🚗 New Rules For Lake Louise

Good morning, Bow Valley!

At the end of June, we posted a job opening for a journalist. The response was great, and we're close to filling it. But here's the twist: we're now hiring another freelance journalist to handle overflow stories. So if you missed the first posting, you've got another shot. The role is about four stories a week and is flexible enough to fit around another job or other commitments. We're looking for someone who lives in the Bow Valley or has a strong connection to the area. Check out the application, or just hit reply if you have any questions. The deadline is July 21.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

NEW REPORT REVEALS WHAT VISITING LAKE LOUISE COULD LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE

What's Happening? A new Parks Canada report suggests visitors are increasingly willing to accept stricter rules at Lake Louise if it means reducing overcrowding and protecting the area. But the survey also shows support quickly becomes more divided when those restrictions affect people's own ability to visit.

Most People Agree Something Has To Change. Parks Canada surveyed nearly 1,700 people as it develops a long-term plan for Upper Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Paradise Valley. Respondents broadly supported protecting wildlife, reducing congestion, limiting visitor numbers in sensitive areas and relying more on shuttles and public transit.

The planning comes as Banff National Park continues to see record visitation. Traffic on Lake Louise Drive has increased more than 70% since 2010. During summer 2025, only about 1,000 personal vehicles were able to park at Upper Lake Louise each day, while roughly 75% of drivers attempting to reach the lot were turned away after it filled.

Support Has Limits. The report found visitors generally liked ideas such as parking reservations and reducing personal vehicles, but enthusiasm faded when proposals limited flexibility through fixed visit times or made access feel less spontaneous.

The strongest support went to restricting personal vehicles altogether and relying primarily on shuttles and transit, although it was also the survey's most polarizing proposal. Bow Valley residents were considerably more supportive of that approach than Calgary-area respondents.

Backcountry users also asked Parks Canada to preserve early-morning access and flexible return times for climbers, hikers and mountaineers who need longer days in the mountains.

One Popular Idea Is Off The Table. Many respondents tried to solve the access problem by suggesting locals should receive priority parking or shuttle reservations. Some proposed extending that preference to Albertans or Canadians, while others suggested charging international visitors more.

Parks Canada says none of those ideas are being considered as part of this planning process because they fall outside the project's scope or would require broader policy changes.

What's Next? Parks Canada plans to finalize the visitor management plan in fall 2026, with any new measures expected to begin rolling out in spring 2027. The agency says visitors will receive at least 18 months' notice before major access changes are implemented.

Read our full story. We highly recommend it. It provides one of the clearest windows yet into how you'll experience Lake Louise in the years ahead. 

THE STUFF YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT… UNTIL MOVING DAY

Ben here. This is what caught me off guard during a recent move.

Everyone thinks moving is just boxes and a truck. It’s not.

It’s the oversized furniture that doesn’t fit through the doorway. The pieces that need to be taken apart on the fly. The items going to three different places. The last-minute dump runs. The tight timelines. The “where does this even go?” decisions… over and over again.

That’s where moves start to fall apart.

I hired Joel and his team from Grizzly Moving at full price. No special treatment just because I’m the Publisher at Bow Valley Insider.

What stood out was how Joel handled all of that. Before the move, he walked through everything with me and flagged the exact problems we’d run into. During the move, his team just handled it. Disassembly, coordination, multiple trips, no confusion.

At a certain point, I stopped thinking about the move entirely.

If you’ve got a move coming up, especially one with a few unknowns, it’s worth reaching out. Get a free quote here.

_{*Presented by Grizzly Moving.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏍 Motorcyclist Killed On Highway 40. A 45-year-old Foothills County man died Friday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with an SUV near the Opal day-use area in Spray Valley Provincial Park. Paramedics said, "a collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle had occurred." Four people were inside the SUV, with two taken to hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition. RCMP are continuing to investigate what caused the collision. 

