🏨 Hotel Bills Could Go Up

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Here’s an update on a story we covered back in June. Remember the pilot who flew into restricted G7 airspace? Well, he will not face charges. He drifted into the no-fly zone over Kananaskis and triggered a scramble of four CF-18 fighter jets before NORAD intercepted him, issued escalating warnings, and redirected him to land in Brooks. RCMP and Transport Canada have now closed the file with no further action.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

THE PUSH FOR A HOTEL TAX IN ALBERTA’S MOUNTAIN TOWNS

What’s Happening? Canmore and Banff both face the same problem: millions of visitors use their roads, parks, trails, and utilities, but local taxpayers cover most of the bill. Alberta municipalities now want permission to introduce a new accommodation tax on hotel stays. Canmore is all for it. Banff is not convinced.

Quick Explainer: What Is an Accommodation Tax? This is a small percentage fee added to hotel rooms and short-term rentals. Other provinces already allow it. Alberta does not. Right now, towns cannot charge this fee on their own. They would need the province to change the Municipal Government Act so municipalities can create a local bylaw that sets the tax rate and decides how to spend the revenue.

Why Canmore Supports It. Mayor Sean Krausert says the town maintains infrastructure far beyond what 15,000 residents would ever need. Wastewater, trails, parks, garbage collection, and parking all scale for visitor surges. An accommodation tax, he argues, shifts some of those costs to the people who create them. A 2.5% fee could bring in about $11 million a year, paid by visitors rather than businesses, and similar charges already appear on hotel bills elsewhere.

Why Banff Wants a Bigger Conversation. Banff agrees tourism is straining its budget, but Mayor Corrie DiManno says an accommodation tax alone will not solve the town’s core challenge. Banff cannot grow. It is limited to about four square kilometres under federal law. It cannot add more hotels or expand its tax base, even as visitor numbers rise. The province also collects a 4% tourism levy, but Banff does not receive a direct share of it. DiManno wants the province to recognize the town’s unique pressures before choosing a tool.

What Happens Next? Nothing changes yet. The province has not agreed to create the tax. Even if it does, each town would still need to hold public discussions and pass its own bylaw.

Read our full interviews with both mayors. 

A NEW CANMORE HOME BUYING EXPERIENCE: PRIORITY. CHOICE. EASE.

Anyone who follows the Canmore market knows how quickly the best homes disappear. Alder and Stone is redefining that experience by giving Bow Valley buyers a calm, organized, and strategic path to ownership. No bidding wars, no last-minute scrambling, no stress.

Situated in Three Sisters Village, this new development focuses on the features buyers consistently say are missing: attached garages, private entries, rooftop decks, walkout options, and floor plans that live like a home rather than a compromise. It is the comfort and space of townhome living with the low-maintenance appeal of a condo.

VIP registration is now open, offering early access ahead of the public release. Be among the first to preview draft floor plans and receive priority selection when sales open.

If you want first choice and a smoother path to owning in Canmore, Alder and Stone is your opportunity to move with confidence.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚊 CPKC Holiday Train Skips the Bow Valley This Year. Remember the brightly lit CPKC Holiday Train, the one with the rolling concert stage that cruises past Banff this time of year? It is skipping the Bow Valley this season. Lots of Alberta stops, just not here. If you are part of our Calgary crew, you can catch it on Dec 12 from 7 to 7:30 PM at the Anderson Station. The Barenaked Ladies are performing, which is a solid 90s throwback.

• 🎬 Canmore Makes a Cameo in the New Fraggle Rock Special. Apple TV is releasing The First Snow of Fraggle Rock today, and Canmore gets a spotlight moment. For the uninitiated, Fraggles are the puppet creatures from Jim Henson’s classic series who explore the world with curiosity and a bit of chaos. In the new special, Gobo ventures into “Outer Space,” which turns out to be Canmore, in a holiday story about creativity and community. Watch here.

