⛷️ They Skied The Unskied

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Not sure if it was just us or not, but our feeds were flooded this weekend with Alex Honnold free-soloing Taipei 101 live on Netflix. Impressive, sure. But today’s top story hits much closer to home. Just above Moraine Lake, a team of ski mountaineers pulled off a first-ever descent on a face considered unskiable.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Sneha Kainth, Madalyn Beach

P.S. A big thank you to Di & Gus Campbell for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider. They moved here from Winnipeg 11 years ago to be closer to their grandkids, Sina and Harper. They say the Canmore Seniors Centre helped them feel connected right away, and they’re grateful to be part of a Bow Valley that’s as welcoming as it is.

SKIERS COMPLETE WORLD-FIRST DESCENT ON ONE OF BANFF’S MOST PHOTOGRAPHED PEAKS

What’s Happening? Three elite ski mountaineers have completed a world-first ski descent on Mount Deltaform, tracing a highly technical line down one of Banff’s most recognizable peaks above Moraine Lake.

The Big Picture. What makes this descent notable is not just where it happened, but how. The line on Mount Deltaform links steep skiing with sustained technical climbing in terrain shaped by hanging glaciers, fractured ice, and multiple cliff bands. There is no continuous ski line. Progress requires constant transitions between skis and ropes while managing overhead icefall. 

For Bow Valley mountaineers familiar with Deltaform, the idea of skiing the face borders on implausible. “My first thought is that it doesn’t look like a ski line,” said Oakley Werenka, who has climbed the peak in non-winter conditions.

How They Pulled It Off. Between Jan. 17 and 19, Christina Lustenberger, Brette Harrington, and Guillaume Pierrel approached from the Moraine Lake trailhead, hauling skis, ropes, tents, and food roughly 17 kilometres into the Valley of the Ten Peaks in midwinter temperatures below minus 18 degrees. From a remote basecamp, they climbed exposed ramps and a narrow couloir before rappelling onto a hanging glacier suspended partway down the face. 

The descent unfolded in short, deliberate stages. The team skied brief sections, then stopped to place ice screws, build anchors, and rappel over cliffs before skiing again. “You’re not skiing up to this established point where people have done it before. We’re figuring it out,” Lustenberger said afterward.

Local Ties Behind a Global First. All three athletes have close connections to the Canadian Rockies. Harrington has spent years training and climbing in the region and is widely known as the partner of the late Marc-André Leclerc, whose solo ascents were documented in the 2021 film The Alpinist. Lustenberger and Pierrel were recently featured together in Robson, which premiered at the 2025 Banff Film Festival and documented their first ski descent of Mount Robson’s South Face.

The team shared photos of the adventure with us. Check them out here (they’re hard to believe).

VALENTINE’S EVE WITH LISA LAMBE AT BANFF CENTRE

Feb 13 | 8 PM | Margaret Greenham Theatre | $35

Irish singer, songwriter, and folklorist Lisa Lambe brings traditional Irish love songs, original music, and beloved melodies to Banff for an intimate Valentine's Eve concert. The Irish Times calls her "the finest singer and actor of her generation." Expect warmth, storytelling, and a night of music that lingers. 

🎫 Learn more and tickets

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐺 Rare Wolverine Caught on Camera Near Canmore. The sighting is less about novelty and more about what it signals for the Bow Valley. Images shared by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative show the valley bottom is still functioning as a wildlife travel route near Canmore. “Where we still have wolverines, we still have some wild spaces,” said biologist Nikki Heim. She noted the Bow Valley remains a key corridor for wide-ranging species sensitive to development. “This sighting is an indicator that we have not yet squeezed them out.”

• 🚧 Parks Canada Restricts Off-Trail Travel Near Tunnel Mountain Until March 31. The move is aimed at reducing human disturbance during a critical winter period when wildlife is pushed into lower elevations close to town. The restriction applies only to off-trail travel, while all official routes, including the Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail and Surprise Corner to the Hoodoos, remain open. Parks Canada says the area is an important winter habitat for predators and elk. Violators can face fines up to $25,000. Check the closure map.

