🔥 Fire Drill: Could Banff Get Out?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The winter Canada Strong Pass wraps up tomorrow (Jan 15). Starting Friday, regular fees return, with gates back to full staffing and operations back to normal. Annual pass holders are covered, since extra days are automatically added to your original expiry date, though the math can get weird. Even our team had to double-check. That’s why Parks Canada has a pass expiration calculator. The shenanigans return June 19 to Sept. 7 when the Canada Strong Pass kicks off for summer.

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

HOW WOULD BANFF EVACUATE IN A REAL WILDFIRE SCENARIO?

What’s Happening? Banff is stress-testing its wildfire evacuation plans, launching new traffic modelling to see whether Highway 1 and nearby exits could handle a full-scale emergency evacuation.

Why This Is On The Radar. Banff’s geography leaves little margin for error. Banff relies almost entirely on Highway 1 as both a daily tourism artery and the main escape route in a wildfire. Town officials want clearer data on how quickly people could leave, and where congestion would likely occur.

What’s Being Studied. Two evacuation modelling projects are now underway. One is being conducted with Parks Canada and focuses on evacuation dynamics inside Banff National Park, including Banff and nearby corridors. The second is a regional effort with the Town of Canmore and the Municipal District of Bighorn, examining how evacuation traffic from multiple communities could converge on shared highways at the same time.

What Officials Want To Learn. According to Banff’s Director of Emergency and Protective Services, Katherine Severson, the modelling aims to identify likely bottlenecks, estimate clearance times, and assess whether strategies such as phased evacuations or alternate routing could reduce congestion and improve evacuation flow.

From Modelling To Real-World Testing. The studies will be used to shape how Banff prepares for real emergencies. Severson told council the findings will guide hands-on training in 2026, including coordinated response drills and a large wildfire exercise that will test how an evacuation would actually work.

What Comes Next? Mayor Corrie DiManno asked when results would be shared publicly. Severson said the regional modelling work with Canmore and the MD of Bighorn is expected to deliver an initial report by spring 2026, while a more substantial update from the Parks Canada study is anticipated by the end of 2026.

Read more about the studies in our full article.

A WORLD-CLASS WINE FESTIVAL, WITHOUT THE CITY CHAOS. RIGHT HERE IN CANMORE.

Winefest is known for filling big-city ballrooms in Calgary and Edmonton. This winter, they are doing something different. Smaller. Slower. More intentional. And it is happening right here in Canmore.

On February 13 and 14, Winefest Canmore takes over The Malcolm Hotel for a special edition designed around quality, not crowds. No racing from table to table. No shoulder-to-shoulder lines. Just a seamless, curated journey through some of the world’s most respected wine regions.

The experience starts with elegant whites like Chablis and Chardonnay, moves through classic Pinot Noir, then into structured Italian reds including Brunello and Barolo, before finishing with powerhouse Napa and Okanagan bottles and rare aged ports. Every pour is intentional. Every step is paced.

Tickets are fully all-inclusive: premium wine tastings, chef-driven hors d’oeuvres curated by Executive Chef Graham Smith, tasting seminars, and a take-home Riedel wine glass. Capacity is capped at 300 guests per session, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

It also happens to land on Valentine’s Day weekend. If you love wine, this is the Winefest you have been waiting for.

🎫 Tickets and more info here.

_{*Presented by Rocky Mountain Wine Fest.}

THE DIGEST

• ❄️ Banff Is Quietly Bankrolling Winter Festival Season. As SnowDays kicks off this weekend, the Town of Banff is lining up nearly $300,000 in town services to support winter events in 2026. That support covers things like traffic control, policing, snow clearing, waste collection, power, equipment, and staff time. Most of it backs the expanded four-week SnowDays with skijoring and snow sculptures as the main attractions. The goal is to push tourism into winter and ease summer pressure. Read more on the behind-the-scenes costs.

• 🚧 Icefields Parkway Still Closed, Reopening Expected Today. The Icefields Parkway has been closed since Sunday at 4 PM due to heavy snow and avalanche risk in Jasper National Park. Parks Canada says avalanche control has been underway and the road is expected to reopen today, conditions permitting. As of publishing, it remains closed, so if you’re travelling between Banff and Jasper, check 511 Alberta before heading out.

• 🔥 Nearly Half of Banff Fire’s Calls Are Now Medical. The Banff Fire Department handled 710 calls in 2025, up about 7% year over year, and nearly half were medical or trauma-related rather than fires. Presented to the Town of Banff, the data shows medical responses are now the department’s largest workload. Officials say the shift is putting new strain on a system still built around paid-on-call firefighters, and helped justify council’s approval of expanded health and insurance benefits.

• 🏆 Calling Johnston Canyon “Hidden” Gave Locals a Good Laugh.  A popular travel magazine just dubbed Johnston Canyon a “hidden winter gem,” which is news to anyone who’s ever searched for parking there. This is the same trail that recently ranked 10th most popular in the world, according to AllTrails. The author’s from the UK, so we’ll cut her some slack. If you actually want a quiet frozen waterfall in Banff, we’d point you to Bear Spirit, which we covered on Monday but is worth another mention.

• 🚗 Snowfall Has Turned Daily Driving Into a Debate in Canmore. Some locals say everyday driving in Canmore has been a grind. A recent report highlighted residents struggling with rutted roads, stuck cars, and delayed school buses after December precipitation jumped tenfold year over year. Meanwhile, councillor Wade Graham pushed back on Facebook, invoking a time when mountain residents were “hearty and resilient,” arguing winter comes with tradeoffs, and reminding residents that snow crews are out doing their best.

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.

