👮 Fewer Cops in Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

This past weekend marked a milestone for us, the first Bow Valley Insider Adventure Club trip. We tackled a via ferrata overlooking Abraham Lake, and honestly, we weren’t sure it would happen. With fresh snow and a full-on storm near Lake Louise, things looked questionable. But by the time we reached the trailhead, the skies cleared, the rock was dry, and it turned into an awesome day.

Huge thanks to Laura, Wendy, Bridget, Sharlene, Megan, and Ryan for being the first to join us. Megan made a quick recap video. Seeing everyone out there together made me (Ben) genuinely happy, and it’s just the beginning. We’ve got plenty more adventures coming this winter. Also, big thanks to our guide Braeden from Levithan Mountain Guides.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF FACES $130,000 FINE REVENUE SHORTFALL AMID RCMP STAFFING GAPS

What’s Happening? Banff council was told last month the town is on track to finish the year nearly on budget, with a $79,000 surplus. But fines revenue is down by $130,000, and Town officials say staffing is largely to blame. “We would obviously enforce more if we had the officers at full strength,” said Town Manager Kelly Gibson.

Not the Whole Story. Banff RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Buxton-Carr told Bow Valley Insider the connection between police staffing and fine revenue is real but likely overstated. Based on his discussions with Town officials, he said it was his understanding that about $30,000 of the $130,000 shortfall came from RCMP enforcement, with the remainder related to municipal and parking fines. 

Short Staffed and Stretched Thin. The Banff detachment has 20 officer positions, but only 16 are currently available for front-line duty. One member has been suspended since 2022, and three are on medical leave. That’s an effective 20% resource shortage. “Pro-active policing is greatly impacted by the availability of resources,” Buxton-Carr said.

Housing and Hiring Challenges. Buxton-Carr cited the cost of living and lack of staff housing as the main barrier to recruitment. Town spokesperson Jason Darrah agreed, noting that Banff’s housing costs and size make it difficult to attract new officers.

Fewer Provincial Traffic Officers. Banff once had four provincially funded RCMP traffic officers. Only one remains, meaning less enforcement on highways and major routes through the park.

Crime Down, Despite Gaps. Buxton-Carr said public safety hasn’t suffered. Banff’s Crime Severity Index dropped from 118.4 in 2022 to 65.2 in 2023, and the detachment expects to increase traffic and impaired driving enforcement in 2025 as compared to 2024.

Read our full story for a closer look behind Banff’s fine revenue dip and what it says about policing.

OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS, BED BUG CALLS HAVE INCREASED 500% IN THE BOW VALLEY

If your property welcomes travelers from around the world, it’s also welcoming what they bring with them, and sometimes that includes bed bugs. 

Innovative Pest Solutions has seen a 500% spike in local bed bug calls across the Bow Valley in just four years, driven mostly by hotels and short-term rentals.

These little hitchhikers thrive on guest turnover, spreading fast and quietly until it’s too late.

That’s why Innovative Pest Solutions offers routine inspections and preventative bio-treatments that fit seamlessly around your booking schedule. Their bioinsecticide works even where traditional sprays fail, tackling pesticide-resistant bugs before they become headlines.

Whether you manage one condo, ten condos, or a full hotel, prevention costs a lot less than reputation repair. Keep your suites spotless and your stars intact. Book a free proactive inspection. 

(Details: Must mention Bow Valley Insider and reach out before October 31st to get free inspection)

_{*Presented by Innovative Pest Solutions.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛰️ Parks Canada Plans to Log Sulphur Mountain. Parks Canada will begin logging at the base of Sulphur Mountain this winter to reduce wildfire risk to Banff’s townsite. About 79 hectares in the Spray and Middle Springs area will be cleared this winter, with the full 125-hectare project running through spring 2027. Officials say the work will thin dense forest and help slow potential wildfire. 

