🏔️ Fortress Just Got Approved

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Thousands of runners will be in Banff on Sunday for the sold-out Banff Half Marathon. We're telling you this for one reason: plan ahead. Sections of Bow Avenue, Vermilion Lakes Road, the Bow Valley Parkway, and parts of the Legacy Trail will face closures or restrictions throughout the morning. Norquay Road will also be reduced to one-way. Here are the full closures and timelines.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

ALBERTA APPROVES FORTRESS RESORT PLAN IN KANANASKIS WITH CONDITIONS

What’s Happening? Alberta has approved the development plan for the proposed Fortress Mountain Resort in Kananaskis, moving the project one step closer to reality. The approval comes with conditions and does not allow construction to begin, but it signals the province believes the proposal can move forward if several major issues are addressed.

Big Questions Still Need Answers. While the province approved the plan, some of the biggest concerns raised during public consultation remain unresolved, particularly water supply, wildlife impacts, and Highway 40 capacity.

"This is not the final step in the process, but it is a check saying that they're on the right path," Alberta's executive director for All-Season Resorts, Rob Simieritsch, told Bow Valley Insider.

The proposed resort would be built in five phases over at least 15 years and could eventually accommodate roughly 8,300 visitors per day.

The plan includes gondolas, mountain biking, hiking trails, and accommodations, along with attractions such as a mountain coaster, zip lines, and a via ferrata.

Water Remains A Major Hurdle. One of the biggest outstanding questions is where the resort will get enough water for future phases of development.

Simieritsch said Fortress's existing water licence is sufficient for Phase 1 and likely most of Phase 2, but additional water sources will need to be secured before later phases can proceed.

"They will not be able to proceed to the later phases until they secure the water for that," he said.

Wildlife Concerns Aren't Going Away. Public feedback also focused heavily on impacts to grizzly bears, wolverines, lynx, mountain goats, and other wildlife that use the Kananaskis Valley corridor.

Simieritsch said the province has already required changes to some proposed trails located in important grizzly bear habitat.

"Some of the trails they put on their map are in high grizzly bear use areas because of berry patches," he said.

The Bigger Debate. The decision comes as several major tourism projects are advancing simultaneously across the Bow Valley and Kananaskis region, including Nakiska's summer expansion and the proposed Silvertip gondola near Canmore.

Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi told Bow Valley Insider that many residents have questioned whether too much tourism development is being concentrated in an already busy landscape.

What's Next? Before development can proceed, Fortress must complete additional wildlife studies, environmental management plans, servicing plans, emergency-response planning, and Indigenous consultation. As Simieritsch put it: "They still have some more homework to do."

Read our full story

(P.S. Big shoutout to Madalyn for leading this reporting project. It involved a lot of coordination, multiple interviews, and some very tight deadlines. The full story is definitely worth it) 

WHY WALK-INS MISS WHAT FAMILY DOCTORS CATCH

Walk-in clinics and emergency rooms are excellent at solving the problem in front of you. What they are not built for is what happens next.

Doctors say this is where people fall through the cracks. Blood work that comes back slightly abnormal but never gets followed up. Imaging results that no one circles back to. Symptoms that seem vague on one visit but form a clear pattern over time.

At Mountain Maternity and Family Practice, continuity is the difference. 

A patient comes in multiple times with headaches or fatigue and someone notices the change. A child presents with subtle symptoms and, because there is a shared chart and history, a serious diagnosis is caught early. Mental health concerns are not treated as a single appointment but followed, adjusted, and supported before they escalate.

Family doctors are not just ruling out emergencies. They are tracking trends, checking back, and connecting the dots that short visits cannot.

The clinic is accepting new patients. Fill out this quick form, and Dr. Brendan Flowers and his team will personally follow up.

_{*Presented by Mountain Maternity & Family Practice.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚧 Spray Lakes Closure Expands Beyond The Road. We visited the June 1 rockslide closure yesterday and spoke with crews on site. While there's still no reopening timeline, officials confirmed the slope remains under assessment and closures now extend beyond the roadway. Alberta Parks has closed Grassi Lakes, including the Upper Grassi Lakes and Interpretive trails, as well as the Riders of Rohan and Reclaimer mountain bike trails. A few readers have asked about Ha Ling Peak: the trail remains open, but the usual access point is cut off. For now, hikers must detour via Highway 40, adding more than two hours to the drive from Canmore.

