🏔️ Feds Want Free Park Entry Again

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Sunshine Village opens tomorrow. Well, kind of. They're calling it a soft opening, which means you can head up to the resort, grab a drink, visit the shops and check out a small terrain park with rails, boxes and tubes. The catch? The terrain park is hike-access only; no chairlifts are open, so you'll have to earn your turns. Sunshine says it's working to open more terrain as quickly as conditions allow. So, not quite the start of ski season we were hoping for, but it's a start.

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

CANADA STRONG PASS SET TO RETURN IN SUMMER 2027 UNDER FEDERAL BUDGET. 

What’s Happening? Free admission to Banff National Park could return next summer. The federal government's Nov. 5 budget proposes renewing the Canada Strong Pass for 2027, giving visitors another summer of free entry to national parks and historic sites across Canada. That includes both Canadians and international visitors.

What’s Included? The program launched in 2025 and returned in 2026, offering free summer park admission and discounts on train travel and participating cultural attractions.

The 2027 proposal would also expand discounted access to eligible Indigenous-led museums and cultural centres. Admission to Canada's national museums would become permanently free for anyone under 25. Specific dates for next summer haven't been announced.

Banff Had Another Busy Summer. The proposal follows a summer that saw record vehicle arrivals in Banff. About 1.77 million vehicles entered town in July and August, slightly more than in 2025.

Despite the increase, traffic across the Bow River Bridge declined 4.4%, while local Roam Transit ridership rose 15%.

But What Do Locals Think? In a November 2025 Bow Valley Insider reader poll, 78% of 1,021 respondents supported charging international visitors higher park entry fees than Canadians. Many cited overcrowding and park maintenance costs, while opponents worried higher fees could discourage tourism.

There's Also A Staffing Question. The proposed renewal comes as Parks Canada moves ahead with workforce reductions. In October, 536 employees across the mountain parks received notices that their positions were under review, including 194 in Banff and 134 in Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay.

The notices don't necessarily mean job losses, but Parks Canada expects to eliminate the equivalent of approximately 500 full-time positions nationwide.

Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno previously expressed concern about the pass encouraging additional visitation during the busiest months and emphasized the importance of maintaining Parks Canada's funding and services.

What Happens Next? The proposal still needs to move through the federal budget process, and the government hasn't announced the 2027 program dates. Whether free admission will bring additional visitors to Banff, and how Parks Canada's staffing changes might affect services, remains unclear.

Read our full story

WE TRIED THE WELLNESS CLASSES HIDDEN INSIDE A CANMORE HOTEL.

Most people in Canmore know Creekside Villa as a boutique hotel. What many don’t realize is that you don’t need to book a room to take part in its wellness programming. The classes are open to locals, visitors and anyone looking to try something new.

They’re also surprisingly affordable.

While a single yoga or Pilates class can cost close to $40 at some studios, many of Creekside Villa’s regular drop-ins range from just $15 to $21. There are no memberships or hotel reservations required. Simply choose a class, reserve your spot and show up.

We recently tried two ourselves: Mindful Strength and Mobility with Emilie, followed by Restorative Yoga with Alyssa. Both were led by local practitioners in a quiet, welcoming studio tucked inside the hotel.

The schedule goes well beyond traditional yoga, too. Depending on the week, you’ll find strength and mobility, outdoor yoga, breathwork, meditation, Yoga Nidra, sound baths and other workshops.

The program was designed with locals in mind, particularly those who want affordable classes, plenty of variety and no long-term membership commitment. 

Explore the class schedule and book your spot.

_{*Presented by Creekside Villa.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐶 Banff Doghouse Is Closing After Nearly 10 Years on Banff Avenue. Banff's only dog-specific pet store, located in the Mount Royal Hotel will close Jan. 31, 2027, after owners Jenny Dunbar and Ward Betke couldn't find another location when their sublease came to an end. The shop has survived plenty, including a fire that flooded the store just hours after its 2016 opening. But Banff's competitive commercial rental market has proven a tougher challenge. Online sales will continue with a smaller selection. Read our interview with the owners about the closure.

• 🚘 Alberta's New Licence Plates Feature Moraine Lake. Starting Monday, Nov. 9, drivers can get the province's redesigned licence plates featuring one of Banff National Park's most photographed lakes and the slogan "Strong and Free." It's the first major redesign in more than 40 years, with the winning design chosen through a public competition that drew over 240,000 votes. The Three Sisters was another Bow Valley contender in the competition. Want one? Switching early costs $35, while those renewing their registration pay the usual renewal fees plus a $15 registry service charge.

