🫎 Moose Walks Into a Car

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We genuinely feel for our Calgary readers making the weekend trek out here. As we reported Wednesday, repairs on the Lac Des Arcs bridge mean lane closures and single-lane traffic on Hwy 1 until September. When we drove it midweek, delays were only 6–7 minutes each way.  But by last night? With long weekend volume, readers told us it took 2.5 hours to get from the Petro on Hwy 1 outside Calgary to Canmore—a drive that normally takes one. Sighhh. Oh, and one more thing: might be a good time to stick to the reduced speed limits. Cops are ticketing like crazy right now.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S. Quick shoutout to Steven Sachkiw for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider! Steven’s favorite restaurant? Well, as the GM of The Boss—of course he’d say that.  But we also agree! It’s one of our favs, too. Thanks, Steven!

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AMERICAN TRAVEL TO YYC UP 29% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR

What’s Happening? While much of Canada is watching American tourists vanish like a loonie in a slot machine, Calgary—and by extension, the Bow Valley—is somehow surging.

Great White Nope? U.S. visits to Canada dropped nearly 9% this spring, driven by trade tension and a border vibe that’s less “howdy, neighbor” and more “don’t make eye contact at the mailbox.” In response, tourism boards across the country are rolling out everything from TV ads to cheeky billboards to lure Americans back.

Meanwhile, in Calgary…Up 29% in American arrivals this April compared to last year. U.S. visitors are spending more, staying longer, and Tourism Calgary credits the bump to targeted ad campaigns, marquee events, and the almighty U.S. dollar. 

No More Rental Cars. The spike is so strong that rental cars are sold out across much of the city—some agencies are fully booked for the summer, with rates jumping from $70 to $200 a day. Many of those rentals are headed straight for Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper—fueling not just tourism stats, but highway traffic too. On the ground, the trend is hard to miss—Rob Filby of Canmore’s Rose & Crown says Americans are still “arriving in droves.”

What Do Locals Think? Some Bow Valley residents aren’t thrilled—especially with the Canada Strong Pass offering free national park access to non-Canadians. Many argue park fees fund essential upkeep and fire prevention. One local put it bluntly: “Free = chaos.” A more popular suggested alternative? Two-tier pricing—discounts for Canadians, standard or higher fees for tourists. With crowding, trail erosion, and wildlife stress already mounting, another resident summed it up: “The land is tired.”

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 454 STEWART CREEK CLOSE

This one’s a looker. Former show home. Fully loaded. Mountain views from every angle.

This 4-bed, 4-bath home in Stewart Creek has over 3,000 sq ft of space and a layout that actually makes sense for mountain living.

What you'll notice:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows with real-deal mountain views

• Two decks—one for coffee, one for wine

• Walkout basement that doesn’t feel like a basement

• Backyard is dialed: landscaping, irrigation, fire pit

• Heated double garage + central A/C (because yes, it gets hot now)

🎥 Watch the full walk-through video.

Alex and Lori post more property features and real estate stories over their Instagram and YouTube—worth a follow if you’re keeping an eye on what’s out there.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• ✅ More Details on The Rimrock Revamp. While we’ve already reported that Banff’s Rimrock hotel is closing in October, we now know what’s coming: infinity pools, saunas, meditation rooms, and even ice immersion baths. It reopens summer 2026. None of us at BVI have tried an infinity pool—maybe we’ll throw a pool party. Kidding. No budget. We're not those cash-heavy Americans from our top story.

• 💪 Banff Ave is Getting a Design Glow-Up. Parks Canada just launched an international design competition for the 200-block of Banff Avenue. Six firms will be shortlisted to reimagine the space, drawing on years of public and Indigenous input. We’ve heard from many locals who hope most finalists will be Canadian. Final designs will be public in 2026—and yes, you’ll get a say before anything’s built.

• 🐻 Two Bears Brawl.  This didn’t happen in the Bow Valley—but it’s too wild not to share, and it’s very much something that could happen here. This week, two black bears got into a full-on street fight in Burnaby, BC. People just watched in disbelief as the bears brawled for nearly an hour before wandering back into the woods. Here’s the video.

• 🫎 Meanwhile, in Jasper, a Moose Says Hello. A tourist driving near Maligne Lake had a much gentler encounter: a full-grown bull moose stepped out of the fog and walked right up to the car—then calmly started licking it. The woman let the moose set the pace. “He had kind eyes,” she said. Weird? Yes. Magical? Also yes. Video here.

• 📜 Banff Centre Unveils New Indigenous Cultural Space. Opening Saturday, a new centre near Tunnel Mountain will host ceremonies, feasts, and Indigenous art exhibits. Named by elders from Mini Thni, it’s a space to honour and share Stoney Nakoda culture—marking a deeper commitment to Indigenous stewardship and storytelling at the Banff Centre.

HOUSING CRUNCH VS. EXSHAW CHARACTER: CHARACTER WINS

What’s Happening? A push to add more housing to the Exshaw Mountain Gateway plan hit a wall as MD of Bighorn council rejected a proposal to nearly double the approved density from 14 to 26 units. The vote was 4-1 against, despite the project being far below the max allowable density.

Too Much, Too Fast? Residents showed up in force at a May public hearing to voice worries about traffic, noise, and losing the small-town feel. While council agreed the new homes would help with the housing crunch, they sided with community concerns over character changes.

Developer: "We're Way Below the Limit." The developer, Jason Hoerle, expressed disappointment, noting the ask was for just 39% of what zoning allowed. With the Bow Valley’s housing crunch worsening, the plan aimed to deliver smaller, middle-income units.

