🚁 Lake Louise Rescue

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Starting tomorrow, and for the next seven weeks, you can bike the Bow Valley Parkway without vehicle traffic. The stretch between Banff and Johnston Canyon closes to cars, turning it into one of the best rides in the park. We’ll have a full guide on Friday on how to do it properly, so stay tuned.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

RURAL PUSH FOR GRIZZLY HUNT GROWS

What’s Happening? A proposal to bring back a grizzly bear hunt in Alberta is gaining traction among rural municipalities, but Bow Valley officials say the problems driving it aren’t showing up locally.

Why This Is Coming Up Now. The push is led by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), which represents rural areas across the province, where members voted to ask the province to consider a controlled hunt alongside more funding for research. Rural leaders point to rising reports of bears damaging property, killing livestock, and, in some cases, aggressive encounters with workers. 

Bow Valley Not Seeing It (Yet). The MD of Bighorn, which is part of the RMA and includes communities like Exshaw, Dead Man’s Flats, and Lac des Arcs, did not participate in the vote and has not formally adopted a position on the proposal. 

“The MD of Bighorn recognizes that grizzly bear management is an important issue… particularly where people, livestock, and wildlife regularly share the landscape,” Thomas Judek, communications coordinator for the MD of Bighorn, told Bow Valley Insider. 

But locally, the same level of conflict hasn’t materialized. “Not that we are aware of within the boundary of the MD,” Judek said when asked about aggressive encounters or significant damage.

A Major Policy Shift. Reintroducing a hunt would mark a sharp turn. Grizzly hunting has been banned since 2006, and the species has been listed as threatened since 2010. Current policy focuses on rebuilding populations, not managing them through harvest.

How Conflicts Are Handled Now: Conservation officers and the Wildlife Management Responder Network step in when specific bears pose a risk. In some cases, a trained hunter may be authorized to kill an individual bear, but decisions are made case by case, not through a general hunt.

Prevention Still The Priority: In the Bow Valley, the focus remains on coexistence. Judek pointed to programs like WildSmart, calling them “extremely impactful” in teaching residents to reduce attractants and avoid conflict.

What Comes Next: Bighorn officials say any broader changes should be province-led and grounded in data and conservation objectives.

Read our full story

MEET FRED, THE BOW VALLEY’S TREE GUY

If you’ve had tree work done in the Bow Valley recently, there’s a decent chance you’ve come across Fred.

He started Nordic Tree Care a few years ago to help fund his cross-country ski racing. What began as a side hustle has quickly turned into one of the valley’s fastest-growing tree companies, with a full crew, serious equipment, and a reputation for doing things properly.

You’ve probably seen his work without realizing it. The burn project behind the Canmore Nordic Centre? That’s Fred’s crew. And it’s not just large-scale projects like that. Most of their work is right in people’s backyards.

Fred meets homeowners on-site, walks the property, and gives a real assessment. Not just the tree you’re worried about, but anything else worth flagging. And in many cases, that means not recommending removal at all.

If you’ve got a tree you’re unsure about, or you’re wondering how to properly FireSmart your property, book a free estimate and have Fred take a look.

_{*Presented by Nordic Tree Care.}

THE DIGEST

• 🕷️ Tick Season Creeping Into the Bow Valley. Here’s your seasonal reminder: ticks are waking up. The Weather Network says consistent daytime highs around 4°C trigger activity, with ticks climbing grasses in sunny, snow-free areas like lower trails and valleys. We’ve heard a few reports from Bow Valley Insiders spotting them, but haven’t seen any ourselves yet. Still, this is the window where they start showing up. The most common species here doesn’t usually carry Lyme disease, but can still cause issues, especially for dogs. Frequent post-hike tick checks are your best bet.

