📈 Kananaskis Just Hit 5M

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Most of you probably already know about Whitebark Café in Banff. If you don’t, well, it is awesome. They just brought back their famous holiday Egg Nog Latte, and it is only here for December. It is creamy, perfectly spiced, and easily one of the best festive drinks in the Bow Valley. It’s worth a quick shout-out today.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S. Huge thanks to Fiona Garforth-Bles for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider. Fiona is a nurse at the Bow Valley Cancer Clinic, where she helps cancer patients stay close to home by receiving treatment right here in Canmore. When it comes to favourite restaurants, she says anywhere with a happy hour is her kind of place. Us too, Fiona.

KANANASKIS LED ALBERTA PARKS WITH 5 MILLION VISITORS IN 2025

What’s Happening? Kananaskis just capped one of its busiest years ever. New provincial data shows Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks drew roughly 5 million visitors in 2025, making the region Alberta’s most popular park destination and pushing campground demand back toward the highs seen during the 2021 COVID bump.

Kananaskis Leads the Pack. Among Alberta’s 305 parks, the Bow Valley-Kananaskis corridor outperformed every other region. Hiking, camping, paddling, and sightseeing kept visitation strong from spring through fall, reflecting a broader upswing across the entire parks system. 

Campgrounds Hit New Highs. Every category of campground saw growth this summer, including backcountry, front country, comfort camping, equestrian sites, and group facilities. More than 280,000 reservations were made, a 7% increase from 2024. 81% of campers were Alberta residents, but visitors arrived from 59 countries, underscoring the system’s global reach.

What Drove the Spike. A few policy changes helped shape the season. A new free notification tool for campsite openings sent more than 54,000 alerts for high demand sites and led to 13,000 additional bookings. Alberta also introduced a 25% discount for seniors at more than 140 campgrounds. Seniors logged over 34,000 camper nights through the program, with Miquelon Lake Provincial Park drawing the most discounted reservations.

A Strong Season Behind the Scenes. Staff delivered more than 3,000 interpretive programs, from guided hikes to fossil digs, interacting with over half a million visitors. The August long weekend was the busiest period of the year, with August itself marking the peak month for overall activity.  The province also estimates that a typical park visitor spends around $600 in nearby communities.

YOUR PRE-CHRISTMAS RESET

A quick shout-out today to our favourite cleaner, Zoe.

She has been cleaning our publisher Ben’s place for almost a year, and he swears by her.

There really is nothing like walking into a freshly cleaned home in December. The air feels lighter, the stress drops, and suddenly the holidays feel a lot more manageable.

If you are hosting this month, or if you simply do not want to spend your downtime cleaning because you would rather be doing literally anything else, reach out to Zoe.

We chatted with her last night and she said she only has a few openings left for December.

Book a quick call with her and see how she can make your life easier.

(And for the corporate folks, she does office cleaning too.)_*

THE DIGEST

• 🛣️ Only Two Days Left To Weigh In On Highway 1 Speed Changes. Alberta is still gathering feedback on whether rural divided highways, including Highway 1 east of Banff, should jump from 110 to 120 km/h. When we ran this story last month, 83% of Bow Valley readers told us to keep things as they are, largely over wildlife and safety concerns. If you want your voice on the record, the province’s survey closes Friday (Dec 12). This is the moment to turn local opinions into actual input.

• ⚠️ Fast-Moving Storm Is Pushing Avalanche Danger Higher. Avalanche danger is rising again across Banff this week as new snow and strong winds hit an already fragile snowpack. Parks Canada expects High danger in the alpine and treeline Wednesday and Thursday, with natural avalanches likely and human-triggered ones very likely. Recent storms stacked 30 to 60 cm of snow onto weak November crusts, creating reactive slabs that are sliding easily. Another 20 to 40 cm is on the way. If you are heading out, check conditions first.

• 🥾 Looking for an Avalanche Safe Hike? Try the Green Monster. We just wrote a complete guide to hiking Green Monster in Evan Thomas Creek. It is a massive frozen waterfall with a big payoff, and you will pass seven other waterfalls along the way, all tucked into a canyon that feels far more dramatic than the effort required. The trail is packed down all winter, the route is easy to follow, and the area stays out of avalanche paths, making it a great pick when everything else feels off limits.

• 🏆 25 Years, One Legendary First Chair Streak. This isn’t Bow Valley news, but it’s too good not to share. Greg “G-Money” Barrow just hit 25 straight years catching the first chair of the season at Fernie Alpine Resort. What began in 2000 with him camping at the base of the Timber Chair is now full-on Fernie folklore. Snowstorms, rain, security…nothing breaks the streak. Barrow has become the unofficial opener of winter, with newcomers lining up each year just to be part of it.

Local Ads That Actually Work

Advertising isn’t a gamble. It’s an investment. And if that investment doesn’t pay off, what’s the point? At Bow Valley Insider, we don’t just run ads, we deliver outcomes. Pine Peak Paving booked a $7,500 job from a single ad. Zoe’s Cleaning added 46 new clients in 60 days. Osteopathy for All gained 21 new patients from five ads. That’s real, trackable ROI, not vague “reach” or “brand awareness.” If you’re tired of throwing money at ads you can’t measure, we’re the local partner who ensures your marketing dollars come back stronger.

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BANFF TRANSIT SEES RECORD RIDERSHIP WITH NO NEW BUSES COMING IN 2026

What’s Happening? Banff’s transit system is now the third largest in Alberta, and it’s growing faster than the town can expand it.

