☄️ That Was a Meteor

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Here’s something we don’t report every day: early Tuesday morning, a meteor described as a fireball lit up the sky from Edmonton to Jasper to the Bow Valley, with Ring doorbells and dashcams capturing the flash. In Jasper, Nicole Humphries said she heard a “big bang,” initially thinking it was a train derailment, which isn’t exactly unheard of in Jasper or the Bow Valley. Experts say if you heard a sound alongside seeing the fireball, it likely passed within 50 kilometres of you, meaning meteor fragments could be nearby. In other words, one of our neighbours might be adding “space rock finder” to their resume this week. There’s plenty of amateur footage online, but the clearest clip we found comes from The Weather Network.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

ALBERTA RESTORES HEALTH COVERAGE FOR OUR BOW VALLEY INTERNATIONAL WORKERS

What’s Happening? Alberta has reversed a January decision that blocked many young international workers from accessing provincial health coverage. For towns like Banff and Canmore, where those workers help run hotels, restaurants, ski hills, and tour companies, it means staff can once again access basic doctor and hospital care through Alberta Health.

Who This Impacts. The affected group falls under the federal International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which allows young adults from partner countries to live and work in Canada temporarily. Most stay one to two years. In tourism-reliant towns, they’re not a bonus, they’re core staffing. Employers say even small policy shifts can ripple quickly through operations.

When coverage was denied in January, some workers were turned away at registry offices without warning. For businesses, that complicated onboarding and insurance planning. For workers, it meant uncertainty around how they’d access care beyond the private insurance required at entry.

What Actually Changed. On Jan. 7, Alberta Health issued an internal directive instructing registries to deny coverage for certain temporary foreign workers, including those in the working holiday and young professional streams. The change wasn’t broadly publicized. The Bow Valley Immigration Partnership and the Bow Valley Foreign Worker Support Office began collecting reports and pushing for clarification.

The Feb. 11 Reversal.  Updated guidance issued Feb. 10 restores eligibility. IEC permit holders now qualify if they:

• Hold a work permit valid for at least 12 months

• Provide proof of full-time employment

Coverage is backdated to the employment start date. Workers previously refused can return to a registry office and reapply.

Why Timing Mattered. The disruption came as businesses were ramping up for spring and summer hiring. In mountain towns where staffing cycles are tight, certainty around health coverage is more than paperwork, it’s part of keeping the season running smoothly.

Read our full story if you were affected by this change. 

RETIREMENT IS CALLING… AND THIS TIME YOU’RE READY TO ANSWER.

You didn’t work this hard just to fill your days with make-work projects and never-ending to-do lists.

It’s time for fresh mountain air, a brand-new home with warranty, and a lifestyle that finally feels like a reward not another project.

No condo fees (because that cuts into the travel budget).

Enough bedrooms and bathrooms so guests feel welcome… but not too comfortable.

A double attached garage for all the bikes, skis, and gear you swear you’re going to use more.

And yes, an easy 10-minute walk to downtown Canmore, so you can pretend the extra steps cancel out dessert and drinks.

Check out 249A Three Sisters Drive. Interested in a private look? Reach out to Alex and Lori.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 💼 Parks Canada Is Hiring Students for Summer 2026. If you’re a student eyeing a summer gig in Banff or Lake Louise, here’s something worth knowing: a lot of Parks Canada roles aren’t posted as individual job ads. Instead, you apply to their general Summer Jobs Inventory by March 1, pick your preferred locations and job types, and wait to be matched. After that, they reach out with specific offers based on your background. Pay ranges from $17.75 to $30 per hour, depending on the position.  Details here.

• 🤝 Canmore’s Polar Plunge Does Things Differently. Most polar plunges mean sprinting into a frozen lake. In Canmore, it means standing in Millennium Park on Feb. 26 and getting blasted by a fire truck instead. The $50 registration supports Special Olympics Alberta, funding year-round sport programs for more than 3,000 athletes. Costumes are encouraged, donations are the goal, and cheering from the sidelines is free. 

