🚧 Highway 40 Buried in Mud

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Not saying we jinxed it… but on Friday we mentioned the freshly repaved section of Highway 40 through Highwood Pass. By late Saturday, a mudslide near Mount Lipsett came crashing down and buried the road. Completely impassable. We've got the photos, video, and full details below. So much for that brand-new asphalt.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

ALBERTA TARGETS BIKE LANES. WILL BANFF AND CANMORE BE NEXT?

What’s Happening? Alberta’s transportation minister wants to rein in city bike lanes, claiming they worsen traffic. But in towns like Banff and Canmore, where cycling is central to local planning and lifestyle, that argument doesn’t hold much traction.

Big Talk in Big Cities. Minister Devin Dreeshen has suggested that if Calgary or Edmonton won’t remove bike lanes that “impede vehicle flow,” the province might step in. Ontario tried something similar in Toronto, but a court struck it down, ruling there was no evidence bike lanes caused congestion and removing them could actually make roads less safe.

How It Hits the Bow Valley. Banff and Canmore are going in the opposite direction. Banff’s Transportation Master Plan sets a goal to shift more trips to walking, biking, and transit, partly because the town simply can’t fit more cars. Over 50% of local trips already happen without a vehicle. Canmore aims for 20% bike mode share in key corridors by 2030 and has built a network of “comfortable cycling routes” to support that goal.

Why It Matters? In the Bow Valley, bike lanes aren’t political, they’re practical. They help residents commute, shop, and access nature. The nearby Legacy Trail is a key connector, and even outside town limits, cycling demand is clear: a 2020 Parks Canada/CPAWS survey of Bow Valley Parkway users found 87% were “extremely satisfied” with the car-free experience. While the province positions bike lanes as a problem, the Bow Valley sees them as part of the solution.

THE NEXT TIME THE MARKET SPIKES, YOU’LL ALREADY HAVE A PLACE

We’ve seen it before: the Bow Valley market heats up, prices jump, and locals get priced out of their own backyard.

Altitude by Logel Homes is your chance to get ahead of the next wave. Located in Three Sisters Mountain Village, this new development includes 239 condos and townhomes built for people who actually plan to live here—full-time.

1 bed, 1 bath units start at $399,900, and 2 bed, 2 bath homes start at $599,900—with premium features like quartz countertops, 9-foot ceilings, soundproofing, and smart storage built into every unit. There’s also a residents-only sauna, hot tub, and outdoor fireplace to unwind after a day in the mountains.

Phase 1 is almost sold out. Take action—so when the next price spike hits, you’ll already be home.

Click here to connect with our girl Lauren at Altitude to get more info.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes}

THE DIGEST

• 🚧 Mudslide Shuts Down Part of Highway 40. As of August 2, a mudslide has closed Highway 40 just south of Mount Lipsett, blocking access to Mist Creek Day Use, Mist Creek Trail, Mist Ridge Trail, and parts of Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. No reopening timeline yet. Icing on the cake? This stretch was freshly paved last week. Watch the video here and check the map for the exact location. 

• 🐻 Two Bear Incidents, Two Different Responses. A bear warning is now in place on Galatea Trail after a close encounter led to bear spray being deployed on August 2. Meanwhile, Parks Canada has fully closed Upper Bryant Creek Valley (including Og Pass and Upper Assiniboine Pass) through Sept. 30 to protect grizzlies during a critical feeding period. Lower Assiniboine and Wonder Pass remain open.

• 🔥 Mount Field Wildfire Now Being Held. Thanks to rain and cooler temps, the 1.5-hectare lightning-sparked wildfire in Yoho is no longer spreading. Parks Canada says the Mount Field fire is “being held,” with crews and a helicopter still working the site. No closures are in effect, but the fire remains visible from Field and the Trans-Canada.

• 🚀 ACC Huts Get Upgrades—And a New One’s on the Way. The Alpine Club of Canada is rolling out major 2025 upgrades across its hut network, including new heating and beds at Canmore’s Bell Cabin, EV chargers and wildfire protection at the Alpine Hostel, and a full reno at Shadow Lake Lodge. A brand-new Castle Mountain Cabin is also set to open this fall. 

• 🏞️ Skip the Crowds at Johnston Canyon. We rounded up five summer waterfalls near Banff that are just as stunning but far less packed. From short, beginner-friendly walks to full-day hikes, each one offers something different. One of them isn’t listed anywhere else. We also included Bow Falls, which you can still hike to despite last month’s fatal rockslide, though closure signs block access beyond the viewpoint (for good reason). Read the full guide here.

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NEW STUDY MAPS HOW HUMAN GROWTH IS BOXING IN BEARS

What’s Happening? A major new study tracked how human development is changing where grizzly bears roam in the southern Canadian Rockies including Banff, Kananaskis, and the Bow Valley corridor.

How They Studied It. Researchers tracked 109 GPS-collared grizzly bears over 20 years, then used that data to simulate bear movement in three versions of the landscape: one with no human development, one as it is today, and one with more mining and expanded towns. Think of it as running hundreds of “what-if” scenarios to see how often bears can still get from A to B.

Key Findings:

• Bears strongly avoided crossing highways and high, rocky terrain.

• In Banff and Kananaskis, where vegetation is patchy, bears were more likely to travel along roadsides—likely drawn by food but at higher risk from people and vehicles.

• Female bears mostly steered clear of towns in spring and summer; males were more likely to pass through.

