🚁 Solo Hiker Found Dead

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Over the weekend, the Town of Banff confirmed the G7 protest zone at Fenlands Rec Centre will only be active on Days 2 and 3 of the summit (June 16–17). The upside? Sunday’s Banff Half Marathon (June 15th) won’t run alongside the protest zone. The big question: where will protesters gather on Day 1? G7 Security Director Joe Brar says turnout is unknown, but demonstrations are likely “given the current geopolitical landscape.” We’re hoping for answers at tonight’s G7 info session—send us your questions here and we’ll report back later this week.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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LOCAL CHARGED BY PROTECTIVE ELK

What’s Happening? A Canmore resident was charged by a mother elk while walking his dog near Lions Park—just the latest reminder that it’s calving season, and elk are on high alert.

Mothers on a Mission. Hayden Daniels was 100 metres away when a cow elk spotted his on-leash dogs and came charging. He waved his arms, shouted, and used a tree as cover while she came within arm’s reach. Only after throwing rocks did she retreat.

The Reaction: Locals quickly weighed in on Facebook: “They will protect and charge and be relentless.” Others noted this exact area has long been a hotspot for calving. “She probably had a calf tucked under a bush,” one wrote. “Even if the calf isn’t visible, mom is always nearby and watching.” 

Not an Isolated Incident. This isn’t new. Last year, an elk knocked a cyclist off their bike near Rundle Drive. Residents also shared stories of being chased in schoolyards, trails, and parks across Canmore.

Current Elk Warnings. Alberta Parks has issued calving-related wildlife warnings for both Larch Island and the Grotto Mountain Trails east of Cougar Creek.

Survival Tips. Wildlife experts say carry bear spray (yes, even for elk), leash your dogs, and don’t try to sneak past. If you spot a cow elk—even 100 metres away—turn around. 

MASTERWORKS AT ALTITUDE: PIANO VIRTUOSOS AT BANFF CENTRE

Experience virtuosic piano in the heart of the Rockies—intimate concerts by internationally celebrated faculty, part of the Banff Centre Summer Arts Festival.

Hung-Kuan Chen & Tema Blackstone
May 25 | 7:30 PM | Rolston Recital Hall | $75

• Juilliard faculty showcase selections from Mozart and Debussy in a performance of expressive brilliance and precision.

James Anagnoson & Micah Yui
June 1 | 7:30 PM | Rolston Recital Hall | $75

• Two Canadian masters perform works for two pianos by Brahms, Dvořák, Debussy, and Gershwin.

Joanna MacGregor
June 3 | 7:30 PM | Rolston Recital Hall | $75

• One of the world’s most innovative pianists presents a boundary-pushing solo recital spanning centuries of repertoire.

Also, be sure to attend the FREE Art of Piano Participant Showcases on June 5 and 6, which will feature the next generation of pianists.

LEARN MORE AND GET TICKETS

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚁 Tragedy on Mount Baldy. A 42-year-old hiker was found dead after failing to return from an early morning summit of Mount Baldy. He reached the peak around 7 AM but never made it back. RCMP believe it was an accidental death. His body was recovered by search and rescue and sent to Calgary.

• 🚗 Unsafe Vehicles Pulled Off Lake Louise Roads. RCMP cracked down on commercial vehicles—including shuttle buses and private tour operators—in a three-day blitz. Of 70 vehicles inspected, 20 were pulled from service and 12 needed urgent repairs. Officers handed out 31 tickets and 19 warnings in a push to keep roads, drivers, and passengers safe.

• 🏞️ Reddit’s Confused—Are Park Passes Free or Not? Banff subreddit users are wondering if Prime Minister Carney’s free parks pledge is in effect. Spoiler: it’s not. One top comment nailed it—“it was a campaign promise, but nothing has happened.” Even shuttle riders need a pass. While the policy might roll out later, you still need to stop at the kiosk.

• 🧑‍🚒 Kananaskis Gets Its Own Wildfire Crew. Alberta is adding six new wildfire teams—including one based in Kananaskis Village—to better protect communities at risk. Funded by $7 million from Alberta and Ottawa, the crews will be trained to handle both wildland and structural fires. It brings the province’s total to eight specialized urban wildfire teams.

• 📈 Banff Hits 6.7 Million Vehicles—and That’s a Problem. Despite a dip in visitors, Banff saw a record 6.7 million vehicles enter town in 2024—up 2.5% from the year prior. Locals say it’s not a people problem, it’s a parking one. With the G7 coming to Kananaskis and summer travel ramping up, officials are urging folks to plan ahead—and take the bus.

• 🏆 Cochrane Teen Wins B.C. Photo Contest. 13-year-old Sammy Parra took top prize in the 15-and-under category at the Wings Over the Rockies photo contest with his shot of two House Finches. The judges loved a blurred leaf he nearly deleted—calling it an emotional touch. Next year, he’s eyeing the older division.

LOCAL STUDENTS HELP BEAR-PROOF SUMMIT SITE

What’s Happening? In a bid to keep bears from crashing the G7 Summit in Kananaskis next month, over 200 local students (and a few Scouts) have been busy yanking buffaloberry bushes—aka bear candy—out by the roots.

