☕ New Famous Coffee Shop in Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Earlier this year, many of you told us you want us to share “unique outdoor adventures.” Experiences that go beyond the usual Moraine Lake tour.  

So we are exploring a collaboration with a local guiding company to offer exclusive trips for Bow Valley Insider readers. Ideas range from a “try ice climbing” day to via ferrata to multi-day backcountry hut trips.  

These are just ideas, and we are open to others. Would you take part if these adventures were exclusive to our community? Do you have other ideas we should consider?

👉 Fill out this quick form and let us know. If there is not enough interest, we will scrap the idea, no problem.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

LOCALS HAVE FINAL SAY ON BANFF’S BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT DECADE

What’s Happening? The final public hearing for Banff’s new Community Plan, which will guide the next decade of housing, tourism, and environmental stewardship, wrapped up this week. Chances are you did not sit through the five-hour meeting. We did. Residents, conservationists, and industry leaders generally supported the plan’s direction but disagreed on whether it is too vague or specific enough.

Big Goals, Lofty Language. The 2025 plan outlines six priorities, from climate action to community wellbeing. Targets include eliminating the housing shortfall by 2035, cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, and ensuring “no net negative environmental impact.” For tourism, the buzzword is “regenerative,” meaning economic prosperity without eroding the valley’s natural or social fabric.

Locals Want Receipts. Many residents pushed council for hard numbers: specific housing metrics, traffic reduction targets, and clear consequences if milestones are not met. Their fear? Without accountability, the plan risks gathering dust as another symbolic document.

Industry Wants Flexibility. Tourism and hospitality groups backed the plan’s broadness, praising its outcome-based focus and reluctance to dictate rigid solutions. Leaders pledged to partner with the town on measurement and communication, but said strict rules could make it harder to adjust.

Conservation Alarm Bells. Conservationist Harvey Locke applauded the plan’s “nature positive” framing but warned that overtourism is the real crisis. With visitation up 5.1% in July compared to last year, Locke urged council to resist loosening growth caps or rezoning wildlife corridors.

The Road Ahead. Council must now decide whether to adopt the flexible plan as it stands or amend it with the measurable benchmarks residents have suggested.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 4–813 7TH STREET

Unit #4 at 813 7th Street just hit the market, and it’s basically downtown living without the noise. This 2-bedroom townhome is tucked on a quiet block only one street over from Canmore’s cafés, shops, and trails. South-facing windows flood 1,500+ square feet of space with light (and Three Sisters views).

• Modern kitchen with gas range + quartz counters

• Open loft space that doubles as a home office or play zone

• Two parking stalls and private gear storage

• Gas BBQ hookup for those year-round grill sessions

Well cared for and move-in ready, this one’s got the location and the lifestyle covered.

👉 See the full listing details here or reach out to Alex & Lori for a custom property search.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• ☕ Another Coffee Shop Coming to Banff. Calgary’s well-loved Analog Coffee is setting up in Banff this fall at The Kenrick on Banff Ave., right beside the Fat Ox restaurant (one of our favourites FYI). An Instagram post with The Kenrick teased the news, noting Town approval but no opening date yet. For now, it’s simply “coming soon.”

• ✨ Canmore’s Nordic Spa is Opening Soon. Everwild Nordic Spa and Hotel launches in late November at the former MTN House on Silvertip Trail. Part of Basecamp Resorts, it promises cold and hot pools, steam rooms, salt room, barrel saunas, relaxation tents, and fire pits. The glossy AI renderings look great, but let’s be honest, locals just want to know if there’s a launch discount. 

• 🤳 Rogers Satellite Texting Expands To Kananaskis. Rogers says Kananaskis has become one of the top hotspots for its new satellite-to-mobile texting. The service, free until October, lets you send messages in places you’d normally be off-grid like backcountry trails. If you have a Rogers account, you can sign up for the beta here. After beta it’ll cost $15/month. If anyone tries the service this weekend, let us know so we can report back.

