🚡Gondola Crash: What We Know

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Wednesday, we covered a study ranking the Best Views in Canada, with Ha Ling Peak at #10 and Tunnel Mountain Trail at #11. Your response? Mild outrage. Sure, they’ve got great views—but the best the Bow Valley has to offer? Doubtful.

So, we’re taking matters into our own hands. Help us set the record straight by voting in our own (far superior) study. Share the public spots you don’t mind putting on the map—we won’t ask for your secret gems. Take the 10-second survey, and we’ll publish the definitive list.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• 2025-2026 ski passes are already here

• An update to the dog vs deer fiasco in Banff 

• How Parks Canada is honoring Abbot Hut

• Plus, $6 chili bowls, climbing workshops, live studio recordings, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form.

SKI PASS SHOWDOWN: WHICH ONE IS WORTH YOUR MONEY?

What’s Happening? We’re not even done with this year’s ski season, and multi-resort passes for the 2025-26 season are here. Spoiler: Prices are creeping up. Ikon, Epic, Mountain Collective, and Indy Pass have all announced their rates, with some new perks (and losses) in the mix.

Breaking Down The Passes:

• Ikon Pass ($1,329) – The most expensive option. Bow Valley resorts: Norquay, Sunshine, Lake Louise. Adds Austria’s Ischgl and unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin, but drops Windham Mountain Club.

• Epic Pass ($1,051) – Bow Valley resort: Nakiska. Adds unrestricted access to Switzerland’s Verbier 4 Vallées and includes bonus buddy tickets.

• Mountain Collective ($639) – Bow Valley resorts: Sunshine, Lake Louise. Also covers nearby Marmot Basin, Panorama, and Revelstoke. Loses Arapahoe Basin but remains a solid pick.

• Indy Pass ($369) – The budget-friendly choice, expanding to 250 resorts, including its first Southern Hemisphere location in Chile. No Bow Valley resorts, but Castle Mountain is included.

Is It Worth It? For 20+ days on the slopes, a pass pays off. But with most skiers logging 3-10 days, resorts are selling more than access—they're selling the dream.

FLOORS SO GOOD, YOU’LL WANT TO EAT OFF THEM

Okay, Maybe Not. But You Get the Idea.

You spend your life walking, dancing, and (let’s be honest) occasionally dropping snacks on your floor. Shouldn’t it be flawless, durable, and totally you?

That’s where March’s Flooring & Design comes in. They don’t just sell floors—they help you create a home that feels amazing from the ground up.

✔ Hardwood, vinyl, tile & carpet for any space

✔ Expert design services to tie it all together

✔ Full-service installation (because you have better things to do)

Time to upgrade? Step into their Canmore showroom or book your free design consultation today!

_{*Presented by March’s Flooring.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚡Gondola Crash at Kicking Horse. A ski gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C., crashed Monday morning after a lift hanger broke, sending a cabin with eight passengers tumbling one to three metres. No serious injuries were reported, but the gondola is shut down while Technical Safety B.C. investigates.

• 🥊Dog vs Deer Update. The owner of the offleash dog that attacked a deer in Banff was fined $300. The owner was also required to purchase a $500 vicious animal licence. The incident, caught on video, prompted swift action from town officials to enforce stricter control measures.

• ⛷️Alberta Ski Season Wrap-Up.  Nakiska and Norquay close April 21, Lake Louise May 4, and Sunshine Village May 19. Click here to get all the Alberta and BC ski resort closing dates. 

• 🛖Preserving Abbot Pass Hut. Parks Canada is working to honor the historic Abbot Pass Hut, removed in 2022 due to erosion. Plans include archiving its history, repurposing salvaged materials, and collaborating with the Alpine Club of Canada on a potential replacement hut. The site remains significant for Canada’s mountaineering heritage.

• 🔊CBC’s The Homestretch in Banff. CBC Radio’s The Homestretch is broadcasting live from Banff Public Library on Thursday, March 13, from 3-6 PM Hosts Chris Dela Torre and Jenny Howe will cover key local issues with special guests, including Banff’s mayor. Free entry—no tickets needed. Tune in on 99.1 FM or CBC Listen.

• 🌕Blood Moon. A total lunar eclipse peaks from 12:26 to 1:31 a.m. Friday, turning the moon red. No special gear needed, but photographers, get ready—this is your shot. Clear skies will offer the best view, and the next total eclipse won’t be visible here until March 2026.

OLYMPIC CHAMP BECKIE SCOTT NAMED CEO OF NORDIQ CANADA

What’s Happening? Canmore local and Olympic champion Beckie Scott is stepping into a new role as CEO of Nordiq Canada, the governing body for cross-country and para-Nordic skiing. Scott, who won Canada’s first Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, starts on March 17—the same day as the national championships at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

From Athlete to Leader. Scott, a two-time Olympic medalist and longtime anti-doping advocate, is no stranger to leadership. She co-founded Spirit North, a non-profit introducing Indigenous youth to outdoor sports, and has served on both the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Top Priorities:

• Financial Stability. She aims to secure funding for the underfunded sport, leveraging her fundraising expertise.

• Athlete Support. Drawing from her own career, she wants to build a system that helps Canada’s next generation of skiers reach the podium.

Full Circle Moment. Scott trained at the Canmore Nordic Centre—where “Beckie’s Hill” is named after her. Now, she returns to lead the sport she helped put on the map.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Canmore Coffee Connector. A chance to network, talk about business, collaborate on ideas, and/or connect over a good coffee! 14 spots available. 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Float, Canmore. Free. 

• Dinner out for $6! Enjoy a hearty bowl of chili, sourdough, cheese, and sour cream for just $6—the best value dinner in the valley! Psst.. it also makes for a great lunch the next day. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Wild Flour, Banff. $6 a bowl.

