🚠 Gondola Fight Escalates

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The Highwood Pass, Canada's highest paved road, opens today after its annual winter closure, reopening access to much of southern Kananaskis. Be prepared for early-season conditions, with Alberta Parks reporting wet and muddy trails and a bear advisory still in effect. One Bow Valley Insider reader who biked the road on Friday told us she didn't see any bears, but did spot plenty of bear scat along the highway. If you're heading out that way, we've put together a guide to the best hikes, lakes, waterfalls, and viewpoints. 

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

BANFF-KANANASKIS MLA URGES PROVINCE TO REJECT SILVERTIP GONDOLA PROPOSAL

What’s Happening? Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi is urging Alberta to reject the proposed Silvertip gondola above Canmore, saying overwhelming public feedback she received opposed the project and reflected broader concerns about development pressure on protected lands in the Bow Valley.

624 Emails. One Supporter. In a June 2 letter to Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko, Elmeligi said she received 624 emails about the proposal, including 386 from constituents. According to the letter, only one expressed support.

"The collected correspondence presents a clear, consistent, and deeply felt opposition to the proposed Silvertip Gondola," Elmeligi wrote.

What Is Being Proposed? The project, led by Stone Creek Resorts, would see a gondola built on the slopes of Mount Lady Macdonald above Canmore, along with a transit hub, day lodge, viewing platforms and other visitor amenities. The proposal would also require changes to the boundaries of Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park.

The province is currently reviewing more than 5,200 submissions received during public consultations before deciding whether the project can move to the next stage of Alberta's resort approval process.

Part Of A Bigger Debate. Elmeligi told Bow Valley Insider many residents view the gondola within the broader context of several major tourism projects advancing simultaneously in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis, including Fortress Mountain Resort (which we covered in Friday’s edition) and Nakiska's summer expansion.

"I do find the Fortress and Nakiska and Silvertip, all of these happening very close together in time and in space," she said.

She said many locals expected Alberta's all-season resort strategy would help spread tourism development to other regions rather than concentrate it in an area already experiencing significant visitor pressure.

What Happens Next? Stone Creek maintains the project has been designed to avoid impacts to key wildlife corridors and says it would improve access to mountain experiences while supporting tourism infrastructure and employee housing. Alberta has not yet disclosed how many of the 5,200 consultation submissions supported or opposed the proposal, nor has it indicated when a decision will be made.

Read our full story

WHAT MOST MOVERS DON’T HELP YOU WITH

Ben here. I wanted to share something from a recent move I went through.

My mom was downsizing from a 3,500 sq ft home into a one-bedroom. Tight timeline, a lot of stress, and way more complexity than I expected.

She had large, heavy furniture that needed to be taken apart. Some items were going to her new place, others to donation, others to the dump. It wasn’t just “move everything from A to B.” It was constant decisions, logistics, and pressure.

I hired Grizzly Moving at full price. No discounts just because I’m Ben from Bow Valley Insider.

What stood out wasn’t just the move itself, it was everything around it. Joel jumped on a FaceTime walkthrough, asked detailed questions, and gave advice on how to prep and sort things before his team even arrived.

Then during the move, he just took over. Coordinated his crew, managed multiple trips, and kept everything organized.

At a certain point, I stopped worrying about it.

If you’re dealing with a move, 100% talk to Joel and his team at Grizzly Moving. They’re a local Canmore business, and it’s easily the best experience I’ve had with a move. 

Get a free quote (the more notice you can give, the better). 

_{*Presented by Grizzly Moving.}

THE DIGEST

• 📉 Banff's Emissions Are Down Nearly 50%. Banff says emissions from town-owned buildings have fallen nearly 50% since 2016, putting the municipality on track to exceed its 2030 climate target. Much of the progress has come from Alberta's cleaner electricity grid following the coal phaseout, along with local investments in solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficiency upgrades. Officials say the next challenge will be tackling emissions from natural gas heating and the town's vehicle fleet, where reductions have been harder to achieve. 

