💰 Major Resort Coming to K-Country?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Congratulations are in order. On Halloween, we hosted a special Cluesolver adventure through downtown Canmore using the Cluesolver mobile app. Part scavenger hunt, part escape room, and part mystery, it had sixteen teams racing through town using local landmarks to solve the puzzle. Congrats to Lucia S. and the Crossbow Crossbones for finishing first and earning this year’s Cluesolver crown. Thanks to everyone who showed up!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

SUNSHINE VILLAGE BECOMES FIRST CANADIAN SKI RESORT TO OPEN

What’s Happening? Banff Sunshine Village became the first ski resort in Canada to open this season, welcoming skiers yesterday for its earliest opening day ever. The Strawberry Express chair was spinning from 9 AM to 4 PM, with all runs on it open, including a 12-feature terrain park. 

The Perfect Storm (Literally). Friday’s snowfall warning from Environment Canada could not have been better timed. Up to 15 cm of fresh snow blanketed Banff National Park overnight. “So much powder today!! A few rocks, but sick conditions,” said Canmore local and Bow Valley Insider Alexandra Adams, one of the first on the hill Sunday morning. Staff encouraged guests to dress up in Halloween costumes or Blue Jays gear, handing out vouchers to anyone who did.

Next Up: Lake Louise. The early opening sparked friendly competition across the valley. Lake Louise Ski Resort announced it is opening tomorrow, November 4, with the Juniper Express Chair running at 9 AM and early-season tickets at 50 percent off. More runs, the Grizzly Gondola, and an early terrain park are expected later this week as their snowmaking team continues round-the-clock efforts.

The Winter Outlook. If this weekend is any indication, the Bow Valley could be in for a strong snow year. Environment Canada scientists say a developing La Niña pattern may bring cooler temperatures and above-average snowfall across the Rockies, a combination that has historically produced some of Sunshine’s best seasons, such as 2017–18 when more than 300 inches fell. Whether it lasts or not, skiers are already off to a promising start.

THE SMARTER WAY TO FUND YOUR BOW VALLEY BUSINESS

(Stop putting work trucks on your Visa.)

You’re a local contractor, landscaper, or small business owner. You need real equipment to do real work: pickup trucks, mini-excavators, sprinter vans, scissor lifts… maybe even a grain bin (for your side hustle brewery dreams).

But here’s the problem: most banks won’t touch small-scale equipment financing under $150K. So you end up draining your HELOC or maxing out your personal credit.

Locals Michael & Cari Hossmann work with lenders who actually support Bow Valley entrepreneurs.

That means lease financing built for business owners, not hobbyists. No impact on your personal credit. No ding to your debt ratios. Just smart, flexible funding that keeps your cash flow moving and your business growing.

Perfect for tradespeople, solopreneurs, and small biz owners who need gear but don’t want to gamble with their personal finances to get it.

👉 Book a call with Michael & Cari… And get the gear you need without torpedoing your credit score.

_{*Presented by Dominion Lending Centres Synergy Financial.}

THE DIGEST

• 🥾 Best Kananaskis Hikes You Can Still Do in November. If you’re still clinging to hiking season, we put together a guide to help you squeeze in a few more trails before winter wins. It includes some off-the-beaten-path routes and a few you’ll want to hit this month before December road closures kick in. This list isn’t random either. Our publisher Ben literally hiked #4 on Sunday. Read the full guide.

• 𖥕 Winter Tires Now Mandatory on Highway 93 North and South. Planning a trip to Jasper or Radium this winter? You’ll need winter tires or chains between November 1 and April 1. If you’re heading north to Jasper, expect to be turned around at the park gate without them. South toward Radium, there’s no gate, just icy roads and big trouble if you end up stuck or in a ditch.

• 🐻 End of October Bear Report from the Biosphere Institute. Bear sightings have slowed, but they’re not over yet. Some female grizzlies are already near their dens, while a few males may roam until mid-December. Officials say it’s no time to let your guard down. Clean up attractants, stash pet food and garbage, and bring pumpkins inside after Halloween. Hungry bears love those seeds.