• 🧘🏻‍♀️ Canmore Yoga Studio Leaves Main Street After 25 Years. The Yoga Lounge has moved into a new ground-floor space in Canmore’s Industrial District, trading rising rent for long-term stability. Owner Jeff Mah says a 25% rent jump over two years made staying put unrealistic, pushing the studio to buy its own space. The new location improves accessibility, especially for parents and those with mobility challenges, and opens the door for more flexible programming. Mah says owning the space gives the studio room to grow and a more secure future. Read our full interview.

• 🔥 Spring Warmth Pushes Wildfire Risk to ‘Moderate.’ Officials say warmer temps are melting snow and drying out last year’s grass, creating ideal conditions for fast-moving spring fires. There are no active fires right now, but 14 have already been recorded this year in the Calgary Forest Area, which includes the Bow Valley. Crews are shifting into prevention mode, with controlled burns planned near Mînî Thnî this week, so expect visible smoke from Highway 1 if you’re driving between Canmore and Calgary. 

• 👦🏻 “Banff Camping Trip” Allegedly Used as Cover in Child Abduction Case. So here’s a weird one: Banff’s popularity has reached the point where it’s now a cover story. A planned camping trip to Banff is now at the centre of an international child abduction case, after U.S. prosecutors allege a couple used it as a cover story before taking a 10-year-old to Cuba. According to court filings, the group never made it to Alberta. Instead, they crossed into B.C., flew out of Vancouver, and continued on to Havana. The child has since been returned to their mother, while charges against the couple remain unproven.

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

May? Gone.
June? 80% booked
Summer? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

LAKE LOUISE RESCUE PROMPTS WARNING FROM PARKS CANADA ON SPRING HIKING

What’s Happening? Parks Canada is clarifying a recent helicopter rescue near Lake Louise after social media posts raised questions.

What Actually Happened? The April 9 incident involved hikers who strayed off designated routes above the lakeshore and needed assistance getting back.

“Visitor Safety teams responded and safely assisted the individuals back to the lakeshore. No serious injuries were reported,” Amy Krause, engagement officer for Parks Canada, told Bow Valley Insider. 

Spring Conditions = Winter Risks. Despite the crowds, it’s still very much winter up high. Avalanche hazard, icy sections, and deep, unstable snow are all in play.

“This incident reflects common spring conditions… and highlights important considerations for visitors,” Krause said.

Popular Trails Not Ready Yet: Routes like Lake Agnes, Big Beehive, Little Beehive, and Plain of the Six Glaciers are still considered early-season objectives.

“These trails are summer objectives that typically come into condition in mid-June. Tracks left by others do not indicate a safe route,” Krause said.

Why It’s Tricky Right Now: Conditions can flip fast. Firm snow in the morning can turn into knee-deep slush by afternoon, making it hard to return safely. Microspikes are recommended, but even that doesn’t remove avalanche risk.

Snowpack Is a Factor: This year’s above-average snowpack is stretching the season. As of early April, 71% of monitored sites were above or well above normal, with some hitting record highs.

Don’t Trust the Apps: Parks Canada is also warning against relying on crowd-sourced hiking apps, which may not reflect current hazards, and instead recommends checking official trail reports.

While the agency manages risks and shares safety information, the final call still rests with visitors.

“You can do your part by seeking out the information you need to stay safe and make well informed decisions,” Krause said.

Read our full story and see some more pictures of the rescue.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Connect with Bow Valley Business Owners. Plug into the local business scene without it feeling like a boardroom. The Bow Valley Chamber’s AGM kicks things off with updates on what’s ahead, followed by Bevvies & Business networking where the real conversations happen. Come for the insights, stay for the connections. 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Banff Centre. Free for AGM. $15-$40 for networking. RSVP.*

Thursday

• Italian Night at The Fat Ox. Joe’s Cucina Vol. 3 is back with a Canmore Pasta Co collab, serving up a multi-course, family-style dinner built around handcrafted pasta and classic Italian flavours. Expect dishes like cacio e pepe, lamb ragu ravioli, and lobster fazzoletti, plus a take-home gift to finish the night. 6:00 PM. The Fat Ox, Banff. $92. Details and reservations.*

• Indigenous Film Night. A thoughtful evening of film and conversation returns, exploring the connection between culture, land, and the outdoors. The night features a curated lineup of Indigenous films plus a post-screening discussion with filmmakers and community leaders. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20.*

SO… WHAT CAN YOU ACTUALLY GET IN CANMORE FOR 500K RIGHT NOW?

