🐻 The Cost of a Bear Selfie

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Our editor went for early voting in Canmore last night. She reported “lots of staff,” which bodes well for smooth lines and organization. She also added, “It smelled like a hockey bag,” which… less so. Haha.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

THE COST OF THE PERFECT BEAR PHOTO IN KANANASKIS

What’s Happening? We sat down with wildlife policy analyst Annie Pumphrey to unpack “bear jams,” the traffic tie-ups that form when drivers stop to watch roadside grizzlies. Her research in Kananaskis reveal how fragile coexistence between people and bears can be. 

Bears, Meet Influencers. Pumphrey’s studies found that 71 percent of experts blame human behavior for roadside gridlock. The moment a grizzly appears, common sense often disappears. Drivers stop mid-lane, lean out of windows, and some photographers follow the same bears for hours, convinced they “know” them. Meanwhile, bears stay near roadsides where vegetation and safety from dominant males make for easy feeding.

The Double-Edged Lens. Social media has turned wildlife viewing into a competition for the closest shot. Each close-up shared online fuels the expectation of another. Pumphrey says the goal is not to blame photographers but to shift the culture from glorifying intimacy to celebrating respectful distance. “A good bear photo doesn’t need to fill the frame,” she told us.

When Familiarity Breeds Risk. Over time, people get comfortable seeing bears along the road, and the bears get comfortable seeing people. Pumphrey says that mutual tolerance can be dangerous. “It creates a false sense of safety. When those same people visit more remote areas, they assume all bears behave that way. They do not,” she said.

Fixing the Jam. Alberta Parks has tried noise deterrents and temporary closures to keep bears and people safe, but experts say lasting change needs clearer roadside messaging, no-stopping zones during peak season, and stable funding for bear management and research. 

Read our article for the complete story. And if you value these kinds of deep dives, share it on your socials (please).

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

If “mountain living” had a definition, this might be it.

204-105 Stewart Creek Rise isn’t just big, though it is at 2,800 square feet. It’s bright, open, and full of those “wow” views you only get in Stewart Creek. Think vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and decks that bring the mountains right into your living room.

Two guest rooms, two primary bedrooms (each with an ensuite, walk-in closet, and balcony), low condo fees, Monogram appliances, and an attached garage tie it all together.

It’s the kind of place that feels built for real life, where comfort meets good design and every detail just works.

👉 Be sure to follow Alex and Lori on Instagram for more local listings and home inspo.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐻 Fourth Grizzly Death in Banff This Year. Parks Canada confirmed a male grizzly was struck and killed Sept. 28 near Castle Junction on Hwy 1. Officials say it wasn’t one of Banff’s well-known bears, The Boss (Bear 122) or Split Lip (Bear 136). The bear appeared healthy, and no problems were found with the nearby wildlife fencing. Meanwhile, Alberta Parks has issued new bear warnings for Sparrowhawk after a hiker was bluff charged.

• 🚧 Bow Glacier Falls Trail Closed Until 2026 After Deadly Rockslide Parks Canada says the Bow Glacier Falls trail will stay closed through 2026 as experts continue to assess the cliff face where a massive June rockslide killed two hikers and injured 13. We hiked it recently. You can still go partway and see the falls from a distance, but signs clearly mark where the closure begins. 

• 👨‍🚒 Quick Work by Fire Crews Prevents Major Condo Fire in Banff. Banff firefighters knocked down a blaze at the Monte Vista condos on Banff Avenue within minutes Tuesday morning. The fire started in debris on a wooden deck but was contained thanks to the concrete structure and recent FireSmart work that removed nearby conifer trees.

• ❄️ Up to 15 cm of Snow Expected This Weekend. A cold front is brewing, with the main event arriving Saturday into Sunday. Forecast models show up to 15 cm of snow. Cold Arctic air will sweep in behind it, dropping temperatures 10–15°C below normal. Let’s all have a moment of silence for the over 900 athletes competing at the Grizzly Ultra Marathon this weekend, featuring 50km races. That’s a whole lotta suck to endure. 

