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- đ Lake Louise Just Broke It
Good morning, Bow Valley!
A couple of our team members were up painfully early this morning driving out to the Columbia Icefields for a media event weâll be covering in the next few weeks. Honestly though, there are worse commutes than cruising the Icefields Parkway at sunrise. So no sympathy from the rest of us back at the office.
- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach
LAKE LOUISE BREAKS SNOWFALL RECORD
Whatâs Happening? As the last of the Bow Valley ski resorts closed Monday, the region wrapped up one of its snowiest winters ever, with Lake Louise breaking an all-time snowfall record and Banff Sunshine Village recording one of the five snowiest seasons in its 98-year history.
Record Snowfall. Lake Louise received 941 cm of snow this season, smashing the previous resort record of 759 cm set in 2013-14. December alone brought 282 cm, making it the snowiest December there since 1970.
At Sunshine, early storms helped the resort open Nov. 2, its earliest opening in 40 years. The resort saw roughly 980 cm of snowfall by late April, placing the season among the five snowiest in Sunshineâs 98-year history.
âThis winter has been a winter for our record books,â Kendra Scurfield, Banff Sunshine Villageâs vice-president of communications, told Bow Valley Insider.
Norquayâs Big Bounce Back. Even lower-elevation Mt. Norquay saw a major turnaround after recent lean snow years. The resort recorded 120 cm in December alone, about 12 times more snowfall than December 2024.
By New Yearâs Eve, Norquay had already received nearly as much snow as it did during the entire previous season.
Why It Mattered. The early snow accelerated terrain openings across the Bow Valley. Lake Louise opened Richardsonâs Ridge about three months earlier than usual, while Norquay opened its North American chair nearly two months earlier than last season.
More Than Just Good Skiing. Resorts also reported strong skier demand throughout the season, particularly from the United States. Earlier this spring, SkiBig3 told Bow Valley Insider visitation from American skiers was up more than 50% year-over-year, driven in part by poor snow conditions across parts of the western U.S.
That contrast helped push more last-minute bookings to Banff as resorts south of the border dealt with shortened seasons.
THE TREE THAT LOOKS FINE⌠UNTIL IT ISNâT
Most people donât call about a tree thatâs obviously dead.
They call about the one that looks fine.
Still green. Still standing. But close enough to the house that it starts to feel like a gamble after a heavy snowfall or windstorm.
Thatâs where Nordic Tree Care comes in.
Fred, the owner, meets homeowners on-site to assess whatâs actually going on. And in a lot of cases, the answer isnât removal.
Tree failure is often preventable and foreseeable. Sometimes itâs pruning. Sometimes itâs thinning. Sometimes itâs nothing at all.
And when removal is the right call, itâs done with a level of precision that avoids damage to decks, fencing, and surrounding trees, with a full cleanup that usually leaves the yard looking better than before.
No guesswork. No upselling. Just a proper assessment.
If youâve got a tree youâre unsure about, you can book a free estimate and have Fred take a look.
*Presented by Nordic Tree Care.
THE DIGEST
đď¸ The Lake Louise Workaround (According To Us). Lake Louise still earns the postcard reputation, but summer there now often means shuttle lots filling before sunrise, shoulder-to-shoulder viewpoints, and new Parks Canada paddling restrictions. So instead of just telling readers to skip it, we put together a local-style alternative guide featuring quieter lakes, places you can still paddle, spots you can actually swim without immediately regretting it, and a few areas that somehow still feel uncrowded. Even if youâve been to some before, we included insider details most people miss.
đť Another Bear Warning Just Dropped In Kananaskis. Alberta Parks has now issued another bear warning along the closed section of Highway 40 over Highwood Pass, stretching from King Creek to Highwood Junction. Itâs worth flagging because this is the time of year when a lot of people bike that stretch before it reopens to vehicles (Google map here). Officials say multiple bears are actively using the highway. As a reminder, separate bear warnings also remain active around Troll Falls, Mt. Shark Road/Mt. Engadine Lodge, and Lower Kananaskis Lakes.
