🎫 Parks Pass is Over

Good morning, Bow Valley!

You smell that? Pumpkin spice lattes are officially back at you-know-where, which can only mean one thing: summer’s in its final lap. Enjoy the last long weekend of summer, friends.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CANADA STRONG PASS ENDS ON TUESDAY

What’s Happening? The Canada Strong Pass, which gave visitors free entry to all Parks Canada sites and 25% off camping, ends on Tuesday (September 2). The summer-long program was pitched as a way to make parks more accessible and strengthen Canadian unity and identiy, but it also drew heavy criticism in Banff and the Bow Valley.

The Local Reaction. Banff National Park is the busiest park in Canada, and locals said it could not absorb more crowds. In our summer poll, 80% opposed the plan, with many insisting it should have applied only to Canadians. As Jody Lynn put it: “When this was first brought up as an idea I thought it was for Canadians only. Was very shocked to hear that it is for all tourists. I strongly believe it should be for Canadians only.”

The Concerns. Environmental groups warned that surging visitor numbers put extra strain on wildlife and fragile ecosystems. Banff town officials also said the program added to summer gridlock without delivering long-promised regional transit solutions.

What Happens to Your Annual Pass. If you already bought a Discovery Pass or annual single-location pass, Parks Canada is automatically adding three extra months to its validity. You can confirm your new expiry using the calculator on the Parks Canada website.

What’s Next? As of Wednesday, visitors will need to pay regular admission fees again. For many locals, the end of the pass may feel like a relief. For tourists who took advantage of it, it was a one-time deal unlikely to return soon.

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THE DIGEST

• 🔥 Wildfire Danger Spiking In The Bow Valley. After weeks of wet weather, conditions have flipped to hot, dry, and volatile. Banff is now at extreme fire danger, while the MD of Bighorn has issued a fire advisory: fireworks are banned, campfires still allowed but must be fully extinguished. Crews are thinning fuels near Canmore, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac des Arcs, and Exshaw. With temps in the high 20s–30s and no rain forecast, even small sparks could race to treetops. Report smoke to 403-762-1470.

• 💡 Jim Cuddy’s Heart Is In Lake Louise. Bet you didn’t know the Blue Rodeo frontman once lived in Banff? He says the Rockies shaped both his music and his life, from painting houses in Lake Louise to late-night guitar sessions. Decades later, he returned for his 40th anniversary, still chasing crisp air, cold rivers, and wildlife-marked trails.

• ⚖️ Five Charged For Ignoring Bugaboos Closure. Days after flooding forced more than 60 climbers and hikers to be airlifted out of Bugaboo Provincial Park, five people refused to leave and were charged under B.C.’s Park Act. Conservation officers had to helicopter in, issue eviction notices, and remind the public closures are for safety. The Bugaboos, popular with many Bow Valley locals, remain fully closed until damage is assessed.

• 🎬 Walter Boys Filmed in Kananaskis. Netflix released the opening minutes of My Life With the Walter Boys season two, dropping tomorrow. The series films in Calgary, Cochrane, and Kananaskis, putting local landmarks on screen, although time will tell which backdrops make the cut. Season 3 is already filming here through December. The show follows Manhattan teen Jackie Howard, who moves to rural Colorado after tragedy.

• 🚀 Jury Named For Banff Ave 200-Block Redesign. After decades of planning, Parks Canada is moving forward with its once-in-a-generation overhaul of 10 lots on Banff Avenue’s 200 block. The goal: create a vibrant visitor hub with public spaces, cultural facilities, and potentially housing for locals. A 10-member jury of acclaimed architects and landscape designers from across Canada (and beyond) will now judge design concepts, ensuring they reflect community input. The international competition wraps up in spring 2026. See the jury. 

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CANOE TRAGEDY AT UPPER KANANASKIS LAKE SPARKS MASSIVE SEARCH

What’s Happening? The search is ongoing at Upper Kananaskis Lake after a canoe carrying four international visitors capsized Tuesday afternoon. Two survivors, a 30-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, were pulled from the water by bystanders using boats and paddleboards. A 34-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman remain missing.

The Search Effort. Cochrane RCMP, Kananaskis Emergency Services, and Parks Canada have launched a large-scale operation that includes a helicopter, sonar equipment, an RCMP boat, and even a search dog trained for water recoveries. Crews paused mid-week due to high winds but resumed Thursday with divers. The canoe itself has not yet been recovered.

The Safety Factor. RCMP confirm none of the four were wearing life jackets. Officials stress that Kananaskis lakes are glacier-fed and dangerously cold year-round, and strong swimming skills offer little protection against shock and hypothermia. As RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff put it: life jackets are “like seatbelts, they only work if you’re wearing them.”

