💨 The Worst Air Quality in Canada

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you’ve been thinking, “wow, it’s smoky out there,” you might be wondering just how bad it really is. Mid-week, our neighbours in Cochrane hit an Air Quality Index of 203. We’re not scientists, but apparently, that was good enough to rank them #1 in Canada for worst air pollution. Translation: it’s pretty darn smokey out there. The good news: conditions are expected to ease this afternoon, and by tomorrow, we should finally see the mountains again instead of just a wall of haze.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

THE CANADA STRONG TRADEOFF: LESSONS FROM A CROWDED SUMMER

What’s Happening? Ottawa says the Canada Strong Pass boosted summer traffic, with early data showing Parks Canada visits up 10 percent. Locally, that surge was obvious at Johnston Canyon, where a recent Facebook post described trails littered with cups, bottles, wrappers, and even a stroller.

On the Ground. The same visitor recounted a parking lot dispute where people tried to hold a spot by standing in the way, then later cut in front of a line of hikers heading into the cave. They also witnessed a parent letting a child poop just off the trail. Amid the chaos, one man was seen climbing over barriers to collect trash in his backpack, a rare bright spot in the story.

Why It Matters? The increased numbers are showing up not just in visitation stats but in the quality of visits.  When visitation jumps faster than staffing, signage, and enforcement, you get friction: safety risks on narrow catwalks, wildlife impacts from food waste, and a poorer experience for everyone. In the Facebook post, the family said they used the day as a lesson for their kids about what not to do in a national park.

Looking Ahead. The pass likely achieved its goal of getting more people out exploring Canada, but the Bow Valley is feeling the management tax. More visitors can create more chances to connect with nature, yet they also magnify the need for basic respect: pack out trash, respect others, and remember the mountains are more than a photo backdrop.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 207–121 KANANASKIS WAY

Looking for a Canmore spot that actually works for both mountain getaways and investment math? 

207–121 Kananaskis Way is a two-storey, top-floor condo in one of the town’s most walkable locations. It’s zoned for short-term rentals and sold fully furnished, so you can start earning (or just unpack) on day one. Check out the video property tour here. 

It’s the only unit in the building with a private third-floor view deck, where the peaks feel close enough to tap. 

Inside: two king bedrooms, a pull-out couch, and updated A/C to keep things cool after a day on the trails. 

Outside: a main-level patio with gas BBQ hookup, plus access to the complex’s fitness centre, outdoor hot tub, and secure storage.

For more details or to arrange a viewing, contact Alex and Lori.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏞️ A Major Study Warns Alpine Food Is Vanishing. Banff’s alpine meadows shrank 33% in just two decades, while montane and subalpine grasslands dropped about a quarter. Researchers say the culprits are shrubs and conifers creeping into meadows, fewer prescribed burns to keep those areas open, and warmer springs that now end nearly nine days earlier than in 2001. For elk, bighorn sheep, and bison, that means less reliable forage when they need it most.

• 🚁 Readers Want More Transparency on Rescues. After our story on the rise of “scramble culture” and a guides warning about risky unroped climbs, we asked if Parks Canada should publish more details about mountain rescues. The response was near-consensus: 379 of 394 voters (96%) said yes. Many argued that sharing case studies could save lives, cut down on “scramble bravado,” and highlight the real costs of rescues.

• 🔥 Small Backcountry Fire Sparks Banff Closure. A hiker reported a wildfire Tuesday in Wigmore Valley, a remote area northeast of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. By Wednesday it held at 4.5 hectares. Crews and helicopters made strong progress, though it’s still out of control. Wigmore Valley trails are currently closed. Meanwhile, in Yoho National Park, fire specialists have begun a 3,300-hectare prescribed burn in Porcupine Valley, with closures in place around the Mount Hunter Trail.

