankets, extra clothing, first aid, phone chargers, hand warmers, a flashlight, shovel, and jumper cables. For icy conditions, add sand, salt, flares, and antifreeze. Thanks to Bow Valley Road Conditions for this list. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Salt Blamed for Banff Avenue Sidewalk Damage. Town staff say winter salt use is a major factor behind the structural failure of Banff Avenue’s stone sidewalks, with about 3,000 pavers already unsafe. Council has prioritized a $672,000 plan to replace all affected sidewalks over four years, balancing pedestrian safety with protecting the look and durability of Banff’s iconic downtown street. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, 9:00 PM: Black Tie Flannel.. Location: St. James Gate, Banff. $10.

• Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, 10:00 PM: Contra: Against The Rest.. Location: Banff Avenue Brewing Company. $15.

• Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Wolfie Beatz & DJ Najee V. Location: Canmore Hotel. $15.

SPORTS

• Canmore Native Noah Philp Claimed by Hurricanes. Canmore native Noah Philp is on the move after the Edmonton Oilers placed him on waivers and the Carolina Hurricanes scooped him up. The 27-year-old, who signed with the Oilers as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Alberta, struggled to crack a crowded lineup this season. 

• Canmore Rower Earns National Olympic Pathway Funding. Canmore’s Thomas Boruta is officially on the Olympic radar. The 19-year-old University of Victoria rower was named one of just 35 athletes nationwide to receive RBC Training Ground funding, out of roughly 2,500 hopefuls. New to rowing but built for it, Boruta has already caught the attention of Rowing Canada for his size, strength, and rapid progression. The funding helps cover training, travel, and living costs as he develops.

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.