• 💡 Our Local's Guide To Canmore Folk Fest. Canmore Folk Music Festival is just over two weeks away, and every member of the BVI team has been in years past. So we put together a local's guide to help you get the most out of one of Canmore's favourite summer weekends. Whether you're a first-timer wondering what to expect or a longtime attendee looking for a few insider tips, we've rounded up everything from how to approach the lineup and workshops to transportation, what to pack, and how to get the most out of the weekend. Read our guide. 

• 🏓 Some Canmore Neighbours Aren't Fans Of Pickleball. After months of complaints about the noise at Veterans Park, the Town has launched a three-part plan aimed at finding a compromise. Players are now being asked to voluntarily stop after 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday, while Canmore studies noise mitigation options and begins planning dedicated pickleball courts. Council will review the pilot this winter as it looks for a long-term solution that supports the sport without creating ongoing conflicts for nearby residents. Here’s everything we know.

• 🔥 Fire Advisory Issued For Canmore & Kananaskis. Hot, dry, and windy weather has prompted Alberta Wildfire to issue a fire advisory for the Calgary Forest Area, which includes Canmore and Kananaskis. There are currently no active wildfires in the region, but officials warn vegetation has become dry enough that any new fire could spread quickly. Campfires are still allowed for now, though new fire permits are being issued only on a case-by-case basis. Alberta Wildfire also reminds campers that leaving a campfire unattended can result in a $600 fine. 

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

July? Gone.
August? 66% booked
Summer? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

EIGHT PEOPLE WERE RESCUED ON THE BOW RIVER IN 24 HOURS

What's Happening? Alberta Parks says it has identified three common factors behind recent Bow River rescues in Canmore: people not wearing life jackets, using inexpensive inflatable rafts, and underestimating river conditions following last month's flooding.

The Three Biggest Risks. The warning follows a series of rescues on July 7 and 8, when eight people required assistance within 24 hours, prompting Kananaskis Mountain Rescue to urge visitors to use extra caution on local waterways.

According to Alberta Parks, many recent incidents have involved people wearing no life jacket or relying on inexpensive inflatable rafts and flotation devices that can puncture when they strike submerged debris.

The department is reminding visitors that Transport Canada-certified life jackets should be worn whenever recreating on or around the water.

The River Has Changed. Alberta Parks says last month's flooding significantly altered conditions on the Bow River, creating new hazards including log jams, submerged trees, changed river channels and unexpected gravel deposits.

Officials warn that even people familiar with the river may be surprised by how much conditions have changed. The water also remains extremely cold, while strong currents can make it difficult to swim to shore if something goes wrong.

Recent Rescues Show The Risks. On July 7, three kayakers were rescued by helicopter after becoming trapped in a logjam near the Engine Bridge. After being pulled underwater by strainers and sweepers, they managed to reach a small island, where they waited for rescue. Another group of river users also required assistance nearby later that day.

The following afternoon, a woman was pulled from the Bow River by bystanders after her kayak overturned in fast-moving water near a small island. She was heard calling for help before emergency crews arrived.

Read our full story, including visuals.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Celebrate National Hot Dog Day. If you needed an excuse to eat a hot dog today, here it is. Rose & Crown is celebrating with $7 hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, Reuben dogs, rooftop BBQ specials, and Happy Hour drinks. 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Rose & Crown, Banff. No cover.*

• Pottery Painting At Canmore Brewing. Grab a pint and paint your own flower pot at Canmore Brewing's Pots & Paints night. Your ticket includes one small pot and all the supplies you need, making for a fun midweek night out. Tickets available through Eventbrite. 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. $11.98.*

Thursday

• Calgary Mountain Friends: We Need Your Help. We know this one's outside our usual coverage area, but it's supporting one of the Bow Valley's favourite dog rescues. Heart Mountain Rescue is bringing the Trails In Motion Film Tour to Calgary, featuring eight inspiring trail running films, raffle prizes, complimentary XACT Nutrition products, and adoptable adventure dogs. Tickets must be purchased today. 5:45 PM - 9:30 PM. cSPACE Marda Loop, Calgary.*

• Artist Talk Comes To Exshaw. Meet the artists behind Odd Objects: Things We Believe In at a free panel hosted by the Bighorn Library. The exhibition explores the meaning we attach to everyday objects through painting, photography, and textiles, and remains on display until July 22. 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Bighorn Library, Exshaw. Free. 