Context: A Troubling Pattern. This tragedy comes just 11 days after another canoe capsized at Barrier Lake, 55 km north of Upper Kananaskis. That incident left a 60-year-old man and his 30-year-old son dead, while the man’s wife was rescued with hypothermia.

The Takeaway. Officials say both cases underscore the importance of basic precautions: properly fitted life jackets, awareness of cold-water risks, and understanding that mountain lakes can turn deadly within minutes.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Nakoda Classic Pow Wow 2025. Everyone is welcome to a vibrant weekend of dance, drumming, storytelling, and traditional foods. Connect with the community, and enjoy performances by local and visiting artists. 7:00 PM. Goodstoney Arena, Mini Thni. Free.

Saturday

• Rocky Mountain Crusher. Teams face a 5 km trail run with 200 m elevation gain plus five tough workouts. Cheer them on, enjoy the energy, and maybe get inspired. 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free, parking requires Conservation Pass.

• Canmore Highland Games. Since 1991, this festival has celebrated Celtic culture with bagpipes, dancing, caber tossing, and heavy athletics, all set against the Rockies. 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Centennial Park, Canmore. Tickets required.

• Public Skating at The Fenlands. Enjoy a casual skate with music. Kids 11 and under need helmets and adult supervision. No jumps, spins, or sticks allowed. 1:30–2:30 PM. The Fenlands, Banff. Regular drop-in rates apply.

Sunday

• Sunday Nights, Sorted. Sink into a Sulphur Beef Burger or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with a brewski for just $22. Because weekends deserve a delicious finale. 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Evergreen Lounge, Banff.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍣 Cedar Plank Salmon at Murrieta’s. Back for the season, this flame-grilled favorite comes with lemon and olive oil potatoes, green beans, and a chili maple glaze. We’ve taste-tested it ourselves, and it’s worth it if you want a summer dinner that feels a little special. Check out our pics here.*

• 🚧 Bow Valley Parkway Reminder. In case you missed it: starting August 28 through Oct 2, the eastern 17 km of the Bow Valley Parkway will be closed to cars daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, giving cyclists a chance to enjoy the stretch between Banff and Johnston Canyon. The cycling pilot now runs through 2030.

• 🍱 Here’s What August Looked Like for the Bow Valley Food Alliance. From Fresh Food Boxes reaching 184 households to seniors exploring food access, a sold-out Filipino donut event, a Banff greenhouse tour, and a garden gathering with Canmore Museum, August highlighted the many ways food brings people together in the Bow Valley.

• 🏒 Bow Valley Pond Hockey Registration Open. The 2025/26 season welcomes players ages 8–17 to a fun, no-contact league focused on skill-building and love of the game. Most practices and games are indoors at the Canmore Arena. Fees are $250–$325, with funding available through KidSport or JumpStart. Teams form by player comfort level, not age, and parents are encouraged to get involved. More details.

• ⛰️ Trail Updates: Yamnuska and Sulphur Skyline. Yamnuska has reopened after last week’s brief quarry blasting closure, so day use, climbing, and trails are accessible again. Meanwhile, Jasper’s Sulphur Skyline Trail is back open after crews cleared rock, mud, and fallen trees from the August 1 slides. Expect some rocky sections but the views are waiting.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Expands FireSmart Sprinkler Program. Another 100 discounted rooftop sprinkler kits were sold this year to residents who completed free FireSmart Home Assessments, with others buying their own. Fire crews urge homeowners to install sprinklers in spring and keep them ready through fall. Register your unit here. 

• Fall Clean-Up Reminder for Benchlands & Ghost Country. Fall clean-up kicks off this weekend. Residents can place brush (under 8 feet) along the roadway on Aug 30–31. Pickup will take place Tuesday, Sept 2, 2025. Make sure your brush is ready for collection.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, August 29th 2025, 7:00 PM: The Seenagers. Location: The Moxy, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, August 29th 2025, 9:00 PM: Tyler Wood. Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, August 29th 2025, 9:30 PM: The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, August 30th 2025, 9:00 PM: Arn Smit. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, August 30th 2025, 10:00 PM: Dayz of Rain. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover.

• Sunday, August 31st 2025, 10:00 PM: Tequila Sunsets After Party. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Sam Hendry Cracks Top 10 at UTMB. Canmore’s Sam Hendry placed 10th at the OCC race, part of Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, a world-famous mountain running festival in France. He finished in 5:17:43, the fastest Canadian in the field, adding to a 2024 season with podiums at the Speedgoat 50K and Squamish 50K.

• Former Canmore Eagles Coach Joins Penguins. Evan McFeeters, who spent years coaching in the AJHL with the Canmore Eagles, Brooks Bandits, and Sherwood Park Crusaders, has been hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins as a “roving minor league coach.” The Canmore native will support player development across the team’s AHL and ECHL affiliates.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.