⛰️Tent Ridge Just Let Go

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Spring’s here—but winter’s not done with us yet. After a week of high avalanche warnings, Kananaskis Safety shared footage from Tent Ridge showing natural slides up to size 4—powerful enough to flatten trucks and wipe out acres of forest. Now Banff and Lake Louise are under a snowfall warning with up to 30 cm expected by today. This morning, we also got a text from a friend driving between Calgary and Banff that said, “Roads are pure ice, dozens of cars in the ditch.” Stay safe out there.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• A new backcountry hut announced 

• Fire crews ahead of schedule in Banff

• Banff’s best fast eats (not just burgers and fries)

• Plus, 24-hour race opens, playoff hockey, après, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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WHAT ABBOT PASS LOST, ROBSON GAINS

What’s Happening? A new backcountry hut is coming to Mount Robson Provincial Park—the first in the area and more than 20 years in the making. The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) will break ground in summer 2025, with the first guests expected in 2026.

A Robson Revival. Located 24km from the visitor centre and steps from Berg Lake, the hut will sleep 12 and feature solar power, sustainable materials, and panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies’ tallest peak. Designed for all-season use, it’s a big win for adventurers—and a nod to the ACC’s long history in the area, which dates back to 1913.

Why It Matters Here? While Mount Robson isn’t in the Bow Valley, this is a big moment for the ACC, which also runs local favourites like Bow Hut and Elizabeth Parker Hut. And with the emotional loss of Abbot Pass Hut in 2022—removed due to climate-driven erosion—this new build shows ACC’s ongoing commitment to backcountry access and environmental sustainability.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 249B THREE SISTERS DRIVE

These stunning half-duplexes are flying off the market—3 sold in a matter of weeks, leaving only one remaining! With prices locked in on these newly built homes, now is a great time to buy to secure a property at today’s market value.

Designed by Distinctive Homes, 249B Three Sisters Drive offers over 2800 square-foot of open concept living with 4 bedrooms + den, a double car garage, and 4 outdoor living areas—including the private treed backyard. Inside, enjoy vaulted wood ceilings, a spacious mudroom, sprawling primary suite, secondary rec room and MORE!

Schedule a private viewing today before this one’s gone, and contact Lori and Alex for more information.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🍽️In Case You Missed It: Fast, Local Eats. We tapped one of our go-to chefs to share their top spots for a quick bite in Banff. Spoiler: it’s not all burgers and fries. Read the full list on our site.

• 🚨Emergency Alert Test Happening Across The Bow Valley On April 10. A region-wide Voyent Alert test is set for 10 AM that day. If you’re not signed up yet, head to register.voyent-alert.com. Signing up now means you won’t miss critical updates during wildfire season or other emergencies.

• 🔓Berg Lake Trail Reopens June 26 After 4 Years of Repairs. Closed since the 2021 floods, this iconic 23-km hike in Mount Robson Park is finally back—with new bridges, reroutes, and campground upgrades. Reservations for the summer season open April 2 at 7 AM via camping.bcparks.ca.

• 🐆Cougar Kittens Orphaned Near Canmore Find A New Home. After their mother was hunted near Grotto Mountain in February, two cougar kittens spent a month recovering at the Calgary Zoo. They've now been relocated (location undisclosed), having gained weight and confidence.

• 🐕‍🦺Banff Scraps Off-Leash Dog Park Plan After Major Pushback. Council pulled the plug on a proposed 1.5-acre dog park near Marmot Crescent following loud opposition from residents—many of them dog owners. Concerns ranged from traffic to wildlife impact. Locals made their case loud and clear: not here, not now, maybe not ever.

WINTER CONDITIONS SPEED UP FIRE MITIGATION WORK

What’s Happening? Parks Canada is ahead of schedule on the Tunnel-Toe Wildfire Risk Reduction Project near Banff, thanks to a snowy March that extended the winter work window. Crews have completed 70.3 of 211 planned hectares, and they’re now moving into a new zone—Block B.

Burn, Baby, Burn (Safely). This isn’t your average spring cleaning. Crews are thinning the forest, piling woody debris, and burning it onsite to reduce wildfire fuel. Smoke will be visible throughout Banff National Park, and trails in the affected area are strictly closed until spring 2025—violators could face fines of up to $25K.

Protecting the Valley. Though it’s easy to miss under the snow, this is some of the most important work being done in the Bow Valley. The plan targets wildfire risk not just near Tunnel Mountain, but in over 1,400 hectares within 15 km of Banff. It’s all part of Parks Canada’s long-term strategy to build fire-resilient landscapes.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Bike Ride. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just looking for a fun way to enjoy the winter scenery, this is a great way to meet people, explore the Bow Valley, and stay active. 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Meet at artsPlace, Canmore. Free. 

• Playoff Hockey. The Canmore Eagles take on the Drumheller in Game 5. 7:30 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre. $18. 

• Last Adventure Film Tour Screening. These films showcase real stories about women from a variety of cultures and sports around the world. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. $25 / members $21.25.

Saturday

• Spring Triathlon. Registration is closed, but you can cheer on these shoulder-season athletes as they run, fat bike, and cross-country ski. 10:00 AM—3:00 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free to attend.

• Adoptable Dogs Open House. Bedard has spent two years at the Bow Valley SPCA. He wins the heart of every person he meets with his long, silly tongue, hilarious head tilts, and zest for life. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Bow Valley SPCA, Canmore. Free.