• 🎬 Canmore Filmmaker Makes Banff Festival Debut. Canmore-based filmmaker Peter O’Hara is bringing his documentary Renewal to the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival this Sunday, Nov. 8. The 23-minute film follows artist David Popa as he creates three massive chalk-and-charcoal artworks on and around Alberta’s Abraham Lake, only to watch the elements erase them (see pictures). It’s a story about creativity, challenging winter conditions, and learning to let go. The screening at this year’s festival is already sold out, but the film will be available online Nov. 12-22. Read our interview with the filmmaker.

• 📈 Canmore Proposes 6.2% Property Tax Increase. Canmore homeowners could pay about $180 more in municipal property taxes next year for a typical single-detached primary residence assessed at $1.718 million. The town says rising costs, infrastructure upkeep and community growth are driving the increase. New development is expected to generate $1.5 million in additional tax revenue, but the town says growth-related expenses often come first. Another 5.4% hike is proposed for 2028. Nothing's final yet, with budget discussions continuing throughout November.

Our Ads Are Supposed To Make You Money.

So far in 2026, we’ve generated $25,313 in business for our cleaning partner, Zoe.

She does residential and commercial cleaning. You’ve probably seen her ads in Bow Valley Insider.

She makes a lot more from those ads than she spends with us.

That’s exactly how advertising should work.

If you’re a local business and want to get in front of the Bow Valley’s largest local audience, let’s talk.

PARKS CANADA RESCUES TWO CLIMBERS AFTER 18 HOURS ON MOUNT ANDROMEDA.

What’s Happening? Two climbers stranded high on Mount Andromeda in Jasper National Park were rescued after an 18-hour operation involving high winds, difficult terrain, and a 100-metre rope rescue.

So, What Happened? The climbers fell around midnight on Oct. 5 while attempting the Andromeda Strain, a challenging rock and ice climbing route near the Columbia Icefield. They were stranded about three-quarters of the way up, and strong winds meant rescuers couldn't reach them by helicopter that night.

When daylight arrived, Parks Canada's rescue team was flown to a lower point on the mountain, climbed to the top of the route and used ropes to reach the injured climbers from above.

Why Not Just Fly In? The Andromeda Strain runs through a steep gully where falling rocks, avalanches and unpredictable weather can make rescue operations especially dangerous.

Mike Adolph, technical director of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, told Bow Valley Insider that even on a good-weather day, getting a helicopter into that terrain would be tricky.

And there's another consideration: rescuers have to make sure they're not putting themselves in serious danger while trying to help someone else.

"When you think about the complexity of what they would have had to have done it's incredible the job that these guys did," Adolph said.

Here's The Bigger Takeaway. If you spend time climbing or exploring the mountains around Banff, Lake Louise or Kananaskis, this rescue is a reminder that help isn't always just a phone call away.

Bad weather, darkness and difficult terrain can delay rescue teams for hours, sometimes even days.

Adolph recommends bringing extra layers, food, water, emergency shelter, first aid supplies and a reliable way to call for help. Just as importantly, climbers should have a plan for getting back down if conditions change.

His advice is simple: "You need to be self-reliant. That's super important."

Read our full story.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Live Music And $6.50 Pints Return To Canmore Brewing. Longtime local musician Mike Petroff kicks off the Community Fridays season with songs about Canmore's colourful past, from its mining days to the 2013 flood. The weekly series brings local singers and acoustic bands to Canmore Brewing every Friday through May, with $6.50 pints during happy hour. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company, Canmore. Free.*

Saturday

• Two Mountain Films Screening At Woody's Pub In Kananaskis. Looking for something to do after a day on the slopes? Sherpas Cinema is screening two locally made mountain films, Yamnuska and Children of the Columbia, at Woody's Pub. Expect extended happy hour specials, prize draws and a chance to win a one-night stay at Kananaskis Lodge. Seating is first come, first served, so get there early. 5:00 PM. Woody's Pub, Kananaskis Village. Free.*

• Shop Secondhand Treasures At Canmore's Reuse Market. One person's clutter is another person's treasure. Reuse Rendezvous is a community market packed with pre-loved finds, upcycled creations, handmade jewelry, art and household goods. It's a chance to score something unique while keeping useful items out of landfills. Admission is free, and you can RSVP for a chance to win a prize. 10 AM-4 PM. Canmore Creekside Hall, 600 9 St. Free.*

• Hundreds Of Headlamps Will Light Up Banff This Saturday. The Winterstart Night Run returns for its 38th year, bringing runners to Banff for an 8-km race after dark. The out-and-back course follows Banff Avenue and climbs Tunnel Mountain Road, with runners encouraged to dress up and bring friends. Proceeds support Banff Alpine Racers and their youth ski programs. Saturday, Nov. 7, starting at 7 PM, with race headquarters at Rundlestone Lodge. Late registration is still open.

