🥾 Missing Hiker

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Okay, so summer flurries aren’t unheard of in the Rockies.  But this week’s snow at Peyto Lake had even longtime locals saying, “That’s late.” A visitor caught the moment in a now-viral Facebook clip. Readers tell us the snow’s already melted, but with 20mm+ of weekend precip on the way for the Icefield Parkway, higher elevations could see more.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

BEAR ACTIVITY INCREASES ACROSS KANANASKIS

What’s Happening? A Calgary couple’s hike to Troll Falls turned tense after a young grizzly bear followed them down the trail and bluff-charged multiple times (watch video here). With no one else around and no bear spray, they backed away slowly and eventually shouted at the bear, causing it to retreat into the woods.

What They Did Right? According to Alberta Parks, the couple made several smart moves. They stayed calm, didn’t run, backed away, and tried to appear large. But they didn’t have bear spray, which experts say is the single most effective way to deter an approaching bear and gives people the confidence to remain calm.

What the Internet Thinks. Online reaction has been loud and divided. Some applauded their composure. Others criticized them for filming, staying on the trail, or not stepping aside to let the bear pass. Many noted the bear looked more curious than aggressive, and some warned against portraying it as a threat when it may have just wanted space.

Trail Status. A bear warning remains in effect for the Troll Falls area, including lower Skogan, Troll Falls, Hay Meadows, and the south portion of Stoney Trail. Other active warnings and closures in the region include:

• Lusk Creek, Stoney Creek Group Campground, and U of C Barrier Lake Research Station due to an adult grizzly frequenting the area
  
  

• Bill Milne Trail from Wedge Pond to Mt. Allan Drive due to a bluff charge
  
  

• Commonwealth Valley and surrounding area, currently under full closure due to multiple grizzlies feeding nearby.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Looking for Rocky Mountain views without giving up your walk-to-everything lifestyle? Say hello to 401-810 7th Street. 

A 3-bedroom penthouse in the heart of downtown Canmore with vaulted ceilings, sleek modern finishes, and two underground parking spots.

This top-floor stunner is completely turn-key. Whether you're sipping coffee on the spacious view deck or popping downstairs for brunch, everything you need is right outside your door.

Highlights:

• Built in 2021

• 1,365 square feet of bright, open living

• Quartz countertops and stainless appliances

• Triple-pane windows and vaulted ceilings

• Extra bike storage for weekend adventures

Check out the full video property tour.

For more info, contact Lori and Alex, and follow them on Instagram to see what’s new.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🥾 Missing Hiker in Marvel Pass Area. RCMP are searching for 42-year-old Chad Singer, last seen July 23 while hiking in Marvel Pass. He may be near Marvel Lake or the trail network between Sunshine and Mount Shark. This is a developing situation, with search and rescue called out last night. Anyone with info is asked to call Banff RCMP at 403-762-2226. 

• 🏆 Banff Ranks #2 in Canada for Hotel Dining. Banff scored the second-most spots on OpenTable’s newly released Top Hotel Restaurants in Canada list for 2025, with five local eateries making the cut. The rankings, based on diner reviews and travel data, spotlight restaurants delivering standout food, atmosphere, and experience. With 61% of locals now making up the reservations, these spots are clearly more than tourist traps. Congrats to 1888 Chop House, Castello Italiana, Rundle Bar, The Vermillion Room, and Waldhaus Restaurant.  

• 🧗 Canmore Man Hikes Every Trail in Banff to Find Bison Herd. After three years and more than 2,000 kilometres, Canmore guide Jeff Douglas finally achieved his goal: hike every trail in Banff National Park and spot the elusive bison herd. Using a technique called fast packing, which means covering long distances quickly with ultralight gear, he found them this spring and quietly soaked in the moment. The herd now numbers around 135, a major success since only 16 were reintroduced in 2017.

• 🥧 Banff’s Worst Park Job Just Became a Dessert. A green Kia once spotted balancing on a snowbank in Banff is now immortalized in tart form. Local baker Bronwyn Biro from Alpine Bloom Bakery turned the viral photo-op into what she’s calling the Kia Lime Pie. Complete with coconut cream snow and a tiny green car on top, locals called it “brilliant,” “legendary,” and honestly, we’d 500 percent buy.

• 💰 Fines Handed Out for Feeding Banff’s Wildlife by Accident. Ten Calgary visitors were fined after leaving food and garbage unattended in Banff National Park, something most locals have probably seen firsthand. Park officials warned that even 30 minutes is enough to attract wildlife. Nine were fined $50 at Cascade Ponds and one was fined $250 at Johnston Canyon. The money goes to the Environmental Damages Fund, which supports research and environmental improvement projects.

Stop paying for ads people recycle ♻️

You know the ones. Wedged between the tire sales and supermarket coupons.

Bow Valley Insider lands where 15,000+ locals actually pay attention — their inbox.

It’s sharp. It’s local. It works.

➡️ Let’s get your business in here where it belongs

BANFF AND PARKS CANADA BREAK GROUND ON HOUSING

What’s Happening? The Town of Banff and Parks Canada are teaming up to build a four-storey apartment on Squirrel Street to house their employees. It’s the first joint housing project between the two and aims to ease the staff housing crunch without adding pressure to Banff’s rental market.

Why It Matters? Banff’s housing shortage is a major challenge. With a near zero vacancy rate, a strict need to reside rule, and 26 people on the Town’s staff housing waitlist including workers from Roam Transit, the library, and the RCMP, officials say it's getting harder to hire and keep employees. Some now commute from outside the Bow Valley. The issue made headlines in 2022 when Alberta Health Services found 42 beds crammed into a single house on Squirrel Street. One of the more extreme symptoms of a market under pressure.