âď¸ Why Researchers Are Digging Through Snow. Researchers spent April surveying snowpack in Kananaskis, and early signs suggest water supply conditions are looking relatively solid, at least for areas upstream of Calgary. Researchers say parts of the Rockies are sitting above normal snowpack levels. Translation: decent news for water supply and drought concerns heading into summer, though researchers say Alberta is still facing a long-term balancing act between growing demand and increasingly unpredictable water conditions.
âˇď¸ If You Missed Sunshineâs Closing Day, We Got The Best Slush Cup Pics. Sunshine wrapped up its regular ski season Monday with the return of its annual Slush Cup, where skiers and snowboarders attempted to skim across an icy pool in everything from cowboy outfits to Santa costumes. Some made it across. Most absolutely did not. Here are the photos. Sunshine now plans to reopen for summer skiing from June 20 to July 5 thanks to the massive snowpack we mentioned earlier.
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IS CANMORE BECOMING TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES?
Whatâs Happening? A new survey suggests many Canmore businesses are increasingly worried the town is becoming too expensive to support long-term growth, even as revenues and overall business activity continue climbing.
The Cost Squeeze. Businesses identified housing availability, commercial rents, municipal taxes, childcare access, and development approval processes as the top pressures affecting operations in Canmore. Deloitte surveyed 545 businesses, including companies considering expansion, downsizing, relocation, lease renewals, or possible closure concerns.
According to Canmore Community Housing, average advertised rents reached $2,389/month for a one-bedroom and $3,211/month for a two-bedroom unit in 2025. Town of Canmore economic development manager Eleanor Miclette said some businesses are now facing commercial lease increases of 20% to 40%. Earlier this spring, The Yoga Lounge told Bow Valley Insider it faced a rent increase of more than 25% before relocating from Main Street after nearly 25 years downtown.
âItâs hard to adapt your sale prices to those lease prices,â Miclette told council.
A Weird Economic Mix. Despite affordability concerns, roughly 70% of businesses said they were satisfied operating in Canmore, while business incorporations and total business numbers have generally continued increasing since 2021. Most businesses also remain very small, with 79% employing five or fewer workers.
Still, the town recorded a negative business recommendation score of -28, meaning more businesses were hesitant than enthusiastic about recommending Canmore as a place to expand or relocate.
Not Every Business Can Survive Here. Mayor Sean Krausert said some of the pressures identified in the survey reflect the reality of operating in one of Canadaâs most expensive mountain towns.
âIt is also an expensive place to be and to live,â Krausert told council. âSo itâs not for every business. Not every business can make it here because their economics donât work here.â
THINGS TO DO
Wednesday
Banff Farmers Market Opening Day. Wednesday afternoons in Banff are about to get a lot busier. The Banff Farmers Market returns to Central Park with 100+ vendors, food, crafts, local makers, and plenty of excuses to wander around in the sun. 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free.
Braiding Knowledges Workshop. A hands-on workshop exploring the connection between climate change, mental health, and caring for place. Led by Cory Beaver and Tanya Pacholok, the session combines climate psychology, Iyarhe Nakoda teachings, discussion, and a planting activity. 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM. Canmore Library. Free with registration.*
Group Mountain Bike Ride. A midweek ride-and-pint night rolling out from Canmore Brewing. Join neighbours for a local trail ride before heading back for an 8 PM pint. Best suited for intermediate to advanced riders looking to discover new trails and meet new riding buddies. 6:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*
Thursday
Canmore Mountain Market Returns. One of Canmoreâs classic summer traditions is back. Running Thursdays from May 21 to Oct. 1, the market features local produce, baking, coffee, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and other handmade finds. Basically: groceries, gifts, people-watching, and peak Canmore summer energy. 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Free.
Power To The People: Second Screening. artsPlace is running a second screening of the restored John Lennon and Yoko Ono concert film featuring their 1972 Madison Square Garden benefit concerts, including Imagine, Instant Karma!, Come Together, and more alongside guests like Stevie Wonder. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $17-$20.*
Most people know Sky Bistro for the scenery atop Banffâs Sulphur Mountain. Fair enough.
