📸 Selfie Inches From Bull Elk

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re keeping our eyes on the weather this morning. Wind and winter storm alerts are popping up across Alberta. In Kananaskis, gusts could hit 100 km/h, so expect branches down and flying debris. In Banff National Park, up to 15 centimetres of snow could fall tonight in higher terrain around Yoho and Kootenay, with lower amounts near Field. Plan for reduced visibility and slower travel.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

WOMAN TAKES SELFIE WITHIN FEET OF BULL ELK IN BANFF

What’s Happening? A Canmore photographer says he was “shocked” after witnessing a woman walk up to within just a few feet of a bull elk in Banff to take a selfie. He caught the entire encounter on video and says he has never seen anyone get that close to a bull elk in nearly a decade of photographing wildlife (watch video).

The Close Call. Around 9:30 AM on Sunday (Dec 7), photographer Mike Sandru and his wife were shooting the Cascade Mountain elk herd from a safe distance using a 600 mm lens. A white SUV pulled in, and one woman immediately walked toward a bull elk to pose for selfies. Three others from her group approached another elk moments later. Sandru says Parks Canada staff had driven through the lot about 20 minutes earlier. Aside from two other vehicles whose occupants stayed inside, the selfie group was alone with the herd for roughly five minutes. After the group left, the two bulls were seen with their antlers locked, a moment Sandru captured in a dramatic second photo.

How Professionals Stay Safe. Sandru says he always stays near his vehicle, watches for signs an animal is spooked, and relies on long telephoto lenses to avoid getting close. He added that during the fall rut (Sept-Oct), when bulls compete for dominance, he would never step out of the car. Parks Canada routinely issues warnings during this period because encounters can escalate in seconds.

What’s Next? We have reached out to Parks Canada for comment on the incident and will share their response later this week.

NEW INCENTIVES HELP BOW VALLEY DRIVERS CHARGE WITH SUNSHINE

Imagine driving home from a K-Country hike, plugging in your EV, and knowing your car is charging on sunshine from your own roof. No gas stations. No waiting in line.

That’s the reality when you combine rooftop solar, a home battery, and an EV charger. Your driveway becomes your personal fueling station, powered by the Bow Valley sun. You save on fuel, skip oil changes, and keep your car ready even when the grid flickers.

Canmore’s incentive program will reopen in February 2026, offering EV charger rebates covering 75% of installation costs up to $10,000. Add that to solar and storage rebates plus the federal 30% Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, and the savings are serious. (Banff residents also have local rebate programs, too.)

Infinity Solar Group designs and installs systems built for mountain life. High snow loads, steep roofs, and all.

Even if you’re just curious how solar could power your next adventure, get yourself a free estimate today.

_{*Presented by Infinity Solar.}

THE DIGEST

• 💢 Church Sign Smashed, Pride Flag Removed in Banff. Rundle Memorial United Church is recovering after its outdoor sign was found smashed on November 28, with a small Pride flag removed from inside. RCMP are investigating, and while the motive is unclear, church leaders say it echoes broader vandalism targeting inclusion symbols. Rev. Marco Ste-Marie says the congregation is saddened but resolute, noting an outpouring of local support. Read our full interview with Rev. Ste-Marie.

• 🏨 Canmore Approves Franklin Hotel in Spring Creek. Canmore has approved a 48-room hotel on 200 Spring Creek Drive, which will feature a restaurant and an overhead pedestrian link to the Malcolm Hotel. The project includes underground valet parking, bicycle stalls, and employee accommodations to house at least six employees. The approval marks a major step in Spring Creek Mountain Village’s ongoing growth. Construction timelines are still TBD.

• 💰 Locals Back Hotel Tax, But Not Who Pays It. In case you missed our Friday story on why Canmore leaders are pushing for a hotel tax, our weekend poll shows locals are overwhelmingly on board. Of 579 Bow Valley Insider readers, 82% supported the idea, though comments revealed sharp divides over affordability and exemptions. Many want Albertans spared, others argue international visitors should pay more, and some question how the revenue would be used. Read the full community comments here.

