🚠 Inside The Gondola Failure

Good morning, Bow Valley!

I’m sure we’re all used to seeing prescribed burns this winter between Canmore and Lake Louise, but a new one starts today in Bow Valley Provincial Park near the Trans-Canada and the Rocky Mountain YMCA. This is that stretch just before you really feel like you’ve “entered the mountains” driving west from Calgary. Smoke will be visible for a few days while crews manage debris. If you see it, no need to report it.

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

NEW REPORT EXPLAINS WHY KICKING HORSE GONDOLA CABIN FELL LAST YEAR

What’s Happening? Some of you may remember that almost exactly a year ago, we reported on a gondola cabin falling at Golden’s Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Now, a new investigation explains how a small crack, repeated station impacts, and cold-weather steel properties ultimately led to the failure.

The Incident, Revisited. On March 10, 2025, a cabin on the Golden Eagle Express dropped about 1.5 metres shortly after leaving the base station when its hanger arm snapped. Eight passengers were inside. Minor injuries were reported. It took roughly 7.5 hours to evacuate all riders after the lift was shut down and crews switched to a manual rope evacuation.

Now, Technical Safety BC has released its findings.

A Single Point of Failure. The broken component was a hanger arm, the curved steel piece that connects the cabin to the cable. There is no backup if it fails.

Investigators say a crack likely began years earlier, possibly dating back to manufacturing in 2000. The steel used did not include specific low-temperature toughness requirements. Testing after the incident found the bent section had become brittle, making it more prone to cracking instead of flexing.

Impacts Made It Worse. About 60% of the hanger arms inspected showed signs they had bumped into station components over the years. When cabins enter slightly misaligned, the metal arm can strike guide rails meant to correct its path. The failed arm had a visible dent, indicating at least one past impact. Investigators believe those impacts likely accelerated crack growth in a section of steel that was already brittle.

Inspections in 2020, 2021, and 2023 did not detect the crack, which may have been hidden beneath galvanized coating and snow buildup. 

Why It Matters Locally. For Bow Valley skiers who regularly head west to Golden, the report underscores how rare, multi-factor failures can develop over decades. It also outlines new recommendations for manufacturers and operators, particularly around steel selection and impact monitoring.

Read our full story for the exact chain of events.

THE SAUNA WITH THE BEST SEAT IN THE BOW VALLEY

Some views in the Bow Valley require a hike, a chairlift, or a bit of effort. This one comes with a bathrobe.

Silvertip’s private sauna experience may be the only fully private sauna in the Bow Valley where you also get a front-row view of the mountains. No crowds. No rotating guests. Just your group, wood-fired heat, and the Rockies framed directly in front of you.

You start with an easy check-in, where you’re given access to spacious change rooms with showers and robes ready to go. Then you step outside to your own outdoor sauna for a full hour. Inside, you control the temperature. Some groups keep it mellow. Others turn it way up. 

Between rounds, the cold plunge wakes everything up. After a ski day, a hike, or a long week, it’s the kind of reset that you actually feel afterward.

Rates run $35 to $65 per hour, depending on the day, for up to eight people. Booking it as a couple works just fine, too.

Book your private sauna experience here.

_{*Presented by Silvertip.}

THE DIGEST

• 🧊 A Huge Ice Owl Stole the Show at Banff Ice Carving Competition. If you wandered down Bear Street during SnowDays, you likely stopped in your tracks. The now-famous ice owl, carved by Ross Baisas, wasn’t just photogenic, it was dominant. Baisas won Day 1’s team event with “The Swoop,” then took the Ice Battles final on Day 2, and grabbed first in a speed-carving round on Day 3. Twelve pro carvers competed over three days at Art of Ice. See pics of the winning ice owl here.

• 🛣 RCMP Step Up Speed Enforcement on Mînî Thnî Road. If you use Mînî Thnî Road as your shortcut to Ghost Lake or Cochrane, expect more flashing lights. RCMP have increased patrols along Highway 133X after speeding complaints from Nation members and leadership. The limit drops from 80 km/h to 50 km/h through the settlement, and enforcement is already underway with no set end date. Police say no serious incidents have been reported recently, but they’re responding to safety concerns raised by the community.