• 🏃‍♀️ Banff Half Marathon Doubles Down On Climate Goals. For the third year, the Banff Half Marathon partnered with Canadian climate firm Karbon-X to offset its footprint. Karbon-X calculated event emissions and purchased carbon credits from projects like renewable power and sustainable heating. Runners could also add contributions during registration. The partnership links Banff’s legacy of stewardship with modern climate action and now runs through 2027.

• ⛷️ Plan to Ski Lake Louise This Year? Lake Louise Ski Resort will debut Richardson’s Ridge by spring 2026, adding 200 acres of beginner and intermediate terrain about the size of the Larch area. The new high-speed quad will open five runs plus glades with views of Pika Valley and Mt. Temple. Future phases may include expert glading and a Temple Lodge surface lift.

We Can Make Anything Sound Sexy. Even Septic Services.

Want proof?

“Need a clean start? Call Randy’s Royal Flush, the Bow Valley’s #1 in #2. Whether it’s a backup, blowout, or your cousin Doug’s questionable RV hookup, we’ve smelled worse. (Probably).”

Too bad that’s not a real business.

But yours is. And it could be in front of 16,000+ locals.

➡️ We’ve done it for fake septic tanks. We can do it for you. Let’s chat.

KANANASKIS SEARCH ONGOING AFTER FATAL AUGUST ON THE WATER

What’s Happening? Kananaskis officials are urging caution on the water after three drownings and two missing boaters in August. The message is simple: life jackets save lives, especially in cold mountain lakes.

Cold Water, High Risk. Upper Kananaskis Lake and Barrier Lake saw back-to-back tragedies last month. On Aug. 26, a canoe with four people flipped on Upper Kananaskis; two were rescued, but two others remain missing. Just 10 days earlier, a canoe capsized on Barrier Lake, killing a 30-year-old man and a 60-year-old man. None of the paddlers were wearing life jackets. The search for the missing boaters continues, and the Upper Kananaskis Lake boat launch remains closed until further notice.

A Deadly Pattern. This is not the first time Kananaskis waters have proven unforgiving. In 2014, five people died in lakes and rivers across the area, including two men in Upper Kananaskis Lake, a swimmer in Lower Kananaskis, and two others who drowned in the Bow River near Seebe. Officials at the time stressed the need for flotation devices and better preparation, a warning that echoes again today.

Why It Matters? Unlike cottage-country lakes, Kananaskis waters stay near 10°C even in summer. Cold shock can overwhelm swimmers within minutes, and sudden storms often turn calm conditions into dangerous waves. For boaters and paddlers, the risks compound quickly.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Hockey is Back. The Canmore Eagles hit the ice for their first game of the season against the Calgary Canucks. Catch the action, cheer on the hometown team, and kick off another exciting AJHL season in Canmore. 7:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre. $5.

Saturday

• Festival of Art and Creativity. Meet artsPlace artists, learn their craft, and get messy in our art rooms while using upcycled and repurposed materials. Just drop by and join in clay play, watercolour painting, wood burning, cold wax painting, basket weaving, cyanotyping, felted seascapes, embroidery, and more. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• BBQ & Lawn Games for Dads. Spend a relaxed afternoon just for dads and male-identifying caregivers. Enjoy a BBQ, lawn games, and time with your kids while connecting with other dads in the community. Please email [email protected] to RSVP. 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. 600a 9 St, Canmore. Free. 

• Celebrate Rose & Crown’s 40th Birthday. Expect rooftop DJs, live music from Zoo Lion, late-night pizza, and raffle prizes supporting the Bow Valley SPCA (bring cash). Prizes include lake tours, yoga passes, horseback excursions, and even a $2,300 Pursuit package. 4:00 PM to late. 202 Banff Ave. $10.*

• Outdoor Stage & Night Market. Join in on an evening of circus-inspired celebrations where the campfire will roar, the night market will offer delicious food, and the party will continue with performances from local artists. 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

Sunday

• Women’s Pre-Loved Pop-Up Sale. Shop tons of affordable brands like Aritzia, Patagonia, Lululemon, and more. Refresh your wardrobe with stylish finds at amazing prices. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Rose and Crown, Banff. Free to attend.

