👑 The New King of The Rockies

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, the Canada Strong Pass returns today. Cue the slow clap from the back of the room. 

We break down the local debate below.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

CANMORE MOUNTAINEER BECOMES YOUNGEST AND FASTEST TO COMPLETE ROCKIES' 11,000ERS

What’s Happening? At just 26 years old, Canmore mountaineer Haldan Borglum has become the youngest and fastest person ever to complete the Canadian Rockies' 58 recognized 11,000-foot peaks. 

One Of The Rockies' Toughest Challenges. The 11,000ers are far more than a list of tall mountains. The collection includes technical rock climbs, glacier travel, steep snow and ice routes, winter camping, and long wilderness approaches through some of the most demanding terrain in the Canadian Rockies.

Many climbers spend years waiting for the right conditions to attempt the hardest peaks. In nearly five decades, only 23 people have completed the full list.

A Record On Two Fronts. Borglum broke two benchmarks held by some of the Rockies' most respected mountaineers. He completed the list in just two years and six days, breaking Ben Nearingburg's five-and-a-half-year speed record from 2018. He also became the youngest finisher in history, surpassing Steven Song's record set at age 27 in 2020.

Every summit was completed self-propelled, meaning Borglum travelled under his own power rather than using helicopters, motorboats or e-bikes to access remote peaks.

Built Through Years Of Elite Training. Before becoming known in climbing circles, Borglum spent 17 years competing in biathlon, including representing Canada at the World Cup level.

That endurance background proved valuable during a project that ultimately involved roughly 1,580km of travel, 110,000m of elevation gain, and 50 cumulative days moving through the mountains.

Some Peaks Nearly Ended The Project. One of Borglum's defining moments came on Mount Alberta, when he and his partners arrived to find the mountain covered in snow after leaving their crampons and ice axes behind. After debating whether to abandon the climb, they continued, summited late in the evening, and spent the entire night rappelling down the mountain before returning to camp 24 hours after setting out.

The Final Push. Borglum completed the challenge on June 14 atop the remote summit of Mount Clemenceau. To reach his final objective, Borglum and his partners identified what he believes may have been a previously unused approach route.

When his partners eventually turned back because of the terrain and long descent ahead, Borglum continued alone to the summit, officially completing the list.

Read our interview with Borglum (it’s one heck of a story).

20+ HOMES SOLD IN THE LAST MONTH. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING.

More than 20 homes have sold at Altitude over the past month, which tells you something important right away: people are actually walking through these units and deciding they work for them.

And once you tour the show homes, it’s not hard to see why.

Some buyers are drawn to the more affordable 2-bedroom condos starting from $544,900. Others are looking at the larger townhomes, which are now under construction starting from $1.165M.

But one thing people seem to notice quickly is that this doesn’t really feel like a typical condo development.

There’s a private spa facility planned with a hot tub, sauna, outdoor firepit, and change area. A municipal park and playground will connect directly into the Bow Valley pathway system. And the views overlooking the Bow Valley and Cascade mountain range are pretty unique to this part of Canmore.

There’s also a level of personalization that’s rare around here. Buyers can choose from roughly 2,000 interior design options and work directly with a professional designer on-site to customize their space.

You can now tour 4 different show homes and see the differences for yourself.

Book a private showing here

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏞️ Free National Park Entry Returns Today. The Canada Strong Pass has officially arrived, making admission to Banff National Park and all other Parks Canada sites free through Sept. 7. Supporters say it helps families travel and boosts tourism. Critics argue it adds pressure to already crowded destinations like Banff. The debate comes as the United States moves in the opposite direction, introducing a new $100-per-person fee for foreign visitors at parks such as Yellowstone, Zion, and Yosemite. Last year, the program led to a 13% increase in visits to Parks nationwide. We took a closer look at what locals are saying.

