💵 Locals: Declare It or Pay Up

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We just got wind of a new show filmed in Canmore airing December 5 on Apple TV. The First Snow of Fraggle Rock is part puppet adventure, part holiday special, and part musical. And if you’re like our publisher Ben who asked, “what the heck is a Fraggle,” they’re fuzzy, cave-dwelling puppets who love music and mischief. Frankly, being a little “Fraggle” might not be the worst thing. Anyways, it looks like a cozy, family-friendly show to add to your winter lineup.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

IT’S OFFICIAL: DECLARE YOUR HOME STATUS OR PAY THE PRICE

What’s Happening? Canmore homeowners now have homework. Every full-time resident must declare that they live in their home year-round, or they will face the new “Livability Tax.” Those who don’t confirm their status with the town by December 31, 2025, will automatically be taxed at the higher rate, which includes an additional 0.4% of their property’s assessed value. For a typical $1.04 million home, that’s roughly $4,000 in extra taxes.

Why It’s Here? With nearly one in four homes sitting empty and a rental vacancy rate under 1%, Canmore’s housing shortage has become a full-blown crisis. The town hopes the new tax will encourage year-round occupancy and funnel revenue toward non-market housing for local workers. These town-owned units, managed through Canmore Community Housing, are priced below market rates for full-time residents earning moderate incomes.

The Big Picture. Council expects to collect roughly $10.3 million annually from the new program, slightly below the original $12 million estimate but still significant funding for affordable housing. Compared with other cities, Canmore’s rate is mild. Vancouver and Toronto have vacant home taxes as high as 3%.

The Pushback. Not everyone is cheering. Second-home owners say the measure unfairly targets part-timers who still spend and invest locally. Critics also question whether the revenue will translate into meaningful affordability when land and construction costs remain sky-high. 

What Homeowners Need to Know. Owners must declare their property online each year. To qualify for the lower rate, a home must be occupied at least 183 days annually, including one continuous 60-day stretch, either by the owner or a tenant using it as their primary residence.

👉 Read more details for homeowners here.

👉 Declare your property status here.

WE’RE TRAINING NOW SO WE DON’T CRY ON DAY ONE

Let’s be honest: your “pre-season ski training” has mostly involved carrying patio beers, not weights. The first ski day will hit harder than a Norquay ice patch, and your knees are already whispering “bad idea.”

That’s where Coach Frieda comes in. She’s one of the Bow Valley’s top strength and conditioning coaches, and we’ve built a 6-week Slope Ready Program exclusively for Bow Valley Insiders. Twice a week, every Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, you’ll train with Frieda on ski-specific strength, single-leg balance, and power moves that actually translate to the hill.

But here’s where it gets ridiculous. For $390 you’re not just showing up for six weeks and being left on your own. You’re getting lifetime access to the entire program. Every workout, every video. So you can repeat it before every ski season, forever.

You’ll also get a pre-ski warm-up routine you can do right at the hill while you’re standing in your ski boots, plus a recovery plan for afterward so you’re not hobbling around like you just survived a yard sale.

Most trainers charge that much just to watch you squat. Frieda gives you the whole system.

Only 12 Bow Valley Insiders can join this round. We start November 12.

Still need convincing? Watch this video to see our Publisher Ben and Coach Frieda talk it out, including Ben admitting his knees might already be filing a complaint.

If you’re ready to skip those damn excuses and get stronger instead, click here to grab your spot. 

(Got a question, hit reply)

THE DIGEST

• 🏳️‍🌈 Banff’s Pride Crosswalk Defaced, Cleanup Underway. Banff’s rainbow crosswalk near the Pedestrian Bridge was splattered with black paint over the weekend, sparking outrage and support across town. Banff Pride called it a “targeted act” but vowed to repaint it, saying “hate has no place in Banff.” Town crews have begun removing the tar-like substance as local leaders rally behind the message of unity and inclusion. The crosswalk, installed in 2020, cost about $30,000 to create. Learn more about the exact timeline of events and the local response.

• 👻 Haunting Tales from the Banff Springs Hotel. Behind the luxury of Banff’s “Castle in the Rockies” lurk decades of ghost stories. Guests still report seeing the tragic Ghost Bride on the grand staircase, bellman Sam McCauley helping visitors long after his death, and mysterious knocks from the vanished Room 873. Dive into the three infamous ghost stories here. Side note: We heard there’s a Halloween party at the castle this year, but no one from their end has returned our emails or phone calls about it, so we can’t exactly recommend it yet.

• 💡 Former Banff Superintendent’s Book Explores a Vanishing Alberta. In Understory, former Banff superintendent Kevin Van Tighem reflects on decades of watching Alberta’s wild places change. The book blends personal essays, family history, and conservation lessons while urging readers to rebuild respect for the land. Read our full interview with Van Tighem, or listen to him speak tomorrow (Oct. 30) at the Canmore Library from 6:30 to 8 PM, as he shares stories behind his latest work. 

• 📣 Windstorm Topples Trees Across Canmore. Strong winds over the weekend gave Canmore a spooky start to the week, uprooting trees in Centennial Park, Spring Creek, and Riverside Park. The Town has asked residents to avoid the adult fitness area at Centennial Park while crews remove hazardous trees. Pretty wild to see the photos knowing wind can do that. Check them out here. Locals can report fallen trees through the Town’s online reporting tool. 

A Small Town Love Story

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SOME BOW VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PLANNING WALKOUTS

What’s Happening? Students in Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) are heading back to class today, but not everyone is settling back in quietly. Some Bow Valley high school students are already planning a walkout later this week in protest of the province’s back-to-work order. CRPS says buses will run as normal, school hours remain the same, and families should contact their school with any questions.

