🌠 Meteor Hits Tonight

Good morning, Bow Valley!

So here’s something cool: dark skies will make for prime stargazing in the Bow Valley this week. The Orionids, an annual meteor shower caused by Earth passing through Halley’s Comet’s debris trail, will peak tonight and tomorrow with up to 20 meteors per hour visible under moonless skies. Look east after 10 PM, but the real show starts around 1 AM. Thanks to one of our readers (James Dean) for sending us the tip.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BANFF VOTES FOR CHANGE, CANMORE STAYS THE COURSE

What’s Happening? The Bow Valley’s municipal elections painted two very different pictures. Banff voters sent a message for change. Canmore voters backed steady leadership. 

Banff Hits Reset. It was one of the closest and most dramatic elections Banff has seen in years. Only two of six incumbents, Kaylee Ram and Barb Pelham, were re-elected. Four new councillors, Michelle Backhouse, Marc Ledwidge, David Fullerton, and Brian Standish, will now form a majority, signaling a call for new ideas at Town Hall. Mayor Corrie DiManno remained unopposed and was acclaimed in September (aka won by default).

Thin Margins, Thinner Turnout. The race for the final council seat was decided by just two votes, with Michelle Backhouse securing sixth place at 742 votes and Allan Buckingham at 740. The razor-thin margin triggered a recount scheduled for Oct. 22. Turnout fell to 1,786 voters, the lowest across the last four municipal cycles. For comparison, 2,522 residents cast ballots in the 2024 pedestrian zone vote, indicating voters were more energized to debate cars on Banff Avenue than to decide who would represent them at Town Hall.

Banff’s Mandate. Those who did vote sent a clear message: build more affordable homes, address traffic congestion, and improve daily life for families and seniors. Many of the new councillors also spoke about improving transparency and tracking progress on major plans. They want Banff’s next phase of growth to focus on quality of life.

Canmore Voters Chose Stability. Mayor Sean Krausert won handily with 3,009 votes to 1,651. Four incumbents returned to council, joined by newcomers Rob Murray and Jennifer Marran. Murray brings a background in community housing and local radio, while Marran focused on child care, infrastructure, and support for small businesses. The results also suggest general support for the town’s controversial Livability Tax (a surcharge on vacant homes) and its broader direction on housing and affordability. However, many of the people affected by the tax are not eligible to vote in Canmore’s elections, as their primary residence is elsewhere.

Want a full recap? Read our complete election coverage.

YOU RUN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS… BUT YOU CAN’T BUY A SHED?

(Because apparently selling 600 sourdough loaves a week isn’t “income.”)

You built a business from scratch. You do your own books. You once fixed a broken espresso machine with a bobby pin and pure willpower.

But when you apply for a mortgage? The bank stares at Line 15000 and says, “Hmm… not sure you’re stable.”

Welcome to the world of self-employed home buying, where you can run a thriving business in the Bow Valley and still get told you “don’t qualify” for a one-bedroom in Dead Man’s Flats.

Michael & Cari Hossmann specialize in mortgages for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and side-hustle warriors. They know how to present your real income (not just your write-off-riddled tax return), and they work with lenders who actually get it.

You’re not a risk. You’re the reason half of Canmore gets their bread, coffee, bikes, or tattoos.

👉 Book a call with Michael & Cari

And finally get approved like the boss you are.

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

THE DIGEST

• 🔥 Smoke Behind the Nordic Centre? Here’s Why. If you noticed a big plume rising behind the Nordic Centre yesterday, no need to panic. Alberta Parks is burning woody debris from past FireSmart work and fuel reduction projects. The controlled burn runs until November 1, so expect occasional smoke, but don’t report it.

• 🔌 Banff Power Outage Blamed on Transformer Issue. Most of Banff lost power for about two hours yesterday after a transformer near the town’s industrial area went down around 10:30 AM. Fortis Alberta crews restored electricity by noon. During the outage, traffic lights were out and The Fenlands Rec Centre closed temporarily while public programs were cancelled.

