🌊 New Fee To Use Alberta Waters

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Friday, we covered a story about ten Calgary visitors who were fined for leaving food and garbage unattended in Banff National Park. Nine received $50 fines, one was fined $250. We asked if those penalties were enough to actually deter littering in the park. Out of 324 votes, 89.5% said the fines are far too low. One comment put it best: these fines are smaller than a parking ticket, but the risks are far greater. Read all the community comments.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

SHOULD THERE BE A FEE TO USE ALBERTA’S WATERS?

What’s Happening? Alberta is asking for public feedback on a proposed annual watercraft pass to support the fight against aquatic invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. A survey is open until August 25 to gauge support and guide how the pass might be structured.

Why It’s on the Table. Mussels may be tiny, but their impact isn’t. Once introduced, they clog irrigation lines, wreck ecosystems, and cost millions in infrastructure damage. Alberta remains mussel-free, one of the few jurisdictions in North America to make that claim, and the province wants to keep it that way. Watercraft are the number one transport method for these species, and the pass would help generate nearly $8 million annually to fund inspections, public education, decontamination units, and even K9 detection teams.

How It Would Work. According to the Provincial Aquatics Invasive Species Task Force, the pass would apply to all watercraft, including paddleboards and kayaks. Fees would likely be tiered based on motorized vs. non-motorized vessels. A visual “sticker” could be required for launch, with all revenue going directly toward prevention efforts.

So What Do You Think?

• Why it makes sense: It’s a user-pay model to fund prevention, inspection, and education, which can be cheaper than dealing with the damage after the fact. Plus, boaters are often the primary risk.

• Why some are skeptical: Recreational users may see it as an extra tax, especially those who rarely boat or only use non-motorized craft. Enforcing compliance could also be tricky.

Have your say: Take the survey here.

JAZZ HEATS UP THE BANFF CENTRE

From avant-garde explorations to soulful late-night jams, Banff Centre’s Jazz & Sonic Arts series is bringing world-class sound to the mountains this August.

Mainstage Shows (Jenny Belzberg Theatre | 7:30 PM | From $25)

Uncharted Frequencies (Aug 2) and In the Moment (Aug 9) feature bold improvisation from some of the most innovative names in jazz. Expect double bass, clarinet, cello, trombone, and vocals woven into immersive, unpredictable performances. Each ticket includes free entry to a post-show jam at CLVB ’33.

Free Participant Concerts (Jenny Belzberg Theatre | 7:30 PM)

Aug 13 & 15: Catch the next wave of jazz talent as resident artists showcase new, boundary-pushing work shaped during their three-week residency.

Late-Night at CLVB ’33 (Set times vary | $20 at the door | 18+)

• Midnight Channel (Aug 1): cinematic chaos, deep grooves, and free jazz energy.

• André Wickenheiser Quintet (Aug 8): Banff debut with jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul vibes.

• Jazz Jams (Aug 1, 2, 8, 9, 13 & 15): open sessions where anything goes.

If you’re even a little curious, go. Whether you’re deep into jazz or just chasing a good night out, this series delivers the kind of live music that sticks with you.

🎟 Full schedule + tickets

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

THE DIGEST

• 🥾 One Hiker Found, One Person Still Missing in Banff. Chad Singer, a 42-year-old hiker from Radium, was found safe after vanishing near Marvel Pass on July 23. The search involved helicopters and canine teams. In a separate incident, the RCMP is now asking for help locating 25-year-old Mable Huang, last seen in Banff. Info can be reported to Banff RCMP at (403) 763-6600.

• 🏆 Locals Just Ranked the Best Views in the Bow Valley. We asked over 10,000 Bow Valley Insider readers to name the best views in Canmore and Banff. Many picks are off the beaten path, the kind you won’t find on a typical “things to do in Canmore” list. While we made sure locals didn’t give up any true secret spots, we did want to crowdsource a list that goes beyond the obvious and spreads the love a little wider. Check out the list.

• 🏗️ Robson Pass Hut Update. Built to provide year-round shelter for hikers and climbers tackling Canada’s highest Rockies peak and nearby objectives, the Robson Pass Hut is finally taking shape. The foundation is now complete, and framing is underway. Materials were flown in by helicopter, and crews are minimizing their impact by repurposing trees and carefully navigating the rugged, boulder-filled terrain.

• 🐻 Bear Warning Issued for Popular K-Country Campgrounds. A new bear warning is in effect for six campgrounds in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, including Boulton Creek and Interlakes, after multiple grizzlies and black bears were spotted frequenting the area. One black bear recently damaged a tent with food inside. Campers are urged to store attractants properly.

• 🧊 One Month Later: Bow Glacier Falls Rockslide. We visited Bow Glacier Falls on Sunday, nearly a month after the deadly rockslide that claimed two lives. You can still hike to the falls and view them from a distance, but the base remains closed. Deep gashes scar the cliff face, with debris still visible below. Watch our video footage.

Marketing That Slaps (In a Good Way)

Like a fresh baguette to the face…our ads get noticed.

They’re local, loud, and lovingly crafted to convert.

We don’t do boring banners or beige print.

We write clever mini-stories that make 15,000+ locals engage.

➡️ Fill out the form and feel the slap.

NEW RULES COMING FOR BANFF PATIOS

What’s Happening? Sidewalk seating in Banff is getting a cap and a makeover. Parks Canada and the Town of Banff are finalizing a quota on public-space patios, and businesses on Caribou Street are already pushing back on changes they say shrink their summer lifeline: outdoor seating.

