🏒 NHL Game at Lake Louise?

Parking Fees Hit Banff Mountain

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Bow Valley Insider
March 06, 2026

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re pretty sure we speak for most Bow Valley Insiders when we say locals probably aren’t too keen on the crowds and pressure that would come with an NHL game at Lake Louise. Turns out it likely won’t happen anyway. Speaking in Calgary this week, league commissioner Gary Bettman said the idea is “next to impossible.” Between the lack of infrastructure, limited accommodations, and strict national park regulations, hosting a massive outdoor game there would be a logistical and economic challenge. Bettman called the setting “magnificent,” but said turning it into a real NHL event would be extremely difficult. Watch his full answer.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

NEW PARKING FEE COMING TO BANFF GONDOLA AND HOT SPRINGS LOTS

What’s Happening? Visitors driving to Sulphur Mountain this summer will soon have to pay to park. Parks Canada is launching a three-year pilot charging $17.50 per day at the lots serving the Banff Gondola and Upper Hot Springs, from May 15 to October 12, 2026.

The New Fee. Parking fees will apply between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the two Parks Canada lots near Sulphur Mountain. Payment is made at on-site machines, and drivers who fail to pay may receive a violation notice. Parks Canada says the program aims to address “significant traffic congestion during peak periods.”

Why Banff Supports It. Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno told Bow Valley Insider that the town has been encouraging Parks Canada for years to explore tools like paid parking to help reduce vehicle congestion tied to Sulphur Mountain attractions.

“This is great news and we're pleased Parks Canada is moving ahead with trialing pay parking at Sulphur Mountain for the next few summers,” DiManno said.

“Every summer we try to mitigate traffic congestion but with more and more vehicles coming into town, it makes our work that much harder.”

The mayor said the goal is to encourage visitors to leave their vehicles behind and instead use transit options such as Roam buses or the gondola shuttle.

“We hope this will be a disincentive for folks who drive their personal vehicles to the Sulphur Mountain attractions and instead encourage them to take the more affordable and convenient transit options available in town.”

The Traffic Problem. According to DiManno, traffic heading toward Sulphur Mountain has historically created ripple effects across Banff’s road network.

“Our data showed that in the past, up to 50% of the vehicles that cross the river and head towards the Sulphur Mountain parking lots in peak periods in summer would be turned around at full parking lots and head down towards downtown,” she said. “They become a traffic jam on Mountain Ave.”

A Pilot Test. The mayor said the town will be watching closely to see whether the new parking fee changes visitor behaviour.

Read the full story, including our interview with the Banff Gondola’s operator.

Do you support paid parking at Sulphur Mountain lots?

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HOW TO SPEND A PERFECT WINTER DAY IN CANMORE

If you had one winter day in Canmore to do it right, here’s a solid blueprint.

Start outside. Depending on your mood, that might mean cross-country skiing or fat biking at Silvertip Resort. The Nordic trails offer a mellow 4 km loop under open skies, perfect for an easy morning glide. If you’re feeling more ambitious, the fat biking track brings climbs, flow, and just enough effort to earn what comes next.

That next step is the reward. Book Silvertip’s fully private, wood-fired sauna and cold plunge for the afternoon. You change, robe up, and step outside to a sauna reserved only for you and your group for a full hour, with the cold plunge right there for contrast between rounds. It works just as well for two as it does for a small group up to eight.

Finish the day on the Silvertip Market patio with a cup of hot chocolate and a comfy chair by the outdoor fire pits. 

The best part about the whole day? No fighting for parking or weaving through crowds.

*Presented by Silvertip Resort.

THE DIGEST

  • âś… Jasper’s Valley of the Five Lakes Trail Eyes 2026 Reopening. One of Jasper National Park’s most popular hikes is expected to reopen in 2026 after heavy damage from the 2024 wildfire. Crews spent thousands of hours clearing burned trees, rebuilding bridges, and repairing sections of the 4.5-km loop known for its vivid turquoise lakes. When the trail returns, hikers may notice a changed landscape. Parks Canada has not announced a specific reopening date.

  • 🚧 Rockfall Warning Near Radium Hot Springs. If you’re heading to Radium this weekend, note that two highway pullouts on Highway 93S between the Village of Radium and the Radium Hot Springs pools are closed due to falling rocks near Sinclair Canyon. Parks Canada says warming temperatures are triggering rockfall in the area. The highway remains open, but drivers are advised not to stop near rockfall zones. The warning comes just weeks after a Feb. 19 rockslide temporarily closed the same stretch of highway.

  • âś‹ New Banff Music Festival Won’t Proceed in 2026. An electronic music festival planned for late March at the Banff train station will not proceed this year. Organizers of the AROABORA festival said the event was postponed due to “circumstances outside their control”. In an interview with Bow Valley Insider, organizers did not answer questions about the specific reasons behind the decision. The event had been promoted by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism as part of its winter events lineup aimed at boosting off-season visitation. Here’s what we know.

  • ❄️ Avalanche Experts Warn of Hidden Snowpack Danger. Avalanche Canada says a tricky avalanche problem known as a “persistent slab” is lingering into March, especially in the 93S zone. These weak layers are buried deeper in the snowpack, making them potentially more destructive if they fail. The challenge is that obvious warning signs, like cracking, are becoming less common. Forecasters say the safest approach right now is patience and conservative terrain choices, including avoiding areas where avalanches could start above you.

Traditional Media Called. It Wants Its Budget Back.

We get it. You’ve “always done” print.

But your customers are in their inbox, not your neighbor’s recycling.

We deliver clicks and sales, not column inches.

➡️ Stop funding nostalgia. Start driving results.

