⛰️ Graffiti on Ha Ling

Good morning, Bow Valley!

You may or may not remember it, but at one point over the winter, a photo of a green Kia somehow parked on top of a Banff snowbank was making the rounds online. Well, fast forward to this week, and Bronwyn Biro of Alpine Bloom Bakery decided to preserve the moment. She turned it into a pie. Her Kia Lime Pie is a citrusy, coconut-topped creation with a miniature green car on top. And yes, it’s actually for sale this Wednesday at the Banff Farmers Market. We laughed out loud when we saw it. Check it out here

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

NEW RESTRICTIONS FOLLOW TOURIST DAMAGE IN THE ROCKIES

What’s Happening?  It’s been a rough week for the Rockies’ natural heritage. Fresh graffiti on Ha Ling and a new Parks Canada restriction in Yoho have renewed frustration over tourists damaging protected areas in the Rockies.

Graffiti Found on Ha Ling. On Friday, our team spotted fresh graffiti scrawled across the base of Ha Ling Peak, including names, what appears to be birthdates, and cities, etched into the mountain like a guestbook no one asked for. The spray paint wasn’t there the week before, but now the internet knows Dave Niell and Randy King were allegedly here, and commenters have thoughts (spoiler: none are supportive). See the footage here. 

No More Permits for Mount Stephen. Meanwhile, Parks Canada has officially stopped issuing hiking permits to Mount Stephen in Yoho National Park after repeated fossil thefts from the Burgess Shale. The tipping point came after two American hikers were caught on camera last summer removing six fossils from the protected site. They were later fined $4,750 each. In a separate case, a Montreal man was fined $20,000 for stealing 45 fossils in 2020. Parks Canada says the decision is about protecting an irreplaceable resource, but it’s a major loss for hikers and scramblers who followed the rules.

A Note from Us. Bow Valley Insider is working to help clean up the graffiti on Ha Ling. We’re currently in contact with authorities, including TransAlta, to determine the safest and most responsible way to remove it, especially given the water reservoir below. We’ll keep you updated on how you can get involved once a plan is in place.

Whether graffiti or fossils: Some things are better left untouched.

TELL YOUR LANDLORD YOU’RE SEEING OTHER PEOPLE

You don’t hate your current spot.

You hate the lease.

The DIY fixes for things you don’t even own.

 The $150 rent hike “because of inflation.”

Feeling stuck, like your life’s on hold in someone else’s property.

Here’s a wild thought: what if you didn’t need permission to live like you belong here?

Altitude by Logel Homes is your way out.

A brand-new development in Three Sisters Mountain Village. Built for locals who are ready to stop renting and start owning.

Starting from $399K, with legit 2 bed, 2 bath options from $599K. This is your next chapter. 9-foot ceilings, real soundproofing, room for your skis and your sanity.

You don’t have to ask for stability anymore.

You just have to take it.

Phase 1 is almost gone.

The next building is live. Now it’s your move.

Click here to talk to Lauren. She’ll show you how to get out for good.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 📌 This 8-Day Banff Itinerary Was Almost Perfect (We Made It Better). Roast My Trip is our monthly series where we lovingly tear apart real Banff + Canmore travel itineraries, then rebuild them with local smarts. This one started strong: solid Canmore base, decent hikes, and iconic views. But it had a few too many lake drive-bys and some classic tourist traps. We simplified it, sharpened it, and turned it into something way more enjoyable. Check it out here. 

• 🎚 Ghost Lake Vacationers Say the Water’s Disappeared and So Has the Fun. With docks bottoming out and boats hitting gravel bars, residents are blaming TransAlta for poor reservoir management. Locals say levels are far below normal, with little explanation. The province handed over control in early July, but the promised refill never came. One longtime visitor called it “a real danger” and the worst he’s ever seen.

• ⚠️ Toxic Leak Reaches Banff Creek, Fish Expected to Be Fine. Over 800 litres of glycol (a chemical that's toxic to fish) leaked into a storm drain from Mineral Springs Hospital during upgrades. Parks Canada says the impact was short-term and localized. Cleanup was swift, testing shows safe levels, and while the investigation is ongoing, no charges have been laid.

• 🐻 Bear Warning Issued for Troll Falls Trail. A grizzly bluff-charged a visitor near Troll Falls, prompting an area-wide bear warning as of July 19. The alert covers Troll Falls, Hay Meadows, parts of Skogan Pass, and southern Stoney Trail. Officials remind hikers that bears can appear anywhere in Kananaskis, so stay alert, make noise, and carry bear spray.

• 🔎 SUV Tied To Missing Woman Passed Through Lake Louise. Natanis Merasty, 24, was last seen in Edmonton on May 5. Her SUV was later tracked across Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan, including a stop in Lake Louise the same day she vanished. It was later found abandoned and repainted. Police call the disappearance suspicious.

Stop paying for ads people recycle ♻️

You know the ones. Wedged between the tire sales and supermarket coupons.

Bow Valley Insider lands where 15,000+ locals actually pay attention — their inbox.

It’s sharp. It’s local. It works.

➡️ Let’s get your business in here where it belongs

TOURISTS RESCUED AFTER RENTING FROM ILLEGAL CANOE VENDOR

What’s Happening? We first reported on this story on July 16, but now more details are emerging. Parks Canada is investigating an illegal canoe rental business at Lake Louise after three tourists had to be rescued from a green canoe rented from a man in a floral-print ball cap who wasn’t part of any licensed operation.