• ⚖️ Court Rejects New Three Sisters Appeal. The Three Sisters Mountain Village project, a long-planned development on Canmore's east side that could eventually double the town's population, cleared another legal hurdle this week. Alberta's highest court has dismissed multiple appeals related to the Three Sisters Mountain Village project, ruling the province was not required to order a new environmental assessment. Opponents argued environmental science and local conditions have changed since the project was approved in 1992, but the court found the development is still proceeding under those original approvals.

• 🕵 Historic Castle Mountain Memorial Targeted By Thieves. Lake Louise RCMP are investigating after two bronze plaques were stolen and a memorial statue vandalized at the Castle Mountain Internment Camp Memorial. The site commemorates hundreds of internees, many of Ukrainian origin, who were held at the camp between 1915 and 1917 and forced to build roads and other infrastructure in what is now Banff National Park. Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity or knows the whereabouts of the plaques to come forward. See pictures of the plaques and memorial here.

• 🐻 A Couple New Bear Warnings Before The Weekend. Wildlife officials issued fresh bear advisories yesterday for both Banff National Park and the Canmore Nordic Centre. At Rampart Creek Campground, a black bear has been frequenting the area and making close approaches to people and campsites. Meanwhile, multiple black bears, including a sow with cubs-of-the-year, have been spotted on and near trails throughout the Canmore Nordic Centre. 

SCIENTISTS WARN RARE MOSS COULD FACE MORE PRESSURE FROM NAKISKA EXPANSION

What’s Happening? Scientists monitoring a rare and threatened moss near Troll Falls are calling for stronger protections, warning that increased visitation linked to Nakiska's proposed summer expansion could add pressure to a species that appears to already be declining.

A Rare Species Under Pressure. The concern centres on Porsild's Bryum, a provincially and federally threatened moss found in only a handful of locations across North America. At Troll Falls, it grows on moist limestone cliffs fed by seepage and waterfall spray.

University of Alberta professor Rene Belland, who helped author the moss's provincial recovery plan, said long-term monitoring suggests the local population has been shrinking for years.

“The amount of water that is coming over the falls is decreasing every year,” Belland told Bow Valley Insider. “If I had to compare it to 15 years ago, there were a lot more colonies than there are today.”

Why Nakiska's Expansion Matters. The concerns come as Nakiska pursues plans to become a four-season destination, including lift-serviced mountain biking and hiking. While Troll Falls sits outside Nakiska's lease area and remains under Alberta Parks management, researchers worry the project could bring more visitors to an already sensitive area.

“I don't think there's any doubt that'll have an impact,” Belland said.

Nakiska previously told Bow Valley Insider that summer operations could help redistribute visitors throughout the valley and reduce parking pressure at Troll Falls and nearby recreation sites.

Researchers Want More Protection. Biologist Ryan James, who regularly monitors the moss, said visitors already climb on rock faces behind the waterfall where the species grows.

“You risk dislodging the moss, and then it won't grow again,” he said.

Both researchers say additional measures such as fencing, trail stewards, visitor education and stronger barriers should be considered before visitation increases further.

“I think the best thing would really be to have a fence,” Belland said.

Why It Matters. Belland said rare species often serve as early warning signs of environmental change.

“Rare species are important because usually they are the ones that are the first to disappear when the environment changes,” he said. “They're like the canary in the coal mine.”

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Ribbon Skirt Community Project. Join Stoney Nakoda artist Anna Poucette for a free Indigenous-led workshop exploring the cultural significance of ribbon skirts while helping sew skirts that will be gifted to Indigenous women and girls. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• Valbella Food Truck Is Back. The Valbella food truck is open for the season, which means Friday lunch plans now come with bratwurst, burgers, smokies, and mountain views. Find it outside the Canmore deli serving summer favourites made from Valbella’s signature meats. 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Valbella, Canmore.*

Saturday

• National Indigenous History Month Celebration. Spend the day celebrating Indigenous culture, art, and tradition at Canmore's main National Indigenous History Month event. Highlights include a pow wow demonstration featuring drumming, singing, and dancing, plus an Indigenous market and a pop-up gallery. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Canmore Civic Centre. Free. 

