🪨 Massive Rockfall Near Canmore

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Okay, the wait is over. The Bow Valley Insider Awards winners are here! More than 11,000 people voted for their favourite Bow Valley businesses in our readers’ choice awards, which ran from August through September.

So, why the wait? We had physical awards made, then spent last week handing them out personally. We wanted the businesses to find out from us first, partly for the surprise and partly because we wanted to see their faces.

Check out all the winners, including your favourite restaurants, tour companies, local services and more!

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

MASSIVE ROCKFALL RESHAPES MOUNTAIN NEAR CANMORE. CLIMBERS WARN MORE COULD FALL.

What’s Happening? A massive rockfall on Windtower near Canmore has destroyed large sections of two climbing routes, including one that took 20 years to complete. But for the climber who spent decades developing it, the loss has brought an unexpected feeling: relief.

How Big Was The Rockfall? On Sept. 29, a slab of rock estimated at 200 metres tall broke away from Windtower’s north face, sending a cloud of dust into the air. The scar is visible from the Trans-Canada Highway as you drive toward Canmore, just past Dead Man’s Flats. 

Calgary runner Amanda Regnier was hiking nearby Wind Ridge when she heard what sounded like thunder and turned to see the rockfall.

"You just feel so small, and there’s nothing you can do but just stand there," she told Bow Valley Insider.

The collapse destroyed roughly half of two difficult climbing routes: Daddy Longlegs, a 14-pitch climb, and The 36th Chamber of the Windtower, a 15-pitch route.

Twenty Years Of Work, Gone. Calgary-area climber Raphael Slawinski began working on Daddy Longlegs in 2002, eventually completing it with Danny Poceta in September 2022.

Slawinski estimates the rockfall destroyed the route’s first seven or eight pitches. Yet rather than mourning the loss, he says he’s grateful he wasn't climbing when it happened.

"More than anything, given the number of days I spent up there, I think it’s almost a feeling of relief that I was not in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

Is The Area Safe? Kananaskis Mountain Rescue has warned that additional rockfall is possible and is encouraging visitors to avoid the immediate area.

Rhys Beaudry, executive director of Climb Alberta, told Bow Valley Insider the newly exposed rock could continue shedding smaller pieces for years.

No official closure has been reported, and the usual hiking route to Windtower’s summit, accessed from Spray Lakes Road, is expected to be unaffected.

The Bigger Picture. This is the latest significant rockfall in the Bow Valley. Earlier this year, a slide on Canmore Hill closed Spray Lakes Road for nearly 12 weeks, while another rockfall damaged a popular climbing area at Rundle Rock near the Banff Springs Golf Course.

Read our full story

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S -30°C.

Garage doors have a habit of choosing the coldest morning of the year to stop working. Suddenly your car is trapped inside, the door won't close properly, or you're standing outside wondering why it suddenly sounds like it's grinding itself apart.

According to the team at Alpine Doors, cold weather can expose problems that have been developing for months. Worn rollers, aging springs, dry moving parts and weathered seals may work well enough through the summer, only to struggle once temperatures plunge.

That's why fall is one of the best times to schedule a preventative service. A technician can inspect the springs, cables, rollers, tracks and safety systems, lubricate the moving parts and catch small issues before they become emergency repairs in the middle of winter.

A little maintenance now can help you avoid an unexpected surprise when winter arrives.

The local team at Alpine Doors has been helping Bow Valley homeowners prepare for winter since 1997. If your garage door hasn't been serviced in years, now's the perfect time to book before the cold weather arrives.

_{*Presented by Alpine Doors.}

THE DIGEST

• 📍 There’s A Hidden Store Beneath Canmore’s Main Street. If you’ve walked past Chopsticks restaurant on Mainstreet, you might have missed the little shop hiding downstairs. Mountain River Life is packed with Rockies-inspired clothing, books, board games and gifts, including Lake Louise-themed fleeces and coffee mugs with miniature mountains inside. We just interviewed the owners, longtime friends Erik Paul and Graham Kelba. They started the business as a pandemic woodworking project, but a 2025 fire sent them in a new direction. They opened their permanent Canmore shop in May and have their sights set on Banff next. Read their story and vision.

• 🏠 Airbnb Is Cracking Down On Checkout Chores. Whether you own an Airbnb in the Bow Valley, or you're booking one for your next mountain getaway, some changes are coming. Starting Nov. 20, hosts generally won't be allowed to ask guests to strip beds, do laundry, wash dishes or haul garbage off-site. But there's a possible exception for Bow Valley rentals. Properties in bear country may still require guests to use wildlife-proof garbage bins, although Airbnb hasn't confirmed whether Banff and Canmore qualify. Meanwhile, Airbnb searches in the two communities rose 6% this spring compared with last year. Here's what else is changing.

