📸 The Moraine Lake Rush

Good morning, Bow Valley!

As you know, we’ve been hiring for a new social media producer. We’ve had a lot of great applications, but we’re keeping it open for one more day. If you’ve been thinking about it, this is your window. You’d be helping create videos like this, working on your own time, and earning some extra cash each month. The main thing is being comfortable on camera. We’ll guide you through the rest. Apply here by tonight.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

CANMORE BOOSTS WILDFIRE MITIGATION BUDGET TO $1.28M

What’s Happening? Canmore is boosting its wildfire mitigation budget to $1.28 million, expanding fireguard work and FireSmart efforts across town.

Building a Buffer. The biggest piece is the Nordic Centre fireguard, now at $1.28M. Crews have been thinning dense forest, removing dead wood, and pruning vegetation to reduce fuel loads and limit how easily fire can spread through the canopy. The fireguard is designed to give crews a safer, more effective zone to slow or stop a wildfire before it reaches town.

Where the Money’s Coming From. The increase is largely covered by a $175K grant from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta and about $40K in additional timber revenue.

That timber revenue comes from trees removed during the fireguard work that can be sold commercially. In this case, actual returns came in higher than expected and are being reinvested back into the project to offset costs. 

More Work in the Pipeline. Council also approved:

• An increase to $367K total for planning a southern boundary fireguard. The project is still in the planning stage, as parts of the proposed fireguard sit on land that hasn’t yet been transferred to provincial control from Three Sisters Mountain Village. Until that deal is finalized, construction can’t move forward, so current funding is focused on studies, permitting, and consultation work.

• An increase to $328.8K total for vegetation management in Canyon Ridge, expanding the project area. This builds on earlier FireSmart work, which now needs ongoing maintenance as forests regrow. 

FireSmart at Home. Not all mitigation happens in the forest. Council approved a $13K FireSmart events program focused on residents, schools, and community groups.

“These sorts of events are just so important in continuing to create awareness and spread the word about everyone’s responsibility,” said Mayor Sean Krausert.

Read our full story for a breakdown of how these fireguards fit into a broader Bow Valley wildfire mitigation strategy.

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA LIVE AT BANFF CENTRE

One of the world’s leading chamber ensembles, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, is coming to Banff for two very different performances. 

1. Five Centuries of the Sublime

April 25 | 7:30 PM | Jenny Belzberg Theatre | From $65

A full-orchestra performance spanning 500 years of music, featuring the Canadian premiere of Horizon by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams.

🎟️ Get Tickets

2. Between Worlds

April 26 | 7:30 PM | CLVB ’33 | $50

A smaller ensemble takes over Banff Centre’s cabaret space for a more intimate, genre-blurring set that brings musicians closer to the audience.

🎟️ Get Tickets

Watch a sneak peek: 

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

THE DIGEST

• 🌦️ Why Your Weather App Might Be Misleading You. Most hikers in the Bow Valley check apps like The Weather Network before heading out, but those forecasts are built for towns, not the alpine. That means what looks like a mild day in Canmore or Banff can turn into freezing temps, strong winds, or sudden storms higher up. So we teamed up with an Alberta-based meteorologist to break this down and build a full guide on how to actually read mountain forecasts using tools like SpotWX. It lets you forecast specific elevations and compare models, which is far more useful in the mountains. 

• 📈 $78K Boost for First Responder Mental Health. A $78,700 provincial grant is funding a new Bow Valley initiative to support the mental health of more than 120 first responders. Led by Canmore, the program brings together Banff Fire and Stoney Nakoda EMS to tackle the cumulative toll of emergency work. The focus is on early intervention, reducing stigma, and making support easier to access. That includes a region-wide needs assessment, new training, and an online hub for resources and peer support. Officials say it’s long-overdue.

• 📋 Kananaskis Resort Decision Could Land This Month. A decision on a proposed all-season resort at Fortress Mountain could come later this month, with Danielle Smith speaking positively about the project at a recent Calgary event. The plan includes a new resort community with tourism accommodations and employee housing. Public consultation, required under the All-Season Resorts Act, recently wrapped, though results haven’t been released yet. If approved, it could signal the start of broader resort expansion across Kananaskis. Read about the full proposal here.

• 🚠 Chairlift Breakdown Puts Resort Capacity in Focus. While this isn’t a Bow Valley story, it’s worth noting. A five-day chairlift outage at Revelstoke Mountain Resort during a major event is raising bigger questions about lift capacity at growing ski hills. The Stoke Chair failure led to long lines, reduced access, and even forced organizers to shuttle athletes by snowcat. Revelstoke operates just six lifts, and adding more isn’t simple. Costs can reach up to $30 million per lift. The incident highlights a broader challenge: how fast resorts can, and should, scale infrastructure as visitor numbers grow.

A Small Town Love Story

You: A great local business.

Us: A publication with 17,000+ locals who love supporting local.

We keep bumping into each other… but you’ve never said hi.

Let’s stop pretending this isn’t a thing.

➡️ Fill out this quick form and let’s finally connect

MORAINE LAKE SHUTTLE BOOKINGS OPEN WEDNESDAY

Reservations for the Moraine Lake and Lake Louise shuttle open Wednesday at 8 AM, and if past years are any indication, they won’t last long. Parks Canada is releasing 40% of seats for the season at launch, with the remaining 60% released on a rolling basis 48 hours before departure. Moraine Lake Road itself does not open until June 1, but if you have a specific date in mind, this week is the time to act.

As most people know, personal vehicles are no longer allowed. So options include the Parks Canada shuttle, Roam Transit, biking, or private operators. The shuttle remains the most affordable option at $8 for adults, compared to private shuttles that can run $80 or more.