• 🐻 Grizzly Bluff Charges Trigger Warnings in K-Country. A hiker was bluff charged near the Burstall Pass parking lot, while another grizzly charged a person near Highwood Ridge/Paradise Valley, prompting bear spray use. Alberta Parks has issued warnings for both areas and reminds hikers to travel in groups, leash pets, and keep bear spray handy.

• 🏠 Goodstoney Revives Nakoda Lakeside Lodge. After closing in 2012 following legal disputes and operational setbacks, the Goodstoney First Nation is restoring the lodge near the Mt. Yamnuska Trailhead. Set to reopen in 2026 as a hotel, conference centre, and community hub, leaders call the project a milestone for economic sovereignty, cultural pride, and future opportunity.

Marketing That Slaps (In a Good Way)

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We write clever mini-stories that make 15,000+ locals engage.

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REMEMBERING SKOKI: BANFF’S FAMOUS “BAKERY BEAR”

What’s Happening? Skoki, the Calgary Zoo’s 35-year-old grizzly bear and former Banff “problem bear” No. 16, was euthanized this week due to age-related health decline after nearly three decades in captivity.

From Wild to Captive. Back in the ’90s, No. 16 was a bold young bruin known for sparking traffic “bear jams” in the Bow Valley. His downfall? A fateful visit to Laggan’s bakery in Lake Louise, where he poked his head in the back door. Despite repeated relocations and deterrents, he kept wandering into human spaces until Parks Canada shipped him to the Calgary Zoo in 1996.

A Life Extended. Wild male grizzlies here rarely see 20, but in the zoo, Skoki nearly doubled that lifespan. Caregivers credit his easygoing nature and ideal conditions. In his later years he was essentially deaf, responding mostly to scent and sight cues (sometimes wafted bacon grease). His weight swung seasonally from 341 to 407 kg as staff mimicked wild hibernation with winter fasting and spring diet ramps.

Bonds and Legacy. Early support from keeper Elsa Poulsen helped Skoki settle into zoo life, where he formed surprising bonds with fellow grizzly Louise. He was often seen trailing closely behind her on stairs as if offering support in her old age. While some experts lament he never lived or reproduced in the wild, others view his long life and role as a “living classroom” as equally remarkable.

The Bottom Line. Skoki’s story is both a reminder of the Bow Valley’s ongoing human-wildlife pressures and a call to action: keep food out of reach and give bears space.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Climb for a Toonie. For just $2, enjoy a day of climbing, community and connection. All ages and skill levels welcome. Challenge yourself, meet fellow climbers and support local programs. All day. Canmore Climbing Gym. $2.

Saturday

• 5 Peaks Trail Run Series. Experience one of Alberta’s most iconic trail races. Expect tough climbs, flowy singletrack, epic views, and a lively start/finish party vibe with a DJ and stunning mountain backdrops. 9:00 AM - 12:30PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. More info here.*

• Free Banff Summer Festival. Summer’s last hurrah. The Harvest Festival runs Saturday and Sunday featuring local musicians, artisans, and food vendors. Enjoy a pet-friendly market, beer garden, and emerging Bow Valley bands. 12 PM - 9PM. Central Park, Banff. Free. Check schedule. 

• Rooftop Garden Party. Celebrate end of summer at Chef’s Garden Party on the rooftop terrace of the Malcolm Hotel. Enjoy exquisite small bites, a bartender competition, and live music in a vibrant, casual setting. 18+ event. Don’t miss this unforgettable afternoon. 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Malcolm Hotel.  Get tickets.*

• Live Music & Meat Draw. Enjoy Brent Lee’s country tunes at the Banff Legion while trying your luck in the weekly meat draw (4-7 PM), a long-standing Legion tradition with prizes like $50 IGA gift cards. Stick around for Chase the Ace, another popular fundraiser where each ticket brings a shot at the jackpot.*