$2000 FINE AFTER DRONE FLEW NEAR AVALANCHE HELICOPTER AT LAKE LOUISE

What’s Happening? A drone flight near Lake Louise last winter has now resulted in a $2,000 fine, after it overlapped with an active avalanche control helicopter and raised safety concerns from Parks Canada.

How It Unfolded. On Jan. 17, 2025, park wardens in Banff National Park responded to reports of a drone preparing to take off near the Lake Louise lakeshore despite posted no-drone signage. Wardens seized the drone and later confirmed through GPS data and onboard video that its flight path overlapped with a Parks Canada helicopter conducting avalanche control within roughly 30 minutes of the illegal flight.

Why It Matters? Parks Canada says even short recreational drone flights can force operational aircraft to land or delay missions. That can interrupt avalanche control, search and rescue, and emergency response, where timing is critical and the risk of collision is high.

What Investigators Found. Investigators determined the operator had no Parks Canada permit, had not registered the drone with Transport Canada, lacked the required pilot certification, and flew beyond visual line of sight. The operator later pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, with the money directed to the Environmental Damage Fund, a federal program that supports conservation, habitat restoration, and wildlife protection.

Part Of A Broader Enforcement Pattern. You might remember Bow Valley Insider reporting in November on a separate drone case, where an Alberta court imposed $6,000 in fines, a one-year park ban, and content removal after social media footage was used to identify illegal flights in Banff and Waterton Lakes national parks. In March 2025, an American visitor was also fined $500 for flying a drone in Banff National Park, and another recreational pilot was fined $300 for operating a drone near the Icefields Parkway.

The Bottom Line. Drones are prohibited in national parks, with penalties that can reach up to $25,000. Parks Canada says to report drone activity to Banff Dispatch (403-762-1550).

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Fat Bike Ride. Spin out midweek with a guided fat bike ride on some of Canmore’s favourite winter trails. This ride is best suited to intermediate and advanced riders looking for a solid cruise and good company. The group rolls back to the brewery to warm up with a well-earned pint. 6:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

• Bow Valley Trails Panel. Join a free info session on the Canmore Area Trails Master Plan and how it could shape recreation and wildlife across the Bow Valley. Local planners, conservation groups, and trail organizations will walk through the draft maps and explain how residents can share feedback before the deadline. 7:00-9:00 PM. Creekside Hall, Canmore or join live on Zoom.*

Thursday

• Donuts & Beating the Winter Blues. Decorate donuts, meet new people, and take part in a gentle conversation about seasonal affective disorder at this free, all-ages community event. The evening blends creativity, reflection, and connection in an accessible, welcoming space. Donuts are provided, with some gluten-free and vegan options available. 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. 101 Bear Street, Banff. Free registration required.*

• High Arctic Adventure with John Dunn. Spend an evening deep in the Canadian Arctic as veteran explorer John Dunn shares stories, images, and video from a 60-day, 900 km ski traverse of remote Axel Heiberg Island. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20/ members: $17.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💇‍♀️ A Canmore Main Street Salon Is Looking to Add a Licensed Hairstylist. Elli’s Hair West is hiring a full-time stylist for its second-floor Main Street space with big windows, great views, and a true mom-and-pop vibe. Think low stress, supportive team, and a genuinely relaxed environment in Canmore. Apply in person or email the owner, Mackenzie Robinson, at [email protected].*

• ✋ Apply to Be an Alberta Parks Ambassador. Love sharing your time outdoors? Alberta Parks is accepting applications for its 2026 ambassador program. Ambassadors explore parks across the province, create photos and videos, and promote responsible recreation while highlighting lesser-known spots. It’s unpaid, but perks include free camping, guided programs, and swag. Applications close January 25.

• 🤝 Funding Available for Local Projects Across the Bow Valley. Each year, the Banff Canmore Foundation supports projects that strengthen communities from Lake Louise to Mînî Thnî. Its grant program is one of the region’s broadest, funding local charities working on social wellbeing, the environment, and community needs. Applications close January 15. Full details.

• 🚧 In Banff, Ken Madsen Trail Closed Due to Ice. Icy conditions have forced the closure of the Ken Madsen Trail between Wolverine Street and the Banff Centre. The trail along the south edge of the Old Banff Cemetery, between Buffalo Street and the Banff Centre, is also not being maintained, and pedestrian use is discouraged until conditions improve. Check the maps here.

• 🛍️ Mountain Mercantile Has Moved and Reopened. Local Canmore shop, Mountain Mercantile, is officially open in a new location at 733 Main Street, Unit 102. If you’ve never been in, it’s a mountain lifestyle shop known for cozy, Canadian-made apparel, gifts, candles, jewelry, and home goods, plus its in-house brand, The Happiest Collection. The new space offers more room to browse, with the same warm, local vibe.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Debates Small-Home Zoning Change. A Bow Valley Insider poll shows Canmore residents narrowly support allowing up to two small secondary homes on some downtown lots, with 57% in favour. Supporters cite gentle density and reduced sprawl, while critics worry about parking, affordability, and neighbourhood character. Worth noting: this was just our poll. If you want your opinion to actually count, council will be taking feedback at a public hearing on Feb. 3.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Hit The Decks hosted by DJ Bunny Hops. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, January 15th, 2026, 6:00 PM: Steph O’Dette. Location: The Bison Restaurant, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Revisiting a Legendary Rockies Climbing Chapter. Gripped Magazine just retold the story of a little-remembered but huge moment in Rockies climbing history: a mid-2000s visit by Swiss alpinists Ueli Steck and Simon Anthamatten. In a short, relentless trip, the pair repeated elite test pieces and opened bold new winter climbing routes around Snow Dome, Mount Rundle, and Lake Louise. Many remain rarely climbed today.

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.