• ✅ Canmore-Born Entrepreneur Opens Pilates Studio On Main Street. Studio 103 Canmore officially opens today, bringing a new reformer Pilates studio to Main Street. Owner Shawna Clark says the studio will focus on recovery, mobility, injury prevention, and beginner-friendly classes for active Bow Valley residents. Clark told Bow Valley Insider she was inspired to open the studio after discovering Pilates herself and hopes it becomes a place where people can build community as well as strength. 

• 🎓 Bow Valley Leaders Receive Honorary Degrees. Two familiar Bow Valley names are being recognized by Alberta post-secondary institutions. Banff Caribou Properties founder Wim Pauw will receive an honorary hospitality and tourism degree from SAIT, recognizing both his industry contributions and more than $23 million in charitable giving through his family foundation. Rod Hunter, a Bearspaw First Nation councillor and respected knowledge keeper, will receive an honorary degree from the University of Calgary. 

• 📹 AI Cameras Now Watching For Wildfires Near Canmore. Two wildfire cameras in the Bow Valley have been upgraded with AI technology that can detect smoke and alert operators to potential wildfires (view camera 1, camera 2). The cameras are part of a pilot aimed at spotting fires near power infrastructure before they spread. The system continuously scans the landscape and can flag potential ignitions within minutes. Officials say the technology is intended to supplement, not replace, Alberta's network of wildfire lookout towers. 

Over The Last 12 Months…

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$28M ANNOUNCED FOR HOUSING PROJECTS IN CANMORE, BANFF, AND LAKE LOUISE

What’s Happening? Three Bow Valley housing projects will receive nearly $28 million in combined federal and provincial funding, including a $20.2 million grant for YWCA Higher Ground development in Canmore, a project that could eventually deliver up to 350 housing units and shelter spaces.

The Largest Grant Goes To Higher Ground. The YWCA project received the largest share of the funding announcement and will help support the first phase of Higher Ground, a development that combines affordable housing, supportive housing, emergency shelter space and community services.

Phase 1 is expected to include 120 housing units and cost roughly $84 million.

"The more grant funding that we can get and the more donations that we can drive towards this project, the more we can do that work and serve those who need these programs and services better," YWCA Banff CEO Ebony Rempel told Bow Valley Insider.

Banff Housing Project Receives $6.4 Million. The Town of Banff received $6.43 million for its 50 Wolf Street development, which is already under construction.

The project will deliver 75 below-market rental homes and 15 permanently below-market ownership units for people eligible to live in Banff. Town officials say the funding will help reduce the amount of debt required to complete the project.

Lake Louise Focuses On Essential Workers. The final local grant, worth $1.6 million, will support a 12-unit housing project in Lake Louise.

Unlike the Canmore and Banff developments, the units are not intended as public affordable housing. Instead, they will be reserved for essential workers, including firefighters, recreation staff and healthcare workers.

"Every piece of residential property is owned by a specific employer," Improvement District No. 9 chief administrative officer Danielle Duffy told Bow Valley Insider, describing Lake Louise's unique employer-based housing system.

Why It Matters. The funding comes as housing affordability and workforce housing shortages remain major challenges across the Bow Valley. 

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Monday Run Group. Whether you're training for a race or just trying to get out the door, all abilities are welcome. This week also includes a talk from Andy Reed on strength training for runners. 5:30 PM. Meet under the Canadian flag, Canmore Nordic Centre. Free.

• Canmore Karaoke Night. The Drake’s weekly karaoke night kicks off, with a crowd that’s usually more supportive than critical. Bonus: their fresh, oven-baked pizzas are quickly becoming a local go-to. 10 PM. The Drake Screaming Retriever. Free.*

Tuesday

• Cheap Tuesday Movie Night In Banff. Disclosure Day, the new sci-fi thriller from Steven Spielberg, follows a cybersecurity specialist and a TV meteorologist who uncover classified evidence of extraterrestrial contact and race to reveal it before a secret government organization can stop them. 6:45 PM. Lux Cinema, Banff. $8.99.

