🌊 The Falls Are Open Again

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you've been around for a while, you might remember our Bow Valley Insider Adventure Club. We're excited to bring it back, starting with something many of you have requested: a 2-day scrambling skills clinic on Aug. 8-9. It's designed for hikers who want to build the skills and confidence to safely tackle more challenging mountain terrain with expert instruction from Leviathan Mountain Guides. We're keeping it to just six people, and registration closes next Friday (July 24). Details and registration here.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

BOW GLACIER FALLS REOPENS AFTER DEADLY 2025 ROCKSLIDE, BUT THE HIKE HAS CHANGED

What's Happening? For the first time in 13 months, Bow Glacier Falls has reopened after last summer's deadly rockslide. But the experience has changed. Following a geotechnical assessment, Parks Canada has redefined where the official trail ends, with hikers now stopping short of the waterfall itself.

A Different Finish. New signs now mark the end of the official trail before the final scramble toward the 154-metre waterfall. Beyond that point, hikers enter an area Parks Canada identifies as having elevated rockfall risk. A new hazard map also shows that much of the terrain beneath the surrounding cliffs falls within a potential rockfall runout zone, illustrating how far falling debris could travel.

Instead of encouraging visitors to approach the base of the falls, Parks Canada is urging people to enjoy the view from lower-risk terrain.

Why It Changed. The trail has been closed since June 19, 2025, when a massive slab of rock broke free from the mountainside above Bow Glacier Falls, killing two hikers and injuring several others in one of Banff National Park's deadliest hiking accidents in recent memory. More than 100 emergency responders, including STARS air ambulances, helicopters, search dogs and specialized mountain rescue teams, responded to the scene.

The conclusion wasn't that the danger had disappeared. Instead, Parks Canada says engineers identified lower-risk zones and areas with higher exposure, allowing the trail to reopen while warning visitors away from the most hazardous terrain.

What's Next? Parks Canada reminds visitors that rockfall is a natural hazard throughout the Rockies and that no mountain trail can ever be completely risk-free. We've asked Parks Canada for the full geotechnical assessment and expect to receive it in the coming days. Once we do, we'll break down exactly what engineers found.

Read our full story

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT A HYGIENE VISIT?

Many people aren't sure what to expect from a dental hygiene clinic and are often surprised by the range of care dental hygienists can provide. Floss is a prevention-focused hygiene clinic, and the care extends beyond a routine cleaning.

Appointments begin with a comprehensive assessment of your oral health. That can include a full clinical examination, periodontal assessment, radiographs when appropriate, and screening for signs of conditions such as gum disease. The team also reviews your medical and dental history, recognizing that oral health is closely connected to overall health. 

From there, treatment is tailored to your needs. Depending on your oral health, that may include professional cleaning, stain removal, preventive therapies such as fluoride, discussions about remineralization options, and practical guidance to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums between visits. 

Dental hygienists in Alberta are regulated healthcare professionals with a broad scope of practice, and for many patients, everything they need falls within that scope. When something does require additional care, the team explains what they're seeing and helps coordinate the next steps with your existing healthcare providers or other appropriate professionals. 

The goal is simple: understand where your oral health is today, address what needs attention, and help you maintain it for the long term. 

Floss has clinics in both Banff and Canmore. You can book your first comprehensive dental hygiene appointment here.

_{*Presented by Floss.}

THE DIGEST

• 🥏 Banff Tests Demand For Disc Golf. Banff residents can now borrow portable disc golf baskets and discs for free through a new self-serve program at Sundance Park. While it's not the permanent course many local players have been hoping for, the Town says it will track how often the equipment is used to help gauge demand for future investment. "It seems like a step in the right direction," Banff professional disc golfer Marcel Beaulieu told Bow Valley Insider, adding he hopes the program helps demonstrate there's enough local interest to build a permanent course.

• 🐻 Multiple Grizzlies Trigger Kananaskis Trail Closure. Alberta Parks has closed part of the popular Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit and issued a widespread bear warning across the Kananaskis Lakes area after multiple grizzly bears, including several females with cubs, were repeatedly spotted nearby. Officials say one first-time mother has bluff-charged people after being surprised at close range (see affected areas). Campgrounds and most trails remain open, but visitors are being urged to travel in groups, carry easily accessible bear spray, and avoid running or cycling through the area. 