Berry Strategic. Buffaloberries haven’t been cleared around Kananaskis Village in 15 years, making this a berry buffet for grizzlies. With 5,000 attendees expected at the summit, officials are trying to head off bear-human run-ins before they happen. The student-led shrub-pulling project was suggested by Friends of Kananaskis and backed by Global Affairs Canada as a hands-on way to promote environmental sustainability.

Learning from the Past. In 2002, a bear that got too close to G8 leaders was tranquilized—but missed the safety net and died. This time, Alberta’s Public Safety Ministry is going all out: electric fencing, food attractant controls, and wildlife-awareness training for delegates unfamiliar with bear country.

Bear Essentials. Visitors will be briefed on bear safety—yes, that includes bear spray—just in case diplomacy isn’t enough to keep everyone safe.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Pasta Monday. Dive into $16 pasta night at Evergreen from 4–10 PM. Choose from bold Bolognese ragù rigatoni, savoury seafood fettuccine, or their homemade gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Comfort carbs never looked so good. Make Monday your favorite night of the week!*

• Clocktower Club. Gather under the stars for a chilling evening of strategy and intrigue! Blood on the Clocktower night, featuring Mark Walker. One night a month, the library transforms into a haven for cunning, investigation, and duplicitous fiends. All skill levels are welcome. 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM. Banff Library. Free. 

Tuesday

• Swim for $2. Toonie Tuesday Swim is perfect for families! Kids 8 and under must be with a caregiver (13+), staying within arm’s reach. Enjoy the leisure pool, lazy river, waterslide, and lap pool foam toy area. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. $2. 

• Movie Night. In A Real Pain, mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. $12 / youth $6 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎤 Free Outdoor Concert. The Blowout is back May 31, 12–5 PM at Stan Rogers Stage! Enjoy free outdoor music by local concert & jazz bands, plus BBQ & beer garden. Bring a blanket or chair & soak up the tunes. Hosted by Valley Winds Music Assoc. No tickets needed.*

• 🌭 Food Truck Season Kicks Off. The Valbella Food Truck rolls out June 6! Catch it every Thursday & Friday from 11:30 AM –2 PM. Enjoy picnic vibes & a fresh rotating menu—your new fave summer lunch spot is almost here!*

• 👋 Retirement Announcement. After 23 years on Mountain FM, Canmore local, Rob Murray announced his retirement from radio. His last morning on air will be June 27th. We wish Rob all the best in his “first summer job in 18 years!” 

• 🚧 Ribbon Creek Closed. The Ribbon Creek Day Use Area (plus Ribbon Creek and Centennial Ridge trails) is officially closed for G7 security. The closure was backdated to May 21 but didn’t show on the Alberta Parks site right away. If you're heading into K-Country, pack a Plan B—you might be turned around.

• 🪂 Paragliding: Banff's Flying Rules Updated. Thinking of soaring over Banff? Read the fine print first! Parks Canada has updated paragliding & hang gliding rules: restricted zones, flight logs, no motors, and absolutely no chasing eagles. Violators risk a $25K fine. Full details.

• 🔒 Heads Up, Thifters. Rundle United Thrift Store in Banff will be closed June 3–6 & June 16–18 for building maintenance. Open as usual in between! Donation pause: May 30–June 23. 

• 🗳️ Democracy at Work. The 2025 Town of Canmore Municipal Election is this October and they’re hiring election workers! If you're 18+, friendly, and good with numbers (and long days), apply now. $27/hr.

• 🍜 Double the Ramen. Double the Fun. Back in February, Ramen Arashi in Banff was featured in the New York Times. This week, there will be twice the Ramen Arashi in Banff as they open Ramen Arashi Express on Banff Ave. 

• 🏨 Mini Banff Springs Hotel Saved From the Dump. A 1:48 scale model of the Banff Springs Hotel—built by Calgarian Frank Kaufmann in the '70s—has found a new home at Falkbuilt after years in airport storage. Once nearly tossed, the detailed replica (made with Dutch beach sand and 1,000+ hours of effort) now overlooks Falkbuilt’s Calgary factory.

CIVIC NEWS

• Special Council Meeting. Council will undergo Second and Third Readings for the Connect Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan. This is the 25-year redevelopment vision for increased housing density, reduced surface parking, more green space, a year-round pedestrian zone, and better walk-bike-transit access. The meeting is open to the public. 9:00 AM. Canmore Civic Centre or Online. Free. 

• Public Hearings: Temporary Land Leases in Dead Man’s Flats. Two public hearings on June 5 may impact Dead Man’s Flats. Copperstone & Cliff Resorts seek temporary leases on a municipal recreation parcel to support parking & construction needs. Share your voice or learn more via the MD of Bighorn.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, May 26th,  2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, May 27th,  2025,  10:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Banff Launches First Competitive Youth Soccer Club. Banff kids are hitting the pitch with their first-ever competitive soccer club. Coach Tim Stafford formed U11 and U13 teams after strong local interest, giving Banff players a shot at tournaments without commuting to Canmore or Calgary. Their debut? This past weekend’s Clash of the Titans in Invermere.

• Local Runners Shine at 2025 Women’s Soap Run Big congrats to all who took part! Canmore’s Heidi Widmer snagged 9th in the Half Marathon (1:43:54), while Jenna Logan dominated the 5K, finishing first with a time of 23:19. Strong showing from the hometown crew. 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.