💰 Lake Louise Man Wins Lotto

Good morning, Bow Valley!

A Lake Louise local just scored a $100K Win. James Gonzales, a longtime Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise employee, won $100,000 on a Lotto Max Extra ticket bought in Calgary. According to LinkedIn, he’s worked at the hotel for 13 years and now serves as a property engineer. He plans to pay off his vehicle, put a down payment on a home, and take everyone at Bow Valley Insider his family on a cruise.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

SCHOOLS CLOSED ACROSS BOW VALLEY AS TEACHER STRIKE BEGINS

What’s Happening? All Bow Valley schools are shut down until further notice, as the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) begins its first province-wide strike in over 20 years.

The Details. Teachers voted 89.5 percent against the province’s most recent offer, which included a 12 percent raise over four years, 3,000 new hires, and $400 million for classroom improvements. ATA president Jason Schilling says the proposal does not address class sizes or classroom conditions.

The Local Picture. About 2,000 students in Banff and Canmore are out of class. Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) says students can access Google Classroom materials, but there will be no teacher supervision or grading during the walkout. Updates will come through email and the CRPS website (check here).

How Parents Are Adapting. Local organizations have scrambled to fill the gap:

• Town of Canmore and Town of Banff have opened school disruption programs.
  

• TrailSports, Tim Hortons Ranch, Bar JO Ranch, and Canmore Eagles are offering pop-up camps and sports sessions.

We published a full breakdown of all the strike day camps here. Note: this situation is evolving, and we will update the page frequently.

Show of Solidarity. Teachers plan a public rally on Tuesday, Oct 7 (11 AM to 2 PM) in the open space behind A&W in Canmore. Locals are invited to attend, ask questions, and learn more about the state of education in the Bow Valley.

Additional Supports. The Alberta government has prepared an online toolkit to support independent learning during the strike, as well as childcare subsidies of $30 per day per child (details here). Negotiations are continuing.

YOUR HOUSE CALLED. IT’S EMBARRASSED.

Not to be dramatic, but your living room has been side-eyeing Pinterest and crying into its throw pillows.

Enter Micheline Lambert, the designer behind F2 Floral Fashion, and the quiet genius behind some of the Bow Valley’s best-looking homes, patios, and storefronts. For 15 years, she’s been transforming awkward corners and flat-feeling rooms into fully styled spaces with zero-maintenance botanicals, vintage décor, custom installs, and wildly good design sense.

She’ll visit your space, chat about your vision, offer 2–3 custom looks (no extra charge), and then deliver and install the whole thing. You don’t lift a finger. Except maybe to text your friends, “LOOK AT MY HOUSE.”

So if your place is feeling a little meh, this is your sign. Book a quick call. Worst case? You’ll get some free advice. Best case? Your home finally gets the glow-up it deserves.

_{*Presented by F2 Floral Fashion.}

THE DIGEST

• 🧑🏻‍💼 Locals Split on Foreign Worker Reliance. When we asked if Banff and Canmore should keep relying on international staff to fill tourism jobs, 56.6% of 535 readers said yes. Some locals argued businesses have underpaid Canadians, while others said few locals want or can afford these seasonal roles. A handful called for balance, hiring Canadians first and keeping visas open when needed. Read the full community comments here.

• 🦮 Inside Canmore’s Sled Dog World. Did you know that Canada has no formal regulations on sled dog operations? Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours has pulled back the curtain on how its dogs are bred, trained, and retired, setting a new bar for sled dog welfare in an unregulated industry. From puppy “free runs” to Wednesday “doggo self-care days,” every detail is intentional. Curious how Canmore’s famous huskies are raised? Read the full story on our website.

• 👋 The Toronto Raptors Visited Banff. The Toronto Raptors swapped court shoes for canoe paddles this week, exploring Lake Louise and Banff between pre-season training sessions in Calgary. Players called the turquoise water “Gatorade blue,” and sang karaoke in Banff. Check out the hilarious video of the squad here. And if Raptors management is reading, next time we’ll plan you a local itinerary that actually delivers.