• 🔥 Prescribed Burns Planned for Kananaskis This Week. Alberta Parks is moving ahead with prescribed burns in the Evan-Thomas area, even as a wind warning remains in effect for Kananaskis. It’s unclear whether the gusts will change the plan, but for now crews expect to burn woody debris today through December 11. Smoke may drift around Boundary Ranch, Kananaskis Village, the golf course, and Mount Kidd RV Park. Alberta Parks asks the public not to report the smoke.

• 🎅 ‘Summit Santas’ Raise $12,500 on Sulphur Mountain. Nearly 80 women in full Santa gear climbed Sulphur Mountain on Saturday, raising $12,500 for Make-A-Wish. The annual “Summit Santas” hike, launched by organizer Renee Gray, whose daughter is a former wish recipient, is now in its third year. Gray says the funds are enough to send a family on a wish trip. The Santas plan to return next year.

We recently chatted with a local community group.

They were running workshops and needed more people to sign up. It cost $30 per person.

They told us they spent $500 on print ads to promote it.

Only two people signed up because of the ads.

That means they spent $500 to make $60. Tough math.

Print can work sometimes. For this group, it didn’t. The point is this: your marketing should clearly pay for itself.

If you want to talk about marketing with results, fill out this quick form.

BANFF BUS OPERATORS SPEND $100,000+ TO PARK WHILE OUT-OF-TOWN BUSES STAY FREE

What’s Happening? Local bus operators say Banff’s parking rules are hitting hometown companies with hefty bills while letting out-of-town competitors leave their buses overnight for free. They’re urging Banff council to close a loophole that allows non-resident operators to avoid the same costs locals pay.

The Two-Tier Parking System. Mark Yawney, Director of Banff Airporter, told councillors that non-resident operators from places like Calgary or Canmore can park overnight for free at Hawk Avenue and the Liricon train station. Local companies, meanwhile, must lease compound stalls for roughly $400–$500 per spot per month. Once you factor in full fleets, that adds up fast; Yawney estimates some Banff operators spend more than $100,000 a year just to park.

Why It’s Getting Worse. Parks Canada’s Moraine Lake changes have brought a surge of new non-resident operators into Banff. Instead of leasing space in the compound, many operators leave their buses wherever they can find room, including on residential streets, beside businesses, and even directly outside local operators’ offices.

Enforcement Isn’t Keeping Pace. Operators say the problem is that nothing stops this from happening. Bylaw response is inconsistent, and when fines are issued, they are so small that companies treat them as a routine operating expense. As a result, even with access to free overnight lots, some out-of-town fleets continue to spill onto local streets because the consequences are minimal.

What Operators Want. Yawney is asking for three things:

• Stronger, more consistent enforcement

• A fair-market parking fee for non-resident operators

• A ban on overnight street parking for commercial buses

Council hasn’t made new decisions yet. A report on enforcement is expected early next year, while the fee and prohibition requests remain unresolved. Read our full article for a deeper look at the loophole. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Christmas Concert on the Big Screen. Experience the magic of André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert Merry Christmas on the big screen. This cinema event features joyful carols, elegant waltzes, and surprise moments performed with the world-renowned Johann Strauss Orchestra. Special guests include vocalist Emma Kok and over 400 brass players. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $17.50-$20.*

• Earth Talks: Co-Creating the Future of Winter. Dr. Marc Pons and Stephanie Korolyk from Protect Our Winters will discuss what a sustainable future looks like for the winter sports industry, how unpredictable winters are reshaping recreation, and why outdoor activities remain a critical part of Canada’s economy. 7:00 PM at the Canmore Library. Free.*

Tuesday

• A Night of Cinematic Skiing, Surfing, and Climbing. Experience Mountains of the Moon, a film by skier and artist Chris Benchetler that blends night-time cinematography, lasers, and animation. The 50-minute film features athletes across skiing, climbing, surfing, and more, highlighting the connection between sport and nature. 7:00 PM at artsPlace Canmore. $10-20.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 👯 Canmore’s Holiday Tradition. Bridget Ryan’s show Joy to the World returns Dec. 10-23 at Carter-Ryan Gallery. Packed with music, comedy, and Christmas cheer, this cabaret has become a local favorite for good reason. Expect sing-alongs, surprise guests, and plenty of laughs in an unforgettable setting on Main Street in Canmore. Tickets for some nights are already selling out. Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off. *

