📚 Locals Shut Out at Banff Fest

Good morning, Bow Valley!

The BVI community never fails to impress. Yesterday, Briana, the Founder of Heart Mountain Rescue (our local dog rescue), texted us with an update that blew us away. After last Wednesday’s call to action, their raffle fundraiser jumped from just 10 supporters to 131, turning under $500 into over $4,000 in only a few days. The raffle draw happens November 29, and we’ll share details soon. But seriously, neighbours, you outdid yourselves.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CREWS BEGIN NEXT PHASE OF LAKE LOUISE FIRE GUARD

What’s Happening? Parks Canada is moving ahead with the next phase of its wildfire break around Lake Louise, part of a multi-year project to protect the community from increasingly intense fire seasons. Starting around November 15, crews will thin 72 hectares of forest near the Pipestone trails, with work continuing through April 2026.

Why It Matters? It marks a major shift in how Banff National Park manages fire. Decades of putting out every blaze created dense forests packed with fuel. Now, with longer and hotter fire seasons, Parks Canada is shifting toward prevention. The Canadian Forest Service says fire seasons are now a month longer than in the 1970s, and climate models predict more extreme fire weather ahead.

On the Ground. Expect a winter of closures near the Pipestone Trailhead and surrounding loops as heavy equipment moves in. Crews will thin, not clear cut, leaving a more open forest that slows flames and gives firefighters safer access. The result will be fewer trees, more sunlight, and eventually a valley edge filled with shrubs and grasses.

Wildlife Ripple Effects. Thinning could help animals move more freely and forage deeper in the forest, away from roads and rail lines where bears and elk often wander. Newly opened areas may also draw wildlife closer to human zones at first, something Parks Canada plans to monitor.

The Big Picture. The full Lake Louise project is set to finish by 2027, creating a valley-wide fire guard to strengthen the community’s wildfire resilience. Read our full story for maps of the project area and how Parks Canada plans to balance fire protection with wildlife habitat.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN CANMORE

Thinking about a home in Canmore? The new construction at Alder & Stone offers a unique combination of customization, financial flexibility, and long-term value that’s hard to match:

• Financial Flexibility: Secure your new home with only 10–20% down, while the builder carries the remaining cost until possession.

• Personalize Your Space: Select your finishes, layout, and upgrades to reflect your lifestyle from day one. 

• Long-Term Investment: Build equity as your home is under construction. As construction progresses, your home’s value typically rises, letting you grow equity before you even move in.

• Peace of Mind: A 10-year warranty plan offers long-term confidence, protection, and reduced risk of unexpected expenses.

• Community Design: New developments are intentionally planned with connection and convenience in mind. From walking paths, green spaces, and close proximity to essential services.

Ready to explore the opportunity? Connect with Alex and Lori. Or sign up here to explore the floor plans. 

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate}

THE DIGEST

• 🌊 Water’s Flowing Freely Again in Canmore. Just in case you were planning to spend the weekend watering your lawn for two hours straight, you can go ahead now. The Town has lifted Stage 1 water restrictions after TransAlta finished repairing the Spray Canal that feeds the Rundle Forebay, Canmore’s main drinking water source. 

• 📘 No Canadian Winners at Banff Book Awards. Three Canadian books made the finalist list but none won their category as international authors swept all eight awards at the festival’s 50th anniversary. American author Cassidy Randall’s Thirty Below took home both the Grand Prize and the Non-Fiction award, earning a total of $8,000 for her account of the first all-women’s ascent of Denali in 1970. Check out all the category winners. 

• ⛷️ Alberta Ski Hills Hold Strong Against Climate Pressures. Despite shrinking ski seasons worldwide, Alberta’s resorts remain among the most climate-resilient on the planet. Experts credit the Rockies’ high elevations, cold dry air, and distance from coastal weather systems. Lake Louise CEO Rich Burkley told CTV the real threat isn’t snow, it’s rising costs like insurance and electricity. Still, local resorts are investing heavily, with new lifts, record capital spending, and earlier than expected openings across the region.

