👷 Major Hwy Delays Near Canmore?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you're a cyclist, you might groan. But if you're just trying to drive to Johnston Canyon, good news: the spring closure of Highway 1A is ending. The 17-km stretch of the Bow Valley Parkway between Fireside and Johnston Canyon reopens to vehicles tomorrow after two months as a cyclist-only route (here’s the exact stretch). Since May 1, it’s been closed to cars to protect wildlife.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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BERG LAKE TRAIL FINALLY REOPENS AFTER FLOOD REPAIRS

What’s Happening? After a four-year closure, one of B.C.’s most iconic backcountry hikes—the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park—is officially back in business. The full trail reopens June 26, following a $5 million rebuild prompted by catastrophic flooding in 2021.

What Went Wrong? In June 2021, just after the heat dome, a sudden deluge caused the Robson River to surge and devour massive portions of the trail. Rangers described “tidal waves of water” funnelling debris and wiping out 90% of the trail’s infrastructure—bridges, campsites, and even picnic tables were destroyed. Thankfully, no one was injured, but emergency crews had to airlift hikers out.

What’s New? Over the past four years, BC Parks, engineers, and geomorphologists (aka rock whisperers with spreadsheets) have reimagined the trail. Realignments now keep the path out of the floodplain where possible, and newly built bridges are placed in slower-flowing areas to improve survival odds. Seven backcountry campgrounds have reopened, with reservations now required from June 26–Sept 29. 

Why Locals Care. Though it’s outside the Bow Valley, Berg Lake has long been a pilgrimage for serious hikers from Canmore, Banff, and beyond. It’s home to Mount Robson, which, at 3,954m, is the tallest peak in the Rockies and is bucket-list territory. Book a campsite here. 

TWEAKED SOMETHING? THERE’S A NEW ACUTE INJURY CLINIC—COVERED BY AHS

Tweaked something on the trails? Rolled an ankle on that last ride? Before you go down a Google rabbit hole or decide to “just ice it and see,” get a real diagnosis from a professional—without the wait.

Banff Sport Medicine’s Acute Injury Clinic gets you seen by a physiotherapist and sport medicine doctor—fast. No referral needed. And no waiting in the emergency room. 

If your injury happened in the last 10 days, they’ll assess it, set up imaging if needed, and get you on the right treatment plan before it turns into something bigger.

Best part? It’s covered by Alberta Health Services. No out-of-pocket cost for the consultation—just expert care to get you back on your feet.

Our Publisher Ben said, “dammit, why didn’t I know about this before I limped around for a full month last fall?” Don’t be like Ben.  Book it, and heal properly.

_{*Presented by Banff Sports Medicine.}

THE DIGEST

• 👷 Heart Creek Bridge Work Is Underway. Construction’s kicked off on Hwy 1 by Lac Des Arcs—lane closures, shoulder work, and 50–80 km/h speed zones are in effect until September. The MD Bigorn says, “delays should stay under 30 minutes.” Oof. We’re driving it Sunday during peak weekend traffic to find out. Pray for our social media manager. Here’s the exact stretch of road.

• 🤔 Waterton Echoes Banff’s Free-Parks Fears. Waterton locals aren’t exactly cheering the new Canada Strong Pass either. Like Banff, they say the free summer access might sound great—until the trailheads are jammed and trash bins overflow. Locals across Alberta’s mountain towns are asking: who’s going to clean up after the crowds when entry fees disappear?

• 🐻 New Bear Closure Hits Bill Milne Trail. Another day, another bear notice—this one’s a closure. As of June 24, part of the Bill Milne Trail in Evan Thomas is off-limits due to a grizzly with a cub. Meanwhile, bear advisories (not closures) are still active for Peter Lougheed campgrounds, Quaite Valley, Burstall Pass, and Kananaskis Golf Course.

• 🏆 Banff Makes the List of ‘Real-Life Hogwarts’.  A new travel roundup says Banff National Park is basically Harry Potter in real life—and we’re not mad about it. Lake Louise = the Great Lake. The Chateau = a snowy stand-in for the castle. The woods? A scene out of the Forbidden Forest, minus the giant spiders. Now, excuse us while we go paddle out and summon a Patronus—currently our editorial team is laughing at our publisher Ben, who’s never read Harry Potter, and had no idea what that meant.

• 🥇 Canmore Awards Three Local Artists a Boost. A singer, a street artist, and a dancer walked into a grant application—and all three walked away with funding. The Lamphouse Emerging Artist Bursary just handed $3,500 to Nurdjana de Rijcke, Pat Jakubiec, and Wilma Graul to support their creative growth.

10 YEARS OF FATAL MISTAKES IN BANFF — AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN

What’s Happening? Living in the Bow Valley means living with risk. Many of us know someone who’s been impacted by mountain tragedy—or will eventually. Last week’s fatal rockslide near Bow Glacier Falls was a stark reminder: the Rockies are beautiful, but they’re not always forgiving.

What We Did. In light of that, we teamed up with local ACMG alpine guide Patrick Lindsay to take a hard, respectful look at some of the fatal incidents that have occurred in Banff over the past 10 years. This isn’t about shock value—it’s about learning. We used Parks Canada data, old reports, and Patrick’s expert lens to unpack what went wrong in each case, and what lessons we can carry forward.

What You’ll Learn. From a couple mauled in their tent despite following every bear protocol… to tourists who wandered onto a snow-covered summer trail and triggered a deadly avalanche… to an experienced climber who slipped on 4th-class terrain that didn’t seem dangerous—these stories reveal the small variables that can add up to tragedy.

