🌱Net Zero Tourism Era

Good morning, Bow Valley!

It’s that special season where you can rock climb in a t-shirt one day and ski in a blizzard the next. Wherever you ended up this weekend, hopefully it didn’t involve a surprise bear encounter... or becoming a tick’s first meal of the year.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• 3 wolves killed near the park boundary

• Tourism Canmore Kananaskis unveils its net-zero plan

• New road closures in Canmore and fresh trail closures in K-Country

• Plus: a new theatre show, Easter eats, a VIP golf experience, and more.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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BANFF WOLF PACK HIT HARD OUTSIDE PARK LIMITS

What’s happening? At least three wolves from Banff’s Bow Valley pack, including a GPS-collared male, were recently killed in traplines just outside the park’s boundaries.

Leaving the safety zone. Research shows wolves are 6.7x more likely to die once they leave Banff’s protected lands, mainly from trapping, hunting, and highway accidents. 

Bigger impacts. Experts warn this prevents healthy, multi-generational packs—unlike Yellowstone, where 36-strong wolf families thrive.

Corridor concerns. The collared wolf’s journey highlighted that Canmore’s south wildlife corridor is still functional—for now. Future developments like the Three Sisters resort could tighten that bottleneck.

The bigger debate. Calls for Alberta to add "buffer zones" around national parks are growing louder. A buffer zone is an area just outside a park where hunting and trapping are restricted, giving wildlife extra protection as they move across boundaries.  

Protections elsewhere.  For now, the province trails behind in large carnivore protections compared to neighboring British Columbia, which already has buffer zones for species like wolverines.

WELCOME TO THE ANTI-RENO NIGHTMARE SOLUTION

Renovating? Don’t Let It Become a Horror Movie.

We’ve all heard the reno horror stories—delayed projects, bad installs, terrible decisions that haunt you for years. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

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🚫 No regrets—because they guide you every step of the way

Let’s make your renovation a dream instead of a disaster. 

Visit their Canmore showroom or book your free design consultation!

_{*Presented by March’s Flooring}

THE DIGEST

• 👻 Ghosts, Secret Rooms, and Spooky Bellmen At Banff Springs. The Banff Springs Hotel isn’t just about mountain views — it’s packed with ghost stories you’ll want to leave a light on for. From a runaway bride to a room that “doesn’t exist,” we dug into the legends. Read the full story here.

• 🐻 Bears Are Waking Up In The Bow Valley. Grizzly and black bear tracks are popping up across Banff and Kananaskis, with “The Boss” already spotted on camera. No direct sightings yet, but bear spray season is officially here. Expect more bear activity as the snow melts—and maybe brush up on bear safety.

• 🏠 Banff’s New Community Plan Hints at Parks Act Changes. The new draft plan to guide Banff’s future suggests working with Parks Canada to explore changes to the Canada National Parks Act. This could allow adjusting land boundaries for housing, infrastructure, or other community needs, with final decisions shaped through public consultation.

• ⚖️ Canmore Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Vacancy Tax. Canmore’s new vacancy tax targets second homes not lived in for at least 183 days a year, raising $10M+ annually for housing projects. A group of property owners sued, arguing it violates Alberta law by taxing based on ownership, not property. The Town has now filed a defence. A court hearing is set for April 15. Stay tuned.

• 🤍 Carrie Hunter, Banff World Media Festival Founder, Remembered. Carrie Hunter, who helped launch the Banff Television Festival in 1979 and led it for 17 years, passed away at 83. Known for her tenacity and charm, Hunter helped turn the festival into a global media event. A new emerging talent prize will be named in her honour this summer.

CANMORE’S NEW TOURISM STRATEGY BANKS ON SUSTAINABILITY

What’s happening? Tourism Canmore Kananaskis (TCK) has launched a 2025–27 action plan to lead the charge on sustainable tourism and hit net-zero goals by 2050. There are no hard regulations yet—lots of ambitious goals, but the “how” is still largely in development.

The big moves. The plan targets four areas: environment, social impact, supplier practices, and destination management. Highlights include slashing visitor economy emissions by 30% by 2030 and doubling Indigenous tourism experiences by 2027.

Why it matters? Nature is Canmore and Kananaskis’ main draw — and preserving it is crucial for both community health and visitor dollars. TCK’s strategy leans heavily on education, storytelling, and boosting off-peak tourism.

Follow the money. TCK will dip into its reserves to kickstart projects but says securing new provincial funding is key to sustaining momentum.

How it fits in. TCK’s plan follows Banff Lake Louise Tourism’s newly released 10-year vision, which similarly pushes for sustainable tourism, Indigenous partnerships, and community wellbeing across Banff National Park.

Bigger picture. Alberta is all-in on tourism growth, aiming for $25 billion annually by 2035, with the Rockies — surprise, surprise — expected to keep driving the bulk of international spending.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Free Community Dinner. Enjoy bratwursts, braised cabbage and mashed potatoes this week. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Anglican Church. By Donation.  