Why Teachers Are Back. The Alberta government passed the Back to School Act, invoking the notwithstanding clause, which allows the province to override Charter rights such as the right to strike for up to five years. Officials say they acted to prevent “irreparable harm” to students after weeks of missed classes and disrupted learning.

What the Province Is Promising. Premier Danielle Smith’s letter to parents says this is not just a back-to-work order. It also commits to:

• Hiring 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants over the next three years

• Raising teacher pay by 12 to 17 percent

• Fast-tracking new and modernized schools, with 130 projects targeted by 2030

• Creating a task force on class size and classroom complexity

The Tension. Some social media threads say Bow Valley high school students plan to walk out this week in solidarity with teachers, saying the fight is about rights and classroom funding, not just lost lessons. They’re encouraging classmates to wear red and have created an Instagram page, @bchswalkout2025, to share updates. We’ll be following it closely.

What Parents Are Arguing About Locally:

• One side says kids need stability, school is not a political stage, and it is not fair to pressure young kids to “take a side” by wearing certain colours or walking out.

• The other side says this absolutely is about kids. They point to crowded classrooms, limited supports for complex needs, and say standing with teachers is part of teaching civic responsibility.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Get Ready for Winter: Avalanche Canada Webinar. Start the 2025–26 season with Avalanche Canada’s first session, Recognizing Avalanche Terrain and Trip Preparedness. Learn to spot avalanche terrain, plan safer routes, and prep for backcountry trips. Great for beginners or anyone needing a refresher. 8:00 PM. Online. Free.

Thursday

• Pulled Pork Poutine? Yes, Please.  Treat yourself to a hearty feast with BBQ Pulled Pork, Montreal Smoked Meat, or the classic fries, gravy, and cheese combo for just $14. Stop by Evergreen restaurant or make a reservation for tonight.*

• A Quirky Climate Fashion Show. Join the Mountain Grannies and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for a bold, story-filled evening. This unforgettable climate-themed fashion performance blends creativity, humour, and hope! 7:00 - 9:30 PM. Creekside Hall, Canmore. Tickets are $40 and include wine and snacks.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍬 Freshly Spun Cotton Candy in Canmore on Halloween. If your trick-or-treat route takes you through Lion’s Park, stop by Carolyn Robertson’s place at the corner of 16th Street and 11th Avenue for freshly spun cotton candy. It’s a sweet family tradition that’s become a neighborhood favorite. Look for the big inflatable spider and the bright pink CandyTime sign in honor of her dad, who started the tradition years ago. And yes, it’s free.

• 🧛🏻‍♀️Family Friendly Halloween in Banff. Join the Banff Legion for a spooktacular Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 PM. Dance to funky beats from DJ Taxi Mike, enjoy free entry, free pool, and great food and drink deals. Prizes for best costumes. Family-friendly and open to all, no membership required. Come for the fun, stay for the vibe.*

• 🎃 Spooky Fun in Exshaw. Get ready for the Halloween Howler at the Exshaw Legion on Friday, Oct. 31. Doors open at 6:00 PM for a night of spooky fun. Enjoy free children’s activities from 7–9 PM, a costume parade, terrifying treats, and live music with the Elektric Squirrels at 9 PM. Costume prizes, jello shots, and fun for everyone. $10 per person.*

• 🧡 Trick-or-Treat Trail Hits The Shops of Canmore. Looking for a fun Halloween warm-up before the big night? The Shops of Canmore are hosting their first-ever Trick-or-Treat Trail on Friday, Oct. 31 from 3–5 PM. Kids can load up on candy, make crafts, and grab cookies while parents enjoy discounts and bites from local shops. Free, festive, and full of treats. Just look for the bright orange stickers on shop doors to join the fun.

• 🧟‍♂️ Brewery Halloween Party in Canmore. If your feeling more brewery vibes for Halloween, then head to the Canmore Brewing Company’s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 31. Enjoy an evening of killer tunes and cold beer as The Brews take the stage live at 7:30 PM. No cover, just great music, good vibes, and plenty of Halloween spirit.*

• 🍻 Canmore Brewing Wins Beer Awards. Turns out the Halloween party isn’t the only thing brewing over there. Canmore Brewing Company just brought home some serious hardware from the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. Their Georgetown Brown took Gold in the Brown Ale category, while the Highline Lager earned Silver in Light Lager. Both continue their winning streak after national success at the Canadian Brewing Awards.

• 🎭 Last Chance to See Into the Woods. The hit musical Into the Woods closes Nov. 2 at Carter-Ryan Gallery in Canmore. This clever mashup of Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel, and more has been winning over audiences with sharp humor and unexpected twists. It is a rare chance to see big-city theatre quality right here at home. Tickets are limited. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Join Banff’s Police Governance Committee. The Town of Banff is recruiting residents to help guide local policing priorities with the RCMP. Members serve two- or three-year terms and meet quarterly to represent community interests. More details and apply. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, October 28th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Ten02. Location:Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, October 30th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Zemlinsky Quartet. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $45 / members $38.25 / youth $22.50.

SPORTS

• Connor Howe Strikes Gold in Calgary. Canmore’s Connor Howe clinched the men’s 1500m national title at the Canadian Long Track Championships in Calgary, finishing in 1:43.94. The 25-year-old, who earned World Championship bronze in the same distance last season, secured his second national title and continues to look sharp heading into the speed skating season.

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.