• 🏞️ Ribbon Lake Campground Closing for Tree Removal. Staying on the tree news, due to a recent forest health assessment, Ribbon Lake Backcountry Campground will be closing today (Oct. 20) for the season. Crews will be in the area removing trees that are past their end-of-life. The campground will reopen for the 2026 season and visitors may notice a difference in forest density at the campground. 

• 📢 Banff’s Overtourism Debate Goes National. We’ve all heard calls from some Banff locals to cap visitor numbers, and now that debate has reached the CBC’s YouTube channel, which has 4.4 million subscribers. Conservationist Harvey Locke told CBC that visitation has “exploded” since the pandemic, with bumper-to-bumper crowds at Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Johnston Canyon. His solution? A park cap: just like a hockey game or concert. Listen here.  

• 🐺 Coyote and Wolf Warning Issued Near Bragg Creek. Alberta Parks has issued a coyote and wolf warning after a coyote persistently approached a person and their dog, ignoring shouts and thrown rocks. The advisory covers Allen Bill, Elbow River, Fullerton Trailhead, and Canyon Creek. Visitors are reminded to keep pets leashed, make plenty of noise, hike with friends, and respond aggressively if approached.

• 🗳️ It’s Election Day in the Bow Valley. Today’s the day, folks. Polls are open from 10 AM to 8 PM in both Banff and Canmore. Voters in each town can choose one mayor and up to six councillors. Banff’s mayor, Corrie DiManno, has already been acclaimed, but six council seats remain in play. Cast your ballot at Banff Town Hall or the Canmore Rec Centre on 8 Ave.

Marketing in 2025, Not 1995

📰Them: Deadlines, print runs, and fine print.

📈 Us: Click-throughs, sales data, and locally-focused.

You wouldn’t fax your customers. So why are you still printing at them?

➡️ Join the Bow Valley’s inbox revolution

CANMORE ON TRACK TO DOUBLE IN SIZE AS THREE SISTERS MOVES AHEAD

What’s Happening? After decades of debate, legal challenges, and public opposition, the massive Three Sisters Mountain Village project is finally moving forward. Construction of new homes and a wildlife underpass beneath the Trans-Canada Highway is expected to begin next year, marking one of the most significant phases of growth in Canmore’s modern history.

A Town About to Double. The long-term plan covers more than 300 hectares and could eventually add up to 7,000 homes and 15,000 residents across two areas: Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek. The first phase of Three Sisters Village includes underground utilities, 700 to 1,075 housing units, playgrounds, open spaces, an off-leash dog park, and a bike pump track. Project director Chris Ollenberger told CBC it is a “monumental step” and said Smith Creek’s first phase could be finished within five years.

Wildlife Concerns Continue. Environmental advocates say the development threatens a critical connection for wildlife moving between Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country. Tracey Henderson with Bow Valley Engage told CBC the project could “forever compromise this corridor” and make local grizzly bears more vulnerable to population loss. Construction in Smith Creek cannot begin until the new underpass is built, and wildlife fencing is already underway.

Affordable Housing Promises. Developers say at least 10 percent of new housing will be designated as affordable, rising to 20 percent if builders pursue higher density. In Canmore, “affordable” typically refers to units sold or rented below market rates through the Town’s Vital Homes program, though it is unclear whether specific pricing or eligibility thresholds for the Three Sisters development have been publicly released.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Geology Around Canmore and the Rockies. Join geologist Dr. Eva Enkelmann for a deep dive into the Rockies’ origins, from tropical seas to icy summits. She’ll explain how the mountains formed, why rock layers tilt, and how to spot key formations around town. The talk runs from 2–3 PM at the Canmore Seniors Association.

• Pasta Monday. Enjoy 50% off house-made pastas, a rotating weekly special, and 20% off bottles of wine. Perfect for after your post-work lap up Tunnel Mountain. Reservations recommended. 5:00 PM - Close. The Prow, Banff.*

• Monday Evening Trail Runs. Join the Strides crew for a free, drop-in trail run exploring scenic routes, hills, and intervals in a friendly group setting. All levels welcome. Starts at 5:30 PM under the big Canadian flag at the Nordic Centre. Free.