What’s Next? The broader Mountain Gateway plan—approved in 2023—still includes 42 single-detached homes, a ridge lot, and one mountain lot, expected to house 150 people once fully built. But for now, density is staying exactly where it is.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Gallery Reception. This new exhibit features artists inspired by the creativity of their parents, kids, or chosen family—blurring the lines between art, craft, and everyday life. Stick around after for a cozy Ghostkeeper show at CLVB ’33. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Walter Phillips Gallery, Banff. Free.*

• An Evening Roller Skate Under The Disco Balls. Groove to the music, show off your best dance moves, and enjoy the fun atmosphere on wheels. Skate and helmet rentals are available (limited sizes available). 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Drop-in Fees Apply. 

• Free Yoga. All-levels class to move, connect, and unwind. Bring a mat if you have one—no sign-up needed. 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM. Banff Library, Free.

Saturday

• Splash Course Challenge. Race, bounce, and slide your way through an inflatable pool obstacle course. Family-friendly aquatic fun for ages 6+. 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Elevation Place. Drop-In Fees Apply. 

• Salsa Social. It’s a Latin Dance Party with an instructional class at 8 PM, followed by DJ, snacks, and social dancing. All levels welcome—no partner or experience needed. 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $18 / members $15.30.*

• Free Live Music. Swing by Canmore Brewing Co every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM for artisan nachos, a pint or can of your favorite Canmore Brew. No need to dress fancy, come by after a hike.*

Sunday

• Canine Drag Show. Pup-friendly drag show with contests, prizes, and fabulous performers. An afternoon of pure fun for you and your four-legged friends. 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Scout Hall, Banff. $11-27.

• Free Menopause Workshop.A one-of-a-kind wellness workshop at Star 6 Ranch. Explore relaxation techniques and forest bathing to calm your mind, connect with nature, and restore balance. Led in partnership with Biohacking Menopause & Star 6 Ranch. 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Star 6 Ranch. This workshop is offered by donation.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍁 Tons of Canada Day Fun (And Food) at Pomeroy Kananaskis. From June 28–July 1, the Lodge is packed with family-friendly activities: birds of prey, live music, yoga, mini golf, slime making, face painting, and a barbershop quartet. July 1 features a BBQ, cake-cutting, and sweet treat skewers. This is how you do Canada Day. Explore all activities.*

• 🛍️ Alberta-Made Products. The Alberta’s Own shop in Canmore showcases 150+ local makers. Think bath bombs, jewelry, clothing, and more—all handcrafted right here in the province. This is how you support local on steroids. We filmed a quick feature (watch it here), but couldn’t capture all the artisans—so yeah, you’ll just have to swing by and see for yourself.*

• 🥙 Hike Now, Snack Later. Buffalo Mountain Lodge is running a fun summer promo: hike one of three nearby trails, snap a photo at the lookout, and get a free charcuterie board upgrade at The Prow. It’s part mountain adventure, part meat-and-cheese reward. If you’re anything like us, this is the kind of hiking incentive we can really get behind. Check out the details here.*

• 👩🏻‍🏫 Healthcare Student Scholarship Application Deadline Extended. Scholarships for Bow Valley students pursuing healthcare careers. Must be local, with preference to those returning to the region. The program includes an Indigenous-specific bursary. Apply by July 4, 2025, 4:00 PM.

• 🏅 Animal Hero Honoured. We already gave a shoutout to Peter O’Brien, the Bow Valley SPCA volunteer who puts in 25 hours a week. Now he’s officially Volunteer Citizen of the Year. Even better? Direct Energy chipped in a $5K donation to the shelter we all know and love.

• 🚲 Volunteer to Drive The Big Red Ride. The Town of Banff needs friendly, bike-savvy locals to help pilot its four-person e-bike for seniors. It runs Tuesdays and Thursdays until Sept 27—just one hour a week. Great views, great company, and a pretty great reason to get outside. Learn more or sign up here.

CIVIC NEWS

• Levies Policy Repealed. Canmore council has replaced a 1999 development levies policy with a more flexible corporate directive, allowing staff—not council—to set payment schedules. The directive aims to streamline approvals, but developers warn inconsistent terms could create unfair advantages. A tribunal decision on levy disputes is pending.

• Road Closures During Canada Day. If you live in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Field, or MD of Bighorn, the Voyant App sends emergency alerts—and notifications about road closures for events like parades, which are coming up next week. Download the app.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, June 27th, 2025,  6:00 PM: Sunset Festival: Mari Rosehill Location: Banff Gondola, Sulphur Mountain. Included with your Banff Gondola ticket. 

• Friday, June 27th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night Hosted By Julie Chang. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. Free. 

• Saturday, June 28th, 2025, 3:00 PM. Liam Daisley.. Location: Canmore Brewing Company.  No Cover.

• Saturday, June 28th, 2025, 7:00 PM. Mariel Buckley.. Location: The Whyte, Banff.  $23.75-$28.50.

• Saturday, June 28th, 2025, 9:30 PM. The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff.  No Cover.

SPORTS

• Queen & King of The Hill Wraps After 4 Gritty Weeks. Over 150 runners in Canmore and Squamish took on four brutal climbs in this self-timed, bracket-style race. In Canmore, Karl Augsten and Courtney Brohart took top honours, edging out stacked fields. Each route was short, steep, and wildly different—testing legs, lungs, and strategy over a month of solo efforts.

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.