• Community Bike Ride. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just looking for a fun way to enjoy the winter scenery, this is a great way to meet new people and explore the Bow Valley. Meet at Bear Street Fire Pit, Banff. 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Free. 

• Opening Reception. Join local artists, Julia Knowlden and Ligia for refreshments and artist talks. 6:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free. 

• Spring Business Book Club. Discuss with fellow business owners and find out how they are building their business to be successful in their own way. The book for March is “Likeable Badass" by Alison Fragale. 6:15 PM - 7:45 PM. Canmore Library. Free.

• Interview Skills Workshop. Join a career coach from the Banff/Canmore Job Resource Centre to learn essential interview skills and prepare yourself for your ideal job! 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. 111 Banff Ave. Free. 

• Make & Mingle. Bring your craft projects to work on: colouring, crochet, linocuts, embroidery, doodle, etc. It’s up to you! Canmore Pride will also bring board games to play, but bring your own too. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Together. Free. 

Thursday 

• Bouldering Workshop with Ariane Brouillette. Refine your bouldering techniques and discover essential training tools to boost your strength, power, and endurance. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Canmore Climbing Gym. $30.

• Paint Your Own Patches. Join Jess, a local Banff artist, as she teaches you how to make your own iron-on patches! Use fabric paints to create a unique design that you can iron straight onto clothing or accessories to spice them up. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. YWCA Banff. Free, but registration is required. 

• Drop-In Badminton. Play a game of pick-up or bring a friend. For ages 16+.  8:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Lawrence Grassi Middle School. $5.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🧩Not Your Average Game Night. Think puzzle night is slow and quiet? Think again. Join the Speed Puzzling Competition in Canmore for 90 minutes of high-energy fun—complete with drinks, prizes, and serious bragging rights. Join yourself or grab a team and register now! Only 9 spots left. 

• 🏃‍♂️‍➡️The Ultimate Shoulder Season Challenge. Think triathlons are just for summer? Think again. The Spring Equinox Triathlon puts your endurance to the test with a 5km run, 10km fat bike, and 15km ski—all in Canmore’s stunning winter terrain. Race solo or with a team on March 29, 2025. Ready to take on the challenge? Sign-up now! Registration closes Saturday at midnight.

• 🐶Found Dog. This female black lab mix was found wandering on 9th near the bus depot on March 9, 2025. She does not have any tags. Is this your dog, or do you recognize her? Call municipal enforcement at 403.678.4244.

• 👀Missed Connection on the Sunshine Bus. This woman is looking for the guy with the “prettiest eyes”. Do you know him? 

• 🍕Pizza Fundraiser. From Wednesday March 12, through to Friday, March 14, all 3-topping large pizzas from Dominos Banff are only $11.99, and $5 from each order is donated back to The Day Care Society of Banff. Make sure you use the code 5RAISE when ordering.

• 💪MenoFIT Muscle Workshop. This 75-minute interactive workshop will cover WHY we need to strength train, training guidelines for building and maintaining muscle, the importance of protein, nutrient timing, recovery, creatine, and more! 

• 📚Spring Book Sale. Browse through thousands of hardcover and softcover books for all ages at incredible prices - all supporting your local library. Open to the general public from Friday, March 21st - Sunday, March 23rd. 

• 🧘All Sorts of Athletes in the Valley. Former CFL Player turned Instagram Sensation @thehandstandpressdude speaks candidly about yoga, life, and you guessed it… handstands. Want more? Check out Kenny’s classes at Canmore Hot Yoga or The Yoga Lounge.

• 🛝Playgrounds in Canmore. Did you know there are 33 playgrounds throughout the Town of Canmore for children up to 12 years of age? That is in addition to the pool, climbing gyms, indoor and outdoor skating, and so much more.

• 🎥Live Audience. The Slaycation Season 2 finale venue has been announced (in Banff!), and there are still spots available to be part of the live audience.

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: CANMORE ROTARY FOUNDATION

Rotary Club of Canmore and the Canmore Rotary Foundation (CRF) have been trusted partners in the non-profit sector for decades. Since 1991, the Rotary Club of Canmore has distributed millions of dollars of support and resources for our local and international communities including but not limited to: $188,000 to support communities through the COVID-19 Pandemic, committing over $111,000  to the YWCA Banff Higher Ground Women’s Shelter and the 2013 flood relief fund collected and distributed in excess of $880,000.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore’s community grant program may see changes by 2026 as Town staff review its structure. With funding increased to $40K in 2025, the council aims to support nonprofits and community initiatives better. A report with recommendations is expected in late 2025.

• The Alberta Government is hosting a series of open houses across the province, and one of them is right here in Canmore tonight on March 12 at the Creekside Hall (600B 9th Street) from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Nazo. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

• Wednesday, March 12th, 7:30 PM: Lucy MacNeil. . Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20

• Thursday, March 13th, 10:00 PM: Pickle Juice x AHRF. Location: The Drake, Canmore. $11.98. 

• Thursday, March 13th, 10:00 PM: Open Mic hosted by Garry from the Ramblin' Hey Ho Has. Location: Tommy’s Pub, Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, March 13th, 10:00 PM: Amy Weymes and The Atta Boys. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Climbing Podcast. Professional Rock Climber and co-owner of the Canmore Climbing Gym, Sonnie Trotter, launches the first episode of his new podcast, Stronger Than You Think. Listen or watch here. 

• Hockey. Canmore Eagles dropped two tough games, losing 4-3 in a shootout to Camrose and 6-5 to Drayton Valley. Now second in the South Division, they need a win in Olds and some luck to reclaim first place.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place!