• Dodgeball League. Get your friends together for a fun and social indoor dodgeball spring league! The league is open to all skill levels. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Register as a team or an individual.

Tuesday

• Free Bear Spray. Community partners are offering a free unused can of bear spray for Affordable Services Program Members while quantities last. 8:30 AM -10:30 AM & 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley (201-600a 9th Street, Canmore). Free. 

• Palliser Affordable Housing Info Session. Find out how the Town of Canmore is addressing the housing crisis by exploring affordable housing options for the Moustache Lands in Palliser. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Online. Free. 

• Hip Hop Dance Class. Get ready to move, groove, and break it down at this high-energy hip-hop dance class, led by a professional instructor. This class is all about fun, self-expression, and good vibes. 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Canmore Dance Corps. By Donation.

• Indigenous Movie Night. This special evening will showcase a selection of Indigenous films, each shining a light on the profound connection between culture and the great outdoors. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. artsPlace Canmore. $20 / members $17.

• All-Candiates Political Forum. Hear federal candidates share their vision and priorities with the citizens of the Bow Valley, and share what you believe are the biggest challenges confronting our region. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Max Bell Auditorium, Banff Centre. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 A Comedy of Biblical Proportions. Secret winemaking, mistaken identities, and absolute chaos—Drinking Habits is a fast-paced comedy you won’t want to miss! Nuns brew in secret, reporters go undercover, and paranoia runs high in this laugh-out-loud farce. Pine Tree Players brings the hilarity April 16-26 at Canmore Miners’ Union Hall. Get tickets now.  Only a few left!

• ⛳ Golf Like a Pro—Literally. Win rounds at Canmore’s best courses, a VIP “Golf with a Pro” experience at Kananaskis, and a stay at The Malcolm Hotel. Only 500 tickets! Proceeds support The Rotary Club of Canmore’s local programs. Don’t miss your shot—grab your ticket today!

• 🥞 Easter Brunch at Table Food + Drink. Indulge in a scrumptious buffet featuring seasonal delights, classic brunch favorites, and decadent desserts, all crafted by talented chefs. April 20th. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Book today before it’s too late.

• 🍞 Sweet News for Easter: Wild Flour Artisan Bakery has crafted a fresh line-up of seasonal bakes, including MASSIVE hot cross buns, braided Challah bread, and a charming cookie box. Available to order online. Perfect for your Easter brunch.

• 🎵 Did You Know a Secret Theatre Exists in Canmore? Tucked inside the Carter-Ryan Gallery, this micro-theatre is serving up big talent in an intimate space. We caught the latest show and loved it — and there’s still time to catch the newest spring performance. Watch the video of our experience.

• 🎺 Nakoda Elementary Music Teacher Earns National Nomination. Drew Van Allen was nominated for the 2025 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. Though he didn’t win, his work blending traditional instruments with modern music has helped students build confidence and connect with their culture.

• 🪪 Confused About Banff Park Passes? We’ve Got You. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s a good time to brush up. We broke down the difference between a Day Pass and a Discovery Pass — and when each one makes sense. Check out our quick guide on Instagram.

• 🎤 Local Folk Artist Interview. Local musician Noah Isaac was featured on Rocky Mountain Live’s Peak Performer Series. Listen to Noah discuss how growing up in the Rockies impacted him as an artist and person. 

• ⛔ Bragg Creek Area Closure. The Station Flats Day Use Area in Kananaskis off Hwy 66 is closed until further notice to “support construction.” 

• ♻️ Volunteer Opportunities. The Share and Repair Fair is one month away! If you are passionate about working towards a circular economy and supporting waste reduction these volunteer experiences could be for you. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Local Policing in Banff. Starting March 2025, Alberta requires civilian policing committees in RCMP-served communities to give locals more say in policing priorities and accountability. In today’s Banff Council Meeting, proposed bylaws for the Town’s Police Governing committee will be discussed.

• Canmore Road Closure. Please note that 8 (Main) St, between 6 Ave and 7 Ave, will be closed to vehicle traffic in both directions today and tomorrow to repair a non-functioning fire hydrant. To ensure the safety of workers and the public, a partial sidewalk closure will also be in effect. Please follow all detour signs and use caution in the area.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, April 14th,  2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Tuesday, April 15th, 2025,  10:00 PM:Dean Lonsdale. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Skier Pushes Limits in 230km Arctic Race. Andy Buchholtz skied 230km across Sweden’s Arctic in under 20 hours to raise funds for Parkinson’s Canada. Battling frozen bindings, soaked boots, and pure exhaustion, he never gave up — saying the memory of his late grandfathers kept him going.

• Canadian Ski Cross Nationals Bring World Cup Energy to Nakiska. Some of Canada’s top ski cross racers hit Nakiska’s Powder Face course for nationals, with Canmore’s Kris Mahler taking bronze and Reece Howden winning gold. While bragging rights were on the line, the intensity felt like a full-blown World Cup heat.

That’s all, folks!

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