Tuesday

• Extended Family Swim School Strike Hours. Splash around in the leisure pool and lazy river from 11 AM –3 PM. Kids 8 and under must stay within arm’s reach of a caregiver 13+. Waterslide is closed. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply.

• Macrame Jewelry Workshop. Join Jess Sampson for a creative evening of macrame jewelry making. Learn basic knots and create your own gemstone pendant necklace and patterned bracelet. All skill levels are welcome. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $59 / members $50.15 (materials included).*

THE BOW VALLEY INSIDER ADVENTURE CLUB

We’re planning a full lineup of adventures this winter and into 2026, including ice climbing, backcountry skiing, wilderness skills courses, scrambling clinics, hut trips, mountaineering, and canyoning. While we’ll share updates in the regular Bow Valley Insider newsletter, trips will be offered first to those on our Adventure Club list. Click here to join. You’ll get early access to sign up for new trips before everyone else and the chance to vote on what we do next.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚦 Canmore Pedestrian Zone Ends. Hope you enjoyed your summer strolls down the middle of 8th Street, because as of this past Saturday (Oct. 18), cars are back. Canmore’s main street has reopened to vehicle traffic, marking the official end of the pedestrian zone until next year.

• 🍷 A Taste of Tuscany in Canmore. If a trip to Italy isn’t in the cards, this might be the next best thing. This Thursday at 6 PM, Stirling Grill is hosting a four-course Winemakers’ Dinner with Chef Graham, featuring Tuscan-inspired dishes and pours from top wineries like Castelvecchi, Mate, and Castello di Montepò. Tickets are $130. Seats are limited. Reserve here.*

• 🏗️ Building for Sustainability Symposium. Join sustainability experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in Canmore on November 6–7, 2025, at the Malcolm Hotel for a two-day event focused on resilient, low-carbon building strategies. Highlights include seven field trips, two keynote speakers, 17 workshops, and a panel on incentivizing sustainable building. Explore actionable solutions for a greener Bow Valley.*

• 💝 Calling All Bow Valley Businesses. The holidays are around the corner, and Bow Valley Christmas Spirit is calling on local businesses to help make the season brighter for families in need. Whether it’s sponsoring joy through donations, matching staff contributions, or giving through the Bow Valley Elves program, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Even offering storage space can make a difference. Learn more.*

• 🥦 Plant-Based Cooking. The Biosphere and Co+Kitchen have teamed up to explore the power of food through hands-on cooking workshops. On November 13, discover plant-based comfort foods on a budget, including upside-down tacos, mushroom donair, and kidney bean dip. Tickets are $15. Subsidized options available.*

• 🎿 Planning on Skiing in Rogers Pass This Year? Starting Nov. 15, all backcountry users in Glacier National Park will require a Winter Permit, including previously unrestricted areas like Connaught and Illecillewaet Valleys. Both annual and daily permit holders must now complete an online quiz, which opens today (Oct. 20).

• ⛷️ Cross Country Skiing at Nordic Centre Opens. The 4km Frozen Thunder loop is back, offering early-season skiing.  High-performance athletes can hit the track in the mornings (bib required), with public access after noon.Trail passes are needed until 5 PM, and evening skiing is free (bring a headlamp).

CIVIC NEWS

• Rundle Forebay Update. TransAlta has finished repairs on the Spray Canal and will gradually refill the Rundle Forebay, which supplies Canmore’s drinking water. Water levels will rise as crews complete this work. Details here.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, October 20th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tunes with Tenax. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No. Cover. 

• Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, 7:30 PM: The Deep Dark Woods. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75/ youth $17.50.

• Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, 10:00 PM:Jesse Peters. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Mountain Bike Classic Returns for 2026. Mark your calendars, the Canmore Mountain Bike Classic is back June 10–13, bringing the world’s best riders to the Rockies for another adrenaline-filled week of racing. The teaser trailer just dropped, and it’s guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Watch it here.

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.