• 🏕️ Backcountry Booking Day Is Here. If you’re hoping to snag backcountry permits in Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, or Kootenay National Park, today is the one that matters. Reservations open at 8 AM for popular routes like Iceline, Egypt Lake, Rockwall, and Floe Lake. Parks Canada uses a virtual queue. Logging in early doesn’t boost your odds. Everyone waiting at 8 AM is randomly assigned a spot, then gets 30 minutes to book. Bookmark the portal and good luck.

• 🛣 Banff Looks to Widen Elk Street Sidewalks to Ease Peak Crowding. Banff is planning design work to widen sidewalks on Elk Street, the main walking route between the train station parking lot and Banff Avenue. The project is part of broader efforts to manage peak-season congestion as parking demand continues to exceed supply. Walking and transit now account for about 40% of Bow River crossings, up from 26% in 2019. Council has set aside $300,000 in 2026 for sidewalk improvements, with Elk Street flagged as a priority.

Dear Fellow Local Business Owner,

From one local biz to another: you’ve got a lot of ways to market yourself. But before you spend another dollar, ask this: “How do I know if it’s actually working?” If they can’t answer that, maybe it’s not where your money belongs. Truthfully, we know Bow Valley Insider isn’t the right fit for everyone. And that’s okay. We’re honest about it. We care more about results than selling ad space. If it is a fit, we’ll show you exactly how we can help your business grow. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

➡️ Reach out and let’s see if working together makes sense.

40-YEAR CANMORE PUB BEGINS NEW CHAPTER WITH BREWERY PARTNER

What’s Happening? One of Canmore’s longest-running pubs has entered a new era, rebranding through a partnership with a Calgary brewery that brings on-site brewing, a revamped menu, and interior upgrades.

The Big Picture. After nearly 40 years, The Drake is now operating as The Drake Screaming Retriever Restaurant & Brewery, following a joint venture with Screaming Retriever Brewing Company. Both sides emphasize this is not an acquisition but a partnership designed to preserve The Drake’s identity while expanding its beer and food offerings. For Screaming Retriever, the deal provides something it has been pursuing since 2020: a permanent home in Canmore. For The Drake, it marks a shift toward a fuller restaurant-and-brewery model built on its existing reputation.

What’s Changing? On-site brewing is planned for the pub’s basement, allowing beer to be produced directly in Canmore. That component is targeted for early 2026. In the meantime, renovations completed during a recent closure focused on upgrades rather than a full redesign. Bathrooms and furniture were refreshed, the front bar was opened to improve flow, and a new tap room with communal seating is being added. The tap room is expected to evolve throughout the year, serving as a casual space for sampling beer, watching sports, and hosting private events. 

Food and Music Stay Central. The kitchen has been upgraded with new equipment, including a wood-fired oven, and the menu has expanded to include pizza, pasta, and additional salads, aiming to improve quality while keeping a pub-style feel. Live music will continue at the same frequency, with touring acts and locals remaining a core part of the venue’s identity. We popped down recently to grab a beer with the longtime owner and the new partners, and can confidently say the place still feels very much like The Drake (but better). 

What’s Next? The tap room’s grand opening is set for Feb. 8, from 3 to 9 p.m., timed to coincide with the Super Bowl. If you haven’t been in a few years, this is a good excuse. Take a sneak peek inside The Drake in our full story.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Aussie Day on the Slopes. Spend the day skiing or riding at Sunshine Village with Aussie-inspired food specials available across the resort. All Day. Sunshine Village, Banff. Lift tickets are required.

• Bake Cookies. Miss the smell of home-baked cookies? Cookie Kitchen is a warm, hands-on afternoon of baking, learning, and sharing with neighbours. Local cookie pros will share easy recipes, smart substitutions, and tips to reduce food waste. Open to Banff residents. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. 101 Bear Street. $3.