• ⛷️ Ski Season Countdown Begins. That weekend snow wasn’t just for show. Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are looking to open November 7, with Mt. Norquay aiming for November 1. Fun fact: it’s Norquay’s 100th anniversary this season, so get those skis waxed and expect some special celebrations.

A Small Town Love Story

You: A great local business.

Us: A newsletter with 16,000+ locals who love supporting local.

We keep bumping into each other… but you’ve never said hi.

Let’s stop pretending this isn’t a thing.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s finally connect

CANMORE’S 25-YEAR BATTLE WITH THE SMELL

What’s Happening? Canmore has been chasing a similar stink for more than 25 years. We obtained a copy of a 1999 article from the Canmore Leader, a local newspaper that no longer exists, about “sporadic foul odours” in South Canmore, and it could have been written last week.

Back Then. In 1999, town staff thought they had finally fixed a sewage smell problem. Environmental services director Don Kochan told the paper they were “monitoring manholes” and hoped to “have something next week.” Residents complained of a sour smell drifting through South Canmore, but by the time crews arrived, the odour often disappeared like a bad dream.

Fast Forward to Today. Since 2022, the Town has spent $2.6 million trying to tame the stench at the wastewater treatment plant with chemical treatments, upgraded ventilation, and equipment that filters and cleans the air before it escapes. Yet complaints keep coming, especially on warm, wet days when the wind shifts.

The Main Culprit. Two open-air digestion tanks at the plant appear to be to blame. A new project aims to cap and treat those tanks by 2026, though engineers admit even that might not fully solve the issue.

Community Sniff Test. The Town now invites residents to report odours through an online database, turning the community into one big smell-detecting network.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Learn About Printmaking. Try your hand at Gelli printmaking in this beginner-friendly workshop. Use a soft plate, paint, and stencils to create colourful, one-of-a-kind prints. 6:30–9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $67 / members $56.95.*

• Clothing Swap & Craft Night. Refresh your wardrobe and get creative at this all-ages, sober, all-gender event. Bring clothes to swap, take what you need, and join the craft tables. Leftovers are donated. 7:30–9:30 PM. 101 Bear St, Banff. Free.*

Tuesday

• Tea Social. Settle in for a cozy evening with Banff Pride at Wild Flour. Sip tea, snack, and swap books while enjoying $6 rainbow cupcakes. Come for the treats, stay for the conversation and community. 6:00–8:00 PM. Wild Flour, Banff. Free to attend.*

• Public Swim for Just $2. Make a splash without spending much. Float the lazy river, enjoy the leisure pool, or unwind with a solo swim. 6:00–9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. $2.

MEET YOUR CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR: SEAN KRAUSERT

Hello Bow Valley Insiders! I’m Sean Krausert, and I’m running for re-election as Canmore’s Mayor. 

I was elected Mayor in October 2021, having previously been elected to Council twice. My spouse, Janet, and I have lived in Canmore almost 30 years and we raised our family here. Building on political science and law degrees, my professional experience includes being a lawyer, a social justice advocate, and a businessman. I’ve held various executive-level positions in the not-for-profit, for-profit, and public sectors.

I’m campaigning on the continuation of important work to protect our community that the current Council started. We’ve fostered the conditions for 2,000 units of new non-market housing being built by the early 2030s to address our housing crisis.  I want to move this towards fruition. 

Further, we’ve made huge strides in wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness, and this work must continue to keep residents, visitors, and property as safe as possible. Other priorities include enhancing our co-existence with wildlife, increasing public transit, nurturing an inclusive community, encouraging a vibrant arts community, fostering a strong economy, and continuing to build relationships with our Indigenous neighbours.

I envision Canmore as a thriving, authentic mountain community for generations to come.

On October 20^th, please re-elect Sean Krausert for Mayor!