• 🏆 Seven Banff Restaurants Make National List. More than 1.1 million verified diner reviews helped determine OpenTable's 2026 rankings, with seven hotel restaurants in Banff and Lake Louise making the Top 50, including 1888 Chop House, Castello Italiana, Rundle Bar, Waldhaus, Fairview Bar, Lakeview Lounge, and the Post Hotel. One important caveat: only restaurants that use OpenTable were eligible, meaning many local favourites weren't considered. View the full list. 

• 🔥 Wildfire Modelling Raises Evacuation Questions. A new wildfire modelling exercise by a group of retired wildfire experts suggests Banff could be "hard pressed" to fully evacuate under certain historically documented extreme fire conditions. The group also warns the town remains vulnerable to a fast-moving building-to-building fire and recommends expanding FireSmart work, identifying shelter-in-place locations, and increasing fuel reduction. The modelling focused on the type of wildfire conditions that fuelled the 2024 Jasper wildfire. 

Here’s What Banff Sport Medicine Said About Working With Us

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HOW BANFF PLANS TO TACKLE HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND CLIMATE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

What's Happening? Banff has approved its 2027-2030 Strategic Plan, outlining the town's priorities for the next four years. While housing, transportation and the environment remain top priorities, the plan takes a more integrated approach, recognizing each issue influences the others. 

Managing Growth Differently. Perhaps the biggest shift is a new focus on Human Use Management. It may sound like town jargon, but the idea is simple: recognizing that growing visitation affects everything from housing and traffic to infrastructure, residents' quality of life and the environment. Rather than reducing tourism, the goal is to maximize its benefits while minimizing its impacts. 

Building A Life, Not Just Housing. Housing remains a top priority, but the conversation is expanding beyond affordability. The new strategy reframes the issue as "Building a Life in Banff," linking housing with community amenities, social supports and overall quality of life.

During public input, owner of Moraine Lake Bus Company, Jesse Kitteridge, argued the town should also focus on helping residents earn higher incomes by supporting locally owned businesses and higher-paying jobs, saying, "Rather than just asking how to make Banff cheaper, let's now ask how to make Banff-ites wealthier."

Preparing For A Different Climate. While reducing emissions remains a priority, the strategy shifts greater focus toward preparing for climate risks like wildfires by strengthening community resilience, emergency preparedness and environmental stewardship. Transportation priorities remain centered on expanding transit, walking and cycling while reducing congestion and improving regional connections. 

From Vision To Action. Unlike previous strategic plans, this one intentionally avoids detailed targets or timelines. Instead, it establishes broad priorities that will guide municipal budgets, work plans and policy decisions through 2030.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Opera, Minus The Fancy Dress Code. If you've ever been curious about opera but weren't sure where to start, this is about as approachable as it gets. Summer Opera singers and a pianist are bringing a relaxed, cabaret-style performance to the Banff Legion, with favourite arias, classic songs, and a casual pub atmosphere. 8 PM. Free.*

Saturday

• Celebrate 100 Years Of The Royal Canadian Legion. The Exshaw Legion is inviting the whole community to celebrate the Royal Canadian Legion's 100th anniversary on Saturday. Whether you're a Legion member, have family who served, or have never stepped through the doors before, everyone's welcome. Enjoy a meat draw, and a $20 steak BBQ with all the fixings. Doors open at 2 PM, the meat draw starts at 3 PM, and dinner begins around 6 PM.*

Sunday

• One Match Left. The 2026 World Cup Final is Here. Head to the Banff Rose & Crown for big screens, World Cup atmosphere, $8 Michelob Ultra bottles, $9 Modelo pints, and $38 Michelob buckets. Every Michelob Ultra or Modelo purchased during the match also gets you an entry to win a prize pack featuring a Team Canada jersey, an official World Cup ball, and a Michelob Ultra x FIFA LED sign. 1 PM. Free entry.*

• Last Chance For Canmore's Outdoor Theatre. It's running all weekend, but Sunday is your last chance to catch the Canmore Summer Theatre Festival at Centennial Park. We went this week, and it's genuinely awesome. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle in under the mountains, and enjoy a local cast bringing Anne of Green Gables to life on the Stan Rogers Memorial Stage. 7 PM. Canmore. $12-$17.*

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERTS RETURN TO SHAW AMPHITHEATRE IN BANFF

Bring a blanket, grab a burger, and settle in for AMP Sessions at Banff Centre’s Shaw Amphitheatre. Across two July weekends, the free outdoor concert series brings Alberta favourites and touring musicians to the stage at 6 PM, with a cash bar, BBQ, and summer mountain views in every direction.

