🚁 Monopoly on Banff Tourism?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re thinking about something exciting to support our local restaurants and could use your help. We’re planning to launch an exclusive membership card that gives you 10% off at different local restaurants that you can use over the next year. But here’s the catch: we won’t do this unless we get enough replies, so your feedback is key! See the very bottom for more info & to vote on whether we should move forward!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Competition Bureau opens inquiry on US company operating in Banff

• The future vibe of Downtown Canmore becomes one step clearer

• Fun Halloween events for all types

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

COMPETITION BUREAU CRACKS DOWN ON BANFF TOURISM

What’s Happening? The Competition Bureau of Canada is investigating VIAD Corp, accusing its Pursuit brand of monopolizing attractions in Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Pursuit’s Grip on Banff and Jasper. Pursuit operates major attractions like the Banff Gondola and Jasper SkyTram, controlling over 90% of the market. Local operators argue that Pursuit’s bundling discounts limit visitor choices and squeeze out competition.

Bundling Discounts = Market Power? Pursuit offers up to 40% off bundled attractions, making it hard for smaller operators to compete. Critics want VIAD to sell some properties to restore balance in the market.

What’s Next? The investigation could force VIAD to reduce its market share. Parks Canada says it will cooperate but notes that anti-competition issues fall outside its jurisdiction.  This issue will also be discussed at the Banff Council’s meeting on October 28th.  (We’ll, of course, keep you posted on that meeting!)

THE DIGEST

• 🧖‍♀️ Stone Creek Resorts can now challenge a decision about Basecamp’s Nordic spa project in Canmore. Alberta’s Court of Appeal will review concerns about road closures and land use rules after Stone Creek raised issues with how the development was approved near Silvertip Trail.

• 🕮 The Banff Mountain Book Competition announced its 2024 winners across eight categories, celebrating the best in adventure and mountain exploration literature. Top books include Move Like Water by Hannah Stowe and Alpine Rising by Bernadette McDonald. The Grand Prize winner will be revealed on October 31.

• 🏠 Remember the "Connect Canmore Downtown" survey from last summer? The results are in and show strong support for affordable housing, walkability, and sustainability, with concerns about building heights affecting neighborhood character. These findings will influence the next phase of the plan, which will be presented in early 2025.

• 📷 Canmore photographer John E. Marriott won the animal portraits category at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards for his image of three lynx titled On Watch. The award comes after 59,000+ entries from 117 countries. Marriott uses his work to promote wildlife conservation, especially critiquing Canada’s fur trapping industry.

• ⛷️ This may not be Bow Valley news, but for snow lovers, it’s an unmissable event: Canada’s largest ski sale returns to Calgary this weekend at Max Bell Centre. Expect over $2 million in new and used gear, with proceeds supporting local non-profits. Sale runs Friday-Sunday, with discounts on Sunday!

HOW WILL THE BOW VALLEY EVACUATE IN AN EMERGENCY? 

What’s Happening? The Bow Valley is developing a regional evacuation plan to prepare for potential disasters. Led by Canmore, the plan will model how evacuations would affect traffic and response times across Banff, Canmore, and the MD of Bighorn.

Evacuation Scenarios on the Table: Wildfires are seen as the biggest threat, with recent events like the wildfire in Jasper stressing the urgency of a coordinated evacuation plan. The project will analyze traffic flows, congestion, and how gas station capacity impacts the ability to evacuate during emergencies.

Why It Matters: An evacuation in one community will likely affect others, and with tourism in the mix, preparedness is key. The municipalities are applying for a $150,000 grant to hire a consultant and improve multi-modal evacuation plans, especially for those without cars.

What’s Next? The Bow Valley project ties into a broader initiative to improve emergency management for Bighorn, Cochrane, and Diamond Valley, ensuring that regional disaster plans are aligned and ready for action.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Enjoy a pumpkin-lit walk and community fire with live local music. Sip hot chocolate by the fire after the walk. 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Central Park to Banff Recreation Grounds, Free for Banff residents, $10 + GST for others.

• UnWined Presents: The Wine Workshop. A fun night of blind wine tasting, exploring red wine flavors from strawberry to raisin. Includes one bottle to take home! 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 102b Dyrgas Gate, Canmore, $43.93 solo, $69.63 for two. 18+ only.

Saturday

• Join a Community Trail Run with Arc'teryx, Monod Sports, and Banff Centre. Enjoy a 7km moderate-paced run led by Arc'teryx athletes, followed by a social with refreshments. 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Monod Sports, Banff. Free with registration. Limited space available.

• Celebrate 20 years of creativity with New World Samurai! Enjoy a day of music, live painting, and refreshments. 2 PM - late, no cover.

  
  
  

• Banff Film Fest Free Event. The Stoney Nakoda Film Project explores the exploitation of Stoney Nakoda culture in entertainment, featuring Banff Indian Days and Calgary Stampede. 7:30 - 10:30 PM, Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre. Free admission; ticket required.