• 🩺 The Mammogram Bus Rolls Into Banff Next Month. Alberta Health Services’ mobile breast screening trailer will be at Mineral Springs Hospital Nov. 5–8 and again Nov. 13–14. The free program is open to women ages 45–74, the group most at risk for breast cancer. Appointments are required. Book here.

Marketing in 2025, Not 1995

📰 Them: Deadlines, print runs, and fine print.

📈 Us: Click-throughs, sales data, and locally-focused.

You wouldn’t fax your customers. So why are you still printing at them?

➡️ Join the Bow Valley’s inbox revolution

CANMORE APPROVES $5 MILLION TO END POOP SMELL

What’s Happening? After years of complaints from South Canmore residents, Council voted unanimously to spend an extra $5 million on a new system to store wastewater. The total project cost now sits at $7.32 million.

Why It Matters? The decision came outside the regular budget cycle to fast-track construction. The new odor-control system takes about 30 weeks to build, meaning any delay would have pushed completion past next summer’s “odor season.” By acting now, the town expects residents to breathe a little easier by May 2026.

What It’ll Cost. The upgrade will raise the average household’s wastewater bill by about $2.50 a month starting next year. Mayor Sean Kraus summed it up neatly: “I’d happily pay $2.50 a month not to smell that smell.”

Why a New Tank Was Needed. The old open-air tanks were never designed for covers and would cost as much to retrofit as to replace. The new tank will process waste under a sealed lid with a high-efficiency filtration unit that, according to the project engineer, is so effective “you don’t smell anything” at the outlet. This final phase should (hopefully) close the book on the issue.

THINGS TO DO

Saturday

• The Amazing Feud Game Show. Get your game on with Jeopardy and Speed Trivia in this lively night of fun and friendly competition. Supper at 5:30 PM, and showtime at 7 PM. Exshaw Legion. Tickets are $30 and include the turkey supper.*

• Thanksgiving Dinner at Murrieta’s. Celebrate with a delicious three-course Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy Winter Squash Soup or Caesar Salad, Roasted Turkey with all the fixings, and Pumpkin Pie for dessert. Reservations recommended. Murrieta’s, Canmore. $43 per person. *

• Salsa Social. Join the Bow Valley’s favourite Latin Dance Party for an evening of rhythm, connection, and fun. The night starts with a dance class at 8 PM to learn new moves and meet partners, followed by social dancing and snacks until 11:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $18 / members $15.30 at the door.*

Sunday

• Italian Thanksgiving at The Fat Ox. Celebrate Thanksgiving with an Italian twist. Enjoy Chef Joe’s favourite fall dishes like Turkey Piccata or Mushroom Lasagna served family-style. Gather around the harvest table for warmth, flavour, and comfort. Reservations recommended. Fat Ox, Banff. $42 per person.*

• Celebrate Banff Pride. A night of live music, mountain views, and special Pride-themed treats. Sip a Peaches n’ Cream cocktail (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and indulge in the Taste the Rainbow Crème Brûlée, both crafted in support of Banff Pride. 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Juniper Banff.*

$12,000 FROM PURSUIT COMMUNITY FUND STRENGTHENED BANFF FOOD & FRIENDS

Every Monday night, the smell of home-cooked meals fills the St. George-in-the-Pines hall in Banff. Tables are set, conversations spark, and strangers become neighbours. This is Banff Food & Friends, a weekly event where anyone can sit down to a free, nutritious dinner and leave with something even more important: connection.

Banff’s high cost of living means many residents, especially hospitality and service workers, struggle to afford both rent and groceries. Food & Friends helps ease that strain while tackling another hidden challenge: social isolation. Whether it is newcomers swapping stories or families sharing a table, the program is as much about community as it is about food.