The Plan. The building could include up to 40 units, split between Parks and the Town. Parks Canada has secured its funding and is moving forward on design. The Town will bring back cost-sharing details and a borrowing bylaw before moving ahead.

Timeline. Demolition is set for late 2025. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with staff moving in by early 2029.

Not to Be Confused. This project is separate from the Town’s 50 Wolf Street development, which recently received $9.7 million in provincial and federal funding. That complex will offer about 90 below market units for locals, including rental and ownership options. Construction on that project is scheduled to begin in fall 2025.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Free Family Movie. Enjoy Ice Age: Collision, a movie perfect for all ages. Feel free to wear your comfiest pajamas and bring a blanket or stuffed animal to get extra cozy. 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Banff Library, Free.

• Comedy Night. Get ready for a night of big laughs and good vibes! Join headliner, Ophira Eisenberg, and openers Cory Mack and local favorite, Scott Dumas, for stand-up acts that’ll have you rolling in your seat. Grab your friends, and turn an ordinary evening into a belly-laughing good time. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 / $21.25 members.*

Saturday

• Friends of the Library Book Sale. Find gently loved books for all ages and interests. Fill a bag today for just $10 with all proceeds supporting library programs and services. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Free to Attend.

• Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show. Join the 17th Annual Charity Car & Motorcycle Show in support of the Canmore Hospital. $20 if you want to show off your ride. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Centennial Park, Canmore. Free to Attend. 

• Background Beats & Patio Pints. Carly Mackerras is a talented young Aussie musician blending heartfelt vocal cover performances with skilled instrumentation. Hang out, share some nachos, and enjoy the music. 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

Sunday

• Brunch Plans at The Boss. Every Saturday & Sunday from 11 AM–2 PM, indulge in a delicious brunch menu featuring croissant French toast, Mountain Breakfast with bacon or bison sausage, hearty omelets, and a fried egg sandwich.*

• Women’s-Only Jiu Jitsu. Step onto the mat in a welcoming, empowering space just for women. Learn self-defense, build confidence, and boost fitness through Jiu Jitsu. No experience needed. All levels welcome. 7:00 PM. Dark Horse Martial Arts, Canmore. Free (Donations accepted).

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🤍 Unplug and Exhale at the Lucent Festival. Lucent is your antidote to the algorithm. Set near Exshaw, this eco-conscious weekend is about reconnecting with nature, music, movement, and actual humans. Go at your own pace: yoga, live music, bonfires, river dips, and an open-air market. August 8-10 at Star 6 Ranch. Come reset your nervous system. Tickets are moving fast. Check details and schedule.*

• 💝 Help Close the Gap for Camp Chief Hector YMCA. YMCA Calgary’s Love Camp campaign is in its final phase, so far raising $12.9M of the $17M goal. Funds will upgrade facilities, expand year-round programming, and create culturally inclusive spaces in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda Nation. Please consider helping our friends at Camp Chief Hector. Donate today.*

• 🚴‍♀️ E-Bike Adventures in Banff. E-bikes make it easier to cruise through townsite trails, visit scenic viewpoints, and see more without breaking a sweat. However, they are only permitted on designated trails.  We have the full list of every trail you can legally e-bike in Banff.

• 🎤 Community Singing with Banff’s Poet Laureate. Sing your heart out with Heather Jean Jordan and Caitlin Connelly every Wednesday at the Pioneer Room, 101 Bear Street. Explore Canadian folk songs, vocal technique, mindfulness, and songwriting in a friendly group. Free, welcoming, and open to all. No experience needed.*

• 🐾 SPCA Pup Update. Jade, Canmore’s Newest 3-legged wonder dog, got her stitches out today, and from all reports, she’s doing well. If you’d like to donate to her surgery, it’s almost 100% covered. Read more about her story here. 

• 🚵 Mountain Bikers Take Over Nordic Centre This Weekend. Heads up if you’re headed to the Canmore Nordic Centre July 26–27, Rockies 24 is rolling in. This 24-hour mountain bike race will see dozens of trails in use, altered lodge hours, packed parking, and limited access to some areas. Expect crowds and a lot of Lycra.

• 🍱 Food Cupboard Adds Extra Hours. The Bow Valley Homelessness Society has extended Community Food Cupboard hours by two hours weekly. It’s free, open to all, and no referral or registration is needed. Just stop by Canmore Community Housing at 729 10th Street.

CIVIC NEWS

• Temporary Resort Parking Plan Sparks Debate in Dead Man’s Flats. Bighorn council is weighing whether a municipal reserve greenspace in Dead Man’s Flats can be leased for up to two years to help Copperstone and Cliff Resorts ease parking overflow during new construction. Locals are split: some see it as a needed short-term fix, others fear losing cherished community recreation space.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, July 25th, 2025, 3:00 PM: Jakeith. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. Free. 

• Friday, July 25th, 2025, 6:00 PM: REWD. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. Free. 

• Saturday, July 26th, 2025, 3:00 PM. Carly MacKerras. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Saturday, July 26th, 2025, 3:00 PM. Andy Curtis.. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, July 27th, 2025, 2:00 PM. Justine Giles.. Location: Tank 310, Canmore. Free.

SPORTS

• River Surfing Returns to Kananaskis. The Mountain Wave Classic hits the Kananaskis River Aug. 23–24, bringing 30–40 surfers to Canoe Meadows for Alberta’s biggest river surfing comp. Free to watch, with DJ beats, big tricks, and mountain views. Want in? Registration’s still open. Or just come cheer from the riverbank.

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.