• 🐶 Inside Canmore’s Sled Dog World. With no national regulations for sled dog operations, one Canmore kennel is setting its own high bar. Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours breeds, trains, and retires its dogs through a transparent, welfare-focused program. From puppy “free runs” to weekly “doggo self-care days,” the family-run kennel shows what responsible sled dog care looks like. Read our full story.

• 📸 Lost and Found at Lake Minnewanka. A Calgary couple is calling it a one in a million moment after a hiker found their lost SD card full of travel photos sitting on a rock near Lake Minnewanka. Nicole Robertson and Scott Simpson had dropped it during a walk earlier this month. Ten days later, thanks to a local Facebook post, their memories were returned with chocolate and biscuits as thanks.

• 👮 Banff’s RCMP Shortage. Banff’s RCMP has been running with 20 percent fewer operational officers this year, leaving fewer patrols and less proactive traffic enforcement. A mix of medical leaves, a suspended officer, and housing challenges has made recruitment tough. The town’s $130,000 fine revenue shortfall reflects the ripple effect. Read our full story for what this means for local safety. 

Local Ads That Actually Work

Advertising isn’t a gamble. It’s an investment. And if that investment doesn’t pay off, what’s the point? At Bow Valley Insider, we don’t just run ads, we deliver outcomes. Pine Peak Paving booked a $7,500 job from a single ad. Zoe’s Cleaning added 46 new clients in 60 days. Osteopathy for All gained 21 new patients from five ads. That’s real, trackable ROI, not vague “reach” or “brand awareness.” If you’re tired of throwing money at ads you can’t measure, we’re the local partner who ensures your marketing dollars come back stronger.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s chat

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS HOW THE JASPER FIRE SPREAD SO QUICKLY

What’s Happening?  New federal reports explain how the 2024 Jasper wildfire grew from a lightning strike into one of Canada’s most destructive blazes, as weather, forest conditions, and town design combined to create a fire “impossible to stop.”

How It Started. On July 22, 2024, three lightning strikes ignited fires south of Jasper that merged into the “South Fire.” Within 50 hours it raced through beetle-killed forests toward town. Another strike to the north diverted crews, but nothing could slow the South Fire’s advance.

The Perfect Firestorm. Eight factors fueled the disaster: drought, beetle-killed trees, dry debris, and a heat wave among them. As flames climbed steep slopes, they created their own weather. When the column of smoke and heat suddenly collapsed, embers blasted into Jasper at up to 200 km/h, igniting homes two kilometres away. By nightfall, 358 structures were gone.

When Forest Fire Became Urban Fire. Researchers found the difference between a home lost and one saved was often only a few meters. Wooden roofs, tight spacing, and flammable yards let embers jump from house to house or smolder beneath siding and decks. Blocks with less than five meters between homes burned fastest, while metal roofs or cleared perimeters often prevented ignition. Mulch, stacked firewood, and nearby conifers also acted as tinder, turning small sparks into structure fires.

What Helped Jasper Hold the Line. Despite the devastation, decades of fuel-reduction work around Jasper helped save two-thirds of the town and all critical infrastructure. Those efforts included thinning forests, removing low branches, and clearing deadfall to slow the fire’s advance and reduce its intensity near the community.

The Takeaway. Fire resilience depends on how we build and plan. The reports total 178 pages, and we combed through them to pull out the lessons that matter most for the Bow Valley. Read our full breakdown.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Understory with Kevin Van Tighem. An evening of connection and conversation with author and former superintendent of Banff National Park, Kevin Van Tighem, sharing stories from his new memoir. Enjoy food, drinks, and good company. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Rose and Crown, Banff.