Banff Food & Friends runs on generosity, and one of its biggest champions has been the Pursuit Community Fund. Earlier this year, they received $12,000 in support, but the Fund does not just write cheques; it volunteers. Pursuit staff have rolled up their sleeves in the kitchen, serving full Thanksgiving dinners. That kind of support makes it possible for Food & Friends to welcome up to 120 guests every week.

If your non-profit or grassroots organization is working on community events, sustainability initiatives, or family support, applications for the next round of the Pursuit Community Fund are open until October 15. Apply here.

_{*Presented by Pursuit Collection.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚗 Test Drive an EV. The 2025 EVs Are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour is here. This weekend and next weekend, Thursdays to Sundays, 10 AM–5 PM at the Canmore Recreation Centre, meet Plug’n Drive ambassadors, learn about EVs, and test drive eight models from top manufacturers. Everything from trucks, cars, and SUVs. Book test drive. Drop-ins welcome; priority given to bookings.*

• 👐 Strike Day Camps for Kids & Teens: Updated. We’re keeping a running list of all strike day camps across the Bow Valley and have added a few new ones since our last update. You can see the full list here, and if your business isn’t included yet, let us know so we can add it.

• 🗝️ Canmore’s Outdoor Escape Room. Forget four walls and locks. This escape room is set under the Rockies. Cluesolvers guides you on a 2 to 4 km walk through Canmore, where murals, benches, and shop windows become your clues. Solve puzzles, uncover a mystery storyline, and explore the town in a way you have never seen before. We played and filmed our experience. Want to try? Go to Cluesolvers, select canmore, and get started.*

• ☕ Fuel Up for the Grizzly Ultra. Whether you’re running or cheering at the Grizzly Ultra Marathon this weekend, swing by Cornerstone Café inside the Nordic Centre. They’ll have Eclipse Coffee, breakfast and lunch specials, fresh baked goods, and enough caffeine to stay warm when that 15 cm of snow hits. Open 9 AM–5 PM, Saturday and Sunday. *

• 🍽️ Valbella Schnitzel Night. Enjoy a cozy night in with Valbella’s Schnitzel Night Special for just $18. This hearty meal brings the authentic flavours of Germany to your table, featuring golden, crispy pork schnitzels served with buttery Spaetzli and braised red cabbage. Order here (they even deliver).*

• 🍂 Expressive Arts Evening. Celebrate autumn and your feminine energy with an evening of self-care, reflection, and creativity led by Kathy Tippe. Explore your personal “harvest” of the season through writing, collage, and painting. No artistic skills needed, and supplies are provided. Oct. 15, 6:30–8:30 PM at Healing Mountain Creations. Limited spots. Registration details here.*

• 🔒 The Drake is Temporary Closing for Renovations. They’re aiming for a December 1 comeback with a fresh look and “a few new surprises.” What that means exactly, your guess is as good as ours.

CIVIC NEWS

• Avoid The Rush, Vote Early. Advance voting is open in Canmore at the Rec Centre today (Oct. 10) from 1–7 PM and tomorrow (Oct. 11) from 10 AM–2 PM. In Banff, early voting takes place tomorrow (Oct. 11) from 10 AM–2 PM at Banff Town Hall. 

• Bow Valley Builders Host All-Candidates Forum. The Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association hosted its Canmore all-candidates forum yesterday. You can watch the livestream here. But fair warning, the video quality is brutal. Save yourself the struggle; we’ll have a full recap and key takeaways next week.  

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, October 10th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Seenagers.  Location: Moxy, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, October 10th, 2025, 7:00 PM: 40 Watts.  Location: Sheepdog, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, October 11th, 2025, 9:00 PM: The Barflyz.  Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Banff Bears Golf Team Swings to Gold. The Banff Bears boys golf team took first at the South Central Zone Championships in High River, led by Charles Greaves and Seth Sands, who finished first and second. The win sends them to provincials in Lethbridge, while Grade 10 Ruby Hughes earned bronze for the girls

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.