• 🏘️ Locals Take Possession at Ptarmigan Pointe. Ptarmigan Pointe is now welcoming residents into 18 new below-market townhomes in Stewart Creek. The project was built by Canmore Community Housing (CCH), the local nonprofit that develops affordable homes for people who live and work in town. All units were purchased by buyers on CCH’s long waitlist, with prices kept low thanks to land provided by the Town. Read our full interview with Councillor Wade Graham about his tour of the homes.

• ⛵ Canmore Explorer Sets Sail for the High Arctic. Canmore’s Pascale Marceau has wrapped the first leg of a four-month expedition to Greenland aboard the Nord Hus, a 36-foot sailboat she and partner Lonnie Dupre spent three years preparing for Arctic travel. This year’s journey covered 4,500 nautical miles through tides, icebergs, and even a near-sinking on Quebec’s north shore. The expedition continues next summer, aiming to push north while collecting seabird data for climate research.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner,

From one local biz to another: you’ve got a lot of ways to market yourself. But before you spend another dollar, ask this: “How do I know if it’s actually working?” If they can’t answer that, maybe it’s not where your money belongs. Truthfully, we know Bow Valley Insider isn’t the right fit for everyone. And that’s okay. We’re honest about it. We care more about results than selling ad space. If it is a fit, we’ll show you exactly how we can help your business grow. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

➡️ Reach out and let’s see if working together makes sense.

CALGARY-BANFF TRAIN PROPOSAL HEADS TO OTTAWA

What’s Happening? The Calgary to Banff passenger rail is back in the news. The project’s backers have officially applied for federal “Major Project” status, a designation that could fast-track approvals and open the door to federal support. This is the most significant step forward for the proposal in years.

First, What Is the Major Projects Office. The Major Projects Office is a federal body created under the new Building Canada Act. Its job is to take large, nationally significant infrastructure proposals and move them through a streamlined federal process. Projects on the list get coordinated reviews, faster decision-making, and a clear pathway for funding discussions. So far, the list includes mining, nuclear, energy, port, and hydro projects. None are in Alberta.

Why the Rail Proponents Applied. Liricon Capital, the company that owns Norquay ski hill, and Plenary Americas, a major infrastructure investor, submitted the application this week. They argue the rail line meets all the federal criteria. It would link a major airport to a national park, reduce highway pressure, support tourism, and contribute to clean growth with hydrogen-powered trains. 

What the Project Looks Like? The proposal envisions a passenger line from Calgary International Airport to Banff with stops downtown, Stoney Trail, Cochrane, Morley, and Canmore. It would run along the existing CPKC freight corridor on new parallel tracks. Fares discussed earlier were about $20 for Albertans and $40 for non-Albertans, who would help subsidize operations.

Could It Actually Happen? Backers say they are shovel-ready, but a lot of work remains. The province would need to fund the airport-to-downtown leg and CPKC would need to renegotiate track agreements. If the project is accepted by the Major Projects Office, it would mark a significant shift. If not, the proposal goes back to the usual slower process.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Friday. Local singer Carlyn Patricia Reilly brings a soft, soulful indie-folk sound to the taproom, with touches of jazz and rock reminiscent of Norah Jones. It is an easygoing way to unwind, catch up with neighbours, and ease into the weekend with warm live music. 4:00 PM–7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

• Wheel Throwing. Get hands-on with clay in a fun, beginner-friendly wheel-throwing workshop. Learn basic techniques, explore the pottery wheel, and play without pressure. Materials are included. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $52, or $44.20 for members. Register here.*

• Sip, Savor, and Celebrate. Enjoy an evening featuring international tasting stations paired with full pours of wine, beer, and cocktails or mocktails from top local vendors. A live DJ sets the mood, a curated silent auction offers unique items, and expanded cocktail seating makes it easy to mingle and unwind. 7:00 PM–11:00 PM. Malcolm Hotel, Canmore. $105.*

Saturday

• Karate Championships. Athletes from across Canada compete at the 10th annual Banff Kyokushin Championships. Expect high-energy matches and strong community spirit. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Banff Elementary School. Admission $15 per family.

