🎯 Province Targets Canmore Trails

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re ramping up our local recommendations on how to keep your dollars in the Bow Valley this Christmas. We just finished filming 10 downtown Canmore shops worth checking out, from local artists to small-batch makers. These spots are 100% worth your gift dollars this year. Of course, we couldn’t feature every great shop in Canmore, but this list will get you started and support local at a time when many businesses really need it. Check out our video here and pop by sometime this week.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

HOW ALBERTA WANTS TO REDESIGN CANMORE’S TRAIL NETWORK

What’s Happening? Alberta just dropped a new draft blueprint that aims to reshape how residents hike, bike, ski, and dog-walk through the valley. Think of it as the first attempt to bring order to Canmore’s unofficial trail system while carving out more uninterrupted space for wildlife.

The Big Idea. The province wants to create a clearer, more sustainable trail network across Crown land from Harvie Heights to Exshaw. The strategy: improve the routes people already use, shrink the maze of informal ones that cut through critical habitat, and push more recreation up-slope while protecting the valley bottom where wildlife needs room to breathe.

Why Now? Trail use has surged, and most of it comes from Albertans. A provincial review found many lower-valley trails are eroded, braided, and far outnumbered by unofficial routes. Those same areas are where bears forage, elk calve, and wolves travel. The plan aims to reverse years of human creep into the spaces animals rely on most.

Wildlife Comes First. The draft proposes larger trail-free zones, more seasonal closures during sensitive periods like early spring and berry season, and area-wide buffers rather than simple one-line trail closures. One provincial estimate suggests these changes could significantly improve habitat quality for grizzly bears by about 20% if recreation becomes more predictable and concentrated.

What Changes on the Ground. Expect a mix of additions and reductions:

• New community loops near neighbourhood edges for easier, low-impact daily walks

• More deliberate uphill/downhill bike routes

• A simplified network in sensitive wildlife corridors

• Better trail alignment that prevents water from running down the trail

• A formal crackdown on new unauthorized zones

Have Your Say. This is the final opportunity for public input. Read more about the draft plan on our website, then complete the province’s online survey by January 9.

CAREERS IN THE OUTDOORS: ALBERTA’S UNTAPPED WORKFORCE

What’s Happening? Youth unemployment in Alberta just hit 20.3%, yet Bow Valley tourism employers still cannot fill jobs. Housing costs play a role, but so does perception. Guiding and tourism work are often dismissed as “unskilled,” despite requiring more technical training than many white-collar careers.

More Than “Unskilled.” Caleb, a ski patroller and avalanche tech, has logged over 240 hours of wilderness first aid training plus years of avalanche mitigation, rafting, and rescue work. When he stabilizes an injured skier or evacuates someone by sled, it hardly looks “unskilled.” His path, from Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure program to nine seasons guiding rivers and mountains, shows how guiding builds leadership, risk management, and communication skills that transfer anywhere.

Survey Says. A recent survey of 175 guides across Canada backs that up. Nearly half of current workers have over 15 years of experience, and 93% hold nationally recognized certifications. Yet many leave due to low pay, unstable hours, and a lack of recognition. Exiters overwhelmingly pointed to burnout, the cost of certifications, and a lack of career pathways as reasons for moving on.

The Fix. Project Elevation, led by the Outdoor Council of Canada, is refining the National Occupational Standards for outdoor guides. The aim is to professionalize the field, create clearer career paths, and ensure guiding is recognized as the skilled profession it is.

Get Involved. Consultations are coming to Alberta in 2026. If you are a guide, operator, or outdoor professional, this is your chance to have a say in what the future of outdoor careers looks like. Register your name to be consulted.

_{*Presented by Outdoor Council of Canada.}

THE DIGEST

• 🍰 A Canmore Bakery Turns Into a European Pub. Uprising Bakery’s busy 6th Avenue café is now The Corner Pub, a Czech and Slovak inspired spot with hearty comfort food and European beer. The switch came after the old café model became too labour-heavy. The production bakery on 9th Street is still thriving, sourdough and all, and this change is simply about giving the space a slower, more personal feel. Read our interview with the owners and a peek at the menu. 

• 🏆 Business Wins Funding for Banff-Columbia Valley Shuttle. Since we live in a tourism-driven mountain economy, we figured we’d share some tourism-driven mountain news from just over the border in southeast BC. An Invermere entrepreneur, Christopher Genovese, just won $3,000 for his business, Valley Vibes, which he plans to expand into a shuttle service linking Banff with Radium. Right now, there are limited transit services connecting these regions.

• 🏞️ Berg Lake Trail Reservations Now Open. This past summer marked the full reopening of the iconic Berg Lake Trail after the 2022 floods. It’s the route that takes you right to the shores of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Rockies, and a bucket-list trip for plenty of Bow Valley locals. Reservations opened yesterday with some spots still available, but they’ll go fast. 

• 🚧 Major Closure on Three Sisters Parkway. If you're subscribed to Canmore’s alert system, you got that 3:37 PM text yesterday about “emergency road closures.” Here’s what that was about. A sanitary line break on Highway 742 west of Crossbow Place means a full closure in both directions from 7:30 AM this morning to Dec 5 at 8 PM. Detours run through the Hwy 1 exit or downtown.

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TWO MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS MAKE CANADA’S WINTER DANGER LIST

What’s Happening? New national data from Samsara ranks two familiar Rocky Mountain corridors among Canada’s most dangerous winter roads. The Jasper to Hinton stretch of the Yellowhead comes in at number 2 nationwide, while the Trans Canada from Banff through Rogers Pass lands at number 6.