• Make a Silver Charm Workshop. Design your own silver charm in this single-session workshop. Learn traditional lost-wax casting as you carve a wax charm. Finished pieces will be cast in silver and returned polished six weeks later. Beginners welcome. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Price: $90 / Members $76.50.*

Thursday

• Poutine Thursday. Go all-in on indulgence with BBQ Pulled Pork, Montreal Smoked Meat, or the OG fries-gravy-cheese combo. Just $14. Make a reservation or just stop in. Evergreen, Banff.*

• Comedy Night. Get ready for a night of laughter as Calgary comics roll into Canmore for an unforgettable evening. Headlined by Ben Bauce, with Erin MK Hill, Jesse Gettis, and Luke Walls, and hosted by Scott Dumas of Cackling Crow Comedy. 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $17.31. 

TESTED ON BEN’S DIRT

Meet Zoe. Easily the best cleaning lady in the Bow Valley (we don’t say that lightly). Before we recommended her, she tackled our publisher Ben’s place, which was leaning more “wildlife habitat” than “home.” She crushed it. Now she’s taking on new clients for everything from regular cleans to move-outs to the deep stuff. Book a quick chat to see if she’s the right fit for your space.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Canmore’s Night at the Theatre. We saw Into the Woods at Carter-Ryan, and it was an awesome night. The forest set pulls you right in, and the cast delivers laugh-out-loud moments with some unexpectedly sharp turns. It’s the kind of show that reminds you we have real theatre talent right here in town. Playing now through Nov. 2 at Carter-Ryan Gallery. Get tickets here. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🥣 Harness the Power of Food at The Co+Kitchen. Join this workshop for Flavours of Home: Plant-Based Comfort Foods on a Budget on November 13. Enjoy a hands-on cooking workshop featuring cozy, affordable meals made with locally accessible ingredients. Doors open at 5:30 PM, workshop at 6 PM. Tickets are $15.*

• 👨‍🔧 Woodpecker Timber Framing Is Hiring Carpenters. Woodpecker Timber Framing in Exshaw is looking for full-time Carpenters at all levels: Lead, Apprentice, and Helper. The crew builds custom timber-frame homes and structures across the Bow Valley using both traditional and modern techniques. If you’re ready to work hard, learn, and leave your mark on projects that last, apply here. Or share with someone you know.*

• ♻️ Banff Share and Repair Fair. Join the Town of Banff and the Biosphere Institute for the second annual Share and Repair Fair on Sunday, October 26, 2025, 10 AM–2 PM at The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Swap, mend, and connect with your community through free clothing swaps, workshops, live music, and local repair services supporting a circular economy and waste reduction.*

• 🎨 Art Ninja Contest (Kids and Adults). No theme. Submit your most creative art for a shot at over $600 in supplies, plus winning designs made into custom sticker packs. All entries will be shared on social media, and the community will vote for winners in each age group. Submit by Nov. 20 to [email protected]. 

• 💽 Canmore Artist Releases New Album. Local musician Seth Anderson has released his latest album, These Exact Days, These Peaceful Nights, written during a period of personal growth and reflection. The album captures resilience, creativity, and community spirit. Listen on Spotify and support Canmore’s music scene.

• 🚧 Glen Avenue Bridge Closure in Banff. Glen Avenue (between the Trading Post and YWCA) will be fully closed until October 31 to allow essential repairs on the historic Bow River Bridge. This work will restore missing stones and joints, preserving Banff’s only vehicle river crossing. Detours will be in place during the closure.

CIVIC NEWS

• New Councillors for Kananaskis. Jennifer Heath and Stephen Hamelin join council by acclamation. Heath, a retired pediatrician and cabin owner, brings community insight, while Hamelin from Kananaskis Country Golf Course aims to support responsible tourism and growth.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, 9:30 PM: Elevate 360. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $11.30.

• Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, 7:30 PM: Looking Glass Ensemble: Everything is Green. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20.

• Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, 10:00 PM: Pushing Ginger. Location:Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Rower Makes National Final. Canmore’s Thomas Boruta has earned a spot in the top 100 of RBC Training Ground, Canada’s Olympic talent search. The 19-year-old University of Victoria rower will compete for national funding and a development team spot at the finals on Nov. 1 in Vancouver.

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.