Read our full guide, or watch our video above, and get your account set up before things open on Wednesday.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Lake Louise Fire Hall Open House. Curious about the new fire hall and housing project? Drop in to view the design, meet the project team, and ask questions ahead of construction this summer. The event also kicks off a community naming contest for the firefighter dorms and meeting room. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. 1029 Banff Ave, Banff. Free.

• Songwriting Program Starts Tonight. This four-week course with local artist Ellen Braun helps you craft original songs through guided exercises, feedback, and optional one-on-one coaching. Open to all levels, no musical background needed. Mondays, 6:00 - 7:30 PM (April 13 - May 11). artsPlace, Canmore. $175. Spots still available.*

Tuesday

• Canmore Classical Night: Mathieu-Chua Duo. This violin and piano duo returns to artsPlace with a program blending contemporary works and rediscovered classics. Known for their expressive style and fresh programming, they spotlight both emerging and established composers. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $17.50 - $29.75.*

I FINALLY SWITCHED MY DOCTOR AFTER 7 YEARS LIVING IN CANMORE

Ben here. I thought I’d share a quick story today. 

I’ve lived in Canmore for 7 years… and my family doctor was still in Calgary.

Every time something came up, I’d think, “I’ll deal with it next time I’m in the city.” Which usually meant… I didn’t deal with it.

So I finally switched to Mountain Maternity and Family Practice.

I assumed it would be a hassle.

Instead, I booked online in a few minutes. You can choose your doctor, see their profiles, and pick a time that works. What surprised me most was how many appointments were available. You could get in within a day or two.

My appointment was at 9:00 AM. I saw the doctor at 9:05 AM.

No waiting around.

We talked for about 45 minutes. I brought up some family history around heart disease, and instead of brushing it off, the doctor mapped out a plan. Blood work first, then next steps if needed. He handles the process.

I also mentioned migraines. He recommended a new medication and coordinated it with the pharmacy on the spot.

A few things stood out:

• He actually mapped out a plan, not just a one-off visit

• He took ownership of next steps instead of leaving me to figure it out

• I felt like I was being listened to, not processed

Simple stuff, but noticeably better.

It made me realize how many people here in the Bow Valley are in the same situation. Living locally, but relying on Calgary doctors, walk-ins, or ER visits.

And: despite the name, they’re a full family practice clinic and currently accepting new patients.

If you’ve been meaning to find a local doctor, this is a pretty easy place to start.

Fill out this quick form, and Dr. Brendan Flowers and his team will personally follow up. 

_{*Presented by Mountain Maternity & Family Practice.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐻 Bear Day 2026. With bears waking up across the Bow Valley, this free annual event at the Canmore Nordic Centre is a chance to brush up on wildlife safety and learn what it means to live alongside them. Expect bear spray demos, safety talks, research presentations, kids’ activities, and opportunities to connect with wildlife experts. Save the date: Saturday, April 18, 9 AM - 3 PM. More details.*

• ✨ Yoga Lounge Moves After 30 Years on Main Street. A longtime Canmore wellness hub is starting a new chapter. After three decades downtown, Yoga Lounge has relocated to 115A–1 Industrial Place and is now welcoming clients into its new space. The studio will continue offering its regular classes and community programming. A big congrats to owners Jeff and Hilary as they open the doors on this next phase for one of Canmore’s most established yoga communities. We’re planning a follow-up piece to take a closer look at the new space. Stay tuned.

• 🌿 Banff Voice Shapes Global “Nature Positive” Push. Banff conservationist Harvey Locke is among the lead authors of a new international study calling for a “nature positive” future, where protecting and restoring ecosystems is central to climate stability and biodiversity. The paper argues the priority should be preventing further loss of intact ecosystems, while scaling restoration and incorporating Indigenous knowledge alongside science. Read the full study.

• 🚗 No-Stopping Zones Return for Wildlife Season. Parks Canada has reinstated temporary no-stopping zones across parts of Banff National Park for the next year, targeting areas with higher wildlife activity. The zones can be set up anywhere west of Castle Junction and will be marked on-site, but not posted online. The goal is to reduce roadside wildlife encounters and improve safety for both animals and drivers. If you see signage, keep moving. Fines can reach up to $25,000.

• 🏈 Bow Valley Rugby Recruiting for 2026 Season. If you’ve ever thought about trying rugby, now’s your window. The local club is welcoming new players ahead of the upcoming season and inviting anyone interested to register or reach out for training details. Registration is available online through the Bow Valley Rugby Club.

CIVIC NEWS

• Exshaw Housing Density Proposal Sparks Debate. A proposal to increase housing density in the Exshaw Mountain Gateway development drew a mix of support and concern at a recent MD of Bighorn public hearing. The amendment would raise the number of units on two multi-dwelling parcels from 14 to 22, adding about eight homes. Supporters say higher density helps address Bow Valley housing pressures, while some residents raised concerns about parking and traffic.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, April 13, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee Live. Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. Free.

• Tuesday, April 14, 8:00 PM: The Shindigs & The Moonsnakes. Location: Drake Pub, Canmore. $10.

• Tuesday, April 14, 10:00 PM: Michael Charles and His Band. Location: Rose & Crown, Banff. Free.

SPORTS

• Canmore Cyclists Podium at Nationals. Canmore riders delivered strong results at the 2026 Canadian Track Championships, with 13-year-old Kalea Giesler leading the charge. Racing up an age category, she secured two bronze medals and a silver against older competitors. Charlie Pittard also reached the podium, earning silver in the 500m time trial with a personal best. The performances highlight the depth of young cycling talent coming out of the Bow Valley.

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.