• 🚧 Popular Access Point To Floe Lake Closed For The Season. Hikers planning a trip to Floe Lake or the Rockwall Trail will want to take note: spring runoff has washed out the Numa Creek bridge, closing one of the most commonly used access routes for the entire 2026 season. The closure cuts off the shortcut that allowed hikers to reach Floe Lake and some of the Rockwall Trail's most scenic sections without committing to the full 54-km traverse. The good news? Floe Lake, Helmet Falls, and the rest of the Rockwall Trail remain accessible through other trailheads. See closure details.

• 💦 Some Exshaw Basements Are Still Flooded Weeks Later. While most of the Bow Valley has moved on from the recent high-water event, some Exshaw residents say they're still pumping water out of their basements. Several homeowners are now asking the MD of Bighorn to investigate why flooding continues to affect the same area, pointing to similar issues in 2013 and 2020. Some residents say they've been running pumps for weeks and worry about long-term damage once the water finally recedes. 

• ⚖️ Five People Headed To Trial In Eagle Poaching Case. Trial dates have been set for five people facing dozens of charges following a major Alberta Fish and Wildlife investigation into alleged eagle and hawk poaching on Stoney Nakoda First Nation lands. Investigators allege wildlife parts including feathers, talons, and eagle feet were trafficked and sold. Under Alberta law, Indigenous people may legally harvest and possess wildlife for subsistence purp

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BANFF LAUNCHES CAR SHARE PROGRAM TO REDUCE NEED FOR CAR OWNERSHIP

What’s Happening? Banff has launched a new car share program in partnership with Communauto, giving locals access to five vehicles without the costs of ownership. 

It's Really A Housing Story. While the program is about transportation on the surface, municipal officials say it's closely tied to Banff's housing strategy.

For years, homeowners and developers often had to build additional parking stalls before they could add housing units, making many projects difficult or impossible to pursue. Banff has since removed those minimum parking requirements, helping unlock hundreds of new homes.

At the rideshare launch event on Thursday, Mayor Corrie DiManno said the service helps fill the transportation gap for residents living in homes with little or no parking.

How The Program Works. The fleet includes four compact cars and one minivan stationed at three locations around town. Residents can book vehicles through an app for errands, trips to Calgary, outdoor recreation, or destinations not served by transit.

Fuel, maintenance and repairs are included, meaning members only pay for the time and distance they use.

"Our goal is to help residents live here without needing to own a car, but to be able to take advantage of the benefits of a car when they need to," Town of Banff Communications Director Jason Darrah told Bow Valley Insider. 

Who Pays? The three-year pilot is funded through Banff's visitor paid-parking, not property taxes.

The Town has agreed to backstop the service by up to $75,000 annually if membership revenues fall short of operating targets. Officials hope the subsidy declines as membership grows.

"We are hopeful the Town's contribution will drop to 0 before the third year," Darrah said.

Will It Work? According to Banff's 2025 resident survey, just 18% of residents identified a personal vehicle as their primary mode of transportation during the summer.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Friday Night Comedy: Todd Ness. One of Canada's top touring comedians is coming to Canmore. Todd Ness has headlined comedy clubs across the country, appeared on CBC's Laugh Out Loud, and opened for comics including Theo Von, Doug Stanhope, and Sasheer Zamata from Saturday Night Live. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $21.25-$25.*

Saturday

• Food Is Our Teacher Workshop. Food is about more than what's on the plate. Join Tracey Stevens of the Îyârhe Nakoda Nation for a National Indigenous History Month workshop exploring food, culture, community, and connection. Lunch is included. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Co+Kitchen, Canmore. Tickets $20-$50.*

• Twonees Releases Debut Album. Canmore indie folk-rock band Twonees releases their album, First 40 Years of Childhood. It’s a hometown album launch show led by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Kieran Lehan. The 12-track album moves through indie pop, garage rock, cinematic folk, and country, with songs about growing older without entirely growing up. 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12.50-$25.*

• Banff Pride At Rose & Crown. Banff Pride is taking over the Rose & Crown for a rooftop-to-last-call celebration on one of the brightest weekends of the year. Start outside with mountain views, a DJ, and drag performances as the sun drops behind the peaks, then move inside as the party carries on. 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM. Rose and Crown, Banff.  $10 online or $15 at the door.*