• 🏘️ New Housing Is Coming To The Bow Valley. Just east of Canmore, Bearspaw First Nation is making room for more homes in Mînî Thnî. The Nation broke ground on a new subdivision on Oct. 20, with Chief Darcy Dixon, Coun. Rod Hunter and Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi joining the celebration. The first phase is expected to create 19 serviced building sites for future housing, complete with new roads and connections to water and sewer services. The goal is to expand housing options for Nation members.

• 🔕 Parks Canada’s Website Is Going Offline This Weekend. Planning a hike, checking trail closures, or looking up park information? You might want to do that before Saturday. Parks Canada’s website will be unavailable from Oct. 24 through Oct. 25 for scheduled maintenance, meaning you won't be able to check its online advisories or visitor information during the outage. The good news? The campground reservation system and online shop will still work. Need information while the site's down? Call 1-888-773-8888.

Get More Locals Behind Your Non-Profit or Charity

You’ve got a fundraiser to fill, volunteers to recruit, or a program more people should know about. But getting the word out can feel like another full-time job, especially when your team is already stretched.

We help local non-profits and charities share their programs, fundraisers, recruitment efforts, and events in Bow Valley Insider.

We already work with groups like the Bow Valley Pickleball Association, Pine Tree Players, Banff Legion, Valley Winds Music Association, Biosphere Institute, and many others.

Interested? Fill out this quick form.

CANMORE MAYOR REACTS TO REFERENDUM RESULTS, RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT IMMIGRATION

Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert is now weighing in on Alberta’s referendum. Updated results show nearly 80% of Banff-Kananaskis voters supported remaining in Canada, an outcome Krausert says reinforces council’s position on unity, though he remains concerned about potential impacts on local workers and employers.

Canmore Council's Position Gets A Boost. On Oct. 6, Canmore council unanimously passed a resolution supporting Canadian unity, warning that separation could create economic and legal uncertainty.

Updated unofficial results show 79.8% of Banff-Kananaskis voters supported remaining in Canada, compared with 75.2% provincewide.

"The high vote to remain in Canada that came out of the Bow Valley just goes to show that when council made its unity resolution, we certainly were representative of the majority within our area," Krausert told Bow Valley Insider.

The Immigration Questions Still Worry Him. Banff-Kananaskis voters also rejected three proposals concerning access to provincial services, despite majority support for all five immigration and citizenship-related measures provincewide.

Updated results show 56.5% opposed restricting access to provincial programs based on immigration status, while 55% opposed a proposed 12-month residency requirement for certain social supports.

A third proposal, concerning health care and education fees for certain non-permanent residents, was rejected locally by just 21 votes.

His Concern Goes Beyond The Numbers. Krausert said approximately one in three Canmore residents was born outside Canada, making immigration essential to the community and its economy.

"It will create uncertainty for employers, and that uncertainty will likely result in fewer newcomers coming to the Bow Valley," he said.

He also worries the proposals could make immigrants feel less welcome.

Where He Wants The Province To Focus. Krausert wants Alberta to prioritize housing, municipal infrastructure funding, health care and education while continuing to support immigration and newcomers.

The referendum was non-binding, so the results don't immediately change provincial laws or access to services. Official results are expected Oct. 29.

Read our full story and interview with Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Last-Minute Tickets For The Banff Craft Beer Festival. Saturday is sold out, but a few tickets remain for Friday night if you haven’t made plans. Head to Cave and Basin from 5-10 PM for beer, cocktails, spirits, non-alcoholic options, food from local restaurants, live music and DJs. Tickets include food and drink tokens, a commemorative sample mug and shuttle access from behind the Mount Royal Hotel.*

• Six-Time Olympic Medallist Clara Hughes Is Coming To Canmore. It's not every day you get two Olympic legends in the same room. Clara Hughes is visiting the Canmore Public Library to talk about her new memoir, Learning to Breathe, which explores healing, life's unexpected turns and starting fresh. Fellow Olympian Beckie Scott will lead the conversation, and Café Books will have copies available for purchase. 6:30-8 PM. Canmore Public Library. Free, registration required.

Saturday

• Free Wellness Market In Canmore. Skincare, chocolates, tarot readings, and mini facials? Not a bad way to spend a Saturday. Creekside Villa is hosting a free wellness market where you can browse local products, try reflexology or breathwork consultations, and sip a mocktail by the outdoor firepit. 10 AM-4 PM. Creekside Villa, Canmore. Free.*

Sunday

• Free Yoga, Breathwork And Sound Bath Classes. Creekside Villa is offering a full day of free 45-minute wellness classes, including slow flow yoga, mindful strength and mobility, restorative yoga, and breathwork. Try something new without committing to a membership. Space is limited, so reserve your spot in advance. Class times vary. Creekside Villa, Canmore. Free.*

NINE YEARS WITHOUT A SALE. UNTIL NOW.