• Bike Shorts Film Festival. Short films about biking by bikers, from rad rides to peaceful cruises, and everything in between. 7:00 PM. Lux Theatre, Banff. This event is free but space is limited.*

CANMORE’S CLEAN-UP CREW (OF ONE)

Forget big-name “teams” that send a new stranger every week. Zoe is just Zoe and that’s exactly why locals trust her. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, she brings consistency, care, and a spotless finish to every clean. From regular upkeep to move-outs, she’s your one-woman cleaning crew. She’s now taking on new clients, so if you want a cleaner who actually gives a damn, book a quick chat today.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏞️ An Evening With Adam Mertens. The Bow Valley Cirque is a 146 km alpine loop that links Cascade, Rundle, Ha Ling, the Three Sisters, Grotto, Lady Macdonald, and more. Local runner Adam Mertens just became the first to complete it in 70 hours, combining running, climbing, scrambling, and paddleboarding with 11,000 metres of elevation gain. On Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 PM, RunUphill hosts Mertens as he shares his story.* 

• ✅ Banff’s Program Registration Open. The Town of Banff’s fall and winter programs are open for registration. Running October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026, offerings include arts, wellness, aquatics, sports, outdoor activities, and family programs. 

• 🏗️ Elevation Place Gets a Facelift. The climbing gym will shut down September 22 for new flooring, fresh padding, brighter energy-efficient lights, and a deep clean. Doors reopen October 11. 

• 📢 Canmore and Banff Recruiting Committee Members. Both towns are looking for residents to step up. Canmore has openings on nine committees and boards, including Housing, Library, Planning, and Culture, while Banff is seeking members for its Police Governance Committee, which helps set RCMP priorities. Applications for both close Monday, Sept. 22.

• 🚧 Area Closure. The Sundance Canyon Loop in Banff National Park will be closed to all traffic and travel from September 9 to October 10, 2025, due to construction work. This closure is in place to ensure the safety of both the public and workers. Violating the closure may result in fines of up to $25,000.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Eyes Expanded Uses in Three Sisters Gateway. The Town of Canmore is considering a bylaw amendment to allow new uses in the Three Sisters Gateway District, including pet care, storage, veterinary clinics, kennels, labs, and care facilities. A public hearing is set for Sept. 16, with feedback focused on these proposed changes, not the broader district.

• Climate Action Update. Canmore aims for net-zero corporate emissions by 2050. Since 2022, community emissions are down 9% and corporate emissions 12%. Progress includes wildfire work, landfill methane capture, and solar supplying 8% of Town power. Next up: wildfire mapping and a new Zero Waste Coordinator.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, September 12th 2025, 7:00 PM: Salsa Band, Distrito. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. No Cover.*

• Friday, September 12th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Duff Thompson and Steph Green. Location: The Whyte, Banff. $28.50. 

• Saturday, September 12th 2025, From 10:15 AM: Outdoor Performances including 40 Watts, Cave Arcade and The Ducks. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. Free Event.*

• Saturday, September 12th 2025, 9:00 PM: Unconditional Wub: Dance Party. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. No Cover.*

• Saturday, September 12th 2025, 9:30 PM: Funk the Haus. Location: Canadian Brewhouse, Banff. $10 Cover.

SPORTS

• Eagles GM Sets Sights On Championship Push. GM Andrew Milne says the Canmore Eagles have “unfinished business” after finishing just one point out of first in the AJHL last season. With veterans passing the torch, leadership is pushing younger players to chase a title. Camp is underway, and Milne believes the roster is already in-house.

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.