⛽ Fuel Shortages

Good morning, Bow Valley!

You've probably noticed we've been hiring a lot lately. Guilty. And here's another one. This time, it's a full-time Associate Editor/Journalist role. This person will write our breaking news stories, edit our newsroom, and own the digital publication you're reading right now, the one that lands in more than 20,000 inboxes three mornings a week. We'll also be offering a signing bonus for candidates who already live in the Bow Valley, currently work in news, journalism, or content marketing here, and can start before the end of August. Here’s the full job posting. 

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers

RESEARCH EXAMINES WHETHER BANFF HAS REACHED OVERTOURISM

What's Happening? We recently caught up with Chris Cullinane after he defended his master's thesis on a question many Bow Valley residents have asked: Has Banff reached overtourism? His research found widespread concern about crowding, but no consensus. While nearly 88% of survey respondents said yes, local leaders in government, tourism, and conservation were far more hesitant to use the term. 

The Research. Chris Cullinane, an Irish graduate student who previously worked at the Chateau Lake Louise, interviewed local leaders and surveyed 345 people, more than 85% of whom live in the Bow Valley. 

Survey respondents overwhelmingly favoured stronger measures, with a cap on park visitors emerging as the most popular solution. But the experts Cullinane interviewed, including Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi and master interpretive guide Mike Vincent, all viewed visitor caps as impractical. Instead, they favoured reducing vehicle traffic and improving transportation.

It's More About Cars Than People. As his research evolved, Cullinane came to agree with that perspective, arguing many of Banff's biggest frustrations stem from traffic congestion rather than the number of visitors.

"A lot of the issues around overcrowding come down to overcrowding of vehicles, traffic and congestion," he said. "One person takes up a whole lot less room than one car."

Banff Isn't Barcelona. Cullinane said Banff's challenges differ from high-profile overtourism hotspots such as Barcelona and Venice, where housing pressures and resident frustration dominate the conversation. While those issues are also part of the discussion in Banff, he said a national park adds another layer, with environmental impacts playing a much larger role. He also noted that overcrowding is concentrated at a handful of popular attractions.

No Easy Answer. Despite months of research, Cullinane stopped short of declaring Banff an overtourism case. "It is super complicated," he said. "I don't have the answer to say straightforwardly whether overtourism is taking place in Banff or not. I don't think any individual or organization does."

Read our full interview

INTRODUCING THE 2026 BOW VALLEY INSIDER AWARDS

Today we're excited to launch something we've wanted to do for a long time.

The Bow Valley Insider Awards are your chance to recognize the local businesses that make Banff and Canmore such incredible places to live.

These awards aren't based on advertising dollars. They aren't chosen by our editorial team. And they certainly aren't one person's opinion.

They're decided by the people who know these businesses best: the locals who actually use them.

This is the Bow Valley community saying:

"We've been here. We've spent our money here. We trust this business. We'd recommend it to our friends."

Voting is now open across 85 different award categories, covering everything from the best burger and bakery to lawyers, fitness studios, hotels, outdoor adventure companies, and more.

Don't see your favourite business listed? No problem. Every category includes an open nomination field, so you can still vote for the business you believe deserves to win.

Voting will remain open until September 15, 2026.

What happens to the winners?

First, every winner will be featured in Bow Valley Insider, so our entire community can discover the businesses local residents recommend most.

Second, every winner will receive a custom Bow Valley Insider Readers' Choice Award trophy to proudly display in their storefront, office, restaurant, or workspace.

And finally, we'll create a permanent online directory of all 2026 winners. Whether someone is searching for the best burger, a trusted lawyer, an exceptional mechanic, or anything in between, they'll have a community-backed guide to the businesses locals recommend most.

If you've ever wanted to support a local business that's gone above and beyond for you, this is your chance.

Voting for the 2026 Bow Valley Insider Awards is officially open now.

Head to awards.bowvalleyinsider.com to cast your votes.

THE DIGEST

• 🔥 Small Wildfire Quickly Contained Near Emerald Lake. Visitors around Emerald Lake may have noticed helicopters and smoke Monday as Parks Canada crews responded to a small wildfire between Emerald Lake and Burgess Pass. The blaze was brought under control the same evening after burning just 0.01 hectares. Officials say there was never any threat to visitors or infrastructure and no trail or area closures were required. The cause has not yet been determined. A park-wide fire ban remains in effect across Yoho National Park. 