• Christmas Buffet at Canmore Golf & Curling Club. Celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas buffet and live music at Sandtraps. Indulge in a deluxe dinner featuring butternut squash soup and sticky toffee pudding, then settle in for a performance by the Tracey Wilkins Quintet. 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. $60 includes both dinner and show. Tickets here.*

• Mountain Stories. Settle in with a pint and mountain-culture films. With only 100 seats, it is always a full house. This month’s feature spotlights Zhang Hong’s groundbreaking Everest summit as the first blind climber in Asia. 7:00 PM–9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Tickets $10 or $15 at the door.*

Sunday

• Banff Writers’ Group. Looking to carve out more time for writing or connect with fellow writers? The Banff Writers’ Group is a friendly and inclusive co-writing group. Beginners and seasoned writers welcome. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Canalta Hotel. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🪩 Holiday Season, ABBA Style. If your idea of Christmas cheer is more Dancing Queen than carols, this is your show. The ABBA-Solutely Fabulous Holiday Show takes over the Banff Springs Hotel from Dec. 6–Jan. 4, packed with glitter, hits, and a prize for best dressed. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🍹 Cocktail Experience. Blacktail Bar is closing out the year with a special cocktail night featuring Liquid Diplomacy, a sharing cocktail created for the 50th anniversary of the G7 Summit. The drink blends a unique ingredient from each member nation and finishes with a splash of Taylor Fladgate 50-Year-Old Tawny Port. It is a chance to try something you will not find anywhere else.*

• 🖼️ A Local Artist for the Holiday Season. This Christmas, give a gift that feels like home. Toni’s paintings celebrate the land, wildlife, and heritage of the Canadian West with warmth and meaning. Each piece is one of a kind, created by a local artist who paints with heart and history. Support local art this holiday season.  Explore or purchase Toni’s latest works Here I am and Sacred Place. Or contact him directly.*

• 🛎️ The Prow’s New Menu. The Prow in Banff is serving up a fresh new dinner menu, now featuring bison “Sloppy Joes” in mini Yorkshire puddings and a range of locally inspired dishes. You can enjoy everything from braised bison poutine and elk kabobs to vegan mountain chili, house-made pastas, and sustainable seafood, highlighting Rocky Mountain ingredients and game meats. Check out the menu.*

• 🩺 Newborn Osteopathy Checkup. Have a newborn or toddler? The Osteopathy For All clinic is offering free pediatric checkup appointments. Signs to look out for: abnormal head shape, looking over to one side more than the other, digestive disturbances, sleeping issues, and feeding issues. Book a free checkup.*

• 🧿 Pendulum Readings. Curious about pendulum readings? They are a form of intuitive guidance in which a practitioner uses a weighted pendulum to answer personal or spiritual questions. Natacha offers gentle, supportive sessions to help you tap into your intuition and find clarity in everyday decisions. If you want to try a reading, email [email protected].*

• 🍰 Christmas Baking Hack. Not a natural baker or just craving a stress-free holiday? Let Wild Flour handle the magic. From festive favourites to their indulgent Yule Log, everything is freshly baked and ready to pass off as your own. Pick up your treats on December 23 or 24. We will not tell, and neither will your neighbours. Order here.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Keeping Seniors Rooted in Banff. Banff’s Home Support Program celebrates its first year helping seniors stay independent and connected. From light housekeeping and meal prep to errands and social visits, the program has supported 31 clients and delivered over 800 hours of care making everyday life easier and keeping residents active in the community. Check out our full coverage here. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, December 5th, 2025, 9:30 PM: Country Night with Tacoma.  Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, December 6th, 2025, 7:30 PM: The Three Sisters.  Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

• Saturday, December 7th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Winter Kickoff Party + Raffle.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $13.

SPORTS

• Mixed Results for Canmore Skiers at Copper Mountain. Three Canmore athletes chasing 2026 Olympic spots kicked off their World Cup season in Colorado with a mix of highs and lows. Britt Richardson landed 16th in giant slalom and says she’s feeling at home in the top tier. Erik Read earned his first points of the year with a 27th. Jeff Read struggled to 42nd in super-G and aims to reset heading into Beaver Creek.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.