Weekend 1: July 17 to 19

July 17- Kayla Williams

• Calgary’s Kayla Williams brings yacht-pop, soulful vocals, and retro-funk energy inspired by the glittery grooves of the ’70s and ’80s.

July 18 - The Motown 6

• This Alberta-based soul and funk collective delivers big vocals, tight rhythms, and classic sounds inspired by Motown, Stax, Chess, New Orleans grooves, and contemporary British soul.

July 19 - Side Hustle & Cave Arcade (In association with Canmore Folk Festival)

• Side Hustle blends fiddle, guitar, folk, Celtic, country, and popular music. Cave Arcade brings shimmering, guitar-driven indie rock with sharp wit and a hazy sense of nostalgia.

Weekend 2: July 23 to 26

July 23 - Joshua Burnside

• The Northern Irish singer-songwriter brings traditional Irish folk into conversation with alternative electronica, found sounds, and alt-folk textures.

July 24 - John Wort Hannam

• The Alberta folk artist and two-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner brings rich vocals, roots storytelling, and songs that feel both familiar and deeply lived-in.

July 25 - Lost Decade

• Calgary synthwave band Lost Decade delivers soulful, synth-driven sounds inspired by the energy of ’80s and ’90s music.

July 26 - The Ramblin’ Hey Ho Ha’s

• Banff’s own Rocky Mountain country band closes the series with bluegrass, roots, rock, twang, and guaranteed crowd sing-alongs.

See the full lineup and event details

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💅🏻 Last Chance To Save On Nails. Over the last couple of weeks, we've been introducing you to Pika Nails and the European-style manicure techniques Ivana has brought to the Bow Valley. If you've been meaning to book but haven't gotten around to it, this is your final reminder. Her introductory offer for Bow Valley Insider readers expires July 31. Watch our video to see what the experience is like, then fill out this quick form to claim $20 off when booking a gel nail manicure + pedicure.*

• 🌸 Canmore’s Patio Glow-Up Season Is Short. We wait eight months for patio season, so you might as well make the most of it. Wendy’s Garden Centre is fully stocked with hanging baskets, colourful planters, flowering shrubs, and trees that instantly make a deck, balcony, or front entrance feel like summer finally arrived. Wendy’s been helping Canmore businesses and homeowners do exactly that for decades. You’ll now find her across from Elevation Place in the old dealership parking lot (map). Open daily 9AM-6PM.*

• 🧗 Save 20% On Climbing Punch Passes. If you're planning to spend plenty of time at the Canmore Climbing Gym this summer, now's a good time to stock up. From July 15-31, 10-punch passes are 20% off, dropping from $170 to $136 before tax. Passes never expire, can only be purchased once during the sale, and include access outside staffed hours, making this one of the gym's best deals if you climb regularly. Get the deal.*

• 🍃 Explore Plants, Place, and Belonging. The Biosphere is hosting Who Belongs, a free guided plant walk for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on Sunday, Aug. 9. Participants will explore local plants and discuss themes of belonging, landscapes, and food systems before taking part in a group planting activity. The finished planting will become part of a future community art exhibition. RSVP required.*

• 🍽️ Breakfast With One Of Canmore's Best Views. You don't need a tee time to enjoy breakfast at Sandtraps Restaurant. Open daily from 8-11 a.m., the Canmore Golf & Curling Club restaurant welcomes everyone for breakfast, with free parking, mountain views, and fair prices on everything from traditional breakfasts to eggs benedict, pancakes, breakfast wraps, and mimosas.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Raises Developer Parking Fee By 67%. Developers who choose to pay the Town instead of building required parking stalls will soon pay $35,000 per stall, up from $21,000. Town staff said the previous rate, unchanged since 1999, covered only a fraction of today's construction costs, leaving taxpayers to subsidize private developments. The Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association opposed the increase, arguing it could make it harder for businesses to expand. Council approved the increase unanimously.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, July 17th, 2026, 5:00 PM: DJ Tenax.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, July 17th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Red Mile High.  Location: The Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, July 18th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Tyler Wood.  Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Chosen For NHL Reporter's Wedding. Canmore has landed another high-profile endorsement. Edmonton Oilers reporter Paige Martin says she and her fiancée, Briana Wice, plan to get married here after getting engaged earlier this summer. Martin told Outsports the couple has made "core memories" in Canmore, adding, "Our dream is to get married in the mountains, specifically Canmore."

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.