• Garneau String Quartet in Concert. A string quartet, made up of two violins, a viola and a cello, takes the stage with guests Clayton Leung and David Bordeleau. This Edmonton-based ensemble will perform Beethoven’s String Quartet in A Major and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence for string sextet. 7:30 PM. artsPlace Canmore. $40 / members $34 / youth $20. Tickets.*

Sunday

• Discover Clinical Research Day. See what our friends at Banff Sport Medicine are doing to advance healthcare through science and innovation. This free, hands-on event features a health tech expo, career panel with local pros, a clinic open house, VR surgery demos and more. Lunch included. 11:30 AM–5:00 PM. Coast Hotel & Banff Sport Medicine Clinic. Free, register your interest.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✨ Camp Chief Hector Homecoming. Head back to camp for a full day of activities, food and music at Camp Chief Hector YMCA in Kananaskis. Homecoming 2025 features campfires, high ropes, archery, lake time, a fireside chat on camp’s legacy, and a cozy evening coffee house. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept 20 from 10 AM to 9 PM. Admission by donation.*

• ☕ Watch the Race from Cornerstone Café. Running in or cheering on someone at the 5 Peaks Canmore this Saturday? Stop by Cornerstone Café for Eclipse coffee, breakfast or lunch, and house-made snacks. Their licensed patio also has a great view of the finish line. The perfect spot for catching all the action.*

• 🕺🏽 Bow Valley Line Dancing Club. Registration for the Fall Term is now open. New dances will be introduced at most levels, making this the perfect time to join or move up. Spots fill fast, so register early to avoid disappointment. Classes start Sept 8..

• 🎬 Film Job Opportunities in the Bow Valley. Two short films are seeking local talent this fall. Devour, a 1955 period survival story, will film in Kananaskis and has two roles available. Torn, an indie short filming in Banff/Canmore/Kananaskis, is casting four roles with stipends for gas, food, and IMDb credit.

• 📀 Canmore’s Ellen Braun Shares New Album. Canmore singer-songwriter Ellen Braun joined Joe Reilly on The Guest List podcast to chat about her debut full-length album, The Doldrums. She discussed creating her own work after years of collaboration, recording with Howard Bilerman, and the surprising nautical themes woven into her songs.

• 💡 Banff Hits the NYT Mini Crossword. Banff made the headlines in a tiny but fun way. On September 4, the New York Times Mini Crossword featured Banff as a clue, putting our mountain town in the spotlight for puzzle lovers everywhere. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Updated Road Work in Exshaw. The MD of Bighorn will complete road work on Mt. Fable Drive (Hayley’s Way) near the north end of Mt. McGillivary Drive from Sept. 16–24. The work area will not be accessible, but access to Mt. McGillivary Dr. and Pigeon Mountain Dr. will remain open.

• MD of Bighorn Reviews Community Priorities. The MD of Bighorn is updating its Municipal Development Plan, last revised in 2012. The draft reflects legislative changes, community input, and new priorities in tourism, industry, recreation, and emergency preparedness. Final approval is targeted for September ahead of the municipal election.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, September 5th 2025, 9:00 PM: Andy Curtis. Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, September 6th 2025, 1:30 PM: Harvest Festival: Day 1. Location:Central Park, Banff. Free Event..

• Saturday, September 6th 2025, 6:00 PM: End of Summer Patio Party. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, September 7th 2025, 3:00 PM: Summer Sessions in El Patio. Location: Magpie & Stump, Banff. No Cover.

• Sunday, September 7th 2025, 7:30 PM: Canada's Rising Stars Head South. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / $20 for youth.*

SPORTS

• Jimmy Chin Spotlights Canmore’s Sonnie Trotter. Acclaimed adventure photographer and Oscar-winning Free Solo director Jimmy Chin has resurfaced a legendary Rockies shot: Canmore climber Sonnie Trotter performing a human flag on Screams from the Balcony near Lake Louise. Chin, famed for capturing some of the world’s boldest expeditions, called the image one of his best.

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.