If you’ve ever needed an excuse to get your Christmas shopping done early, this is a pretty good one.

For the first time in nine years, Alberta’s Own Marketplace is offering discounts. The Main Street Canmore shop closes Nov. 15, or sooner if inventory sells out.

Over those nine years, it has showcased roughly 400 Alberta makers. Now’s your chance to support the creatives behind the products while picking up gifts at prices the shop has never offered before.

Here’s what’s on sale:

• Buy one item, get a second 25% off across most self-care, candles, art prints, apparel, crafts, pet items, and select jewelry. Brands include MTNPK Glassware, Beauty from Bees, Routine, Jack59, Stumpcraft, and Friday Socks.

• 15% off Heartprint Threads blankets.

• Greeting cards and postcards: Buy four, get a fifth free. Buy 10, get three more free.

• 10% off select one-of-a-kind items.

Christmas shopping, local makers, first-ever discounts. Head in while there’s still plenty to choose from.

📍 105-826 8 Street, Canmore

_{*Presented by Alberta’s Own.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐱 Halloween Pet Photos Support Two Local Shelters. That costume deserves more than a blurry phone photo. Local photographer Brianne Behrens will be at Pet Valu Canmore tomorrow (Oct. 24) for a spooky photo fundraiser. Appointments cost $50, with $20 from each session going toward Bow Valley SPCA and Heart Mountain Rescue. You’ll get an awesome seasonal keepsake while helping animals still waiting for homes. Booking ahead is recommended, although the store may be able to accommodate walk-ins. Contact Pet Valu to reserve.*

• 🧻 Banff National Park Went Through 15,000 Toilet Paper Rolls This Summer. That’s roughly 4,500 kilometres of toilet paper, enough to stretch from Banff to Puerto Vallarta. And that’s just the Banff Field Unit, covering the East Gate to Castle Junction and areas in between. Staff also stocked 1,435 litres of hand soap and 780 litres of sanitizer. Parks Canada shared the numbers in a friendly washroom rivalry with Jasper, thanking the facilities crews behind the cleanup. Most roadside outhouses remain serviced through winter, though less frequently.

• ⛷️ The Biathlon Alberta Silent Auction Is Now Open. Canmore’s high-performance biathletes need our help heading into the international competitive season. Their silent auction just launched, and there are some pretty great prizes up for grabs. Auction items include two-night stays at Bow Lake Lodge and Shadow Lake Lodge, round-trip flights for two to Whitehorse, a helicopter tour over the Rockies, ski gear, spa passes, and more. It runs through Nov. 13, with proceeds helping offset athletes’ expenses. There’s also a 50/50 raffle and a banquet. Browse the auction items and place your bids.*

• 🎭 Banff Has A Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve. A little sleight of hand, a few laughs and a whole lot of “how did they do that?” are coming to the Rose & Crown on Thursday, Oct. 29. Award-winning magician Travis Bernhardt and entertainer James Jordan are bringing their bag of tricks to Banff, mixing magic, juggling and comedy into one entertaining night. Two shows are scheduled for 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM, with limited seating. Grab your tickets.*

• 🚲 Canmore’s Rebound Cycle Opens A New Suspension Repair Shop. Your mountain bike’s quieter months are a good time to service the parts that absorb bumps on the trail. Rebound Suspension Labs now handles everything from routine maintenance to complete rebuilds of Fox and RockShox suspension, plus height-adjustable seatposts. Experienced specialists do the work in-house. Rebound recommends servicing at least annually, or more if you ride frequently or race. Current turnaround is one to two days. Call 403-678-3668, or stop by for pricing.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Want To Own A Home In Canmore? Canmore Community Housing is reminding locals to apply to Vital Homes, its program offering eligible residents homes to purchase at below-market prices, and join the waitlist. A free online information session runs Nov. 9, 12:05-1 PM. Learn more. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, October 23rd, 2026, 10:00 PM: The Diggers. Location: The Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, October 24th, 7:00 PM: Honkytonk with The Foothills Ramblers. Location: The Legion, Canmore. $10

SPORTS

• Bow Valley Skiers Are Ready To Hit The World Stage. Winter is coming, and some local skiers are getting ready to fly down mountains a whole lot faster than the rest of us! Alpine Canada has named its 49-member national ski team for the 2026-27 season, including Canmore's Britt Richardson and Jeffrey Read, along with Banff's Liam Wallace. The World Cup season kicks off this weekend in Austria, with men's and women's giant slalom races. Catch the action here and the full roster.

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.