• 👵🏻 86-Year-Old Flies Over Ha Ling for Final Goodbye. Louise Barnett, 86, finally saw the summit of Ha Ling Peak this week, where her late husband and daughter’s ashes were scattered during the pandemic. Unable to make the climb above Canmore herself, she boarded a donated flight arranged through her retirement community’s annual wish program. With clear skies and calm air, the plane circled the peak several times. Barnett described it as a peaceful, “happy closure” and a moment she’ll carry with her.

• 🏗️ An Update on Jasper’s Rebuild. Just 18 months after the 2024 wildfire, Jasper’s rebuild is moving fast, with most of the 370 lost homes and businesses expected to be back by the end of 2027. Building permits now take about 20 days, thanks to added planners and a joint recovery office between the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada. More than 100 permits were issued last year, 114 rebuilds are underway, and 11 are already occupied. Builders have staging areas, temporary housing, and a detailed rebuild guide, though trade shortages remain a challenge.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner,

From one local biz to another: you’ve got a lot of ways to market yourself. But before you spend another dollar, ask this: “How do I know if it’s actually working?” If they can’t answer that, maybe it’s not where your money belongs. Truthfully, we know Bow Valley Insider isn’t the right fit for everyone. And that’s okay. We’re honest about it. We care more about results than selling ad space. If it is a fit, we’ll show you exactly how we can help your business grow. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

➡️ Reach out and let’s see if working together makes sense.

BANFF WILL PAY YOU $30K TO ADD A RENTAL SUITE

What’s Happening? Banff council has approved another $390,000 to keep its legal suite grant program alive, tapping the town’s housing reserve to fund a program that’s already oversubscribed.

Why It’s Getting Attention? The Accessory Dwelling Incentive Program offers up to $30,000 to build a new legal suite and up to $10,000 to bring an existing, unapproved unit up to code. Launched in 2024 through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, the program has quietly become one of Banff’s most popular housing tools.

The Demand Is Real. So far, the town has received 34 applications: 23 for new suites and 11 to legalize existing ones. Twenty-three projects have secured building permits, and 13 already have occupancy permits.

Mayor Corrie DiManno said enthusiasm has spread mostly through word of mouth, not marketing. In the last four months alone, planners received 11 applications, nearly matching the 13 submitted in the previous five years combined.

Private Money, Public Push. Staff estimate the participating projects represent about $2.5 million in private construction. With new suites costing roughly $60,000 to $150,000, the $30,000 grant can help tip the math in a homeowner’s favour.

A key unlock? Parking. Banff’s old rules required an extra stall for a new suite, which often killed projects on tight lots. Those changes removed a major barrier.

Why Council Sees This as Fast Housing. With rental vacancy below 1% and a housing shortfall estimated between 700 and 1,000 homes, Banff has limited room to expand. In-home suites add density without new roads or major infrastructure, relying on homeowners to build.

Meanwhile, Canmore is debating similar housing ideas, though without a matching grant, for now.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Canmore Winefest Begins. The Winefest kicks off in Canmore for the first time.  Expect everything from crisp whites and smooth Pinot Noir to bold Italian wines, Napa favourites, Okanagan standouts, and a few rich Ports to finish. Includes unlimited samples and chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres. 7 to 10 PM. Malcolm Hotel. A few tickets are still available.*

Saturday

• Murder Mystery Night. Spend Valentine’s Day at The Rose & Crown for Death by Chocolate, a decadent murder mystery where cocktails flow, secrets unravel, and someone in the room is definitely lying. Your ticket includes sweet treats, with specialty chocolate cocktails available for purchase. Expect scandal, suspense, and plenty of delicious drama. 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM. Banff Rose and Crown. $54.78.*

• Paint & Sip at Canmore Brewing. Trade candlelit dinners for paint-splattered pint glasses this Valentine’s Day. Choose the paint-by-numbers piece that calls your name, grab a beer, and settle in for two creative hours with friends, a date, or your excellent solo self. All ages welcome. 7:30 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. $23.76.*