But after a recent renovation and complete menu refresh, the food is now giving the view some legitimate competition.
We went up last week to try the new menu ourselves, and honestly, it exceeded expectations.
The new menu leans heavily into Western Canadian ingredients and producers: Alberta beef, bison, Sylvan Star cheese, Saskatoon berries, local breweries, and Canadian wines from the Okanagan and Niagara regions. It feels more like a celebration of Western Canada than a generic fine dining menu.
We published a full review of our experience here.
Some standout dishes included the bison carpaccio with haskap aioli and bannock crumble, duck wings glazed with Saskatoon berry and sage, and Alberta beef short rib served with caramelized cauliflower purĂŠe and crispy wild rice cake.
If you want to try the new menu, Bow Valley Insider readers can get 20% off Gondola admission from May 20 to June 10 using promo code BVInsider26 at checkout. However, if you live in the Bow Valley, you can also ride the gondola for just $5 from May 23 to 30 as part of the annual Pursuit Local Appreciation Days (with a valid ID).
Worth noting: the discount applies to the gondola admission, not the restaurant itself.
Of course, you can still hike up if youâd rather earn your dinner first.
*Presented by Pursuit Collection.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
đĽ Easy Steak & Caesar Dinner Kits Are Back For May. Dinner gets easier with two limited-time meal kits from Canmoreâs Valbella Gourmet Foods. The Steak Sandwich Night kit includes beef striploins, mini baguettes, garlic butter, and coleslaw for an easy steakhouse-style dinner at home. Thereâs also a Chicken Caesar Salad Night kit with smoked chicken breasts, Caesar salad, and baguettes for a lighter no-cook option. Both are currently on sale and built to feed 2-3 people. Delivery runs every Friday across the Bow Valley, Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane. Order here.*
đ Business Networking Night Comes To Banff. If you want to meet more local business owners without the awkward âforced networking,â this might be your thing. The Bow Valley Chamberâs next Bevvies & Business event lands at Moxy Banff on May 27, bringing together local business owners and entrepreneurs for a casual evening of conversation and connections. Think drinks, chats, and potentially meeting someone useful for your next project. Runs 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.*
đđťââď¸ Womenâs Run Volunteers Needed. The Rocky Mountain Soap Womenâs Run is still looking for a few volunteers this weekend at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Course marshals are the biggest need, especially Saturday morning for the half-marathon (which our Publisher Benâs wife is bravely running, so thoughts and prayers to her quads). Volunteers get a swag bag, T-shirt, lunch, and the chance to support more than 3,000 women on the trails.
đ Canmore Touch Rugby Starts Up. Tuesday nights are getting a casual summer runaround, with all skill levels welcome. Canmore Touch Rugby runs weekly from May 26 to August 25 at the Canmore Recreation Centre field. Never played before? Totally fine. Played for years? Also fine. Drop in for $5 or join the 14-week season for $45.
đ¸ Bow Valley Donations Reach Honduras. What started as a simple Facebook request for underwear and sports bras quickly snowballed into a massive community donation effort. Organizers say residents across the Bow Valley donated roughly 1,500 items, with about 800 already delivered to schools and villages in Honduras.
CIVIC NEWS
Banff Considers Indigenous Business Fee Waiver. Banff is looking at a policy change that could reduce barriers for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Council is considering waiving business licence fees for Indigenous-owned businesses earning $30,000 or less annually. Local operators say costs and paperwork can make it harder to offer Indigenous-led experiences in Banff.
LIVE MUSIC
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 7:00 PM: Canmore Collegiate High School Spring Concert. Location: Canmore High School. No Cover.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00 PM: Wild T & the Spirit. Location: Banff Rose and Crown. No Cover.
SPORTS
Equinox Run Draws Runners Of All Levels To Canmore. Around 180 runners took part in Canmoreâs annual Equinox Run last weekend, with everyone from competitive athletes to stroller-pushing families hitting the course. Charles Ouellet and University of Calgary athlete Csenia Irvin won the menâs and womenâs 10K races.
Thatâs all, folks!
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Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means itâs a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.
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