👑King of Banff Emerges

Good morning, Bow Valley!

There are enough articles out there raving about Lake Louise and Moraine Lake—and honestly, we’re a little tired of reading them. We know there are plenty of other incredible lakes in the Bow Valley that deserve some love too. So we’re putting together a list of the most underrated lakes—but don’t worry, we’re not asking you to share any secret spots. If there’s a lake you think is even more beautiful than Lake Louise or Moraine, and you don’t mind it being shared publicly, we want to hear about it—drop it in this survey.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Bears are awake and moving 

• Canmore Folk Fest lineup released

• The best pizza shops in Banff (ranked by us)

• Bow Valley tourist operators see double-digit booking growth

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S., Big thanks to Duncan McCaig for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider! Duncan’s an avid golfer who loves catching shows at Arts Place and grabbing a bite at Rustica. Thanks for helping keep our community connected!

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GRIZZLY SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN

What’s happening? Banff’s most famous grizzly, The Boss (a.k.a. Bear 122), has officially clocked in for spring. Spotted April 7 via trail cam in the Lower Bow Valley, he’s lean from hibernation but still very much the heavyweight champion of the park.

Bear facts: At roughly 650 pounds in peak season and pushing his mid-20s, The Boss has ruled Bow Valley’s bear scene for years, fathering many cubs. Despite his age and past battle scars, he’s back and ready to roam.

Why it matters: Spring means a tight squeeze in the valley bottom for humans and hungry bears. Parks Canada is urging visitors to leash dogs, carry bear spray, make noise, and stay on trails. No sneaky selfies, please—The Boss isn’t looking for fans.

Meanwhile, over in Golden.  Boo—the 758-pound grizzly at Kicking Horse’s Grizzly Bear Refuge—has also shaken off the winter snooze.

Safety first: Report bear sightings to Banff dispatch at 403-762-1470, and check for area closures before heading out.

MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE ARTIST

The 2025 Canmore Folk Fest lineup isn’t just impressive — it’s a peek into the diverse future of folk music.

Catch two-time JUNO winner Aysanabee, who’s being compared to Hozier and Kings of Leon. Watch Basia Bulat, a Polaris finalist with a voice that’s filled symphony halls. See Corb Lund strip it all back with raw, acoustic storytelling.

This year, you’re not just hearing music — you’re discovering your new favourite artists who’ll be headlining global stages in no time.

Whether it’s the soul-soaked sound of Frazey Ford, the genre-bending genius of Kishi Bashi, or the poetic grit of Donovan Woods, the Canmore Folk Fest lineup is packed with tomorrow’s household names — and you can say you saw them first, in the beautiful rocky mountains.

Tickets are on sale now (get yours before it’s too late)

_{*Presented by Canmore Folk Fest.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏆We Ranked Banff’s Best Pizza Spots. After 2+ years of living (and eating) in Banff, our writer—and local chef—Phil has tried every pizza spot in town. Whether you’re craving a casual slice or a fancy night out, check out the full list and find your next go-to spot.

• 🚀Alberta Tourism Is Booming Thanks To U.S. Travel Chaos. Banff and Canmore operators are seeing double-digit booking jumps as European and Asian travellers choose Canada over the U.S. Alberta hit a record $12.7B in visitor spending last year. Locals, Americans, and new direct flights are all keeping the momentum strong.

• 🚧A Water Main Break Will Close Banff’s Marmot Crescent. Excavation starts early today (April 9), with vehicle access blocked and water interruptions expected throughout the day. Residents should store water in advance and follow detour signs and crew directions during repairs.

• ✅Plans Are Underway For An Indigenous Centre Of Excellence In The Bow Valley.  Beaver First Nation member Tim Carwell is working to create Indigenous Centres of Excellence across Canada, with Bow Valley among the first locations. His social enterprise, Dreams Tree Community Investments, has already funded $2M in Indigenous-led projects.

• 🤍Valbella Founder Walter Von Rotz Has Passed Away. Walter von Rotz, founder of Valbella Gourmet Foods, passed away peacefully on April 5 at Canmore Hospital after a battle with cancer. The von Rotz family invites the community to share their memories.

• 🦌Fast Company Spotlighted The New Bow Valley Gap Wildlife Overpass. The overpass, built between Calgary and Banff, reconnects animal migration routes disrupted by the Trans-Canada Highway. The project marks Canada’s first wildlife overpass outside a national park—and it’s getting international attention.

BANFF’S BUSES NEED A BIGGER HOME

What’s happening? Roam Transit’s growth spurt has maxed out its current facilities in Banff, sparking a new study to figure out where—and how—it can keep expanding across the Bow Valley.

Buses, buses everywhere. Roam expects to have over 40 buses by summer, but their Hawk Avenue facility is already bursting at the seams. Projections show they’ll need space for up to 68 buses by 2049, with land requirements nearing 180,000 square feet.

Next stop: expansion. Options on the table include expanding Hawk Avenue or building one or two new facilities elsewhere in Banff, Canmore, or the MD of Bighorn. Rising ridership—up to 10 million trips a year by 2034—means the clock’s ticking.