• Valentine’s Dinner at Evergreen in Banff. Feeling something more romantic? Evergreen Restaurant is serving a multi-course Valentine’s dinner designed for a slower, more romantic evening. There are still reservations available, and if Feb. 14 is booked, the special menu runs through Feb. 16. Expect thoughtfully crafted dishes and an intimate setting right in the heart of Banff. Reservations here.*

Sunday

• Cheer on Banff’s Britt Richardson. Banff local Britt Richardson races in the women’s giant slalom Sunday morning (or Saturday night if you’re still awake) at 2 AM MST. Either way, if you’re awake, tune in. Watch here.

• Post-Game Skate with the Canmore Eagles. After Sunday’s game, fans are invited to stay and skate with the Canmore Eagles. Bring your own skates and enjoy some ice time following the final buzzer. A fun, low-key way to wrap up the weekend at the rink. 4:00-ish PM. Canmore Rec Centre. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🥾 Great Divide Hike Applications Close Monday. Know a 17-year-old ready for a real adventure? Camp Chief Hector YMCA is launching a 42-day backpacking expedition along the Great Divide Trail this summer, with yurt living near Deer Lodge and hands-on leadership training in the backcountry. Navigation, route planning, camp craft, cooking, and serious mountain mileage. Applications close Monday. Full details here.*

• 🎙️ New Local Podcast. The Banff Canmore Foundation, a local community foundation that stewards charitable funds and supports nonprofits across the Bow Valley, has launched a new podcast called Between Peaks. The series features conversations with organizers, donors, and residents about housing, food security, climate pressures, access, belonging, and what it means to care for both place and people in the Canadian Rockies.

• 👨‍💼 Board Opportunity for Kananaskis Conservation Group. The Friends of Kananaskis Country is recruiting a volunteer Board Member for a three-year term beginning May/June 2026. Board members support trail care, conservation, fundraising, governance, and partner relationships. Meetings are held bimonthly, with additional subcommittee work. Apply by March 31.

• 🚡 Fortress Proposal Info Session in Canmore. If you missed our deep dive on the proposed Fortress Mountain buildout, the plan would transform 3,600 hectares of Crown land in Kananaskis into a year-round resort with gondolas, zip lines, a mountain coaster, lodging, and a full base village. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is hosting a public info session Feb. 17 from 2 to 7 PM at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall, where residents can learn more and share feedback.

• 🧑‍🚒 Parks Canada Livestreams Behind the Scenes of Lake Louise’s Fire Guard. Kudos to Parks Canada for upping the tech game. This week, staff went live from the Lake Louise Community Fire Guard, walking viewers through how crews are thinning the forest to reduce wildfire risk. The stream showed everything from massive “feller buncher” machines to wildlife already using the cleared areas, and explained why fire guards help slow extreme fires before they reach town. Here’s the full recording in case you weren’t watching live.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Moves Ahead With Herbicide Weed Control. The Town of Banff will move forward with an Integrated Pest Management Plan that allows herbicide use on town-owned land to control invasive weeds. Staff says manual methods are no longer effective, and Parks Canada now requires a formal plan for major project approvals. Council approved funding to map infestations and carry out long-term treatment.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, February 13th, 2025, 5:00 PM: Caitlin Connelly. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, February 13th, 2025, 9:30 PM: Five N Dime. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, February 14th, 2025, 4:30 PM: The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's. Location: Banff Legion. No Cover.

• Saturday, February 14th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Halo and Wolfie Beatz. Location: Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Team New Zealand Rider, Raised in Canmore, Finishes 6th in Olympic Big Air. Dane Menzies, who grew up riding in Canmore, placed sixth in the 12-man snowboard big air final while representing New Zealand. The 21-year-old landed a clean frontside 1800 and backside 1800 before a hard fall on his final attempt. Born in Calgary to a Kiwi father and Canadian mother, Menzies trained at Winsport and learned to ski at Sunshine Village before switching to snowboarding. 

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.