• The Artists Fighting Climate Change. What happens when artists decide making art isn't enough? This documentary follows acclaimed artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey as they blend art, ecology, biology, and climate activism, while exploring the personal cost of creating during a climate crisis. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $15.*

THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY JUST GOT ITS FIRST ELECTRIC GLACIER VEHICLE

The Columbia Icefield is now home to a new kind of glacier tour vehicle. 

Pursuit, the company behind the Columbia Icefield Adventure, recently launched what it says is the world’s first electric Ice Explorer The vehicle was purpose-built from the ground up in partnership with Manitoba-based company specialising in electrifying heavy-duty vehicles, Noble Northern. 

The engineering behind it is pretty fascinating.

With no charging station on the glacier, the vehicle generates power through rooftop solar panels and regenerative braking that recaptures energy on descents. Pursuit says reflected sunlight from the glacier helps the bifacial solar panels produce electricity from both sides.

The electric version is more than 50% lighter than the original, reducing energy use on the glacier's steep terrain. Pursuit estimates it could cut emissions by 200 to 300 kilograms of CO₂ per day compared with a diesel model, roughly equivalent to removing the daily energy use of more than 17 passenger vehicles.

If you’ve never done the Columbia Icefield Adventure before, Alberta residents can save up to 20% online.

_{*Presented by Pursuit Collections}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎉 Banff Pride Takes Over The Rooftop. The Rose & Crown's rooftop patio is hosting a Banff Pride party this Saturday, June 20, featuring DJs, drag performances, mountain views, and a dance floor that keeps going long after sunset. The evening starts on the rooftop before moving indoors for late-night music and encore performances. All are welcome. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door.*

• 🚗 Hunting for Parking In Banff? There’s a Map For That. Parks Canada now has an interactive BanffNow map showing near real-time parking availability. You can check parking conditions at places like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake shuttle lots, Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka, and other busy destinations before you leave home. It won't guarantee a spot, but it might save you from a frustrating game of parking-lot roulette.

• 💊 When A Tick Bite Becomes A Problem. Most tick bites are harmless. You pull it out, move on, and forget about it. But the first thing you should do after removing it is have someone take a look. Ticks can carry bacteria, and it’s not always obvious what you’re dealing with right away. Pharmacists can assess the bite, make sure it was removed properly, and, if needed, recommend or prescribe treatments like antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. At Banff Value Drug Mart, owner and pharmacist Varun is often the quickest first stop. No appointment, just walk in and get it checked.*

• 🏞️ Peter Lougheed Park Was Almost Part of Banff Forever. Here's a fun piece of Kananaskis history: before Peter Lougheed Provincial Park existed, much of the area was actually part of the original Rocky Mountains Park, the precursor to Banff National Park. The land was transferred to Alberta in 1930 and later became the heart of Kananaskis Country after public pressure helped convince the province to protect it rather than expand roads through it. The park was renamed in honour of former premier Peter Lougheed in 1986. 

• 🌊 Takakkaw Falls Is Back. Yoho Valley Road reopened last week, restoring access to Takakkaw Falls for the summer season. At 373 metres, it's Canada's second-highest waterfall. If we're being honest, when friends visit from out of town and ask us to choose between Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, or Takakkaw Falls, we're picking Tak every time. Our advice: show up around 7 AM. We've done it plenty of times and often had the entire place to ourselves before the tour buses roll in. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Considers Major Parking Fee Increase. Banff council is recommending more than doubling the fee businesses pay when they don't build required parking stalls, from $21,000 to $40,000 per stall. Officials say the money could help fund parking infrastructure and other solutions to manage the town's limited parking supply. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Tuesday, June 16th, 9:00 PM: Noche Caliente. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. $10.

• Tuesday, June 16th, 10:00 PM: Jesse Peters. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Nearly 3,500 Runners Took Over Banff On Sunday. If you were anywhere near Banff on Sunday morning, you probably noticed the road and trail closures. Among local standouts, Banff's Maya Gill finished ninth overall among women and first in the 25-29 age group with a time of 1:36:51, while Banff's Emily Anderson placed 11th overall and third in the same division. Canmore's Gert Du Plessis won the men's 60-64 category in 1:48:07. Check results. 

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.