• ⚱️ The Local Handmade Pottery Your Christmas List Needs. If you want a Christmas gift that isn’t mass-produced and is direct from the maker, Julia Rayne’s handmade pottery is the good stuff. She’s been operating as Rayne Maker Pottery in Canmore since 2009, and her studio is full of mugs and mountain-inspired pieces. There’s no storefront, just a cozy home studio you can visit by appointment. Check out her collection here, and arrange a visit by emailing [email protected]. Please consider supporting local this Christmas.*

• 🍫 Skip The Generic Chocolate Gift Boxes. If you’re a local business looking to wow clients or employees this season, Rocky Mountain Chocolate in Banff has some special treats exactly for this purpose. Their custom Christmas baskets and holiday gift sets are handcrafted right in-store, making every package unique. Say goodbye to generic gift boxes, and again, please consider supporting local this Christmas. Check out our video tour here.*

• 🌿 A Midweek Spa Reset for Locals. If you read our unsponsored Everwild Spa review, you know the thing that surprised us most was how quiet it was. Not fancy quiet, just people actually relaxing because their phones are off. And now locals get the best deal. Until Dec. 18, Monday to Thursday, Bow Valley residents can slide into the 7 to 9 PM Spa Happy Hour for $55, which is down from the usual $155 to $185. Add 15% off food and drinks, and it becomes one of the best deals in town. Book here.*

• 🎤 Jazzy Christmas Concert at Canmore Legion. The Valley Winds Jazz Band is bringing a festive holiday concert to the Canmore Legion on Saturday, December 13 from 2 to 4 PM. Guest vocalist Lee Ann De Coteau joins the band, with direction from acclaimed trombonist Carsten Rubeling. Admission is a non perishable food item or a cash donation for the Food Bank.*

• 💝 Bow Valley Elves Reminder. Thanks to everyone who picked up a gift wish from the Bow Valley Christmas Giving Trees Campaign. These tags list holiday gifts requested by local seniors and families. If you grabbed a tag, please return your wrapped gift to Rusticana by Friday, December 12 so it reaches its recipient in time. If you still want to take part, a few wish tags are still available at Rusticana.*

• 🍔 Join the Banff Burger Club. The Fat Ox launches Volume 1 of the Banff Burger Club on Dec. 12, 11AM - 5PM (or until sold out). Chef Joe is flipping a limited run of smash-style, nostalgia-loaded, absolutely unpretentious burgers. Think crispy edges, saucy drips, retro energy, and flavours that punch above their weight. Reserve your seat here, and we’ll see you there!*

• 🖼️ Wildflowers Art Show at Wildflour Bakery in Banff. The Wildflowers art show at Wildflour Banff is now open for December and January, featuring this year’s Creative Combat winner, Mindy Johnstone. Creative Combat is a live painting competition where local artists create pieces in a timed showdown. Johnstone’s vibrant work is now on display, so stop by, grab a coffee, and take home some of the valley’s best sourdough.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Approves $4.8M Fenlands Upgrade. Banff has greenlit Phase 1 of a $4.8 million overhaul of the Fenlands recreation centre after the facility hit record demand this year. Memberships and programs have more than doubled since 2021, and Fenlands can no longer keep up. The plan adds a larger fitness room, a new movement studio, and a redesigned lobby. The town will put in one third of the cost, with a donor expected to cover the rest.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, December 8th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tunes with Tenax Location: High Rollers, Banff.  No cover.

• Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Fontine x Zoon. Location: Conmunitea, Canmore. $25. 

SPORTS

• 12 Medals For Canada At Canmore Para World Cup. Canadians at the Para Cross Country World Cup in Canmore have earned 12 medals, including podium finishes across sitting, standing, and vision impaired races. Full results here.

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.