💰New Moraine Lake Fees

Good morning, Bow Valley!

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In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Want to go to Moraine Lake? Prices are going up. 

• There was another Earthquake in Banff.  It was bigger than the last one. 

• Canmore finalizes how funds will be spent from the vacancy home tax.

• Plus, free Ice Magic tickets, cheap pizza, movie nights, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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NEW MORAINE LAKE FEES SPARK DEBATE

What’s happening? Parks Canada is introducing new fees for commercial shuttles to Moraine Lake, aiming to recover part of the $4M shortfall in their traffic management budget. Operators must now pay per trip, with rates based on vehicle size and ticket price. Applications for 2025 opened on January 20.

Fee breakdown. The charges range from $50 to $641 per trip, depending on vehicle size and whether ticket prices exceed $45. Some operators are frustrated, citing a significant cost disparity and short notice. Parks Canada argues the fees encourage efficiency, as many buses ran below capacity in 2024.

Industry response. The Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment and tour operators like Moraine Lake Bus Company support cost recovery but criticize the rushed implementation. They suggest alternatives like per-seat fees and call for more federal funding to alleviate Parks Canada’s financial strain.

Bigger picture. Visitation is booming, with Banff hitting a record 4.3M visitors and Moraine Lake commercial traffic doubling since 2023. Parks Canada hopes the new fees will ease congestion while maintaining sustainable tourism practices.

THE DIGEST

• ⛄SnowDays transforms Banff into a snowy art gallery, with seven intricate sculptures lining the streets until Feb. 2. Local and international artists spent days chiseling blocks of Kananaskis snow into masterpieces. Highlights include a pika with flowers and a boy magnified through his own lens.

• ⚠️Another Earthquake! Did you feel it? A magnitude 4.5 earthquake hit 32 miles northwest of Banff early Sunday, waking a few locals with light vibrations. At a depth of 8.7 miles, the quake was felt as far as Canmore and Cochrane. No damage reported, just a little morning shake-up for the Rockies.

• 🐻A photo from the summer resurfaces and sparks renewed outrage.  A Banff taxi driver is under fire after letting tourists exit the cab to approach a wild bear, sparking outrage online. The risky encounter violates Parks Canada’s 100-meter bear safety rule.

• 🏞️Heads up, Grassi Lakes visitors! Starting today (January 27), contractors will place large rocks along Ken Ritchie Way to block roadside parking. Ken Ritchie Way is the road that takes you down to Grassi Lakes trailhead. Expect some construction activity near the day-use area until further notice. 

• 🖼️Banff’s Whyte Museum unveils Meltdown – A Drop in Time, a photo exhibition highlighting Columbia Icefield glaciers and their rapid retreat. Featuring jaw-dropping shots by Everest climbers Jim Elzinga and Roger Vernon, and a poignant short film, the show underscores glaciers’ critical role in our water future. Runs until April 13.

SECOND HOMEOWNERS TO FUND CANMORE’S FUTURE

What’s happening? Canmore’s council is set to finalize how funds from its new vacancy tax will be spent on housing projects. The tax, aimed at second homeowners, is expected to generate millions annually for non-market housing initiatives to address the town’s affordability crisis.

Where the money’s going? Proposed projects include $9.9M for rental housing in Palliser, $2.75M for flood mitigation at Stoneworks Creek, and $600K for a pedestrian crossing design. Future years outline millions more for affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades.

The tax that divides. The 0.4% tax on second homes stirred debate, with critics questioning costs and legality. Supporters argue it’s essential for maintaining Canmore’s livability and community fabric, with 26% of homes sitting vacant part-time.

Big-picture goals. Council aims to boost affordability, increase transparency, and create shovel-ready projects to secure grants. With an estimated 1,000+ new non-market units in the pipeline, officials hope to tackle Canmore’s housing challenges head-on.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Open Curling Time. Attend these curling times to practice your skills, get together with your league for extra curling, or gather a group of friends for a fun game. Equipment is provided. 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Fenlands. Drop-in Fees Apply.

• Half-Off Pizza. Satisfy your pizza craving with 50% off pizzas. 5:00 PM to Close. Bear Street Tavern, Banff.

• Interactive Game Night. Mark Walker hosts a community Blood on the Clocktower night. The library will transform into a haven for cunning, investigation, and duplicitous fiends. All skill levels are welcome. 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Banff Library. Free.

• Free Yoga. Join CYAN every Monday for drop-in yoga classes to stretch, breathe, and connect. All are welcome! 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. By Donation. 