Tuesday

• Canmore Movie Night: The Track. The Track is a powerful coming-of-age documentary that follows three teenage boys training on a war-scarred Olympic luge track in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina, chasing big dreams in a country shaped by conflict. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $6-12.*

FREE TALKS & OPEN STUDIOS AT BANFF CENTRE

Open Lecture Series With Jordan Bennet & Amy Malbeuf

Jan 26 & 27 | 4 PM

Join visual artists Jordan Bennett and Amy Malbeuf for two talks exploring how land, identity, and lived experience shape contemporary Indigenous art. From community-based creative work to performance and Indigenous feminism, both artists reflect on how their practices have evolved and why place still matters. Learn more.

Artist Talk With Ryan Van Der Hout

Feb 6 | 4 PM

Join Ryan Van Der Hout for an artist talk on how their work brings together photography, stained glass, and sculpture. Learn more.

Banff Artist In Residence Open Studios

Feb 11 | 4 –7 PM 

Drop by the studios of the Winter 2026 Banff Artist in Residence participants and see what they’ve been working on during their five weeks at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. It’s a chance to meet the artists and see their new work up close. Learn more.

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐾 Heart Mountain Rescue Needs Our Help. Over the past week, our friends at Heart Mountain Rescue have welcomed five 6-week-old husky mix puppies into care, with another seven arriving soon. These pups will need active, loving homes. Each has a full adoption profile online, with photos and details. If adopting isn’t right for you, please consider sharing this post. One share could connect the right puppy with the right person.*

• 🚗 Winter EV Test Drives in the Bow Valley. This free winter program from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and Plug’n Drive lets participants test drive electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in real Bow Valley winter conditions. Drivers can take vehicles both in town and on the highway, visit local charging stations, and ask questions about cold-weather performance, range, and charging, with guidance from local EV owners rather than sales staff. Book an appointment here.*

• 🍽️ A No-Drama Dinner Option. Fallen behind on your New Year’s resolution to meal prep more? You’re not alone, and Cornerstone Café has you covered. Their Reheat & Eat meals make dinner simple. Just warm them up, add rice or a side, and you’re set. Choose from bison stew, butter chicken, beef bourguignon, Thai coconut chicken curry, or paneer makhani. We’ve tried them, they’re awesome. Preorder online.*

• ✅ Canmore’s New Zamboni Is Officially Named. The votes are in on the new Zamboni. After days of friendly rivalry, sharp debate, and elite-tier hockey puns, the Town’s new ice resurfacer officially has a name. It came down to a nail-biter between Lady McDangles and Lightning McClean, tied right into the final seconds. Then one last vote slid across the line. Meet Lightning McClean. Our editor, Fortune, wanted everyone to know her favorite entry was Zamborghini.

• ⛷️ Heads Up, Skiers and Trail Users. This coming week, Nordiq Canada World Jr Trials & Western Champs is taking place at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Expect heavy athlete traffic and partial trail closures Jan 27-Feb 1, with peak impacts over the weekend. Competition trails, stadium areas, and some facilities will be in use. Check here for up-to-date public access before heading out.

• 👉 Conservation Grants Are Now Open. Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is now accepting applications for its 2026 Partner Grants program, which supports small, on-the-ground conservation projects across the Yellowstone to Yukon region. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for grassroots groups working on habitat protection, wildlife corridors, coexistence, and related efforts. The application deadline is Feb. 20 at 11:59 PM, with funding decisions announced in March. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Moves to Fix Cemetery Record Gaps. Banff council is moving to create a permanent cemetery administrator position after staff warned that century-old gaps in burial records pose legal and emotional risks for families. Shared oversight and incomplete records have led to ownership disputes and stress during moments of grief. The proposed $66,000 role would improve record accuracy, digitization, heritage care, and public support across Banff’s cemeteries.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, January 26th, 2025, 6:30 PM: Liam Daisley. Location: Banff Social. No Cover.

• Tuesday, January 27th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Richardson Keeps It Steady With Another Strong World Cup GS Finish. Canmore’s Britt Richardson finished 11th in giant slalom at Kronplatz, marking her fourth straight top-12 World Cup result and continuing a quietly impressive run of consistency. The 22-year-old has now finished inside the top 20 in all seven GS starts this season and says she’s “hungry for more” as she pushes toward the top 10. 

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.