• 🎨 Canmore Artist’s Work Takes Center Stage at Banff Film Fest. Canmore’s Cecelia Leddy, known locally as Teenybotanist, is the featured artist for the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival’s 50th anniversary. Her design featuring Mount Assiniboine, a wandering grizzly, and a swirl of aurora appears on this year’s festival T-shirts and a Banff Airporter shuttle. Check out the design here. 

• 🔥 Why Jasper Burned So Fast. A year after wildfire tore through Jasper, new research reveals how it spread so fast. Drought, beetle-killed forests, and dense neighbourhoods combined into a “perfect firestorm.” When the heat column collapsed, embers rained into town, igniting homes faster than crews could react. The reports call for fire-resistant materials, smarter urban design, and better forest management. Read our full breakdown and lessons for the Bow Valley.

2 SPOTS LEFT FOR CHRISTMAS FAME

Alright, we have room for two more businesses who want Christmas video content this month. If you want locals to actually know what you are offering for the holidays, this is your moment.

We will swing by your business, film three videos, post them to our 37,000+ followers on Facebook and Instagram, and send you the raw files so you can reuse them however you like.

As a bonus, you will also get featured three times inside this email to 16,000+ neighbours.

Want in? Fill out this quick form before Friday.

(And yes, it really is only two spots. No smoke and mirrors, just our workload.)

FORTRESS MOUNTAIN PROPOSES YEAR-ROUND RESORT IN KANANASKIS

What’s Happening? Fortress Mountain Resort in Kananaskis Country is planning a major redevelopment that would transform it into a year-round resort.

The Plan. The proposal outlines a new day lodge, hotel, spa, brewery, retail village, and expanded lift network that would open access to hundreds of new hectares of terrain. The resort’s 3,600-hectare Crown land lease already has approval for four-season use and a base-area village concept, but several key permits are still pending.

The All-Season Resorts Act. Introduced by the Alberta government in 2024, the All-Season Resorts Act is designed to fast-track tourism development in areas like Kananaskis, Crowsnest Pass, and David Thompson Country. It creates simplified approvals for resorts that operate year-round, aiming to boost tourism spending from $14.4 billion in 2024 to $25 billion by 2035. The province says the regulatory framework is still being finalized, and no land has yet been designated under the Act. 

The Debate. Critics, including Banff-Kananaskis MLA and wildlife biologist Sarah Elmeligi, told the RMO that the Act gives too much discretionary power to the minister overseeing tourism. She argues it could allow projects to bypass environmental impact assessments and Indigenous consultation. 

Why It Matters? If Fortress moves forward, it could become one of Alberta’s first major test cases under the All-Season Resorts Act, marking a shift from seasonal recreation to large-scale, year-round resort development in Kananaskis. Supporters say it could drive jobs and investment, while others worry it may set a precedent for resort development on protected public lands.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Beginner Wood Burning. Discover the art of pyrography with local artist Bryony Toon and create a one-of-a-kind wood-burned portrait of your pet. Over three guided sessions, you’ll learn the fundamentals of this unique craft and leave with a 6-inch custom piece. Beginners welcome. 7:00 - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $150 / members $127.50.*

• Adult Drop-In Volleyball. Bump, set, and spike with a fun, friendly crew. Enjoy casual games that keep you active and social while serving up good vibes on the court. 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. LGMS, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply.

Tuesday

• The Making of Robson. Join legendary ski mountaineer Christina Lustenberger for an inspiring evening of behind-the-scenes stories from Sherpa Cinema’s latest film, Robson. Hear how she and Gee Pierrel tackled the South Face of Mount Robson with courage and precision in one of the Rockies’ boldest ski-mountaineering feats ever. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Smartwool, Banff. Free, RSVP here.