• 🌌 This Year's Meteor Shower Could Be the Best Since 2007. If the recent smoke continues to clear, Bow Valley residents could be in for one of the best Perseid meteor showers in nearly two decades. The annual shower peaks one week from today on the night of Aug. 12-13, and this year's rare new moon means even faint meteors should be visible because there will be virtually no moonlight washing out the sky. We chatted with Banff photographer Paul Zizka, who recommends getting away from city lights and staying out after midnight.  

• 🦇 Parks Canada Rescues Bat From Banff Auditorium. A quarterly staff meeting at the Banff Centre took an unexpected turn when a bat began circling above the audience, prompting Parks Canada's wildlife team to safely capture and release it. Officials evacuated the room while specially equipped staff netted the bat, which was later released unharmed. The incident also served as a reminder that Banff National Park is home to at least seven bat species. 

• 💥 Arrest Made in Wildfire Linked to Bow Valley Smoke. Some of the smoke drifting into the Bow Valley over the past week has come from the Spokane, Washington area, where authorities have now arrested a 37-year-old man on a charge of first-degree arson. Investigators say a public tip led officers to the suspect, who was allegedly seen where the fire first started. The Old Trails Fire is one of three major wildfires burning around Spokane, forcing roughly 67,000 evacuations and destroying at least 700 structures.

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

August? 1 spot left
September? 70% filled
October? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

B.C. POWER OUTAGES TRIGGER FUEL RUSH IN CANMORE

What's Happening? Rumours that Canmore had run out of gasoline spread quickly over the August long weekend after wildfire-related power outages in southeastern B.C. knocked fuel stations offline across much of the Columbia Valley. We checked in with local gas station managers, who told Bow Valley Insider demand surged, but widespread shortages never materialized.

What Sparked The Rush? On Aug. 2, wildfire damage to transmission infrastructure left nearly 18,000 BC Hydro customers without power, including communities such as Golden, Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs. DriveBC warned there was no fuel or EV charging available between Revelstoke and the Alberta border, sending many travellers east toward Banff and Canmore to fill up.

Busy, But Not Empty. Sunil Patel, manager of the Canmore Esso on Railway Ave, said the station anticipated heavy long weekend traffic and ordered extra fuel deliveries in advance. "Because there was no fuel in Golden, everybody was coming over here to fill up," he told Bow Valley Insider. The station briefly ran out of regular gasoline for about 30 minutes on Sunday, but premium fuel remained available until the next delivery arrived.

A manager at the Lake Louise Petro gas station described a similar situation, with regular fuel unavailable for about an hour Sunday evening before deliveries restored supply. Staff continued selling premium gasoline during the interruption and said reports of widespread shortages were exaggerated.

The Real Problem Was The Lineups. At the Canmore Shell on Bow Valley Trail, attendant Manpreet Kaur said motorists routinely waited 30 to 40 minutes to reach the pumps as vehicles queued throughout the property. Some travellers also filled multiple jerry cans before returning west, where fuel remained unavailable.

Back To Normal. By Tuesday morning, Canmore, Lake Louise, Golden and Radium Hot Springs stations all reported normal fuel availability.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Farmers Market Day in Banff. More than 100 vendors fill Central Park with fresh produce, artisan goods, ready-to-eat food, baked treats, and live music. Whether you're shopping or just wandering with a coffee, it's one of the best ways to spend a Wednesday in Banff. 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free. 

• Ride With a Rockies 24 Champion. Join Canmore Brewing's weekly mountain bike ride led by local coach Ryan Draper, fresh off his solo win at Rockies 24. Expect an intermediate-to-advanced ride, local trail tips, and a post-ride pint back at the brewery. 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

Thursday

• Morning Yoga in Central Park. Start your day with an outdoor yoga class surrounded by mountain views. All experience levels are welcome, including beginners. 7:30 AM-8:30 AM. Central Park, Banff. Drop-in fees apply.

• Trivia Night at The Drake. Round up your smartest (or luckiest) friends for Trivia Thursday at The Drake. It's free to play, with prizes, drink specials, and plenty of bragging rights on the line. 8:00 PM-11:00 PM. The Drake, Canmore. No Cover.*

MEET THE TWO WOMEN HELPING LOCALS ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THEIR GLASSES

Most people think glasses are pretty simple: pick a frame you like, throw some lenses in, done. But according to the two newest opticians at Canmore Family Eyecare, that’s usually where things go wrong.

