🚗 Tragic Wake-Up Call on 1A

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re not sure if this is a controversial take or just common sense, but if you polled 10 Banff locals, maybe one has been to the Upper Hot Springs in the last few years—and probably only because their cousin from Ontario was visiting. So we rounded up the hot springs locals actually go to. Most aren’t secret (except maybe one), but they’re all worth the trip. First link in the Digest has the goods.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

P.S. Shoutout to Travis Feddema for referring so many friends to Bow Valley Insider! Travis lived in the Valley for 3 years before heading back to Ontario (we won’t hold it against him). He misses the incredible friendships—and the happy hour sushi at Hello Sunshine. Thanks, Travis!

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A SHEEP LOST ON 1A—AND A WAKE-UP CALL

What’s Happening? A young sheep was hit and killed on Highway 1A between Exshaw and Canmore on July 1—a grim reminder of just how risky this stretch of road has become for wildlife.

The Bigger Picture. Highway 1A has quietly become a busy detour to Canmore as drivers dodge construction delays on the Trans-Canada near Lac des Arcs, which started last week. (If you tried this stretch over the long weekend, you know.) But as traffic rises, so do collisions: 62 large-bodied animals—including elk, deer, bears, sheep, and wolves—have been struck and killed here in just five years.

Help Is on the Way. Two new wildlife crossings are planned for this exact stretch: an underpass near Grotto Mountain and an overpass beside Gap Lake. Both will be paired with nearly 22 km of exclusion fencing to funnel animals to safer crossing zones. The designs build on lessons from Banff’s wildlife crossings, which have reduced collisions by over 90% and helped sustain healthy populations. The project is slated to begin in 2025, but so far, no shovels have hit the ground.

Why It Matters? Animal-vehicle collisions cost Albertans $300,000 per day. But this isn’t just about money—these crossings are a lifeline for both wildlife and driver safety in one of Alberta’s busiest wildlife corridors.

One Crossing Down, Many to Go. Meanwhile, the new wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada near Hwy 40 is now complete—and officially named. Alberta has named it the Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass, honouring the former premier who helped establish Kananaskis Country.

THE NEXT TIME THE MARKET SPIKES, YOU’LL ALREADY HAVE A PLACE

We’ve seen it before: the Bow Valley market heats up, prices jump, and locals get priced out of their own backyard.

Altitude by Logel Homes is your chance to get ahead of the next wave. Located in Three Sisters Mountain Village, this new development includes 239 condos and townhomes built for people who actually plan to live here—full-time.

1 bed, 1 bath units start at $399,900, and 2 bed, 2 bath homes start at $599,900—with premium features like quartz countertops, 9-foot ceilings, soundproofing, and smart storage built into every unit. There’s also a residents-only sauna, hot tub, and outdoor fireplace to unwind after a day in the mountains.

Phase 1 is almost sold out. Take action—so when the next price spike hits, you’ll already be home.

Click here to connect with our girl Lauren at Altitude to get more info. 

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏞 Locals Avoid Banff Hot Springs—Here’s Where They Really Soak. Let’s be real: the Upper Hot Springs is more tourist soup than mountain retreat. Locals? They usually skip it altogether. For actual relaxation—and more nature—we’ve rounded up hot spring alternatives worth the drive. Some are well-known, one’s a bit hush-hush. Here’s the guide. 

• 🚧 Cascade Creek Closed to Fishing Until 2030. Parks Canada has banned angling in Cascade Creek (near Lake Minnewanka) for five years to protect the newly reintroduced Westslope cutthroat trout, a threatened species. The goal: give them space to recover without added pressure. Hook one anyway, and you could face a $25,000 fine.

• 💰 Alberta Invests $6M in Indigenous Tourism. Alberta just committed $6 million over three years to grow Indigenous-led tourism—a sector that added $126M to the province’s GDP last year. Locally, Bow Valley experiences like Mahikan Trails medicine walks and Buffalo Stone Woman hikes are drawing global attention, offering authentic cultural immersion while boosting Indigenous ownership, jobs, and year-round tourism.

• 💦 Alberta-Built Water Cannon Could Change Wildfire Seasons. It’s not Bow Valley news, but it’s highly relevant: Athabasca’s HydroDome 1000 is a high-powered water cannon that can shoot 80,000 gallons a minute over 1,000 feet. As wildfire risks rise across Alberta, including here, this made-in-Alberta invention is drawing serious interest from towns, oil companies, and FireSmart crews alike. If you like cannons—and why wouldn’t you—check out the video here. 

• 🧹 Banff Grade 4s Get Their Hands Dirty For The Planet. At Banff Elementary, composting isn’t left to janitors—it’s championed by a crew of proud, slightly grossed-out Grade 4s. Since March, they’ve collected over 160 pounds of organics, tracked waste data, and sung their way to the Moose St. bin, proving small hands can make a big environmental impact. Read their story here. 

CHILDCARE CRISIS IN BANFF GETS A POLICY PUSH

What’s Happening? Banff’s childcare crunch just inched toward a potential solution: the Town is proposing a land use bylaw change to open more areas for daycare facilities—an attempt to ease what parents have called a full-blown crisis.

Where We’re At. Banff has just 148 licensed childcare spaces for children aged 12 months to 12 years—and none for infants under one year. Waitlists stretch up to 200 families long, and parents have resorted to tactics like registering their babies before they’re even born. A 2024 childcare needs assessment confirmed what every local parent already knew: the system is stretched thin, especially for kids under three.