Sunday

• Echoes of the Forest Halloween. Bring the family for a Halloween gathering with hot apple cider, spooky stories, and fireside songs by local musicians. 1 - 4 PM, Banff Recreation Grounds, pavilion. Free; registration required.

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience at Canmore Legion! Enjoy a live band, shadow cast, and audience participation. 7 PM, Canmore Legion, sold out online, but limited tickets are available at the door.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥾 Trail Reopen: Friends of Kananaskis took to Facebook to announce the official opening of Powderface Creek Trail re-route. 

• 🏊 Public Swimming Cancelled: The pool at Sally Borden Fitness is closed for unplanned maintenance on Friday, October 25, 4:30-7:30pm and Saturday, October 26, 1-4pm. Reopen on Sunday, October 27 at 1pm. 

• 🧠 Speak Up About Mental Health: Lake Louise Fire Department is encouraging everyone to take care of their mental health. Alberta Health offers a Mental Health Help line at 1-877-303-2642 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• 👻 Spooky Talks: Overhead Podcast sat down with Banff Canmore Ghost Walks in their latest episode to discuss ghost stories and the history of the Bow Valley. 

• 🍕 Pizza Deal: The Drake in Canmore has Flatbread Pizza for their Blue-Plate special today for just $11. 

• 🍺 Local Appreciation: Sage Bistro offers Happy Hour pricing on both Sunday and Monday nights. 25% off your entire experience! Until November 25th! 

• 📺 Want to be on TV? There isn’t a shortage of TV shows and movies being shot in and around the Bow Valley. What are they short of? Extras! 

• 🥌 Curling is Back! Canmore Golf and Curling Club are excited to announce they will be opening for the season next week. 

  
  

• 🎭 Play Tickets: Bow Valley Insider writer Lauren Hawkeye also directs the upcoming Pine Tree Players “Seminar,” 13-23 November, $25 a ticket. 

• ⛰️ Free Money For Your Next Alpine Climb: Apply for the John Lachlan Award, which funds bold and innovative climbing expeditions.  Open until January 30, 2025.

• 🥫 Scaring Off Hunger: This Halloween, students from Banff and Canmore high schools will collect non-perishable food for local food banks as part of the WE Scare Hunger campaign.

  
  

• 📗 Adopt-a-Mag: Support the Canmore Library by covering the yearly subscription cost of a magazine. Titles range from $26 for Style at Home to $210 for The New Yorker. Visit the Library for the full list!

THE HANDSOME HOMES PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Looking for a smart way to grow your passive income? 

102-107 Montane Road in The Lodges at Canmore could be your perfect match! This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom main-floor unit is fully zoned for short-term rentals and is forecasted to bring in a projected gross of $85,000 in 2024.

The Lodges at Canmore offer plenty to keep guests coming back, with outdoor hot tubs, a playground, a year-round heated pool, and underground parking. The convenience of a manned front desk and the ease of main-floor access make this unit a prime pick for vacationers.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes into the real estate market, Canmore is a thriving spot for investment properties. Interested? Reach out to Cory Hand at [email protected] to learn more about this opportunity and others like it!

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CIVIC NEWS

• View the updated Canmore Town Council schedule for 2025 here. 

• Did you miss last week’s Bed and Breakfast Info session in Banff? Catch the replay. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, October 25th, 7pm to late: Bunny Hps. Location: Core Values Ciders Co., Canmore. Free. Halloween blowout with costume prizes and BBQ by The Moose Shed.

• Friday, October 25th, 7pm-11pm: Guitar Mamas. Location: Canmore Miner’s Union Hall. $20. Celebrating 10 years with live music, dancing, and more. Proceeds support Pinetree Players.

• Friday, October 25th, 9pm: Andrew Staygold. Location: Tavern1883, Canmore. No cover. 

• Saturday, October 26, 7PM: The second annual costume party with live music by the Elektric Squirrels. Location: Canmore Brewing Company, free admission.

• Saturday, October 26th, 9pm: Phil Nugent. Location: Tavern1883, Canmore. No cover. 

SPORTS

• Canmore teen Aven McKay, 17, is making waves in martial arts, winning gold at multiple jiu-jitsu tournaments and beating adult competitors. Training five days a week, she excels in grappling and leg locks. McKay is now preparing for the prestigious ADCC Canada Open, aiming for another podium finish.

• This weekend, the Banff Curling Club is hosting the U15 and U18 Halloween Bonspiel! Come cheer on the teams as they compete in a pool format starting Friday morning. Enjoy a Friday night social and costume contest. For more info, contact Bryan at [email protected].

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

More info on the Bow Valley Insider Membership Card:

As mentioned in the intro, we’re thinking about launching a card that gets you 10% off at local restaurants for the next year. We’d start with a limited batch. It’s $45, but you’ll save more than that with the discounts. Plus, it’s a fun way to support local spots and our newsletter. Should we move forward with this idea? Vote below!

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place!