• Compared to an undisturbed landscape, current development has already reduced grizzly connectivity by an average of 10.5%. Meaning bears are less likely to successfully move between key habitats

• Simulated future disturbances (like expanded town footprints) would reduce it another 4.4%.

Why It Matters? The study suggests that even modest expansions, like adding 50 km² of new development by extending town boundaries 500 metres in all directions, can chip away at the ability of bears to move safely between habitats, something critical for genetic diversity and long-term survival. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Open Swim. Perfect for all ages and abilities, it’s your time to float, splash, or do laps at your own pace. Relax, play, and cool off. Just drop in. 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-In Fees Apply.

• Yoga Classes. Jeff—friend of Bow Valley Insider and owner of The Yoga Lounge—is back this morning with two classes: Flow & Somatic Recovery at 9:45 AM, and Yoga for Bone Density at 12:30 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply.

• Banff Community Dinner. Every Monday, all are welcome to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal, good company, and warm conversation. Eat in or take out (bring your own containers). 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Georges in the Pines, Banff. Free.

Tuesday

• Women’s Pick Up Indoor Soccer. All skill levels welcome. Just show up and play. A casual way to stay active and meet others. 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Drop-in fees apply.

• Music Bingo. A fun twist on the classic bingo. Enjoy great music, good food, nice company, and possibly win the bingo. New music themes every week. 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Sullivan’s Pub, Banff. Free to Play. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✨ Last Chance: The Chillest Festival in the Foothills. Lucent is a wellness and music festival set in the foothills near Exshaw, but don’t let the word “festival” scare you. No wristbands, no EDM marathons, no pressure. Just yoga in the forest, river dips, live music, an artisan market, and a sunset potluck. Kids run wild, parents relax, and everyone belongs. August 8-10 at Star 6 Ranch. Tickets almost sold out.*

• ♠️ Chase the Ace is Back in Banff. The Banff Legion’s Chase the Ace progressive lottery is back. Win cash prizes every week while supporting veterans and the local community. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person and the jackpot grows until the Ace of Spades is drawn.*

• 📢 YMCA Reunion Event. Calling all Camp Chief Hector alumni, staff, and camp-inspired folks back to Kananaskis on Saturday, Sept 20 (9 AM–4 PM). Expect a full day of classic camp activities—canoeing, archery, high ropes, climbing, horse visits—plus fireside chats, family-friendly mini-camp fun, and lunch at Hector Lodge. Come celebrate camp’s legacy and support its future. By donation. More details.*

• 🛎️Chef’s Table at Juniper: 4 Courses With a View. Until August 31, Juniper is offering a $72 Chef’s Table experience with four courses, a side, and guaranteed front-of-house or patio seating overlooking Banff. It’s a chance to sample the best of Chef Sergio’s summer menu. Available daily for early seatings between 5–6pm. A quiet, scenic way to end the day.*

• 🍕 Happy Hour Pizzas. All pizzas at Murrieta’s are $15 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sundays through Thursdays. Think you’ve tried it all? They’ve just dropped a new Chorizo Pizza with San Marzano sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, roasted broccolini & balsamic drizzle. Yeah, it’s awesome!*

• 🐾 Jade’s Surgery Fully Funded. Thanks to generous donors and the Bow Valley SPCA, Jade’s life-changing leg amputation is now fully covered. This sweet, resilient pup underwent surgery on July 10 and is officially on the road to recovery, finally getting the pain-free life she deserves. We first shared her story last month, and we're thrilled to share this happy update.

• 💧 Where Does Canmore’s Drinking Water Come From? Normally, it’s the Rundle Forebay (a popular paddleboarding spot) fed by the Spray Canal. But with ongoing canal repairs, the town is temporarily drawing water from the downtown pump house instead. Read more here. 

• 🍱 Last Day to Order. Don’t miss your chance to get this month’s Bow Valley Fresh Food Box, a medium box packed with 15 seasonal fruits & veggies for pickup in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, or Lake Louise. Save up to 50%, fight food waste, and bring fresh produce home.

• 🫶🏻 Missing Woman Found Safe. RCMP confirmed that 25-year-old Mable Huang, who was previously reported missing in Banff, has now been located.

CIVIC NEWS

• Ghost Lake Land Annexation Hearing. On August 5th, a public hearing will go ahead over Ghost Lake’s plan to annex 42 hectares from MD of Bighorn to gain planning control over a developed shoreline area, however, Stoney Nakoda First Nation raised concerns over impacts to their land. 

• Banff Sets New Hearing. Banff will hold a second public hearing Sept. 8 on its 10–15 year Community Plan after a document posting error. New amendments focus on human use management and quality of life for residents amid visitor pressure. The updated draft will be available online by Aug 21.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, August 4th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Sunset Festival: Steph O’Dette. Location: Banff Gondola. 

• Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Phillip Alexander Nugent. Location: Banff Gondola.

• Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, 10:00 PM:Banff Punk Night.  Location: Pump and Tap, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Will McLaughlin Heads to Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Big congrats to local hockey player Will McLaughlin, who’s been named to the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

• Fifty Runners Take on the Canmore Quad. Before most of town was awake, 50 runners laced up to tackle all four iconic Canmore peaks—Ha Ling, EEOR, Grotto, and Lady Mac—logging 52 km and 5,000m of elevation gain in one go. The annual meet-up, organized by SkiUphill, isn’t a race but a gritty, self-supported challenge rooted in community spirit and grassroots camaraderie.

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.