Why These Stretches Stand Out. Both routes are high-risk for different reasons. The Trans Canada between Banff and Rogers Pass combines steep grades, avalanche terrain, tight curves, and constant snow squalls. The Jasper to Hinton section of the Yellowhead functions as a major wildlife corridor with elk, deer, and moose frequently crossing forested, low-visibility segments. In both cases, fast-changing microclimates and a heavy mix of freight and tourist traffic add to the danger.

The Data Behind the Rankings. Samsara analyzed billions of kilometres of commercial fleet driving from 2022 to 2025. Winter produced the highest crash load of any season, and two spikes define the national risk curve. The first spike hits from late November to Christmas when freeze and thaw cycles begin and freight traffic surges. A second spike appears in early January as operations restart while daylight is still limited. Nearly half of winter crashes occur between noon and 8 PM when temperatures drop fastest and roads refreeze.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Canmore Night Ride + Pint. Join an intermediate-to-advanced group ride, then roll back to the brewery for an 8 PM pint. A fun way to discover new routes and new riding buddies. 6:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

• Drop-In Drumming Circle. A casual evening of African drumming with no experience required. Drums and instruments are provided, and you’ll learn basic techniques and play with others in a low-pressure setting. 7 to 8:30 PM. Scout Hall, Canmore. $25.

Thursday

• Christmas with The Travelling Mabels. Enjoy a heartwarming holiday celebration with Alberta’s award-winning folk and country group. Known for their harmonies, humour, and musicianship, they’ll bring festive cheer with their unique Christmas show. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / $29.75 members / $17.50 youth.*

• Backcountry 101: The Gear Sessions. SkiUphill is hosting a free webinar to help new backcountry skiers cut through the gear confusion. Physiotherapist and gear expert Joël Desgreniers will walk you through what you truly need, what matters most, and how to make smart choices. 7:00 PM. Online. RSVP here. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌿 Spa Happy Hour for Locals. You might remember our unsponsored review of Everwild Spa a couple weeks ago. Anyways, we loved it. Now Everwild is putting locals first. Bow Valley residents can slip into the spa Monday to Thursday from 7 to 9 PM for a $55 Spa Happy Hour, down from the usual $155 to $185. You also get 15% off food and drinks. Two hours in the pools, saunas, and lounge is the perfect way to spend an evening. Deal available until Dec. 18th. Book here.*

• 🎬 Western Dinner Theatre at Banff Social. From December 5 to 7, Banff Social is hosting a western-themed dinner theatre where roaming actors bring the story right to your table, creating the feel of an old mountain saloon. A chef-prepared menu anchors the evening, with laughs, twists, and toe-tapping moments between courses. Limited tickets still available.*

• 🏂🏽 Discounted Lift Tickets That Do Some Good. Community Ski Days are back December 5-7, giving locals discounted lift tickets, great early-season turns, and the chance to support the Jasper Community Foundation. Just bring your local ID and buy your ticket at Guest Services. Lake Louise runs Friday, Norquay on Saturday, and Sunshine on Sunday, with prices starting at $15 for kids and $50 for adults. Full details here.*

• 🥂 A Festive Night of Global Flavours at the Malcolm. The Canmore Rotary’s Christmas Spirits Event lands this Friday, featuring international tasting stations paired with full pours of wine, beer, and cocktails from local vendors. A live DJ, a stacked silent auction, a casino wheel, and plenty of room to mingle round out the night. Proceeds support Rotary’s local community projects. Dress is “dressy casual,” and a limited number of tickets are still available.*

• 🎉 Banff’s Christmas Tradition. Eight years running, A Christmas Carol at the Banff Springs Hotel has become one of those outings locals tell friends not to miss. Families fill the theatre, kids wide-eyed at the puppets and carols, while Scrooge still delivers the gut-punch lesson we all need in December. Runs Dec. 5-28. Get tickets here. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🥪 Fat Ox’s Sandwich Takeover. Fat Ox is teaming up with Chef Chris Rivest on December 5 for a sandwich pop-up that pushes focaccia to its limits. The menu features six bold builds, from Italian beef with bone marrow aioli to a hot-honey mushroom stack, a Cubano, and a standout fried chicken option. House-made kettle chips round things out. It runs from 11 AM to 5 PM or until sold out, so arrive early or reserve a seat.*

• 👉 Hoppy Holiday Market. Mark your calendar. Canmore Brewing is hosting its first-ever Hoppy Holiday Market on December 14 from 3-8 PM, perfect for last-minute shoppers. The market features local makers and artists, alongside the brewery’s excellent lineup of beers. Guests can enjoy a Christmas card-making station and hot cider, with proceeds supporting the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley.*

• 🚧 Legacy Trail Partial Closure. Part of the Legacy Trail east of Banff is closed for fireguard work until further notice. Winter cyclists should plan alternate routes and exercise caution. Check the attached map for details and stay safe while enjoying the trail this season.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Triplex Proposal Sparks Neighbourhood Pushback. A Middle Springs homeowner is applying to add a three-bedroom unit to their duplex, one of the first builds allowed under Banff’s 2024 density changes. Some neighbours are opposing it, raising parking concerns and pointing to a decades-old restrictive covenant. The Town says the proposal meets current bylaws, while the owners say it helps address Banff’s housing shortage.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tommy's Unplugged. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, December 4th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Jungle Bells. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Hosts Paralympic Qualifier on Home Snow. The season-opening Para nordic World Cups land at the Canmore Nordic Centre this week, and they double as the primary qualifier for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Canada’s top athletes say the rare home opener is a major advantage, with no jet lag and familiar trails. Cross-country races run December 4, 6, and 7. An opening ceremony takes place today at 4 PM at the Civic Centre.

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.