Canoe, Cash, and Chaos. The impromptu entrepreneur was reportedly offering cheaper rentals without a Parks Canada business licence, a serious offence under federal law. That licence isn’t just paperwork. It ensures safety gear, insurance, and emergency procedures are in place. The unauthorized rental resulted in an official rescue by Fairmont Chateau’s boathouse crew, whose legit rentals run up to $170/hour.

Safety vs. Side Hustles. The online fallout was swift and split. Some commenters mocked the crackdown (“Call the Canoe SWAT!”), while others warned that cold water and unsafe gear can be fatal. A few locals saw this as symbolic of larger issues, such as monopolies, inaccessible pricing, and bureaucratic red tape that blocks small businesses from operating in the parks.

Park Rules, Public Mood. Under current rules, even fundraising or guiding requires a permit, and violations can lead to hefty fines or jail. Meanwhile, frustration is mounting over perceived over-enforcement on low-risk violations, especially as other park issues like overcrowding and wildlife risk go unchecked.

From Canoes to Cold Plunges. In case you missed it: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is also making headlines for a more legit reason. Their new Nordic spa, BASIN Glacial Waters, opens Sept. 15, complete with saunas, plunge pools, and guided steam ceremonies. Just don’t try to paddle to it.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Water Engagement Summit. Join the Nakoda Youth Council and the Bow River Basin Council for this summit. Participants will participate in workshops and learning opportunities designed to engage youth in Indigenous-led, community-based monitoring projects. All Day. Star 6 Ranch. 

• Stuffie Making for Adults. Create your own, unique stuffie using found, thrifted, and repurposed fabrics. You will learn some simple sewing stitches and the basics of stuffie creations. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Banff Library. Free. 

Tuesday

• Free Drop-In Program. Youth in grades 5 through 8 are invited to participate in indoor and outdoor activities (free play, sports, arts, crafts and more). Meet at the Rundle Cabin in Sundance Park, Banff, between 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Free. 

• Inclusive Yoga Class. All are welcome to participate in this free yoga class presented by Banff Pride. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to the mat, this class is designed to embrace everyone. 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Flow State, Banff. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🛎️ The Nordic Centre’s Best-Kept Food Secret. We checked out Cornerstone Cafe at the Nordic Centre, and yep, it’s off the main strip, but the food tastes like it belongs right in the heart of town (minus the price tag). Bonus: they’ve got healthy takeaway meals and a killer view. Perfect after disc golf or just for a quiet lunch. Check out our visit here.*

• 🥂 Afternoon Happy Hour. Monday through Thursday, hit up Murrietta’s in Downtown Canmore for $6 draft, $7 house wine, sangria, and well highballs. Hungry? They have a $15 pizza to fill your stomach while you enjoy views of the mountains.*

• 💃 Highland Dancer Registration Today. Dance registrations for the Canmore Highland Games open today (Monday, July 21) at 6 PM. Secure your spot through their website. Don’t miss your chance to step onto the stage at this beloved Bow Valley tradition. 

• 🥗 Banff Summer Food Bank. This summer, the Banff Food Bank is a pilot program to help meet increased seasonal demand. Extra support means more fresh and non-perishable food for local families, workers, and students who face food insecurity. More information.

• 🚘 Free Car Show. The Rolling Sculpture Car Club hosts its annual Car & Motorcycle Show in Canmore this Saturday. Gates open at 9 AM (5 Street Gate). No pre-registration needed, just roll in and register for $20 per vehicle. Free admission for spectators.

• 🏨 Stay at the Banff Springs for $69 a Night? Sure, just fire up your time machine and punch in 1990. Big thanks to Duncan Crerar for unearthing this Calgary Herald ad from an era when hotel rates were cheaper than brunch in Banff.

• 👋 Meet Jimmy, The Heart Behind Rocky Mountain Live. Jimmy is the founder and driving force behind Rocky Mountain Live, a volunteer-run, non-profit community media hub that spotlights live music across Banff, Canmore, Jasper, and beyond. We often link to his website in the Live Music section. Why? Because his mission is helping artists, venues, and music lovers connect and thrive in the mountain scene. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Electronic Tax Bills Available. Banff residents and businesses can now opt in to get tax bills and assessments electronically.

• Election Works Needed. Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn are looking for election workers for this fall’s municipal election. You need to be 18 years of age and available to work between October 6-20th. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday July 21st  2025, 6:00 PM: Sunset Festival: Steph O’Dette. Location: Banff Gondola. 

• Monday July 21st  2025, 6:00 PM: Phillip Alexander Nugent. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Tuesday July 22nd  2025, 10:00 PM:New Originals. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Name Captain. Congratulations to Casey Black, the 31st captain in Eagles franchise history. The organization is excited for the season ahead and continued growth with Black leading the group into the 25/26 AJHL. 

• Banff’s Liam Wallace Survived a Near-Fatal Crash. Now He’s Eyeing the Olympics. After a life-threatening crash in Bulgaria left him with chest trauma and a collapsed lung, Banff-raised skier Liam Wallace wasn’t sure if he’d ever ski again. But he clawed his way back, winning races, regaining confidence, and now training for his best season yet. His biggest takeaway? “It doesn’t matter unless you’re happy and healthy.”

• Canmore’s Holly Phillips Earns First Cap in Rugby Canada Debut. After a decade of grit, injuries, and cross-continental commitment, Canmore-raised Holly Phillips made her international debut for Rugby Canada on July 5 in South Africa. The former Banff Bear came off the bench as a hooker in Canada’s 50–20 win over the Springbok Women, a proud milestone on her path to the 2025 World Cup. Selection news is expected this month.

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.