🚑 Kananaskis Rescue Calls Surge

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you were driving eastbound on Highway 1 yesterday, you probably had a long afternoon. A series of crashes near the Lac des Arcs curve brought traffic to a standstill after two tour buses slid sideways and blocked both eastbound lanes. The backup stretched from Dead Man’s Flats toward Canmore, with some drivers reporting waits of nearly two hours. Detouring onto Highway 1A didn’t help much either, as that route quickly filled up. Tow trucks arrived later in the afternoon, and traffic finally started moving again around 5 PM once the buses were cleared.

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

RESCUE CREWS RESPONDED TO 445 INCIDENTS IN KANANASKIS IN 2025 AS FATALITIES RISE

What’s Happening: Rescue crews in Kananaskis Country responded to 445 incidents in 2025, about 19% above the typical annual average, as visitation climbed to roughly five million visits across the park system.

More Visitors, More Calls. According to Alberta Parks, the rescue program typically handles about 375 incidents per year, but the higher number in 2025 likely reflects growing visitation. Kananaskis Country, which spans more than 4,000 square kilometres, has seen steady growth in recent years, rising from about 4.2 million visits in 2022 to roughly five million last year.

Fatalities Also Increased. The province reported 17 deaths in 2025, up from 10 in 2024. Several of those incidents drew significant attention last summer after two canoe accidents occurred within days of each other. In mid-August, two people died after a canoe capsized on Barrier Lake during strong winds. Ten days later, a separate canoe capsized on Upper Kananaskis Lake, killing two Bow Valley residents after none of the occupants were wearing life jackets.

Common Causes. Many rescues happen when visitors leave maintained trails or underestimate the difficulty of Rocky Mountain terrain. Officials say common incidents include rolled ankles, knee injuries, and people becoming stuck in steep or complex terrain, often on informal backcountry routes branching off popular front-country trails.

A Multi-Agency Effort. Rescue operations typically involve conservation officers, park rangers, paramedics, police and firefighters, with the system designed to scale up when needed. The province says staffing has increased over the past decade to help meet demand.

Where the Funding Comes From. Much of the safety funding now comes from the Kananaskis Conservation Pass, introduced in 2021. The pass is required for vehicles parked at provincial recreation sites and helps fund public safety, search and rescue, enforcement, conservation and infrastructure upgrades.

Looking Ahead. Officials say it’s too early to predict 2026 call volumes, noting they fluctuate depending on weather, visitation and seasonal recreation patterns.

Read our full story for more details on the incidents

SOLAR REBATES ARE BACK. THE CLOCK IS ALREADY TICKING.

If you live in Canmore, this is one of those deadlines that is sneaking up fast.

The Town’s 2026 solar rebate program is officially open, but it is capped. There are only 20 residential rebates available, and once they are claimed, that’s it until the next round. Applications close March 31, but in reality, the money often runs out sooner.

This is why timing matters more than sunshine. Late winter is when homeowners who get ahead actually win. You have time to get a clear plan, lock in pricing, submit paperwork properly, and avoid the spring installer rush.

So what does that mean in real dollars? For most Bow Valley homes, rebates typically land in the low-to-mid four figures, depending on system size and where you live. Larger homes, businesses, and multi-family buildings can qualify for five-figure rebates.

And despite how intimidating solar can sound, you do not need to figure out kilowatts or system sizing yourself. That part is handled for you.

Infinity Solar Group offers free solar designs and proposals, explains the numbers in plain English, and helps make sure your project qualifies before rebate spots disappear.

If you are even mildly curious, now is the moment to look. Get a free solar design here.    

_{*Presented by Infinity Solar.}

THE DIGEST

• ☄️ Photographer Captures Rare Fireball Over Ghost Lake. A Cochrane photographer caught a pretty spectacular moment in the night sky Thursday evening. Tim Hall was shooting near Ghost Lake when the sky suddenly lit up as a massive fireball streaked overhead (see picture here). Hall said he’s seen plenty of meteors before, but nothing like this. His camera happened to be set for a long exposure, capturing a 20-second shot of the bright streak crossing the sky. Fireballs are essentially large meteors burning up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, sometimes lighting up the entire sky for a few seconds before disappearing.