Why It Matters? Each story includes analysis on how things unfolded, what could’ve been done differently, and how even seasoned locals can underestimate risk. If you hike, climb, ski, or even just camp in the Rockies—this is essential reading. Check out the guide here. 

P.S. If you have a goal or are looking to build mountain skills, Patrick is more than happy to chat. Reach him through Ridgeline Guiding for questions, advice, or guided trips.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Curator Tour with Joseph Sanchez. Explore The Ancestors Are Talking with the last living member of the Indigenous Group of Seven, offering personal insight into the landmark exhibition. 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM. The Whyte Museum, Banff. $50.

• Tackling Overtourism in the Bow Valley. Tourism is growing faster than communities can keep up. This panel explores new planning ideas to help manage it sustainably in the Bow Valley. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. Free.*

Thursday

• Get Artsy. Join CYAN at Riverside Park for a chill evening of outdoor watercolour painting. No experience needed—just bring a blanket, dress for the weather, and get creative in nature. All materials provided. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. $26.89.

• A 6-7km Run. Women & non-binary runners are invited to drop-in for this social run—just community vibes and post-run hangs. Led by local legends Rachel Sloan, Marika Pelham & Ali Walford. Come as you are! 6:30 PM. RunUphill Canmore. Free.

• Stampede Craft Night with Banff Pride. Celebrate Stampede season by upcycling denim with fabric paint, tassels, and flair. Bring your own piece or pick from thrifted options—no experience needed. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Banff Canmore Foundation (Basement). Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥞 Bow Valley Insider Breakfast Special. Ask for the Bow Valley Insider Special at The Bankhead to enjoy a breakfast platter: your choice of Back Bacon or Spinach Benedict, 1 loaded pancake, a side of salad or potatoes, and fresh fruit—all for $22. And hey—the first person to order it and tag us or email us gets a shoutout in next week’s newsletter. It’d be real awkward if no one does… so don’t leave us hanging.*

• 🍹 G7-Inspired Cocktail Collection. Blacktail Bar at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge unveils the G7 Global Cocktail Collection—seven countries, eight pours. Launching July 1 with Canada’s La Cabane à Sucre: a maple twist on an old-fashioned, topped with a maple taffy stick. Enjoy a new G7 cocktail each month. Open to all, not just hotel guests.*

• 🚴 Biking The Legacy Trail. We just rode from Canmore to Banff on the Legacy Trail—watch the full ride here. Most locals know it, but if you don’t, it’s a 26 km paved path with nonstop mountain views. Pro tip: start early for calmer winds, quieter roads, and free parking at the Canmore Visitor Centre.

• ⛑️ From Curious Elk to Charging Bears. Whether you hike solo or lead group trips, wildlife encounters are part of the deal. On June 28, join longtime local expert Tyler McClaron for a hands-on safety workshop covering bears, elk, and everything in between—including bear spray practice and real-world tips you’ll actually remember when it counts. Register here. Hosted by the Interpretive Guides Association.*

• 🛎️ The Newest Restaurant in Banff—We Just Tried It. “The Boss” just landed in Banff—and no, not the bear. It’s a brand-new spot in the old Earls space with fresh owners, a new vibe, and an inventive menu. We tried the elk pappardelle, duck wings, and poached pear prosciutto pizza. We’re still stuffed.  Our video of The Boss hit 50,000 views in 24 hours—guess everyone’s hungry.*

• 🍁 Plan Ahead for Canada Day. Get ready for Banff’s big July 1 celebration. Expect road closures and a busy downtown during the parade and festivities. Banff Ave and surrounding streets will close between 2–6:30 PM. Plan your route, walk if you can, and enjoy the day.

• 🥦 Fresh produce, low prices—no strings. The new Bow Valley Fresh Food Box offers 15+ seasonal fruits and veggies for an affordable price each month. Open to everyone, with discounts for eligible residents and a Pay-It-Forward option to support neighbours in need. Order by July 2, pick up July 7 in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, or Lake Louise. Full details at Bow Valley Food Alliance.

CIVIC NEWS

• Call for Council Trip Reports Defeated. A bid to require written reports from elected Banff officials after attending conferences on public funds was voted down. While others acknowledged the push for transparency, concerns about added workload for part-time councillors prevailed. A motion for annual reporting of attended events passed instead.

• Fewer Election Signs in Canmore’s 2025 Municipal Vote. While the provincial government updated the Municipal Government Act to permit election signs on public land, this change applies only to provincial elections and does not affect the efforts by Canmore council to restrict such signage during municipal elections.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, 7:00 PM. Open Mic with Colin MacDonald. Location: The Yard, Canmore. No Cover.

• Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, 10:00 PM. Andrew Staygold.. Location:Rimrock, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, June 26th, 2025, 7:00 PM. The Hip Experience. Location:The Drake Pub, Canmore. $20.

• Thursday, June 26th, 2025, 10:00 PM.Karaoke Thursdays. Location: Canmore Hotel. No Cover

SPORTS

• Canmore Riders Want More World-Class MTB Races. After dominating the Canmore MTB Classic, hometown rider Logan Sadesky and others are pushing for more international races on Canadian soil. Top finishes earned spots at next year’s World Cup and helped young riders qualify for higher-level events. Locals say Canmore’s proven it can handle the big leagues. Next stop? A World Cup.

• Canmore SUPer Paddles 114km in 44 Hours. Maggie Mills and her team Slightly Senile With a Side of Chips just crushed SEVENTY48—a 114 km self-supported paddle race off Washington’s coast. They carried 60 lbs of gear, paddled through the night (twice), braved seasick spells, and crossed water so rough it felt like “an angry washing machine.” Her reward? A much-needed bag of chips.

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.