• Canmore MTB Classic Expo & Beer Garden. Not into racing? No problem. Saturday is the best day for spectators at the Canmore MTB Classic, with a vendor expo, beer garden, giant viewing screens, food, and some of the continent's top mountain bikers competing just steps away. 9 AM - 7 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free.*

Sunday

• Race Day Deal At The Rose & Crown. Banff Half Marathon participants can get 15% off their meal at the Rose & Crown by showing their race bib. Science says a burger and a beer taste better after 21.1km. Rose & Crown, Banff. No cover.*

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS DURING A PEST INSPECTION?

For a lot of Bow Valley homeowners, calling pest control feels like one of those "okay, this has officially become a thing" moments.

But according to Innovative Pest Solutions, most inspections happen well before things get that bad. People hear scratching in the attic. Spot a few ants near the sink. Notice wasps hanging around the roofline.

That's usually when it makes sense to bring someone in.

A typical inspection starts by figuring out why pests are showing up in the first place. The team checks foundations, vents, roofs, attics, decks, garages, and other entry points most homeowners don't even realize exist. From there, they look for signs of rodents, insects, or wildlife activity and recommend a solution based on the actual problem.

And often, that solution isn't extermination. It's sealing gaps, installing barriers, removing nests safely, and stopping pests before they settle in for the long haul.

Get a free estimate (they started local but also serve Calgary and Cochrane).

_{*Presented by Innovative Pest Solution.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎗️ Free Prostate Cancer Screening Comes To Canmore. The MAN VAN, Canada's mobile men's health clinic, will be at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club on June 17, offering free prostate cancer screening for men aged 40 to 70. The clinic provides PSA blood testing for early detection. No appointment needed, and most visits take 15 minutes. The visit is supported by the Canmore Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Canmore. Drop in 9 AM to noon.*

• 💡 Indigenous Food Workshop Comes To Canmore. In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the Biosphere Institute is hosting a hands-on workshop on June 20 with Tracey Stevens of the Îyârhe Nakoda Nation exploring how food connects us to community, culture, and place. Expect practical skills, storytelling, cultural teachings, and conversation centered on reciprocity and caring for one another. A free meal is included. Sliding-scale tickets $20-$50.*

• 🎉 Grizzly Paw’s Big Shiny Birthday Bash. Grizzly Paw is turning 30 and celebrating with a Father's Day party inspired by the glory days of the 1990s. Expect live cover bands playing 90s and 2000s favourites, brewery tours, family activities, games, food, and beer at the Old Canmore Road Beer Garden. The event runs June 21 from 12-9 PM. Tickets are $10 and include a hot dog and soda. Kids 12 and under are free. (Bow Valley Insider will be there, so come say hi if you spot us.)*

• 🗣️ Building For Sustainability Seeks Speakers. The 2026 Building for Sustainability Symposium is looking for speakers working in sustainable design, development, construction, retrofits, financing, and policy. This year's Canmore event will focus on innovation, collaboration, and practical ideas that can create meaningful change. Proposals close June 15.*

• 🛩️ Wondering About Those Low-Flying Aircraft Yesterday? We heard from several readers in Harvie Heights asking what was going on. The answer: a one-day airtanker training exercise between Parks Canada and Alberta Wildfire near the Carrot Creek area. The exercise was designed to help crews prepare for wildfire season and improve emergency coordination. There were no active wildfires, and the training was only scheduled for yesterday.

CIVIC NEWS

• Support Available For Exshaw Flood Clean-Up. The MD of Bighorn is offering assistance to residents affected by high groundwater levels, including commercial garbage bins for clean-up efforts and gasoline delivery for jerry cans. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, June 12th, 2026, 5:00 PM: DJ Tenax.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, June 13th, 2026, 9:30 PM: Northern Quarter & JT Band. Location: The Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, June 14th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Blu Beach Band With Nick Stone & The Gems. Location: The Drake, Canmore. $17.40.

• Sunday, June 14th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Contra - Against The Rest. Rooftop & Back Bar Party. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $10 Rooftop / $5 Back Bar.

SPORTS

• Whitecourt Mayor Pays Up After Eagles Championship. Remember when the Canmore Eagles beat the Whitecourt Wolverines to win the AJHL championship? It turns out there was a mayoral wager involved. This week, Whitecourt Mayor Ray Hilts showed up to council dressed head-to-toe as Eddi the Eagle to honour the bet. We don't know exactly what the terms were, but he fully committed. Watch the video. 

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.