• 🧗‍♀️ A Wild Piece of Canadian Climbing History. Not Bow Valley news, but for anyone who loves mountain culture, Gripped Magazine just published a fascinating deep dive on the 1925 first ascent of Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. The expedition took 65 days, involved hauling supplies with dogs and horses across glaciers, surviving brutal storms, and navigating massive icefalls before finally reaching the summit. It’s one of the most legendary climbs in Canadian mountaineering history. Worth the read if you enjoy stories of the old-school “sufferfests.”

• 🏫 New Francophone School Complex Planned for Canmore. The Alberta government has approved planning funding for a new K-6 and 7-12 francophone school complex in Canmore as part of its 2026 budget. The project, which would fall under Conseil scolaire FrancoSud, is one of 40 school projects the province says it is funding to respond to rapid student growth across Alberta. The Canmore project is currently in the planning stage, meaning early design and development work can begin. We’re digging into the details on what this could mean for Canmore and will share more as information becomes available.

• 🔥 Canmore’s Wildfire Anxiety Is Back. Wildfire season officially started March 1, and for towns like Canmore, the devastation in Jasper is still very much front of mind. The town is continuing work on a multi-phase fireguard project designed to slow or stop an approaching wildfire by clearing vegetation around the community. One section has already been completed on the sun-exposed slopes above town, with another currently underway and a future 150-metre-wide fuel break planned south down the valley. Officials say ember showers, which can travel kilometres ahead of a fire, remain one of the biggest risks for homes.

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ALBERTANS ASKED TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE OF GHOST-KANANASKIS LANDS

What’s Happening: The Alberta government is asking the public to weigh in on the future of the Ghost-Kananaskis region through a new survey that will help shape a long-term land-use plan for the area.

A Region Under Pressure. The survey is part of the first phase of engagement for the Ghost-Kananaskis Sub-regional Plan, which aims to guide how the landscape is managed for recreation, conservation, and economic activity as visitation continues to grow.

A Huge Landscape. The planning area spans roughly 6,900 square kilometres along Alberta’s eastern slopes. It stretches from the Ghost Public Land Use Zone north of Cochrane down through Kananaskis Country toward the Sheep River and Bluerock areas, including places such as Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Spray Valley, Sheep River, Bow Valley Provincial Park, and Don Getty Wildland Park.

What the Plan Is Trying to Fix. Land use in the region is currently governed by a mix of policies, including park management plans, recreation policies, and public land use zones. The new framework aims to streamline those rules while providing clearer direction for recreation, conservation, and industry.

What Albertans Can Weigh In On. The survey asks people to comment on priorities such as managing recreation demand, protecting biodiversity and headwaters, supporting Indigenous traditional land uses, sustaining the region’s resource economy, and reducing wildfire risk. Participants can also drop pins on an interactive map showing where they recreate.

What Comes Next. This first phase focuses on gathering input on the overall vision and outcomes for the region. That feedback will help shape a draft plan expected to go through another round of consultation later in 2026.

Read our full story to learn more about the planning area and how Albertans can participate in the survey.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Pasta Monday at The Prow. Make Mondays something to look forward to at The Prow. Enjoy 50% off house-made pastas, a rotating weekly feature, and 20% off bottles of wine. Gather some friends, settle in, and turn the start of the week into a cozy night out. 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Banff. Reservations recommended.*

• Everest Dark Film Screening. This powerful documentary follows legendary Sherpa climber Mingma Tsiri Sherpa as he confronts the harsh realities of modern Everest. After years of rescues and close calls, Mingma returns to the mountain on a dangerous mission to recover a body from the Death Zone and reveal the true human cost of Everest’s commercialization. 8:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20 / members $17 / youth $10.*

Tuesday

• Have Your Say on Lake Louise’s Next 10 Years. Parks Canada is hosting an open house to share feedback on the 2026 Lake Louise Community Plan. The plan will guide development within Lake Louise’s boundaries for the next decade or more. Light refreshments provided. 5 PM - 8 PM. Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre.