• Deck Party at Lake Louise. Done skiing for the day? Head to the Banded Peak Base Camp deck to keep the good times rolling with music, brews, and mountain vibes. 2 - 6 PM. Lake Louise Ski Resort. Free.

• Anniversary Party! Bow Valley Connections is celebrating 10 years, and everyone is invited! In addition to dancing, there will be a photo booth, a badge-making station, and a game. 3:00 PM—5:00 PM. Senior’s Centre, Canmore. Free. 

• Film Night. Watch Best Picture Winner The Brutalist, in which visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet flee Europe to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern America. 6:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6

Sunday

• Morning Yoga in Banff. Enjoy a 45-minute yoga session led by resident instructor Chie Fujimaru. This class is open to all levels of yoga practitioners and book lovers. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Banff Library. Free. 

• DopeStyle Park Competition. Watch top snowboarders throw down their best tricks on this low-impact course. Whether you’re competing or spectating, it’s all about good vibes. Registration runs 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Mt Norquay. $25 to enter.

• Spring Yoga in Canmore. Join CYAN for drop-in, donation-based yoga classes to stretch, breathe, and connect in the cozy Yoga Lounge. All are welcome. 8:15 PM—9:15 PM. Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💪Endurance Junkies, This One’s for You. Test your limits (and your headlamp batteries) at RELENTLESS 24, the Rockies’ 24-hour endurance run at Canmore Nordic Centre. Run solo or in teams; it’s all about how far you can go. Register now for June 21-22 before it fills up!

• 🛎️Juniper Hotel + Bistro’s 5-Course Tasting. We dropped by Juniper for their five-course tasting menu and, trust us, every dish was a hit. Catch the quick video recap here.

• 🚧Ice Rink at the Chateau Lake Louise is Closed. The Fairmont ice rink has officially closed for the season. See a real-time view of Lake Louise. 

• 🐻A Tourist Feeding a Bear. Here’s a photo from 1951 of a tourist feeding a bear, proving that “don’t feed the wildlife” has apparently always been just a suggestion.

• 🧸While We’re Talking About Bears…They’ve been spotted in the Horseshoe area east of Canmore—a popular multi-use trail network on Grotto’s lower slopes. If the mud’s not enough reason to stay off the trails, roaming wildlife definitely is.

• 🧗‍♀️Canadian Climbing. Canada has some of the best climbing in the world—but don’t just take our word for it. Gripped magazine just dropped a coast-to-coast guide for 2025, and yes, the Bow Valley made the cut.

• 🏈Try Rugby. Bow Valley Women's Rugby would like to invite folks to the first annual Queens of the Pitch Prom Dress Rugby Day. At this 18+ event, try rugby—no experience necessary—and see if rugby is your thing.

• 🤾🏻Dodgeball Tournament. Grab your team of (at least) six and take part in this high-energy event. The gym will have beats pumping throughout the evening and prizes for the champs! Register before April 3rd. 

• 🏊Swimming Registration Ages 5-18. Canmore Coho Swim Club’s Junior Learn to Swim and Competitive programming registration opens online on Saturday. 

• 🙏Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Want to know how community grants work? The Town of Banff is holding a free, one-hour webinar on Monday to learn about available community grant funding.

• ☝Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. A hands-on course in Banff to help you recognize suicide risk and learn how to intervene. Register by Monday to join next week’s session.

CIVIC NEWS

• Approval of MD of Bighorn Trails Master Plan Postponed. MD of Bighorn Council delayed approving its Trails Master Plan, citing concerns over clarity on community connections and a proposed Dead Man’s Flats dog park. The plan, shaped by public input, aims to expand and enhance trails but needs further review before finalization. Approval may come in 2025. 

• Reviews for the Next Council. MD of Bighorn Council hired Bluerock Planning Inc. for a $137K land use bylaw review but debated its timing, as approval may fall to the next council post-2025 election. The update aims to address growth, regulations, and community input, with completion set for early 2026. Some officials worry a council transition could delay or complicate the process.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, March 28th, 2025,  5:00 PM: Carly MacKerras. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, March 28th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Arn Smit.  Location: Tavern 1883. $5 Cover.

• Friday, March 28th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Power Houze. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Friday, March 28th, 2025,  10:00 PM: With Intention. Location: Banff Ave Brewing. $5 CASH Cover.

• Saturday, March 29th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Tavern 1883. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, March 29th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Power Houze. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Sunday, March 29th, 2025, 3:00 PM: Sunday Sessions. Location: Core Values, Canmore.  No Cover.

• Sunday, March 29th, 2025, 7:30  PM: Christie Lenee. Location: artsPlace, Canmore.  regular $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15.

SPORTS

• Biathlon Canada’s Top Coach Steps Down. Canmore’s Justin Wadsworth is leaving his role as head coach and high performance director on May 1 after six years with Biathlon Canada. Citing a need for change ahead of the 2026 Olympics, he’s stepping back to focus on family—and to give the team a fresh start.

• Canmore Skiers Dominate at Nordiq Nationals. Local senior and U20 athletes racked up 14 podiums at last week’s nationals in Canmore. Highlights included two-gold performances from Louison Dubief and Amelia Wells, and a long-awaited sprint title for Katie Weaver—her first national gold in a decade. Safe to say, the hometown edge worked.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place!