New Cap, Old Tensions. Sidewalk patios exploded during the pandemic as a lifeline for local restaurants, but Parks Canada says the expansion went beyond what’s legally allowed. Under federal law, commercial development in Banff is strictly capped, and those sidewalk spaces count. Officials now say future patio growth may be subject to a lottery if demand exceeds the limit, much like Banff’s commercial growth quota system.

Expectations vs. Reality. Town planners say current proposals would actually give businesses more patio space than they had pre-COVID, but shifting expectations are now the real challenge. Restaurant owners aren’t just worried about square footage, they’re concerned about patio placements that don’t align with storefronts.

What’s Next? Town administration has been directed to revise Banff’s sidewalk seating policy by year’s end. With patio caps, equity models, and landscaping all on the table, the summer of 2026 may look very different from the one we’re currently having.

Meanwhile on Caribou Street. A $6.8 million street overhaul prompted fresh concerns from business owners, who argued the planned greenery, specifically large tree planters, would significantly reduce their patio space. Council ultimately voted to scale back the landscaping, removing two planters entirely and shrinking the others to one tree each.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• $16 Pasta Night = We’ll Be There. Choose from bold Bolognese ragù rigatoni, savoury seafood fettuccine, or homemade gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Comfort carbs never tasted so good. 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Evergreen Lounge.*

• Slack Jam Hangout. Chill in the park, try slacklining or highlining, and enjoy some casual circus vibes. No experience needed. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free.

Tuesday

• Free Social. Basecamp is a free social program for young adults living or working in Banff. Play lawn games while enjoying a free BBQ dinner (soft drinks and hot dogs). 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Sundance Park, Banff. Free. 

• Trivia Tuesday. Play as a team or on your own to test your trivia knowledge. Purely for fun, bragging rights, and donated prizes. 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Canmore Rose and Crown. Free to Play.  

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✨ A Local Festival That Leaves No Trace But Lasting Memories. Lucent Festival is an eco-conscious, come-as-you-are weekend filled with yoga in the forest, barefoot dancing, river dips, and live music by firelight. Choose your own pace: join a workshop, browse the forest market, or watch your kids explore while you reset under the trees. August 8-10 at Star 6 Ranch. Tickets are moving fast. Check details and schedule.*

• 🧑‍🍳 Family Style Italian Cooking. Join Chef Joe for a one-of-a-kind family-style/ individually coursed dining experience at the Fat Ox where he’ll personally cook a seasonal multicourse Italian-inspired menu. $79 per person with two seating options. August 15th at 4:30 PM or 7:30 PM. Email our good friend [email protected] to reserve your seats. If you love Italian food, you 100% don’t want to miss this one.*

• 👣 Heading Out To West Bragg Creek? With all the recent rain, it can be hard to know which West Bragg Creek trails are good to go and which ones might be best to avoid. If you’re not sure what to expect out there, check the Trail Conditions page before you head out.

• 🎣 Fish at One of Kananaskis' Best Alpine Lakes. Fishing is now permitted at Rawson Lake from July 16 to October 31, with a bait ban in effect. The lake is known for its cutthroat trout, and catch-and-release is the only option. Start at Upper Kananaskis Lake and take the Rawson Lake Trail.

• 🍱 Summer Food Bank. The Bow Valley Food Alliance, Alberta Food Banks, and BanffLife have teamed up to offer a pilot Banff Summer Food Bank support program. Distribution is every Monday from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Request a hamper here.

• 📢 Avalanche Educators Wanted. Avalanche Canada is accepting applications for a Youth Outreach and Education Provider in Alberta and BC to deliver avalanche education and winter awareness programs to students to help prepare them for their initial steps into the backcountry.

• 🚉 Roam Transit Survey. Your annual feedback on their services, routes, and overall experience will help make necessary enhancements to serve you and the community better. Take the survey.

CIVIC NEWS

• Conservationists Urge Caution Regarding Community Plan. The Bow Valley Naturalists are calling on Banff Town Council to pause approval of its new community plan arguing that council and residents need to fully understand potential impacts. A second reading today (July 28) aims to finalize the plan before the October municipal election. 

• After An Unsuccessful Bid in 2021, Banff’s Mark Walker Will Run Again. Mark Walker is the first to enter Banff’s Oct. 20 municipal election race. A former ski instructor, business owner, and current Banff Housing Corporation chair, Walker says he’ll keep pushing for sustainable housing and smart visitor management to protect Banff’s quality of life.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday July 28th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Sunset Festival: Steph O’Dette. Location: Banff Gondola. 

• Tuesday July 29th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Phillip Alexander Nugent. Location: Banff Gondola. 

• Tuesday July 29th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Henry Mansfield. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Athlete Swaps Skis for Silver. Shane Stewart took home silver in golf at the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games and now awaits word on a possible spot at nationals next summer. Known for his success in cross-country skiing, Stewart’s year-round training (and winter trips to Arizona) could make golf his next big win. We’re rooting for him.

• Canmore’s Luke Philp Heads to Sweden. After six years in the AHL and a brief NHL stint, Luke Philp is heading overseas to join Sweden’s Farjestad BK. The Canmore native battled back from two tough injuries and will now skate alongside other NHL-tested talent in the SHL. A fresh start (and maybe a big comeback) is on deck.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, 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.