E-BIKE NETWORK PROPOSED FOR BANFF TO SOLVE VISITOR TRAFFIC PRESSURES

What’s Happening? A new privately funded e-bike rental network could launch in Banff this spring, with entrepreneurs pitching the idea as another tool to reduce visitor traffic and give tourists a car-free way to move around town.

The Proposal. The concept was presented to Banff council on Feb. 10 by entrepreneurs James Steele and Daniel Borden, who operate the platform ReeBike.ca. Their plan calls for a fleet of roughly 100 e-bikes rented through a network of local hotels and businesses.

“May 1 is our self-imposed deadline,” Steele told Bow Valley Insider. “We don’t want to miss the May long weekend for sure.”

The idea is rooted in Banff’s growing traffic pressures.

How It Would Work. Unlike dockless systems used in larger cities, the bikes would not be left around town. Instead, riders would pick them up and return them to approved host locations such as hotels or bike shops.

“We’re not doing the micro-mobility model like Lime or Bird,” Steele said. “The bikes are picked up from authorized locations and returned to the same location.”

The structure is meant to avoid clutter while still offering visitors a flexible transportation option for short trips around town.

Hotel Partnerships. The system would rely on partnerships with hospitality businesses. Brewster Mountain Lodge has already expressed interest in acting as a host location.

If fundraising and partnerships move ahead as planned, Steele said the bikes could arrive six to eight weeks after the order is placed, potentially putting the first fleet on Banff streets later this spring.

Read our full story on how the fleet is funded and the bigger vision behind the e-bike network.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

  • Community Fridays: Live Music and Pints. Sof Herrmann is a singer-songwriter from Madrid, Spain, who recently began making her mark on the Bow Valley music scene. Her style mostly mixes British indie-rock, early 2000s Spanish pop-rock and traditional Argentinian and Brazilian boleros. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.*

  • Art Quilt Show Opening Reception. The Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild is launching its annual Art Quilt Show with an opening reception. This year’s theme, “Play,” features colourful quilts that blend traditional quilting with artistic design. Visitors can meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and explore the gallery before the show runs through March 29. 7:00 PM. Canmore Art Gallery, Elevation Place. Free.

Saturday

  • Adventure Film Night. Grab a pint and settle in for an evening of mountain storytelling. The lineup features four short films exploring resilience, winter in the Bow Valley, remote ice climbing in the Ghost, and an ambitious paddle-pedal-powder adventure across glaciers and peaks. 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company.  Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door if available.*

Sunday

  • Valley Winds Jazz Band Live in Concert. Let the Valley Winds Jazz Band take you on a genre-bending journey through jazz, blues, Latin, and funk. This one-night performance features three standout guest artists lighting up the stage with brass, soul, and style. Local talent, big sound, and a night worth dressing up for. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20-$40.*

UPCOMING CONCERTS AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE AT BANFF CENTRE

Drezus Live Featuring JayMak & Guests
March 14 | 7:30 PM | Margaret Greenham Theatre | $25

JUNO Award nominee Drezus, from Muskowekwan and Cote First Nations, takes the stage with JayMak and special guests for a high-energy night of contemporary Indigenous hip-hop. With sharp lyrics, live drums, and crowd-driven moments, Drezus delivers a show that keeps the room moving. 

🎟️ Learn more. 

I Dream in Wampum
April 23 | 7:30 PM | Jenny Belzberg Theatre | $25

Choreographed by Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo, a Kanien'keha:ka artist from Kahnawake, I Dream in Wampum is a sci-fi–inspired contemporary dance work that imagines worlds where colonialism never happened, envisioning a future shaped by strength and celebration.

🎟️ Learn more. 

*Presented by Banff Centre.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 🍧Moo Let’s Talk Ice Cream Fundraiser. For the 9th year, the Bow Valley is coming together for Moo Let’s Talk, where 100% of ice cream sales at COWS Banff will support local mental health and housing programs through YWCA Banff. Swing by for a cone today (March 6), check out the raffle prizes from local businesses, and help turn a sweet treat into real community support.

  • 🎗 Become a Bow Valley Mental Health Ambassador. Want to help reduce stigma about mental health in our community? The Bow Valley Mental Health & Addiction Advisory Committee is seeking volunteers to share lived experiences. Ambassadors speak at events, interviews, and community programs to promote understanding and recovery across the Bow Valley. Learn more.

  • 🏒 Canmore Eagles Awards Banquet. It’s time to celebrate the players behind the jersey. Join the Canmore Eagles for an evening honouring the athletes and young men who represent the team each season. The night kicks off with cocktails in the Eagles’ Nest Lounge, followed by dinner and the annual awards ceremony. 

CIVIC NEWS

(Editor’s note: If this story looks familiar, you’re not imagining it. We first published it in Wednesday’s edition but included the wrong link, so we’re sharing the corrected version today.)

LIVE MUSIC

  • Friday, March 6th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Treblemakers. Location: Mineshaft Tavern, Canmore. No Cover.

  • Saturday, March 7th, 9:00 PM: Andy Curtis. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

  • Saturday, March 7th, 10:00 PM: LifzGood Acoustic. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

  • Bow Valley Biathletes Taking on the World. Our Biathlon Alberta Training Centre athletes are battling it out at the World Youth & Junior Championships in Germany, where warm temps have turned the course into a full-on slush fest. Canmore’s Flora Csonka powered through the tricky conditions to finish 34th, keeping her cool on the range. They wrap up their European races this weekend before coming home to race the Biathlon Nationals in Canmore, March 24-29.

  • Canmore’s Natalie Wilkie to Carry Canadian Flag at Paralympic Games. When the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics open today at 11:20 AM MST, Canmore’s Natalie Wilkie will be front and centre as one of Team Canada’s flag-bearers. The 25-year-old Para Nordic skier is a seven-time Paralympic medallist (three gold, two silver, two bronze). Watch here.

That’s all, folks!

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

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