Study details. Roam snagged $50K from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund for the study, which is expected to wrap before the end of 2025.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Practice French in Nature. Practice or converse in French as you meet new people. No matter your level of French, you’re welcome on this nature walk. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Meet at Canmore Civic Centre. Free.  

• Movie Night Followed By Q&A. Fallen Heroes is a powerful documentary about the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan. It highlights the war’s impact on Canadians and is a tribute to the courage and bravery of our men and women in uniform 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $15 / youth $7.50.

• Make & Mingle. Bring your own craft projects to work on…colouring, crochet, linocuts, embroidery, doodle, etc. Light snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments will be provided. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Together. Free. 

Thursday

• Knitting Twiddle Muffs.  Join Hana Kujawa for a knitting workshop dedicated to making Twiddle Muffs—a soothing, sensory tool for people with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other conditions that make for restless hands. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Banff Library. Free. 

• Glow in the Dark Paint Night. Get ready for a night of creativity, craft beer, and glowing masterpieces. Sip on your favorite brew while bringing your canvas to life with vibrant, glow-in-the-dark paints under black lights. 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Sheepdog Brewing. $31.15.

• Pool & Pint. Try kayaking in the Elevation Place pool, then head to Fergus & Bix after. First session is free if you’re new! Gear is available to borrow. 7:15 PM - 8:45 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Free for BVKC members ($50/year adult, $30 youth, $80 family).

• Back Stretching Workshop. Learn how spinal health and regular exercise helps strengthen your back to prevent injuries, reduce pain, and keep you moving. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Free, but registration is required.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌺Reserve Your Blooms Now! Want the most stunning hanging baskets in town? Pre-book now by calling Wendy from Wendy’s Garden Centre at 403-493-5308 or send her an email at [email protected]. Their lush, overflowing baskets will be the envy of the neighborhood. They’re grown fresh as soon as you order. (We’ve already ordered ours!)

• 🍰Easter Brunch at Juniper. The Easter Brunch Experience at the Juniper means morning mimosas, fresh flavours, valley views, and firepit s’mores. Juniper has some of the best views in town—perfect for a laid-back, memorable morning. $55 Adults / $25 Kids (6-12). Reserve now. Spaces limited.  

• 🚨Emergency Alert Test Happening Across The Bow Valley Today! A region-wide Voyent Alert test is set for 10 AM. If you’re not signed up yet, head to register.voyent-alert.com. Signing up now means you won’t miss critical updates during wildfire season or other emergencies.

• 🥞Pancake Breakfast & Volunteer Fair. Save the date—and if you’re a non-profit, come promote your volunteer opportunities! Tables are available inside the Civic Centre. Sign up here.

• 🦅The Eagle Migration is Here (Look Up). Golden eagles are migrating north, and their annual migration path is right over Canmore. Check out these “official observation sites” in the valley. You can see hundreds of eagles per day at this time of year. 

• 🚧Road Closure in Canmore. Main Street between 6th and 7th Avenue will be closed to vehicles April 14–15 for fire hydrant repairs. Questions? Contact here.

• 🎨Artist Call. Are you a professional artist, hobbyist, or an emerging artist residing in the Bow Valley? Bow Valley artists may apply for a Community Exhibition as an individual or together with others as a collective of community artists.

• 🎉Arc'teryx Banff Grand Opening Party. Bring your friends and meet the team, ambassadors, and athletes. Enjoy the après-ski experience in their dedicated community space. There will be beverages, delicious food, and live music all day.

• 🗳️Board Nominations Open. The Howl Experience, a Canmore-based organization offering community-driven, experiential learning for youth, is seeking Board Members with skills in accounting, nonprofit management, and community partnerships. Learn more.

• 🧯FireSmartPeaks Information Session Replay. If you weren’t able to join in, find the recording here.

SPOTLIGHT: GUARDIANS OF THE ICE

Guardians of the Ice is a Canmore-based nonprofit that uses film, photography, and writing to connect art and science—and spotlight the retreat of the Columbia Icefield as a warning sign of the global climate crisis. Their mission: inspire action for a low-carbon future through emotional and scientific storytelling.

CIVIC NEWS

• Community Engagement. The Town of Banff is seeking feedback from residents on the 2025 Draft Banff Community Plan. Developed over the past two years, this policy document for the Town will help guide their decisions over the next 10 years. Take the survey.  

• Record Donation. The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation donated $295K to support Banff youth, adult, and senior programs in 2024. The Council confirmed it qualifies as a grant, not sponsorship, highlighting the foundation’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to local wellbeing. This funding helps ensure accessible, community-driven programming in a town shaped by tourism.  

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Michael Charles. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

• Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 10:00 PM: Latin Fiesta. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak.  $8.79.

• Thursday, April 10th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Two-Time Olympian Emma Lunder Retires From Biathlon. After a standout career with 229 World Cup starts, 11 top-10 finishes, and two Olympic appearances, Canmore-based Emma Lunder is stepping away from the sport. Known for her work ethic and leadership, Lunder says she’s ready to cheer on the next generation—from the sidelines this time.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, same time, same place!