Altitude officially opened 3 show homes in Canmore this past weekend, which means you can finally stop guessing and just walk through actual condos. 

Let’s start with the headline number.

You’re looking at 2-bedroom condos starting in the low $500Ks. In Canmore, that tends to get attention.

But not everyone’s looking for the same thing.

Some want a lower-maintenance condo as a basecamp. Others want more space, which is where the larger units and townhomes (starting around $1.1M) come in. Same development, different lifestyles.

And here’s the part people figure out quickly once they visit. The lower-priced condos usually don’t hang around. So if you’re even a little curious, now’s the time. 

Plus, here’s a cool offer just for Bow Valley Insiders: If you book a showing anytime between now and May 31, you’ll be entered to win a $500 gift card to Crazyweed Kitchen.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐻 Got a Grizzly Paw Story to Share? It Could Pay. For its 30th anniversary, The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company is crowdsourcing the stories that built it, from first dates to legendary nights you probably shouldn’t fully remember. Call it in (just leave a voicemail), email it, or submit online for a shot at a $2,500 grand prize, including $1,500 cash. Every eligible story also scores a limited-edition anniversary glass (while supplies last). Deadline is May 4, and yes, the more memorable (or chaotic), the better. Details.*

• 🩺 Injury Recovery Gets a Mental Health Upgrade. The Banff Sport Medicine Foundation is rolling out a new community program focused on the mental side of injury recovery, starting with a public workshop during Bow Valley Mental Health & Addictions Week. Think a knee injury that suddenly sidelines you from running or skiing, and everything that comes with that. “Recover Together” runs May 6 at Origin Spring Creek, blending expert insight, real recovery stories, and small-group discussion. It’s free and built to give you practical mental and emotional tools you can use. Register.*

• 🎸 Community Friday Grand Finale. You’ve seen us posting about it all winter, and now it’s the final one. After months of packed Friday nights at Canmore Brewing, the season wraps up with one last evening of live music, beers, and familiar faces. Three bands close it out: Nurdjana with Six by Four Blues, The Ducks, and The Brews. It all starts Friday at 4 PM. Expect a full taproom.*

• ⛷️ Cross-Country Ski Season Wraps Up. The 2025-26 season is officially done, with grooming now finished at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Trails won’t be maintained as conditions shift quickly into spring, so what you see is what you get out there. If you’re heading out, check conditions first. Otherwise, it might be time to start swapping skis for trail runners. 

• 🍽️ Mother’s Day Brunch with a View.  It’s not too early to start planning. Treat Mom to a relaxed morning with mountain views over Mount Rundle and Vermilion Lakes at The Juniper Bistro. The brunch features a grazing table and hot dishes prepared by Chef Sergio, one of the Bow Valley’s best. Reservations now open, but they won’t last long.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Eyes Energy Cuts at Its Biggest Power Users. Canmore is spending about $2M a year on energy, and most of it comes from three places locals know well: Elevation Place, the rec centre, and the wastewater plant. Upgrades could cut energy use by up to 29% at some sites, but the fixes, like switching to heat pumps and reusing waste heat, are coming in over budget. The town has already saved about $42K a year through smaller tweaks, but the bigger gains will depend on securing grants and reworking project plans to make the math work.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:00 PM: Koji Aiken. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $7.32.

• Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:00 PM:Sea of Lettuce x Zoo. Location: The Drake, Canmore. $17.31.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Heading To National Stage. The Canmore Eagles stopped by Town Hall yesterday to snap photos with fans as momentum builds toward the Centennial Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Championship. The tournament runs May 7-17 in PEI. Alberta has a strong track record with 12 national titles, but Canmore has yet to add its name. 

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.