The New Move. Council passed first reading of Bylaw 493, which would allow daycares as a discretionary use in several more districts—including the downtown core, Banff Springs Hotel area, and the industrial compound. The idea? Free up space and give operators more flexibility to open new centres, particularly near large employers.

Next Steps. A public hearing is set for July 28. Until then, the question remains: will it be enough to move the needle for working Banff families?

And Over in Canmore…Childcare isn’t much better. A 2023 assessment found just 244 licensed spaces for over 1,300 kids under six—leaving five out of six without a spot. And it’s not just a space issue. Low wages, high housing costs, and staff shortages mean even existing centres are struggling to stay fully staffed.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Local Pizza Special. Every Wednesday at the Evergreen, enjoy handcrafted pizzas for just $17—Margherita, Pepperoni, BBQ Chicken, or Veggie. Made with premium ingredients like burrata, San Marzano tomatoes, and smoky bacon. This place is seriously underrated for pizza—add it to your list ASAP.*

• Intermediate-Advanced Group Mountain Bike Ride. Join @ryan.cycling101 for an intermediate to advanced group ride on Canmore trails, then head to the brewery at 8 PM for a well-earned pint and great company! 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free to ride.*

• Beers for Queers. This is a chill evening to grab a drink (alcoholic or non!) and chat with local queer folk. 8:00 PM - Late. Banff Ave Brewing Co. Free.

Thursday

• Graymont Stampede Breakfast. An annual event courtesy of the Graymont LaFarge Plant. Head down and have free pancakes. 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Exshaw Hall. By donation / Bring a donation for the food bank.

• Unique Garden Story Time. Join Kim Mayberry for enchanting tales and playful movement in the Luxton Home Museum garden. A magical family event blending story, nature, and history. 11:00 AM. Luxton House Museum, Banff. Free.

• Valbella Food Truck. Enjoy mountain views, picnic tables, and a fresh rotating menu (this has been our new go-to summer lunch spot!). 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Valbella, Canmore.*

• Surf and Turf Special + Live Music. Indulge in a Canadian Certified Angus Beef NY Steak paired with succulent Canadian lobster for just $69, all while enjoying live music. 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The Stirling at The Malcolm Hotel.*

BORN HERE. CLEANING HERE.

Zoe was born and raised in the Bow Valley, and she’s set on staying—by building her dream business one spotless kitchen at a time. From regular residential cleans to move-outs and commercial jobs, she does it all (and does it well). If we want locals to stay local, we’ve got to back the ones putting in the work. She’s taking on new clients now—reach out and see if it’s a good fit.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Green Gables, But Unhinged. Think Anne of Green Gables—if it had Maritime music, faster jokes, and four actors doing the work of twenty. OH, ANNE! is a new musical comedy that’s equal parts heart and hilarious. Live at Carter-Ryan Theatre. Grab 15% off tickets with code BOWVALLEYINSIDER. Get tickets here.*

• 🌮 Local Ready-Made Meals. Someone asked on Facebook recently where locals can get quality, ready-made meals. Our answer? Cornerstone Cafe.  Yes, the cafe inside the Nordic Centre. Their options are locally made, gluten-free, and perfect with rice or whatever’s in your fridge. Think Bison Stew, Butter Chicken, Thai Curry, and more. Bonus: Every 8th meal is free.*

• 🐶 Celebrating Daisy’s Journey. June 23 marked two years at BVSPCA for sweet Daisy — 730 days waiting for a forever home. Loyal, affectionate, and full of life, Daisy has overcome so much. Let’s honour her resilience and help her find the loving home she truly deserves.

• ⭐ Local Talent to Watch. Emerging Banff singer‑songwriter Jon Williams, just 18, delivers soulful, stirring performances with honest lyrics and lush melodies. Catch this rising local talent as he crafts heartfelt stories with his voice and guitar—definitely one to watch!

• 🍱 Last Chance to Order July’s Fresh Food Box. The new Bow Valley Fresh Food Box offers 15+ seasonal fruits and veggies for an affordable price each month. Open to everyone, with discounts for eligible residents and a Pay-It-Forward option to support neighbours in need. Must order today. Full details at

  Bow Valley Food Alliance.

• 📚 Upcoming Summer Book Sale. Save the dates, July 23-26, to browse thousands of titles at the Canmore Library’s Summer Book Sale. Need to make space on your shelves first? Donate your gently used books and audiobooks to the library anytime.

• 🧗 Take a hike—For Your Mental Health. BanffLIFE and Community Helpers host free monthly hikes for Bow Valley adults 18+, led by Rye Wise and Shannon Fountain. It’s about movement, connection, and mental wellness. Gear and transportation included. Next hike is July 10—register now and watch your inbox for route and packing details.

CIVIC NEWS

• Low-Income Transit Support Grows. Banff’s low-income transit program saw a 118% jump in uptake after increasing the discount to 90%. With renewed provincial funding of $95K through 2026, affordable Roam passes continue to help residents access work, school, and services across the region.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, 7:00 PM. Open Mic with Colin MacDonald. Location: The Yard, Canmore. No Cover.

• Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, 6:30 PM. Mari Rosehill at the Larkspur Lounge. Location: Rimrock, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, 10:00 PM. Karaoke Thursdays. Location: Canmore Hotel. No Cover

SPORTS

• Two Canmore Hockey Pros Sign NHL Deals. Jacob Bernard-Docker has inked a one-year, $875K contract with the Detroit Red Wings after a season split between Ottawa and Buffalo. Meanwhile, Noah Philp re-signed with the Oilers on a two-way deal after a solid AHL season and brief NHL debut. Canmore’s hockey pipeline stays strong.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.