Sunday

• Grizzly Paw’s Big Shiny Birthday Bash. Grizzly Paw is turning Father’s Day into a 90s-style summer party for its 30th anniversary, with live music, cold drinks, and family-friendly fun in the beer garden. Expect 90s-era covers, throwback games, face-painting, brewery tours, and the kind of relaxed Canmore afternoon that works for dads, kids, friends, and anyone nostalgic. 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM. 310 Old Canmore Road. Tickets are $10 and include a hot dog and soda. P.S. We’ll be there!*

• Summer Solstice Paint & Sip At Juniper. There are still a few spots available for this special Summer Solstice experience at Juniper Bistro. The afternoon includes a guided painting session with local artist Mindy Johnstone, all art supplies, a welcome glass of wine or zero-proof feature, and five seasonal canapé tastings created by Chef Sergio. No artistic experience is required, and the setting isn't bad either, with panoramic views overlooking Banff. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Juniper Bistro, Banff.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Summer Skiing Opens Tomorrow At Sunshine. Banff Sunshine's summer skiing season kicks off tomorrow, running through July 5 and offering one of the few opportunities in North America to ski in June. The opening also coincides with SkiBig3's 2026/27 pass sale, which includes unlimited summer skiing access at Sunshine, plus unlimited winter access to Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay. Passholders also receive four discounted buddy passes and 50% off lift tickets at 27 partner resorts. SkiBig3 says buyers can save up to $770 by purchasing before Oct. 15. Details here.* 

• 🎭 Canmore Summer Theatre Festival. Outdoor theatre returns to the Stan Rogers Stage this July with two beloved classics: Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. Bring a blanket or festival chair and settle in for an evening of live theatre under the mountain sky. The productions run July 8-19 and feature local performers bringing stories of family, friendship, imagination, and growing up to life. If you're looking for a uniquely Canmore summer evening, this is about as Canmore as it gets. Tickets start at $15.*

• 🛣️ Icefields Parkway Campgrounds Are Open For Summer. If you're planning a camping trip along the Icefields Parkway, the seasonal campgrounds are now open. That includes popular spots like Waterfowl Lakes, Mosquito Creek, Rampart Creek, and Silverhorn Creek. With Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Parker Ridge, and the Columbia Icefield all nearby, it's one of the best basecamps in the Rockies. Just remember: there are little to no amenities out there.

• 🚲 Last Call for Car-Free Riding on Highway 1A. There's just one week left to experience the Bow Valley Parkway without vehicles. Until June 25, cyclists can enjoy the eastern section at their own pace, with mountain views and a little extra room to ride. Bears frequently use the corridor, so be sure to carry bear spray. Planning one last ride? Park at the Banff Train Station and connect via Vermilion Lakes Drive and the Legacy Trail. Check out our complete rider's guide.
  

• 📚 Canmore Library Launches Summer Reading Adventure. The Canmore Public Library is bringing back its Summer Reading Game with a fantasy-themed quest called Save the Magic. Kids can complete reading and activity challenges, collect dragon cards, earn raffle tickets, and help restore a magical world where stories are disappearing. Registration opens June 25, with the adventure officially beginning July 2. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore's New Ladder Truck Is Now In Service. Canmore Fire Rescue has officially put its new 101-foot ladder truck into service following training completed last month. The truck gives firefighters improved access to upper floors and rooftops during fires and rescues, while its onboard pump and water tank allow crews to begin firefighting operations more quickly. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, June 19th, 2026, 5:00 PM: DJ Tenax.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, June 19th, 2026, 8:00 PM: The Nico Tobias Band.  Location: The Drake, Canmore. $22.73.

• Saturday, June 20th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Andy Curtis.  Location: The Moxy, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, June 20th, 2026, 9:30 PM: David Roy.  Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Hurdler Three-Peats At Provincials. Lukas Boruta won his third consecutive Alberta high school championship in the senior boys 100-metre hurdles, running 13.64 seconds to capture gold in Calgary. The Our Lady of the Snows student is now hoping to compete for the University of Calgary Dinos.

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.