Sarah Oxner has worked in optical for nearly 20 years, while Hannah Mae Viluan recently joined the clinic after completing her practicum there. One thing both say surprises patients? Glasses are far more customized than most people realize. Frame size, lens design, coatings, measurements, prescription strength, lifestyle, even how often you wear them all matter.

“A lot of people think all lenses are the same,” Hannah says. “But they’re customized for each person.”

Sarah says one of the biggest misconceptions is that wearing glasses makes vision worse over time. “That’s just an old myth,” she explains.

The two say a big part of their job is helping patients understand the differences between lens options, coatings, frame fit, and what actually works best for their daily life, not just what looks good on the shelf.

“I’d rather a patient maximize their lenses and pick a less expensive frame when necessary,” Sarah says.

Both say their philosophy is simple: educate patients, explain options honestly, and help people find what actually works for their eyes, lifestyle, and budget. Or as Sarah puts it: “We don't believe in one option for everyone.”

Head down to Canmore Family Eyecare for a customized glasses fitting with one of their expert opticians. 

_{*Presented by Canmore Family Eyecare.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ☕ Brew Your Way to the Canadian Championships. Think your AeroPress recipe has what it takes? Eclipse Coffee Roasters is looking for competitors for the Canadian AeroPress Championship regional qualifier on Sept. 13 in Canmore. The winner earns a spot at the national championship in Calgary this October, with a chance to advance to the world stage. Every competitor receives the competition coffee in advance to perfect their recipe, and the event doubles as a great networking opportunity for coffee lovers, baristas, and roasters. Get details or check out the official rulebook.*

• 👶 A New Grandson for Canmore’s Mayor. A sweet bit of family news from Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert: his second grandchild, Thomas Sean Krausert (Tommy), arrived on July 31. Tommy joins parents Ben and Sarah and big sister Annie, while Mayor Krausert and his wife, Janet, are now delighted grandparents of two. Congratulations to the entire Krausert family, and a warm Bow Valley Insider welcome to baby Tommy. See a picture here.

• 🍽️ Bow Valley Locals Get $20 Off This Banff Dinner. You probably saw us mention Fat Ox's Ravello Long Table Dinner last week. Now there's an extra reason to book. Bow Valley residents can save $20, bringing the price down to $99 per person. Inspired by Italy's famous Ravello Festival, the Aug. 11 evening includes a welcome cocktail, live jazz, mountain views, and a multi-course menu featuring fresh oysters, grilled octopus, seafood linguine, salmon, and house-made lemon tarts. Locals book here.*

• 🐻 Another Bear Closure Hits Kananaskis. Alberta Parks closed the Bill Benson Trail and part of the Lower Lake Trail yesterday after bears with cubs were repeatedly spotted in the area. The closure joins several others already in place across Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, including portions of the Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit, Everest Expedition Trail, and the paved bike path near Lower Lake. If you're heading into Kananaskis, double-check the trail advisories. 

• 🫟 The Bow Valley's Most Colourful Roadside Landmark. If you've ever driven Highway 1, chances are you've spotted the graffiti-covered gas station near Seebe (location here). Built in 1962 as a Phillips 66 before later becoming the Fort Chiniki Gas Station, it once housed a restaurant, garage and, for a time, even a go-kart track. After closing in the 1990s, it found a second life as an ever-changing street art gallery with a DIY skate park tucked inside. Check out the video footage.

CIVIC NEWS

• Kids Brighten Up Grotto Crosswalk. A group of seven- to nine-year-olds gave a Canmore crosswalk a colourful new look this week as part of the Biosphere Institute's Give Back & Grow program. Along the way, they learned about reducing waste and proper recycling, while the project hopes to discourage the illegal dumping that regularly happens beside nearby garbage bins. See photos of the kids’ art. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, August 5th, 9:00 PM: Open Mic / Jam Night. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Thursday, August 6th, 10:00 PM: Dangerous Cheese. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Coach Moving On. The Canmore Eagles are losing Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Bryan Arneson, who has accepted the head coaching job with Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team in Saskatchewan. Arneson spent nearly a decade with the Eagles as both a player and coach, helping guide the organization to its first AJHL championship last season. Eagles Head Coach Andrew Milne called his departure "a tremendous loss." 

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.