🏁 Is Banff Ready for 120 km/h?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Remember Bunff, the stuffed bunny who became an accidental celebrity after being left behind on a Parks Canada shuttle this summer? Instead of sitting in lost and found, Bunff has been touring Banff National Park with rangers who turned the story into a feel-good adventure. The latest stop was Crowfoot Glacier near Bow Lake, part of the United Nations International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. The visit highlights how glaciers shape mountain landscapes and provide freshwater to millions. Parks Canada still hopes to reunite Bunff with their owner, so if you recognize this well-traveled rabbit, let them know.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

ALBERTA REVIEWS SPEED LIMITS, INCLUDING TRANS-CANADA EAST OF BANFF

What’s Happening? Alberta is asking drivers what they think about raising rural divided highway speed limits to 120 km/h. The online survey, open until December 12, includes the Trans-Canada east of Banff as one of the corridors under review. The province says the idea reflects improved road design, vehicle technology, and driver awareness.

Where It Applies. The change would only apply outside Banff National Park, since highways within park boundaries fall under federal jurisdiction. The most likely affected stretch for Bow Valley residents would be between Harvie Heights and Calgary. The survey specifically lists “Highway 1 from Banff to the Saskatchewan border” as a potential candidate for a higher speed limit.

Local Context. The Bow Valley’s section of Highway 1 isn’t your typical divided highway. It runs through a landscape of protected wildlife habitat and busy recreation zones. Wildlife crossings and fencing have dramatically reduced collisions, but safety and noise remain key local concerns. Critics of a speed increase say faster traffic could undermine years of investment in these protections.

Public Feedback. Early discussion shows a clear divide. Many Albertans support higher limits on long, open highways such as the QEII between Calgary and Edmonton. But Bow Valley residents are cautious, emphasizing wildlife safety, distracted driving, and the potential for more severe crashes. Others question whether now is the right time to focus on speed limits, given other provincial priorities like healthcare and education.

What’s Next? The province says a pilot project could follow if survey feedback supports the change. Any 120 km/h zones would first be tested and monitored for safety, traffic flow, and driver behaviour before permanent decisions are made.

Read More. Our full story covers the specific feedback Alberta is seeking from drivers, which other highways are under review, and includes a direct link to the survey.

CLEARING THE PATH FOR OUTDOOR GUIDES

What’s Happening? Alberta’s parks are not struggling with too many people. They are struggling with everyone showing up at the same trailhead at the same time. Guides can help. A survey of 72 guiding operations in Alberta found that they ease congestion, protect sensitive areas, and keep visitors safe, yet many still face barriers to accessing the trails they are best equipped to steward.

Guides as Part of the Solution. From Banff to the Southern Rockies, guides are quietly doing the work that makes tourism sustainable. The survey showed:

• 91% believe they help reduce congestion in high-use areas.
  

• 96% align with Parks Canada’s and Alberta Parks’ conservation mandates.
  

• Nearly 60% have stepped in to rescue or provide first aid to unguided visitors.

Still, barriers persist. One Bow Valley operator said, “Refusing trips to clients is a constant for my business.” Others pointed to the stress of permit renewals and red tape eating into their time. On average, small operators could each save nearly $3,700 annually if access were improved, and collectively add more than $1M in tourism revenue.

Enter Project Elevation. Led by the Outdoor Council of Canada, Project Elevation is working to unify the outdoor industry, benchmark professional standards, and advocate for guides’ rightful place in park management. Consultations will travel across Alberta in 2025 and 2026 to hear directly from outdoor professionals.

Get Involved. If you work in the outdoor industry, this is your chance to shape the future. Share your input and help ensure guides are recognized as essential partners in stewarding the places we all love.