• 🚧 Rockslide Closes Highway 93S and Radium Hot Springs Pools. If you were planning a Radium soak, you’ll need a backup plan. A rockslide in Sinclair Canyon has shut down Highway 93 South between the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the Radium Hot Springs pools, in both directions. No injuries were reported, but crews are stabilizing the slope and clearing debris. The road remains closed as of this email send, with the next update expected at 12 PM. Check DriveBC before heading in that direction. See pictures of the slide. 

• 💦 Burst Pipe Evacuates Park Distillery During Deep Freeze. If you noticed steam and flashing lights on Banff Avenue yesterday morning, here’s what happened. A sprinkler pipe burst at Park Distillery around 10:47 AM, triggering the fire alarm and an evacuation. No fire was found. Smoke seen from the street came from a wood-burning oven after ventilation automatically shut off. Banff Fire Department responded within minutes, and RCMP closed southbound lanes at Wolf Street to give crews room. The road reopened by noon. Damage is still being assessed.

Traditional Media Called. It Wants Its Budget Back.

We get it. You’ve “always done” print.

But your customers are in their inbox, not your neighbor’s recycling.

We deliver clicks and sales, not column inches.

➡️ Stop funding nostalgia. Start driving results.

ALBERTA TOURISM HITS $15.2B IN VISITOR SPEND, TWO YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

What’s Happening? If it feels like there are more shoulder-season tourism campaigns, winter festivals, and year-round resort announcements in the Bow Valley lately, there’s a reason. Alberta recorded $15.2 billion in visitor spending in 2025, hitting a milestone two years ahead of schedule under its long-term tourism strategy.

Why This Is a Big Deal. The number, released by Travel Alberta, represents more than 6% year-over-year growth. For comparison, Alberta saw $10.1B in visitor spending in 2019, before the pandemic. In six years, the sector has added roughly $5B in annual economic activity. Tourism now ranks as Alberta’s fourth-largest international export sector and supports about 1 in 10 jobs provincewide. 

Outperforming Canada. The growth stands out against national trends. While Canada experienced a 2% decline in overseas arrivals in 2025, Alberta posted 3% growth. U.S. visitation rose nearly 5% in Alberta, compared to a 6% drop nationally. That matters because long-haul and U.S. visitors typically stay longer and spend more per trip.

Why the Bow Valley Sits at the Centre. This isn’t abstract policy. It connects directly to our mountain communities. 

In December, Alberta designated Fortress Mountain and Nakiska in Kananaskis as the province’s first all-season resort areas, enabling year-round redevelopment and expanded visitor services. At full buildout, Fortress envisions a resort village supporting up to 9,650 guests per day, anchored by gondolas, chairlifts, zip lines, a mountain coaster, and more than 2,500 accommodation units. 

At the same time, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is actively expanding winter programming and marketing to grow November-April demand, aiming to spread visitation more evenly through the year.

What Comes Next? The long-term goal is $25B annually in visitor spending by 2035. Reaching $15B early signals real momentum. The open question now is how quickly that growth continues, and how communities like Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis manage investment, infrastructure, housing pressures, and visitor experience as Alberta pushes toward its next benchmark.

Read our full story on Alberta’s accelerated tourism trajectory.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Folk, Celtic, and a Full Taproom Sound. Marten Borch takes over Community Friday with a rich mix of folk, Celtic, swing, and modern energy. He performs solo but sounds like a full band, turning the taproom warm and quietly electric. Enjoy happy hour pints to ease you into the weekend. 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

• Comedy Night in Canmore. Headliner Paul Kuster brings smart, story-driven comedy with bite, joined by the brilliantly offbeat Maxwell Xavier, and hosted by veteran comic Scott Dumas. If you prefer your laughs unfiltered and in real time, this one’s for you. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $21.25-$25.*

Saturday

• Adult XC Ski Race at Canmore Nordic Centre. Looking for a low-key way to push the pace this weekend? The Bow Valley Nordic Masters Cup is a low-key, adults-only ski-fun event that starts and finishes at the Chandra Crawford Warming Hut. Expect 30 to 50 racers, friendly vibes, and classic Bow Valley trails under your skis. Come race, cheer, or cruise alongside the action. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre.