• 💡 Study Finds “Guilt” Drives Wildlife-Friendly Behaviour in Canmore. A new University of Alberta study found that the main reason people follow wildlife rules on local trails is because they personally feel it’s the right thing to do. Researchers say that inner sense of responsibility, not social pressure, best predicts who turns around after spotting wildlife or avoids closed corridors. Locals and visitors showed nearly identical behaviour, suggesting residents aren’t necessarily more responsible than tourists.

• ⛷️ 7 Ways to Get Your Body Ready for Ski Season. Local strength coach Frieda Cornejo breaks down how to boost power, protect your knees, and stay injury-free all winter. From single-leg strength to quick parking lot warmups, she shares the exact routines her mountain athletes use to perform their best. Read the full article.

Print Ads Are Awesome If…

• You’re the Town of Canmore or Banff

• You’re a utilities company like Enmax

• Your name includes “Fairmont Banff Springs”

Their marketing budgets have marketing budgets.

For the rest of us, marketing has to do more than look good. It has to work.

So if you’re a local business or organization and your success depends on locals supporting locals, maybe it’s time to try something different.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s chat

BEAR EVICTED FROM SUNSHINE VILLAGE DEN

What’s Happening? A black bear was kicked out of its soon-to-be winter den near the Goat’s Eye gondola at Sunshine Village last week. Parks Canada says the Oct. 31 relocation was “the only viable option” after discovering the bear had dug in less than 10 metres from where hundreds of skiers and staff pass each day. With the ski hill about to open, officials said moving the bear was the safest choice for everyone involved.

Why They Moved Him. Closing the area was not realistic because Sunshine’s layout leaves little room to reroute skiers or maintenance crews. Instead, Parks Canada tranquilized and moved the male bear to another location, which they are not disclosing, and fitted him with a GPS collar for monitoring. Officials said the bear “recovered well” and was behaving normally after release.

The Bear’s New Challenge. Now, the bear needs to find a new den before winter hits. Experts say it is late in the season but not too late. Bears can still find shelter before hibernation begins, though relocating means competing with other bears already settled for the season.

Bigger Picture. Male bears usually den later than females, but timing depends on food, snow cover, and temperature. With Banff already covered in more than 20 centimetres of snow, the clock is ticking. Colder weather can actually help because partially frozen ground makes for sturdier dens.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Climb for $2. It’s Community Day at Canmore Climbing. For just a toonie, you can spend the day climbing. Whether you’re a regular or just curious to give it a try, it’s an easy, affordable way to get out, get moving, and be part of the climbing crowd. All-day. Canmore Climbing Gym. $2.

• Community Fridays at Canmore Brewing. Kick off your weekend with a laid-back evening of live acoustic music, cold pints, and good company. This week, enjoy the soulful sounds of Liam Daisley, a British-born songwriter whose indie-folk and outlaw-country style feels right at home in the Rockies. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

Saturday

• Lake Louise Ski Resort Winter Gear Swap. Looking to gear up (or gear down) for winter? Buy or sell quality used skis, snowboards, skates, and winter wear. It’s free to attend, sellers keep 100% of their profits, and the bar will be open. 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. North Face Bistro, Lake Louise. Details here.

• Banff Mountain Film Festival: Mountain of Mystery. The film follows a crew of skiers, kayakers, and surfers as they trace the path of melting snow from the mountains of B.C. all the way to the sea, exploring how water connects us all. 2:00 PM. Showing in two theatres: Jenny Belzberg or Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff. Ticket Info.*

Sunday

• Books & Breath: Yoga at the Library. Start your Sunday with a stretch and a story. Begin with a fun icebreaker, then flow into a 45-minute yoga session led by Chie Fujimaru. Perfect for all levels, this class invites both book lovers and yogis to relax, explore, and connect. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Banff Library. Free.  