Learn more:

🔗 Website - seankrausert.ca 

🔗 Facebook – facebook.com/MayorKrausert 

🔗 E-mail - [email protected]

_{*A message paid for by the Sean Krausert campaign.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Save Big, Ski Bigger. The early bird deal on SkiBig3 Season Passes is live. Buy before October 15 and you can save up to $750 while locking in unlimited skiing at Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay with no blackout dates. Add in buddy tickets, local discounts, and Mountain Collective perks, and you have a pass that pays for itself faster than your first powder day. Grab yours now before prices jump.*

• 📢 Hiring: No-experience-needed shop gig with solid pay. Exshaw’s Woodpecker Timber Frame needs a Shop Hand to prep timbers, run equipment (they’ll train you), and keep the warehouse humming. $22–24/hr, 44 hrs/week, benefits after 6 months, 3 weeks’ vacation, and room to grow. Locals who like sawdust and steady hours, this one’s you. Apply here.*

• 👉 The Amazing Feud Game Show. Get your game on with a night of Jeopardy and speed trivia at the Exshaw Legion. Join the excitement on Saturday, October 11. Doors open at 2 PM with meat draws at 3 PM, turkey supper at 5:30 PM, and showtime at 7 PM. Tickets are $30 and include dinner.*

• 🥩 Turkey Dinner in Downtown Canmore. Celebrate Thanksgiving in style at Murrieta’s Canmore, October 11–13. Enjoy a three-course feast for $43 (which seems like a fantastic deal), featuring Winter Squash Soup or Caesar Salad, Roasted Turkey with all the fixings, and Pumpkin Pie for dessert. Reservations are recommended.*

• 🧩 Speed Puzzling Competition in Banff. Test your teamwork and focus in this fast-paced challenge where teams race to complete the same 500-piece puzzle. The quickest finish wins prizes and bragging rights. Sunday, Oct. 26, 3:00 PM at the Banff Legion. Email Randi to register: [email protected]. Teams of 1–2: $50, 3–4: $65, 6+: $70.*

• 👩‍❤️‍👨 New Date Night Package. Thinking about a mountain escape? The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge just launched a Date Night Package that includes a night’s stay and a $250 food and drink credit to use at the Cedar Room or any of their five restaurants. Think of it like a quick K-Country reset with good food and company.*

• 🌊 Canmore Tuesday Night Pool League. Looking for a fun, friendly league where everyone’s welcome? Meet great people, enjoy a lively atmosphere, and rack up some laughs. Singles and teams are welcome. Message Dawson on Facebook to claim a spot.

• 🚧 Closures in Bow Valley Provincial Park. Ongoing projects are impacting trails. Horse Ravine Trail and the surrounding areas are closed as of October 2 for Fire Guard work. Quaite Creek Trail is also closed as of October 1 for flood mitigation near Heart Creek. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Municipal Election. Advance voting is now open across the Bow Valley. In Banff, special ballots are available until Oct. 17 and due by 7 PM Oct. 20. Canmore voters can vote early in person or by mail starting Thursday, while Exshaw’s advance polls run Oct. 9 and 16. Bring ID with your name and address.

• Banff’s Pedestrian Bridge Renamed. Banff’s pedestrian bridge is now the Thunder Medicine Pipe Bridge, honouring the Blackfoot people and symbolizing healing, ceremony, and connection. Endorsed by the Blackfoot Confederacy, the 2013-built bridge is one of North America’

LIVE MUSIC

• Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, 9:00 PM: Banff Punk Night: Vol. 9 - Pride Edition Location: Pump & Tap, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, 10:00 PM:Dean Lonsdale.  Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Eagles Rally for Third Straight Win. The Canmore Eagles stormed back from a 4–2 deficit to beat the Lloydminster Bobcats 6–4 at home, scoring four unanswered goals in the third. Aidan Tkachuk struck twice, with Will Lutic, Bryson Insinger, and Cohen Daoust rounding out the comeback. The win marks three straight for the Eagles after a slow start to the 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.