🚆 Ottawa Snubs Banff Rail Pitch

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We hope you soak it in today. Why? Because it’s the last official day of summer. If that stings, be glad you’re not us. We’re grabbing coffee this morning with the crew behind the Banff Christmas Market. While you’re still switching from iced lattes to pumpkin spice, we’re already knee deep in Santa stuff.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

42% OF BANFF’S VEHICLE TRAFFIC STARTS IN CALGARY, NEW DATA SHOWS

What’s Happening? Banff’s traffic headaches keep growing: more than 1.7 million vehicles entered town this July-August alone, blowing past the 24,000-vehicle daily threshold every day since June 21. With nearly half of those cars tied to Calgary residents or rentals from YYC, local leaders say solving congestion means tackling Calgary day-tripper traffic.

All Roads Lead to Calgary. Licence plate data shows 19% of vehicles entering Banff are Calgarians, 23% are rentals, most from the Calgary airport. Add them up, and nearly half of Banff’s vehicle problem starts in Calgary. Mayor Corrie DiManno said the solution is mass transit from Calgary, whether bus service now or passenger rail later. “If you can solve Calgary, you can solve congestion,” she told the Overheard Podcast, noting that existing On-It regional buses only move about one percent of visitors.

The Rail Pitch. A Calgary–Banff train has been floated for decades, most recently by Liricon Capital, the company that owns Mount Norquay and is paying $1.2 million to move Banff’s welcome sign. It pitched the rail line as a nation-building project under Ottawa’s new fast-track legislation. But when Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the first round of winners, Banff didn’t make the cut. 

The Pushback. Not everyone’s aboard. Conservationists worry trains could worsen an already deadly problem: 17 grizzly bears have been killed on Banff’s CP-KC rail line from 2000 to 2017, and this year alone three more have been struck. Groups like the Bow Valley Naturalists argue buses and integrated transit should be prioritized before rail, and warn that using federal fast-track powers could undermine local environmental safeguards.

Big Picture. Whether it’s buses or rails, one thing is certain: space for more cars isn’t part of the solution.

THE SMARTER WAY TO FUND YOUR BOW VALLEY BUSINESS

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THE DIGEST

• 🌲 Larch Season Is Here. While everyone else heads to Pocaterra Cirque or Chester Lake, we asked our team to each share one larch hike they’ve actually done that isn’t on the typical “best hikes” lists on Google. These picks are (admittedly) a bit longer or steeper, but way better than battling for parking at Pocaterra. If you want fresh scenery and fewer elbows, here are our favorite lesser-known larch hikes in Kananaskis. 

• 🛣️ Should Spray Lakes Road Be Paved? Last week, we told you Premier Danielle Smith wants to “upgrade” Spray Lakes Road (Highway 742). Whether that means paving the whole stretch is unclear, but it sparked one of our tightest polls yet. Out of 707 responses, 52.7% said yes to paving, while 47.3% argued it should stay gravel. Supporters pointed to car safety and cycling access; opponents warned of speeding, over-tourism, and environmental damage. Read the community comments here.

• 🏆 How Bow Valley High Schools Stack Up In Alberta’s Latest Rankings. The Fraser Institute’s 2025 report card shows one local high school breaking into the province’s top 30 (out of 292) while the other two remain mid-pack. Strong exam scores and high completion rates set the leader apart, while grade inflation, gender gaps, and delayed diplomas weigh on the others. If you’re curious how our Canmore & Banff schools stack up, check out our full article. 

• 🚧 Banff Legacy Trail Closed For Repairs This Week. The 22-km paved path linking Canmore and Banff will be closed between Valleyview Day Use and the Banff East Gates for diesel spill cleanup. That means no through-travel on the popular cycling route from Sept 22-26. Parks Canada warns against detouring on Highway 1. See the map for which sections remain open and which are closed.

• 🔥 Wildfire Risk In Banff Is Currently ‘Extreme.’ Parks Canada says conditions are tinder-dry, and crews are on high alert to respond quickly to any flare-ups. People are urged to report smoke or illegal campfires to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470. The good news: the Moose Meadows wildfire, which started Sept 6, about 30 minutes from the Town of Banff, was declared fully out on Sept 19.

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Too bad that’s not a real business.

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

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PETITION TO TWIN HIGHWAY NEAR FIELD LANDS IN PARLIAMENT

What’s Happening? A petition to twin Highway 1 through Yoho National Park has officially landed in Parliament. The push comes after years of deadly collisions on the narrow, two-lane stretch west of Lake Louise.

A Tragic Catalyst. Momentum surged after a fatal head-on crash near Field in August 2024 that killed 68-year-old Rayleen Reich, a visitor from Texas. Her death was one of many on this stretch in recent years and has become a rallying point for families and locals calling on Ottawa to make the highway safer for everyone who travels it.

The Numbers. Yoho’s Trans-Canada sees 7,500 vehicles daily on average, jumping to 14,500 in summer and forecast to reach 23,000 by 2046. The section is notorious: nine people died there in 2022 alone. Parks Canada finished twinning the first 6 km in 2018 and approved designs for the remaining 40 km in 2021, but no funds have been allocated.