_{*Presented by Outdoor Council of Canada}

THE DIGEST

• 📷 Where We’d Send Our Camera-Loving Friends. We’re not professional photographers or anything, but if out-of-town friends showed up in our backyard with a DSLR, these are the spots we’d send them. They’re not hidden gems, just places that still feel calm and a bit less chaotic than Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. Our Ultimate Photography Guide covers how to capture Banff and Canmore without (as many) crowds. 

• 🐟 The Drunken Lobster Shuts Its Doors. The Drunken Lobster Oyster Bar in Canmore has officially closed after 4.5 years in business. The news, shared quietly on Instagram, caught many locals by surprise. Comments poured in thanking the team for their seafood, atmosphere, and hospitality, with one follower calling it “my favorite happy hour place” and another driving from Edmonton just for the lobster rolls. The post confirms the doors are already closed.

• 🚌 Poppies on Wheels Honor Local Veterans. More than 100 Southland school buses in Cochrane and Canmore are now adorned with bright red poppies, thanks to local driver and retired veteran Ian Arnett. The handmade poppies, created from weatherproof plastic, are part of a growing fundraiser that’s already raised nearly $1,900 for veterans. The displays will remain on buses until November 11.

• 🦌 Saving Jasper’s Last Caribou. Once numbering more than 800, Jasper’s caribou have dwindled to fewer than 50. To prevent extinction, Parks Canada created a 65-hectare breeding facility near Athabasca Falls and moved in ten wild caribou last year. This spring, seven calves were born. The long-term goal is to release offspring into the Tonquin backcountry to rebuild herd numbers and eventually reintroduce caribou to the Brazeau and Maligne ranges. It marks the most significant step yet in restoring Jasper’s disappearing herds.

We recently chatted with a local community group.

They were running workshops and needed more people to sign up. It cost $30 per person.

They told us they spent $500 on print ads to promote it.

Only two people signed up because of the ads.

That means they spent $500 to make $60. Tough math.

Print can work sometimes. For this group, it didn’t. The point is this: your marketing should clearly pay for itself.

If you want to talk about marketing with results, fill out this quick form.

CANADIAN FILMMAKER EARNS RECOGNITION AT BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

What’s Happening? The Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival wrapped up last night (Nov.9), celebrating its 50th year with a record 570 film submissions from 45 countries. Out of those, 87 were selected as finalists. Australia’s Iron Winter took home the Grand Prize, closing nine days of mountain storytelling and adventure cinema.

Grand Prize. Iron Winter won the festival’s top honor and a $5,000 prize. The film follows two young herders in Mongolia’s Tsakhir Valley as they battle freezing winds, prowling wolves, and dwindling resources to protect 3,000 horses during the deadliest winter on record. The jury called it an outstanding cinematic achievement for capturing both the harsh beauty of Mongolia’s open grasslands and the resilience of a culture confronting modern pressures head-on.

Canadian Filmmaker Recognized. Unlike the book competition earlier last week, which saw no Canadian winners, one Canadian filmmaker did share in the spotlight. The Track, co-produced by Canadian Ryan Sidhoo, won Best Film for Mountain Culture and a $3,000 prize. The film follows three teenagers chasing Olympic dreams in post-war Bosnia as they train on a damaged luge track.

Future Canmore Story Wins Pitch Contest. A Canmore-based story took home Second Runner-Up at the first-ever BanffPitch competition, a new Shark Tank–style event created this year to help emerging filmmakers secure funding for their projects. The live contest featured five finalists pitching to an international jury for support. Making The Cut, a proposed film by Canadian filmmaker Tyler Burr, earned a $5,000 Nikon gear certificate for its concept following athlete Alicia Newell as she weighs an elective leg amputation while training with Canada’s para-climbing team, leading to plans for an adaptive climbing camp in Canmore next summer.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Adult Drop-In Soccer. Kick off your week with some fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Join the Adult Drop-In Soccer games every Monday. It’s $5 cash, no commitment, and good vibes. Ages 16+. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. LGMS, Canmore. $5.