FROM SPECIAL OCCASION TO REGULAR RITUAL

If you've seen us promote Everwild's Multi-Visit Spa Pass before, here's what's changed: it used to be available exclusively to Bow Valley residents. Now, anyone can purchase one, whether you live in Canmore, Calgary, Cochrane, or beyond. 

For most people, a spa day falls into the same category as an anniversary dinner or birthday celebration. It's something you do once in a while, not something you build into your routine.

Everwild Spa is hoping to change that.

The Multi-Visit Spa Pass allows guests to purchase discounted packages of 5 or 10 visits, making it easier to enjoy Everwild's Nordic thermal experience on a regular basis. Pass holders receive full access to hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, relaxation lounges, fire gardens, and the spa's signature wellness rituals.

When members of the Bow Valley Insider team visited Everwild shortly after opening, the most memorable part wasn't the architecture or the amenities. It was the unexpected sense of community. Friends catching up in a hot pool. Couples unwinding after work. Conversations that somehow happen more naturally when nobody is checking their phone. 

The new Multi-Visit Spa transforms Everwild from a special occasion destination into something much more accessible: a place to recharge, reconnect, and make wellness part of everyday life.

Interested in learning more about the new Everwild Multi-Visit Spa Pass? Click here to explore the options and start planning your next visit. (Our publisher, Ben, just bought the 10-pass, so you might see him there!)

_{*Presented by Everwild Canmore Nordic Spa.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌸 Chef's Garden Party Returns This September. We know this one is still almost two months away, but we're mentioning it now because it sells out every year, and we'd rather Bow Valley locals get first crack at tickets. Stirling Grill's 3rd annual Chef's Garden Party returns on Saturday, Sept. 12, featuring elegant small bites, live music, a bartender competition, and one of the best rooftop afternoons of the year. Tickets are $125, and if past years are any indication, they won't last long. Book here.*

• 💯 The Exshaw Legion Is Turning 100. That's a milestone worth celebrating. The Legion is marking its centennial with a community BBQ on Saturday, July 18, and everyone's invited, whether you’re a member or not. Drop by for a meat draw, live music, and a $20 steak dinner. Doors open at 2 PM, the meat draw starts at 3 PM, and the BBQ begins around 6 PM.*

• 🧺 A Guide To Better Mountain Picnics. New from our friends at Valbella: a picnic guide for anyone ready to level up beyond “chips, blanket, and hope.” Their Definitive Local’s Guide to Picnicking covers what food to pack, how to build the perfect picnic board, drink and wine pairings, little extras that make it feel special, and quieter picnic spots around Calgary, Kananaskis, and the Bow Valley.*

• ⛰️ Backcountry Campgrounds Reopen. Several Kananaskis backcountry campgrounds reopened July 14 after flooding closures, including Mount Romulus, Tombstone, Big Elbow, their equestrian sites, and Aster Lake. Visitors should expect some flooding impacts, trail erosion, wet conditions, and mud. Use extreme caution around waterways, obey all signs and closures, and stay out of restricted areas while crews continue repair work.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Considers Bigger Pay Raises For Staff. Banff council is weighing whether to keep employee wages at the market average or raise them above average to help attract and retain staff. The decision would add between $750,000 and $955,000 to the Town's 2027 budget, depending on which option council chooses. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, July 15th, 7:00 PM: Open Mike with Colin Macdonald. Location: The Local, Canmore. No Cover.

• Thursday, July 16th, 10:00 PM: Orchid Orchestra. Location: The Drake, Canmore. $17.40.

SPORTS

• Runner Attempts Record Banff-To-Jasper Journey. Whistler runner Harry Marshall plans to run the 230-kilometre Icefields Parkway later this August in an attempt to set the fastest known time between Banff and Jasper. Marshall says the challenge is also deeply personal, inspired by the loss of his brother and mother, with the goal of showing how running and time in nature helped him navigate grief and rebuild his mental health. 

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.