From Field to Ottawa. Field resident Alex Goatcher has long campaigned for change. His latest petition, surpassed the 500 signatures required and was presented to the House of Commons on Sept. 19 with 764 names attached. The ask: money for four lanes, plus wildlife overpasses, underpasses, and fencing.

What’s Next? By law, the federal government must now issue a public response within 45 days. Whether that includes a funding commitment, or just another round of studies, is what locals will be watching.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Community Dinner. Join neighbors for jambalaya, fresh salad, and good company. Share a meal, stories, and laughter together. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Church, Canmore. Pay what you can.

• Park Slackline. Try slackline or highline, or just come out to connect and watch. A relaxed, welcoming community meetup. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Riverside Park, Canmore. Free.

Tuesday

• Crip Camp Documentary. In the 1970s, a scrappy summer camp for teens with disabilities became the unlikely launchpad for a civil rights movement. What started with sports, music, and late-night hangouts grew into a fight for accessibility and inclusion that reshaped America. From executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama. artsPlace Canmore. Free.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Back for an Encore. By popular demand, Oh Anne! has been extended from now until Oct. 5 at Carter-Ryan Theatre in Canmore. This laugh-out-loud musical turns Anne of Green Gables into a foot-stomping East Coast kitchen party with fiddles, fast laughs, and four actors playing dozens of roles. Find tickets here. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15%.*

• 🐶 Meet Diesel: Heart Mountain Rescue’s Newest Pup. This sweet, three-legged adventurer loves toys, walks, and snuggles. A little shy at first, Diesel quickly warms up and makes friends with both humans and other pups! Smart, playful, and full of love, he’s ready for his forever home. Think Diesel’s the one? Apply today and make him part of your family.*

• 🖼️ New Space for Creatives. If you’re looking for a place to host your next class, workshop, or gathering, Healing Mountain Creations has opened a welcoming rental venue in Canmore (101 B-1 Industrial Place). The space is set up for everything from yoga, sound baths, Reiki, and more with colorful artwork and cozy rugs creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Hourly rentals make it flexible and affordable. To book, call 867-875-7610.*

• 🍔 Elk Burger Night. We’ve tried Valbella’s elk burger packs and can confirm they hit the spot. Juicy patties on soft brioche buns with fresh tomatoes, cheese, and pickles make for a seriously satisfying meal. Each pack feeds four, and you can get them delivered to Calgary, Cochrane, Bow Valley, or grab one in store. Order from Valbella today.*

• 🤝 Join the Alberta’s Own Team. Alberta’s Own is hiring a Retail Sales Associate to welcome visitors, showcase locally made goods, and keep displays looking their best while a valued team member is away until March. If you enjoy mid-week days off and fast-paced weekends, you're encouraged to apply. Help celebrate Alberta’s makers with every sale.*

• 🚌 Catch the Larch Season with the New Shuttle Stops. While we shared some off-the-beaten-path larch hikes earlier, if you’re set on the classics, Explore Kananaskis now has a free fall shuttle running to Highwood Pass and Ribbon Creek. That means easier access to Ptarmigan Cirque and Pocaterra without the parking headache. Full schedule and details are here.

• 🔒 New Floors and Lighting at Elevation Place. Climbers, take note: Elevation Place’s climbing gym is closed starting today until Oct. 10, while crews put in fresh flooring and padding, upgrade to energy-efficient lighting, and finish with a full deep clean. The space will be safer, brighter, and ready for fall sends.

• 🗣️ Local Delivers TEDx Talk on Fighting Loneliness. Canmore’s own Tony Esteves took the TEDx stage to share how small acts of “micro-bravery” can combat loneliness. Through his Talk2MorePeople Project, Tony met a new person every day for a year, proving that brief conversations can spark lasting connections. A keynote speaker and author, he inspires audiences to turn everyday encounters into life-changing moments.

• 💝 Canmore’s Terry Fox Champion. Out of nearly $20,000 raised at this year’s Canmore Terry Fox Run, local Michelle Fuller brought in more than half, over $10,000 on her own. An eight-time cancer survivor, Michelle has run 21 Terry Fox events and first met Terry himself as a grade 5 student in PEI.

• 🚶 New Veterans Crosswalk on 8th Ave. The Legion’s new crosswalk, painted with bright red maple leaves, now honours those who served. The photo shows it front and center beneath the Canadian flag. The Canmore Legion thanks the Town of Canmore for installing it well before Remembrance Day.

CIVIC NEWS

• Language Clarifications Approved. Council updated the Banff Community Plan to align with Parks Canada rules and the Municipal Government Act. Changes clarify ministerial approval, federal park context, tourism stewardship terms, and historical references, making the plan clearer, legally sound, and easier to apply for traffic, tourism, and growth decisions.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, September 22nd, 2025, 6:30 PM: Carly Mackerras, Last Show. Location: Banff Social. No Cover.

• Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, 10:00 PM: Michael Charles. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Strongwoman Ranks Top 5 in the World. Fiona Groves, a local fitness coach and bodybuilder, earned fifth place at the Natural Strongman World Championships in Ireland. Competing in the masters lightweight division, Groves pushed through nerves, heavy lifts, and new events to land her spot. She now sets her sights on nationals in Calgary this October.

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.