🚧 Icefields Parkway Shuts

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Just a quick heads up for any last-minute stragglers thinking about joining fellow Bow Valley Insiders for our beginner ice climbing day on March 21: registration closes Monday. You don’t need any climbing experience. This is for anyone who wants to learn how to ice climb and spend a fun day outdoors scaling frozen waterfalls in Canmore. Details and registration here.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

A 109KM TRAIL BUILT ON AN OLD RAIL LINE IS EMERGING 2 HOURS FROM BANFF

What’s Happening? A partially completed 109-kilometre rail trail between Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House is already drawing international attention, even though only about half the route is finished.

Built on Rail History. The project follows a historic railway corridor and has been decades in the making. Alberta says $2.4 million funded the first 45 km, with more construction planned. Once complete, the full trail will connect Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House.

According to Discover Nordegg Tourism, interest is climbing fast, particularly from cyclists and bikepackers.

What’s Open Now. Roughly half of the 109 km corridor is currently rideable. The most popular stretch runs from Nordegg toward the Taunton Trestle Bridge, about 25 km one way. That’s a 50 km round trip, so this isn’t a casual cruise unless you’re ready for it.

For a shorter day, starting at a staging area called Harlech, trims the ride to roughly 22 km return.

Shared Trail, Real Remoteness. The route is multi-use: hikers, cyclists, horses, and off-highway vehicles all share the corridor. In winter, that can include snowshoers and sleds.

And unlike Banff or Jasper, services are limited. There are no winter gas stations between Lake Louise and Nordegg via Highway 93 and 11. Visitors are encouraged to plan carefully.

Why It’s Getting Attention. Nordegg’s pitch is simple: fewer crowds, fewer conveniences, more space. The reward is a Rockies experience that feels far less curated.

None of us on the Bow Valley Insider team has checked out the trail yet, but early reports suggest it’s an excellent bike ride, especially if you make a day of it and finish with a slice of homemade pie at the Miners Café in Nordegg.

Read our full story for maps, coordinates, and how to plan your first trip.

OFFICIALLY OPEN: OPPORTUNITY TO OWN IN BANFF

The wait is finally over! McHardy Residences is now officially available to the public.

Starting as low as $555,000, these thoughtfully designed 1 and 2 bedroom condos offer a rare chance to own in the Banff National Park. Tailored for full-time residents, these homes combine modern design with the charm of mountain living.

Designed with quality craftsmanship and long-term living in mind, enjoy luxury vinyl plank flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, and bright open-concept layouts. All backed by a 10-year new home warranty for added peace of mind.

Located at 412 Marten Street, you’re steps from local shops, restaurants, and the energy of Banff Ave in one direction, while the serene Bow River and scenic trails await in the other. 

Built for locals who call Banff home, McHardy Residences is a chance to put down roots and build equity. Contact Alex & Lori for more information.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚧 Icefields Parkway Shuts Down for Avalanche Control. Highway 93N is closed between Parker Ridge and Saskatchewan Crossing as a major winter storm rolls in. Parks Canada says the stretch will remain closed through late Friday for avalanche control. Avalanche forecasts show dangerous to very dangerous conditions, with 15 to 35 cm of snow and strong winds expected. South of the closure, the parkway remains open but is listed as travel not recommended toward Lake Louise. If Jasper or Nordegg was in your weekend plans, check 511Alberta before you go.

• 💸 74% Back Extra Camping Fee for Out-of-Province Visitors. A Bow Valley Insider poll of 467 locals found 73.88% support Alberta introducing a non-resident camping surcharge, mirroring British Columbia’s new $20 fee for out-of-province visitors. Supporters cite fairness and overcrowding, arguing Albertans already fund parks through taxes. Opponents call it divisive, saying it fuels an us-versus-them mentality between provinces. Many on both sides agree international visitors paying more makes sense. Read all your neighbours’ feedback.

• 🐶 Bow Valley Community Rallies to Save Parvo Puppies. After a litter of seven puppies at Heart Mountain Rescue tested positive for parvovirus, the Bow Valley stepped up, raising nearly $10,000 in 24 hours, with $8,854 coming directly from Bow Valley Insider readers. The pups received intensive care, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Six survived and have now fully recovered. Parvo remains a serious risk in rescue settings, but with early treatment, survival rates are high. The healthy pups are now up for adoption. Read our full article for the story behind the rescue and recovery.

• 📈 Jasper Eyes Another Summer Parking Hike. Not Bow Valley, but worth watching. Jasper council is considering raising summer paid parking rates from $4.50 to $7 per hour on-street, $3.50 to $7 in lots, and $17 to $28 for a full day. The goal is to hit a $1.8M revenue target after generating $1.39M last year. Officials say higher rates would ease congestion and support transit funding. For context, Banff recently raised peak-season parking from $7 to $12 per hour. Jasper council votes next week.

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.

HOUSING VS. PARKING: BANFF DEFENDS ELIMINATION OF PARKING AS HOUSING PIPELINE SURGES

What’s Happening? Banff council has decided not to bring back mandatory parking requirements for new housing projects, keeping in place a rule that allows developers to build fewer parking stalls per unit. The decision comes as a record 600-plus new homes are proposed or under review, and some residents raise concerns about what less on-site parking could mean for neighbourhood streets.

Why Parking Became the Battleground? In 2024, Banff removed mandatory parking minimums as part of its Housing Action Plan. The deal unlocked $4.66 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund in exchange for “bold action,” including decoupling parking from housing.

The logic: Banff cannot grow outward. With nearly all residential land inside the park boundary already developed, every underground parkade or surface lot competes directly with potential homes. Residents told council an underground parking stall can cost $65,000 to over $100,000, and cited research showing that requiring one stall per unit can increase housing costs by 12.5%.