A System That’s Outgrown Its Size. Roam’s growth has been dramatic: 1.8 million trips on Banff’s local routes, 361,000 on Route 3 to Canmore, and congestion relief equivalent to taking about 3,400 cars off roads each day in peak season. The shift is showing up in traffic patterns too. The town says backups at the Bow River bridge once hit 90 minutes but now sit closer to six.

No New Buses on the Way. With more buses needed, this is the big pinch point. Bus procurement timelines are still heavily delayed, and manufacturers have shifted to slower build-to-order models post-COVID. Staff told council on Dec 2 not to expect a single new vehicle for next summer. With the Canada Strong Pass expected to boost visitation again, Banff will be relying entirely on its current fleet.

A Winter Route to Fill the Gaps. To better serve off-season riders, the town is considering a new winter route linking the Banff Centre, Fenlands, the train station, and Banff Avenue. Winter ridership is up 163% since 2014-2015, and the Banff Centre has already committed funding for the service if approved.

Visitors Are Funding the Growth. Banff’s transit expansion is now largely supported by visitor dollars. All proposed 2026 upgrades, including the new winter route, improved signage, and stop enhancements, would be paid for through Visitor Pay Parking reserves. Hotels also buy transit passes for guests, campgrounds pay Roam to shuttle hikers to trailheads, and partner organizations fund routes tied to their operations. Taken together, these contributions ease the load on local taxpayers.

Read our full story on how Banff is planning Roam’s future. 

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Coca-Cola Holiday Truck Stop in Canmore. Catch the iconic Coca-Cola Holiday Truck at Save-On-Foods. Snap festive photos and enjoy holiday drink samples. Food bank donations will be accepted on-site. A cheerful stop for families, friends, and anyone feeling the holiday spirit. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Save-On, Canmore. Free.

• Night Mountain Bike Ride. Join an intermediate-to-advanced group MTB ride, then back to the brewery for an 8 PM pint. A fun way to discover new routes and new riding buddies who also like cold, dark, wintery bike rides. 6:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

• Check out Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story. The documentary follows Matt’s journey after a life-changing accident, set in the Canadian Rockies, showing resilience, creativity, and community support. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20.*

Thursday

• Holiday Cooking Class. Learn to create festive, earth-friendly, multicultural dishes like pierogies with caramelized onions, spiced chocolate pot, and chocolate bark with dried fruits. Explore international flavors and get hands-on cooking experience. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Co+Kitchen, Canmore.*

• Harry Manx Returns to Canmore for One Night Only. After a sold-out show last season, the “Mysticssippi” blues man returns with his signature Indo-blues sound, blending classic Blues with Indian ragas on his 20-string Mohan Veena. 7:30 PM artsPlace, Canmore. $45 / members $38.25 / youth $22.50.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍗 Let Valbella Handle Christmas Dinner. A few of us have already jumped on this Christmas special, so we figured we’d pass it along. Valbella’s Christmas Pre-Orders are open, with everything from fresh Winter turkeys to Beef Wellington, Salmon, hams, gluten-free stuffing, gravy, and Pie. Whether you want the full feast or just a few shortcuts, it’s all ready to order and far easier than trying to DIY the whole holiday spread. Order here before Dec 14. Delivery is available for our Calgary crew as well.*

• 📽 Magic at the Castle. Seeing A Christmas Carol at the Banff Springs is half about the play and half about the setting. Walking into the castle theatre already feels like Christmas, and then the ghosts, music, and puppets take it up another level. It is one of those shows that makes Banff feel truly magical in December. Tickets are already surprisingly cheap, but use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for another 15% off.*

• ⚱ A Local Legend Has a New Studio. Julia Rayne of Rayne Maker Pottery has a new home-studio that is packed with the pieces locals love her for. Think turquoise mountain-line mugs, glacier-drip cups, swirl-pattern bowls and plates, and her signature skull and bike mugs. You can check out her work on Instagram here. And if you're interested in supporting local this Christmas, you can visit her home-studio by appointment. Just text Julia at 403-679-1265 to set it up.*

• ⛸️ Kananaskis Village Outdoor Rink. Lots of readers have been asking about outdoor skating rinks, and here’s a great one that’s now ready to go. The hockey rink at Kananaskis Village is nestled at the base of Little Kidd (see it labeled “Skating Rink” on this map). There are lots of parking spaces available, and the outdoor fire pits beside the rink make it easy to warm up on a cold day.

• 🛎️ The Juniper Just Launched a New Winter Brunch Menu. If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been itching for a cozy winter brunch spot, and The Juniper just delivered. Their new menu is full of comfort picks like Churro French Toast, bison short rib bennies, plant-based burritos, smoked duck brioche, hearty root-veg dishes, plus a couple of serious burgers (our favourite is the Fire & Flame). You can book a spot here.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Looks to Preserve Heritage Homes. The Heritage Corporation is seeking a grant to study the feasibility of buying and preserving key heritage properties, while new bylaw tweaks and incentives could make saving these buildings more appealing for developers. This effort aims to balance growth with history so future generations can still enjoy the charm and character that make Banff, well, Banff.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, 7:00 PM: CCHS Annual Winter Band Concert. Location: Canmore Collegiate High School. Free.

• Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, 9:00 PM: SHREDMAS 2025. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $25.10.

• Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tommy's Unplugged. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Britt Richardson Finishes 12th at World Cup event. Britt Richardson was the top Canadian at Sunday’s giant slalom World Cup in Mont Tremblant, finishing 12th against a stacked international field. Watch her race here. 

• Canmore’s Andy Reed Headed to Western States 100. Andy Reed has earned one of the most sought after spots in ultrarunning, securing entry into the 2026 Western States Endurance Run. More than 11,000 runners entered the lottery for just 257 places, and the 100 mile course is known for rugged terrain, extreme distance, and a world class field.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.