Tuesday - Remembrance Day

• Remembrance Day in Canmore. Join the Royal Canadian Legion for a heartfelt community service. Gather at the Canmore Legion, followed by a ceremony and two minutes of silence. Veterans and families will continue to the Canmore Cemetery Field of Honour, with transportation available. Afterward, the Legion’s bar and restaurant welcome everyone. Free to attend.

• Remembrance Day in Banff. Remembrance Day commemorations begin with a parade at 10:30 AM, starting at the Banff Legion and marching down Banff Ave to the Banff Elementary School before returning to the Legion. Wreath layings will follow at 11:50 AM at the Legion Cenotaph and at 2 PM at Bankhead and the old cemetery.
  Everyone is welcome to attend. Free to attend.

• Remembrance Day in Exshaw. Join Heart Mountain Exshaw Branch Legion at 2:00 PM for a Remembrance Day service featuring hymns, scripture readings, and tributes to those who served. After the ceremony, enjoy a ham & scalloped potato luncheon, which is free with a donation to the Veterans Food Bank. To order a wreath or ask questions, call 403-673-3522. 2:00 PM. Exshaw Legion. Free to attend.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥣 New Winter Menu Launch. The Boss in Banff has launched a fresh winter menu featuring new signature dishes. Guests can try Sablefish Cod, Braised BBQ Bison Sliders, Alberta Carpaccio, Macaroni & Cheese Gratin, and the already-popular Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich, along with several other delicious creations._*

• 🍹 Sip & Savor with Michter’s Master Distiller. Join Dan McKee, Michter’s Master Distiller, for a rare one-night whiskey tasting experience at The Fat Ox. Enjoy guided sips of Michter’s award-winning spirits paired with a family-style dinner by Chef Joe, featuring dishes like bison bresaola, AAA beef tartare, roasted garlic pappardelle, hay-smoked lamb sirloin, and dark chocolate budino. November 15th at 6 PM. $130 per person. Reserve your spot._*

• 🍸 Graceland Cocktail at The Blacktail Bar. Every month, The Blacktail Bar at Kananaskis Lodge features a new signature cocktail, and this one might be the most memorable yet. The Graceland mixes bacon-washed Crown Royal rye, peanut butter whisky, and banana liqueur for a smooth, smoky, and surprisingly balanced drink. Inspired by Elvis’s favorite flavors, it’s the perfect reward after a hike or an excuse for a scenic drive._*

• 🏔️ The Banff Gondola Is Closed. Most locals don’t ride the gondola much, but the Banff Gondola is shut down for routine maintenance from November 10 to 21. It’s a short break to refresh the Interpretive Centre floor and get everything ready for winter visitors. The gondola reopens November 22.

• 🎾 Drop-in Badminton Host Needed. The Town of Canmore is looking for a friendly volunteer (age 16+) to help run adult drop-in badminton on Thursdays from 7–9 PM at Lawrence Grassi Middle School Gym. Must have Intermediate First Aid and RCMP clearance. Interested? Email [email protected].  

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Business Group Pushes for Tax Cap. The Banff and Lake Louise Hospitality Association is urging council to cap any 2026 municipal tax increase at 3%, reflecting cost-of-living realities, and suggests funding new services through visitor pay parking or grants. Town officials note the 8.48% increase restores cuts from COVID-era budgets and funds reserves, aiming to maintain essential services. Council will review options in the upcoming service process.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, November 10th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tunes with Tenax. Location: High Rollers, Banff.  No Cover.

• Monday, November 10th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.  No Cover.

• Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Mike Petroff. Location: Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Oil Barons Blank Eagles at Home. The Fort McMurray Oil Barons handed the Canmore Eagles their first home regulation loss of the season with a 3–0 win Friday night. Goalie Brendan Gee stopped 25 shots in his Oil Barons debut, while Justin Dumais scored twice and Drew Freer added one. The Eagles, now 9–7–1–0, continue their homestand next weekend against Devon and Whitecourt.

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.