Housing Pipeline Surges. The results have been immediate. More than 600 units are now in the development pipeline, exceeding the total number built in the previous decade. Current projects are averaging about 0.6 stalls per unit, meaning parking is still being built, just not at one-to-one levels.

The Transportation Tradeoff. Council argues reduced parking is workable because of expanded transit and mobility options. Free local transit, funded by Visitor Paid Parking, reportedly removes the equivalent of 3,000 vehicles per day during peak summer. Ridership has climbed 163% over the past decade. An e-bike rebate has supported 820 e-bike purchases, and a five-vehicle car-share pilot is set to launch this spring.

Federal Dollars in the Background. Reinstating parking minimums could jeopardize federal funding. After debate, council chose to stay the course and monitor results rather than reverse direction.

Read our full story for the entire debate and what residents had to say.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Fridays: Live Music and Pints. Community Fridays bring the pub to life with local live music and $6 happy hour pints. Calgary-born, Banff-based indie folk artist Jakeith takes the mic, blending genres and fresh off the release of “Jack’s Music,” with more on the way. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.*

Saturday

• Cornerstone Fuels Family Fat Bike Fest. A full day of winter riding is coming to the Canmore Nordic Centre for CAMBA Palooza, a family-friendly fat bike festival packed with races, demos, obstacle courses, and fire pits. Cornerstone Cafe, located inside the day lodge at the Nordic Centre, is right in the middle of the action and ready to keep you fueled. Swing by for breakfast, lunch, or snacks before or after you hit the snow. 10:00 AM. Cornerstone Cafe.*

• Dirty Bingo Is Back. Looking for a night that’s more wink than wholesome? Try Dirty Bingo. Expect cheeky laughs, playful chaos, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. It’s 18+ only, the kitchen and bar will be open, and there’s a chance to win some very sexy romance goodies. 7:00 PM. Exshaw Legion. $10.*

• Burlesque Show Lights Up Banff. Hosted by Karla Marx, this 18+ showcase brings Alberta standouts Chack Bare Again, Dare Reaire, Stemzzzz, and Bitch Sassidy to the stage for a night that blends classic striptease with boundary-pushing performance art. It’s part tease, part theatre, and fully high-energy. Expect a packed house and a loud crowd. 9:00 PM - Late. Banff Rose and Crown. Grab tickets.*

Sunday

• Little Red Riding Hood Comes to Life. Bring the kids and settle in for a playful afternoon of music and storytelling. Calgary Opera presents Little Red Riding Hood, a charming, one-hour children’s opera by composer Seymour Barab. With a few clever twists and plenty of humour, this modern retelling is the perfect introduction to opera for young audiences.1:30 PM - 2:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• Ghost River Storytelling Returns Sunday. This is the kind of afternoon that feels like sitting at a kitchen table with neighbours, except the stories stretch back generations. Local voices share personal and historical stories tied to the Ghost River area, reflecting on land, memory, and life in the foothills. Show up, grab a chair, and listen. 2:00 PM. Beaupre Community Hall. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏗️ Last Day to Weigh In on Banff Avenue’s Redesign. Today is the final day to review and share your feedback on the six concept designs for the 200 block of Banff Avenue. The proposals include new visitor centres, public plazas, Indigenous gathering spaces, and in some cases underground parking. A Banff National Park Facebook post suggested yesterday was the deadline, but the project website lists February 27, which is today, so we’re hoping you still have until the end of the day to submit feedback.

• 📲 Canmore Switching Parking App March 18. The Town of Canmore is changing parking platforms, meaning residents and visitors will use PayByPhone instead of Blinkay starting March 18. You’ll need the new app to pay, start free resident hours, or manage sessions. Physical pay machines will still work, but only for paid parking, not resident hours. Residents are encouraged to download PayByPhone from the Google Play or Apple App Store. We gave it a try, and setup took just a few minutes.

• 🥶 Bow Valley Community Takes the Cold Blast Challenge. Instead of jumping into a frozen lake, this year’s Canmore Polar Plunge swapped ice water for a full-force spray from a Canmore fire truck. The icy blast went down yesterday, with members of Protective Services stepping up to get soaked for a good cause. Funds raised support Special Olympics Alberta. Judging by the photos, it looked equal parts freezing and fun.

• 🎗 Planning a Mental Health Event in 2026? Submit Your Idea. Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction Week is opening early intake for 2026 and flipping the script on how programs are built. Instead of going solo, organizers are inviting people to submit workshop, panel, or event ideas by March 9, then connecting those with similar themes to collaborate. The goal is stronger, more impactful community events.

CIVIC NEWS

• Roam Transit Growth Could Hinge on New Land. With more than three million riders in 2025, Roam Transit has outgrown its current yard and is formally eyeing municipal land in Banff and Canmore for a larger storage and maintenance facility. Without more space, service growth could stall. With ridership rising and electrification requiring added infrastructure, securing land now is critical to easing congestion and sustaining transit growth in the Bow Valley.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, February 27th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Tom Allen: JS Bach’s Long Walk in the Snow.. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $45 / members $38.25 / youth $22.50.

• Friday, February 27th, 2025, 10:00 PM: With Intention.. Location: Banff Ave Brewing Company. $10 Cash Cover.

• Saturday, February 28th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Masmoudi Quartette.. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

• Saturday, February 28th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Northern Quarter.. Location: Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Brian McKeever Steps Into Coaching Spotlight at Paralympics. Canmore’s 20-time Paralympic medallist is heading to Milano Cortina 2026 not as an athlete, but as head coach of Canada’s Para nordic ski team. With 15 athletes competing March 6-15, McKeever says the physical work is done and the focus now is mental readiness. 

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.