• Canmore Eagles Take on Drumheller. The Eagles are back on home ice as they host the Drumheller Dragons at the Canmore Recreation Centre. It’s a good chance to catch some fast-paced AJHL hockey. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥂 Jameson Block Party Coming to Banff. The Rose & Crown Banff is hosting its first-ever Jameson Block Party this St. Patrick’s Day. Expect plenty of Irish spirit with drink specials including $9 Jameson Ginger & Lime, $15 Irish Zombies, and $8 shots of Jameson. If you’re planning to celebrate March 17 in Banff, this one’s shaping up to be a lively spot to raise a glass with friends.*

• 🏃 Banff’s Melissa’s Road Race Is Filling Up Fast. If Melissa’s Road Race is on your radar, now’s the time to register. Organizers say fewer than 300 spots remain in each distance for the September 26 event. The Banff tradition features a 5K, 10K, and half marathon on scenic routes around the national park and typically sells out. First launched in 1979, Melissa’s is one of Alberta’s best-known road races, famous for its lively course entertainment, post-run celebrations, and the iconic long-sleeve race shirt featuring local artwork.

• 🛎️ Five-Course Dining Experience with Chef Sergio. If you’re looking for a great midweek dinner idea, this one is worth checking out. Chef Sergio’s five-course tasting menu features a bold seasonal starter, a signature main, and a forest-inspired dessert to finish, all for $55. You can also add the curated wine and cocktail pairing for $33 if you want the full experience. It’s available Sunday to Thursday with reservations required, and these are the final days to catch it.*

• 🙋 Volunteer at Biathlon Nationals. Canada’s best biathletes are coming to Canmore March 24-29 for the Biathlon National Championships, and volunteers are needed to help make it happen. No experience required, just warm layers and a love for winter sport. It’s a front-row seat to the action, plus the weekend expo activities. To sign up as a volunteer visit here.*

• 🥕 Easter Dinner, Made Easy Courtesy of Valbella. Yes, we know Easter is still a little ways off, but we’re mentioning it now because Valbella’s Easter pre-orders have just opened and they tend to go quickly. Their ready-to-go spread includes beautifully prepared ham, tender lamb, house-made sides, brunch favourites, and grazing essentials. Delivery is available across the Bow Valley and Calgary region, with limited warehouse pickup times. Order here.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff’s Garbage Problem Is Growing With Day-Trippers. Banff is dealing with more garbage as day-use tourism rises. Waste collected from pedestrian bins climbed to about 150 tonnes in 2025, up from 140 tonnes the year before, according to town data. Officials say more visitors are arriving for the day, often bringing their own food and leaving waste in public spaces rather than hotels or restaurants. To keep up, the town expanded its Town Run waste service, with crews now servicing bins daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. during peak months. The program’s operating costs are projected to hit $454,835 in 2026, a 38% increase since 2024.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, March 9th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Banff Rose and Crown. No Cover.

• Tuesday, March 10th, 2025, 5:00 PM: Sof Hermann. Location: Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Skier Kiki Alexander’s Olympic Debut. Cochrane’s Kiki Alexander stepped onto the Olympic stage, competing for Canada in alpine skiing at the 2026 Games. The 24-year-old slalom racer, who trained for years at Sunshine, Nakiska, and other Bow Valley mountains, said the result wasn’t what she hoped for but the experience was unforgettable. Alpine racing leaves little room for error. In slalom, athletes get just two runs, with every millisecond counting. After the Games wrapped, Alexander quickly shifted back to the World Cup circuit, calling the Olympics “almost just another race” in a demanding international season.

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.