• Art Exhibition Closing Party. The heARTburn afterparty returns to artsPlace Canmore for a high-energy celebration of this year’s gallery artists. Expect DJs, live performances, and a wildly entertaining Runway Fashion Show featuring wearable art creations. Come meet the 2026 artists and keep the creative fire burning. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. By Donation.*

Sunday

• Men’s Olympic Gold Medal Game. It all comes down to this. The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey gold medal. The game starts at 6:00 AM. Coffee will be strong. Nerves will be stronger. If Canada men's national ice hockey team is in it, expect alarms across the Bow Valley. Banff Rose & Crown. No cover.*

• Puppy Adoption Event. Clear your plans and prepare to meet your new best friend. Head to Pet Valu Canmore to meet dogs from Heart Mountain Rescue. Whether you are ready to adopt or just want to meet some very good dogs, this is the place to be. Warning: eye contact may lead to forever. 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Pet Valu, Canmore.*

• Free Ski & Snowboard Demo Day. Curious how new skis feel under your feet? Or ready to see if your next board is waiting for you? Head to the hill for a free on-snow demo day featuring Salomon, Blizzard, and Nordica. Test ride cutting-edge gear. First-come, first-served. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Lake Louise Ski Resort.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💞 A Winter Day Trip That Ends With Dinner. This is less about dinner and more about the whole day. Head out to Field, wander the Emerald lakeshore, maybe sneak in some cross-country skiing, then wrap it all up at the Emerald Sky Dome at Emerald Lake Lodge. The six-course chef’s tasting menu is amazing, but it’s really just the excuse to slow down and sit under the night sky in a heated, private dome for a few hours. Perfect for couples or small groups. Stay the night if you want, or drive back after. More details and bookings.*

• 🎸 Valley Winds Jazz Band Performs at artsPlace. The Valley Winds Jazz Band takes the stage at artsPlace on Sunday, March 8 for an evening of jazz, blues, Latin, and funk. The concert features guest artists Carsten Rubeling on trombone, Mark DeJong on saxophone, and Andre Wickenheiser on trumpet, all well-known musicians and bandleaders in Western Canada. Expect a full, lively big band sound in an intimate setting. Get tickets here.*

• 🌱 How to Grow Fresh Food at Home. Want to feel a little more in control of what’s on your plate? Join the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and Michelle Backhouse on Feb. 23 at 7 PM for an interactive evening on growing food at home and strengthening food sovereignty. The session includes a hands-on sprouting demo using simple household materials. Bring a small jar. Registration is free, but required.*

• ✅ A Big Decision for Kananaskis. A proposed expansion at Fortress Mountain Resort could significantly reshape Kananaskis Country, raising questions about wildlife habitat, water use, and alignment with provincial policy. The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley just shared information outlining key environmental considerations and how residents can get involved. Full notes here.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Ghost River Storytelling Returns. The MD of Bighorn Heritage Resources Committee is bringing back Ghost River storytelling with Doug Richards and Erik Butters on March 1 at the Beaupre Community Hall. This free afternoon event invites residents to explore the history and stories of the Ghost River area.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, February 20th, 2025, 9:00 PM: Arn Smit. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, February 20th, 2025, 9:30 PM: Shannon Smith Band. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, February 21st, 2025, 10:00 PM: Darryl Anderson. Location: Banff Rose and Crown.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Eagles Clinch Playoff Spot. As the postseason approaches, the Eagles are primed for a strong playoff run. Pack the stands and get ready for playoff hockey in the Bow Valley. Playoffs begin March 20th.

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.