Sunday

• Banff Pub Launches Three-Week Hot Wing Challenge. The Rose & Crown is turning up the spice with a new hot sauce each week, starting Nov. 8. Grab a pound of featured wings for $9 and work your way up to the fiery finale on Nov. 28, when contestants will race to eat the most ghost pepper wings in five minutes for prizes and bragging rights. The final challenge requires registration. Rose & Crown, Banff. Prices Vary.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥣 Canmore Is Cooking Up a Community Cookbook. Got a family recipe that's too good to keep secret? Canmore Public Library is teaming up with Community Library Sedona in Arizona to create a cookbook filled with favourite dishes and the stories behind them. Whether it's grandma's famous cookies, a recipe passed down for generations or your go-to comfort food, they're looking for a little taste of what makes each community special. The submission deadline has been extended to Nov. 30, so there's still time to share your recipe.

• 🎖️ Banff to Mark Remembrance Day With Parade and Ceremonies. On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Banff residents will gather to honour Canada's veterans and those who lost their lives in service. A parade leaves the Banff Legion at 10:30 AM, followed by an 11 AM service at Banff Elementary School and wreath-laying back at the Legion. At 1:30 PM, a shuttle will take members of the public to additional ceremonies at the Bankhead cenotaph and two Banff cemeteries, where veterans are laid to rest.*

• 🍽️ Happy Hour Just Got Happier at The Grizzly Paw. More reasons to grab a drink (and a bite) in Canmore. The Grizzly Paw is rolling out new menu items and Happy Hour specials at all three locations: The Paw Pub Downtown, the Taproom and TANK310. Sunday through Friday, from 3-6 PM, enjoy deals on drinks, burgers, pizzas, entrées and appetizers, with food specials starting at $15. Over at TANK310, beer and wine are also 25% off.*

• 🧘🏻‍♀️ Four Days Of Yoga At Emerald Lake Lodge. Imagine waking up surrounded by snow-covered mountains, spending your mornings practicing yoga, and having your meals prepared for you. That's what's on offer at the Emerald Lake Wilderness Yoga Retreat, March 4-7, 2027. Led by world-renowned wellness instructor Sarah Harvie, this three-night getaway includes accommodation at Emerald Lake Lodge, three days of yoga and meditation, chef-curated dinners, breakfasts, and packed lunches for exploring. It's a chance to unplug without having to plan a thing. Limited spots available. See the full retreat details and book here.*

• 🍪 Sweet Treats for a Good Cause in Canmore. A little cookie can make a big difference. For the sixth year running, heart-shaped sugar cookies dipped in red icing are back for November, with 100% of sales supporting the Canmore Ladies Hospital Auxiliary and its fundraising efforts for Canmore General Hospital. At just $1.95 each, it's an easy way to give back while satisfying your sweet tooth. Cookies are available at both JK Bakery locations in Canmore and online throughout November.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Got Brush To Burn? MD of Bighorn Has A Reminder. Winter might be settling into the Bow Valley, but that doesn't mean it's time to toss everything onto a bonfire. The MD of Bighorn is reminding residents to check local burning requirements before lighting outdoor fires this season. Whether you're clearing branches or tackling a backyard cleanup, a quick check of the rules could save you some trouble.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 6th, 9:30 PM: Black Tie Flannel. Location: Melissa's Missteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 7th, 10:00 PM: DJ Styler Nazo. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, November 8th, 9:00 PM: Open Mic. Location: Beaver Bar, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• World Cup Fever Has More Canmore Kids Lacing Up Their Soccer Cleats. The excitement of this summer's FIFA World Cup appears to have reached the Bow Valley. Canmore Minor Soccer Club is reporting a jump in fall registrations, with more kids eager to hit the field and try out their favourite players' moves. But there's a catch: limited indoor training space means some young players can practise only once a week during winter, compared to two or three times for Calgary teams. The club hopes a future indoor recreation facility could help keep the momentum going.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.