Tuesday

• Cheap Movie Tickets. Tuesdays are always a deal at The Lux. Pay just $7.99 for your ticket or add popcorn and a drink for a total of $19.99, including tax. Check out A Complete Unknown, Mufasa, or Flight Risk. The Lux, Banff. 

• Writing Group. Join other writers at the Round Table at the top of the stairs for dedicated writing time. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Malcolm Hotel, Canmore. Free. 

• Bring Your Own Book Club. January is Wild Card month! Bring your most recent read, or any book you particularly enjoyed, and share about it! 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

• Movie Night. Joan Baez: I Am A Noise. A raw and intimate portrait of the legendary folk singer and activist. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏷️40% off Food and Drinks. Tavern 1883 is open again and still offering 40% off your total bill from 2:00 - 5:00 PM daily.  

• 🙋🏻Volunteers Needed. Help seniors and low-income individuals and families complete their 2024 taxes. A basic understanding of income tax is all you need. To volunteer, email [email protected].

• 🔖Ice Magic Tickets. Free tickets are available to residents of the communities of Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Mînî Thnî, Lac Des Arc, Deadman Flats, Exshaw, Harvie Heights, Field, and Kananaskis to attend on January 29th and 30th. 

• 🧑‍🚒Wildfire Panel. Attend a Public Panel Discussion to meet the experts in the Bow Valley Interagency Wildfire Committee and learn about the work being done to help reduce the risk of the spread of wildfire in our area. Registration to attend is required. 

• 🏭Reducing construction, renovation, and demolition waste in the Bow Valley. Join the construction, demolition, and renovation industry in Bow Valley to discuss potential ways to improve waste management in Banff, Canmore, and the Municipal District of Bighorn. 

• 💃Community Square Dance. Leslie Gotfrit, accompanied with live music, will lead this dance at the Miners Hall. No experience is necessary, and all proceeds will support The Pine Tree Players.

• 🍽️Local Food Special. Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 PM until close, locals can indulge in a three-course meal for just $45 at Murrieta’s in Canmore.

• 🤝Sport Funding. The True Sport Youth Fund gives community sport organizations the financial support needed to keep sport inclusive and accessible in the Bow Valley.

• 👨‍👧‍👦 Programming. Youth ages 17-35 living in the Bow Valley are invited to join this 1-day Howl Experience to learn what reconciliation can look and feel like. 

• 🤍Craig Oliver Passing.  A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, and we will gather to honor a man whose warmth, generosity, and love for life touched so many. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bow Valley SPCA, as Craig always had a special place in his heart for our four-legged friends. 

• 🛠️Air Source Heat Pump Training. Includes four modules focused on the selection and residential application of air-source heat pumps in Alberta. This workshop is intended for HVAC professionals, builders, renovators, building officials, electricians, and designers. 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre. $15. 

CIVIC NEWS

• The Town of Banff is investing $43 million in capital projects over the next three years, including a $6.8 million Caribou Street redevelopment, new electric and hybrid buses, and housing upgrades. Longer-term plans include a $16.1 million Banff Avenue facelift, with $107.6 million in total projects approved through 2032.

• There is also a regular council meeting today at 2:00 PM, which will include the appointment of public members to the Library Board, Community Grants Committee, and Development Appeal Board. Attend in person at Banff Council Chambers or on Zoom.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, January 27th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, January 20th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Karaoke Mondays. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.  

• Tuesday, January 27th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Silver Fox Acoustic Duo. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Ice Climbing. Canmore’s Sara Lilley won gold at the Ouray Continental Cup in the female lead division this past weekend.  You can watch a replay of the live finals where Sara gets higher than any other female on the wall in a spectacular show of strength and athleticism. This was Sara's second competition, but it is only the start to her no doubt impressive stay on the Ice Climbing World Cup Circuit.

• Speed Skating. Canmore's Connor Howe claimed eighth in the men’s 1,500m at Calgary’s Olympic Oval during this weekend’s Speed Skating World Cup. While American Jordan Stolz dominated with a track record, Howe continues to hold his own among the world’s best, representing Canada on the international stage.

• Nordic Ski. Canmore’s Nordic skiers dominated the U.S. SuperTour in Bozeman, with standout performances by junior athletes like Aria Grandi and Aislin Simson. Representing the Canmore Nordic Ski Club, they showcased their talent in a key qualifier for the 2025 World Ski Championships in Norway.

That’s all, folks!

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