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Banff’s Most Famous Bear Gets a Bedtime Story. He’s 600 pounds of swagger and probably the most photographed resident in Banff. Now The Boss has his own children’s book. The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss turns the legend of Bear 122 into a heartwarming tale for kids, blending Banff’s real landscapes with lessons in bravery and respect for wildlife. It’s the perfect local gift for little adventurers. Available on Amazon now.*

• ✅ Get Paid to Talk About the Mountains. If you love swapping stories about bears, glaciers, and wildflowers, this is your chance to turn that passion into a career. The Interpretive Guides Association is hosting its Apprentice Interpreter course in Canmore from November 12–13. Spend two days learning how to share the Rockies with visitors, then write your certification exam to become an Apprentice Interpreter. Register here. To become a fully certified Interpretive Hiking Guide, pair it with the Group Management course on Nov 14–16.*

• 🚶 Remembrance Day in Banff. Join the Banff community to honor our veterans. The parade forms at 10:15 AM outside the Legion, marches down Banff Ave to the ceremony at Banff Elementary, followed by two minutes of silence at 11:00 AM. The parade continues to the Legion for wreath laying at 11:50 AM. Everyone is welcome to attend.*

• 🤝 Bow Valley Artists Face the Clock. artsPlace’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Creative Combat, returns November 15. Watch 12 local artists race the clock to create a work of art in just 20 minutes, then bid on their creations in live and silent auctions. The evening features local food, cocktails, live music, and a raffle for a trip. Funds raised support artsPlace programs that bring classes, performances, and festivals to the Bow Valley year-round.*

• 🚧 Road Closure: Kananaskis Rally This Sunday. Powderface Road and Jumpingpound Demonstration Loop will be closed Sunday, Nov 9 for the Kananaskis Rally. Expect no access to Dawson Rec Area, Cox Hill Ridge, Jumpingpound Summit, or Lusk Pass. The south end of Powderface Trail remains open via Hwy 66. Full details here.

• 🍞 The Uprising Bake Shop News. The Uprising Bake Shop announced on Instagram that it’s closing its doors at 804 6th Ave on November 9. But don’t call it a goodbye. After a short renovation, the team says they’ll reopen with a new concept “inspired by their roots.” Details on what that means are still under wraps.

• 🙋 Front of House Volunteers Needed. Pine Tree Players are looking for friendly faces to help out during their holiday show, Bob’s Your Elf. Volunteers will greet guests, sell tickets and snacks, and keep things running smoothly. They’re also looking for ProServe-certified bartenders to pour drinks. Sign up here.

• 📝 Register for Banff & Area Emergency Alert. Winter weather is here, so it’s the perfect time to make sure you’re signed up for Banff’s Emergency Alerts through the Voyent Alert system. Stay in the know about wildfires, flooding, power outages, road closures, and more. Registration is free and anonymous, and you can add nearby communities like Canmore, Lake Louise, and Exshaw. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff’s Snow Angel Program Returns. The Town of Banff is matching volunteers with residents 65 and older, or anyone with mobility challenges, who need help clearing snow after a storm. Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours, and this neighbour-to-neighbour program keeps paths safe all winter. Contact Senior Support Coordinator Dani Roussy at [email protected].

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 7th, 2025, 9:30 PM: The Ramblin; Hey Ho Ha's  Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, November 7th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Fonzie Scheme  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $5..

• Saturday, November 8th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Danny Nix. Location: The Moxy, Banff.. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 8th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Tenax. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Eagles Edge Storm in Front of Packed Banff Crowd. The Canmore Eagles kept their hot streak alive with a 4–3 win over the Grande Prairie Storm at a sold-out Fenlands Recreation Centre on Wednesday. Cohen Daoust scored twice, bringing his season total to 14 goals, and goalie Alex Scheiwiller made 36 saves, including a clutch stop in the final seconds. The win marks three straight for Canmore, who sit just one point behind Calgary for the South Division lead.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.