• How Bruce Springsteen Created Nebraska. Explore the creation of Bruce Springsteen’s haunting 1982 album Nebraska. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film offers a raw, intimate look at “The Boss” as he crafts one of his most personal works, a timeless study of isolation, hope, and humanity. Various times. Lux Theatre, Banff. Tickets $7.99.

SHE’LL JUDGE YOUR DIRT, NOT YOUR LIFE

You don’t need to clean before the cleaner comes. Zoe’s seen worse (trust us, she cleaned our publisher Ben’s place). Whether it’s a post-reno disaster or just a month of life piling up, she shows up with zero judgment and maximum elbow grease. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, she’s now taking on new clients. Book a quick chat to see if her no-nonsense style is the right fit for your mess.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🦾 Have a Plan to Cut Emissions? Graymont Wants to Help. Are you working on a project that uses less energy or water, reduces a building’s footprint, or creates carbon sinks like forests, farmland, or peatlands? From retrofits to restoration, Graymont’s Carbon Reduction Fund supports projects that deliver real emissions cuts or long-term carbon storage. Apply by November 28, 2025. Click here for details or eligibility. Questions? Email  [email protected].*

• 🍷 An Evening with Michter’s Master Distiller. Join Dan McKee, Master Distiller of Michter’s, for an exclusive guided whiskey tasting paired with a coursed, family-style dinner by Chef Joe at The Fax Ox. Discover the craftsmanship behind Michter’s award-winning spirits in this one-night-only experience November 15th at 6:00 PM. $130 per person, reserve early.*

• 🍸 Global Cocktail Experience. This month, The Blacktail Bar at the Kananaskis Lodge features Graceland, a cocktail that pays homage to rock ‘n’ roll royalty. Graceland blends the legendary trio of peanut butter, banana, and bacon into one indulgent sip, a bold, nostalgic toast to the King himself. Definitely worth the drive to Kananaskis, or pop in after one of the hikes we recommended above.*

• ✒️ New Tattoo Studio in Banff. Banff Avenue Tattoo has officially opened at 111 Banff Ave, welcoming both locals and visitors for custom designs and walk-ins. Their website’s still “under development,” but if you’re strolling down Banff Ave, they’d rather you just stop by in person.

• 🧊 Be a Snow Angel in Banff. Lend a hand or shovel to neighbours who need help clearing snow. The Snow Angel program pairs volunteers with residents 65+ or those with mobility challenges to keep sidewalks safe after each snowfall. It’s flexible, local, and a great way to warm hearts this winter.

• 🛠️ Hands-On Builder Training in Canmore. Learn how to build smarter and cut emissions at two free workshops for builders on Nov. 18. The morning session covers Ground Source Heat Pumps with Alberta case studies, while the afternoon focuses on Building Envelope Fundamentals like airtightness, thermal bridging, and insulation. We’ll admit, that’s all jargon to us. But if you’re a builder, those words are probably music to your ears. Click here for details.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff September Traffic Trends. Banff saw a 1.7% rise in September traffic at main entrances, but fewer vehicles crossed the Bow River Bridge down 6.1% from last year and 12.7% below 2019. Roam Transit ridership surged 14%, replacing nearly 79,000 private vehicles. Warm, dry weather kept entrances steady while sustainable travel habits continued shaping local movement. See the full report here. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, November 3rd, 2025, 10:00 PM: Andrew Staygold.. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.  No Cover.

• Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Halloween Hangover: Banff Punk Night - Vol. X. Location: Pump and Tap, Banff.  No Cover.

• Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Puttin' on the Foil. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Blue Jays Lost. Our editor, Fortune, just wanted to say “😞“

• Eagles Edge Canucks in Calgary Showdown. The Canmore Eagles clawed out a 4–3 win over the Calgary Canucks on Saturday, powered by two second-period goals on the man advantage. Rookie Easton Milne and Reid Larsen both struck on the power play, while Aiden Tkachuk added the game-winner in the third. The victory pulls Canmore within one point of the AJHL South Division lead. The Eagles host Grande Prairie this Wednesday at 7 PM in Banff.

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.