🚂 Train Derailment

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, we stumbled across something this week that might just be the greatest hashtag on Instagram. No surprise—it’s #dogsofbanff. If you’re in the mood for a wholesome, slightly-too-long scroll, this one’s dangerously good. You’ve been warned.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Banff National Park may be going free this summer

• Trail derails west of Field

• Locals split down the middle on Canmore’s Vacancy Tax 

• Plus, BBQ season, community clean-ups, concerts, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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BANFF BRACES FOR A FREE-ENTRY FRENZY

What’s Happening? Summer in the national parks might be a little cheaper—and a lot more crowded. Canada’s new Liberal government is offering free access to national parks and historic sites, along with campsite discounts. Banff is bracing.

Free Parks, Mixed Feelings. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign promise means no entry fees at places like Banff and Jasper this summer, plus lower prices at federal campgrounds. Great news for tourists. For mountain towns? A bit more complicated. No word yet on whether the free access will apply to all visitors or just Canadian residents.

Reddit Reacts. While many Canadians on Reddit cheered the move (“Our parks should always have been free”), others called it a recipe for chaos. “It’s not the fees—it’s the crowds,” wrote one user, pointing to overloaded trailheads and fragile ecosystems.

Banff’s Bottleneck. Banff is already “full of vehicles” in summer, says Mayor Corrie DiManno, and they’re still waiting on provincial and federal support for regional mass transit from Calgary—whether bus, rail, or both.

In the Meantime… More Buses. With long-term transit plans stalled, Banff is adding nine local buses to help manage the expected summer surge.

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THE DIGEST

• 📊Vacancy Tax Reactions Pour In—Locals Split Down The Middle. Last newsletter’s poll on Canmore’s upcoming vacancy tax drew 570 votes—and plenty of heat. With 55% voting against it, the comments revealed a deeply divided community. Some see it as a housing fix, others call it a cash grab aimed at non-resident owners. We’ve rounded up the full comments here. 

• 🚂Train Derails West of Field—No Injuries or Hazardous Cargo. Eight empty rail cars jumped the tracks near Field, B.C. around 4:30 AM Thursday. No one was hurt, and the line reopened after quick repairs. The Transport Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation, though the cause remains unknown. Crews are still onsite finishing the cleanup.

• 👣Legacy Trail is Now Open For The Season. The 26.8 km paved path that connects Canmore to Banff is a fave for cyclists and walkers. Just watch for a dirt ramp near Harvie Heights until May 9—and keep that bear spray close. Some trail users might be big, furry, and not into small talk.

• 🛡️Banff Local Found Safe. On Wednesday, we shared that RCMP were looking for Banff local Rory Edwards. As of this morning, he’s been located safe, according to a new update from RCMP Alberta. No further action is needed from the public.

• 🚧Rogers Pass Centre Closing Mid-June For Repairs. The building will shut down for roof and structural upgrades, with exhibits and the theatre closed for the season. A temporary visitor hub called Summit Station will take over services at the same location while construction is underway. Expect limited offerings during the transition.

FEDERAL CUTS TRIGGER MAJOR SHAKE-UP IN CANADIAN ROCKIES PUBLIC SCHOOLS

What’s Happening? Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) is slashing 150 of 306 seats reserved for Stoney Nakoda Nation students this September after Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) pulled half of the promised tuition funding—with no guarantee past March 2026.

Broken Promises, Broken Trust. CRPS says it was left with “no choice” after ISC walked back a 2022 education agreement. The funding cut means Exshaw School classes will shift elsewhere, staff will be involuntarily transferred, and probationary contracts may end. Superintendent Chris MacPhee minced no words, calling trust “irrevocably broken.”

A Model Undone. CRPS once earned ISC praise for its Indigenous graduation rates—84% at Canmore Collegiate vs. the 69.4% provincial average. Now, the division’s financial stability—and student outcomes—are both on the line.

The Path Forward. CRPS is demanding a legally binding tripartite agreement—a three-way contract with the Stoney Education Authority and ISC—to lock in stable, long-term funding.

How We Got Here. This isn’t the first time Exshaw School has been at the centre of a funding crisis. Over the past decade, repeated disputes over federal tuition support have threatened its future—prompting last-minute agreements and warnings about long-term instability. This week, that instability finally caught up.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Climbing Day. Climb for a toonie on the first Friday of every month! All Day. Canmore Community Climbing. $2.

• Music, Beer, & BBQ. Don’t miss the Community Fridays Grand Finale! Enjoy three live bands, a food truck serving up killer Southern BBQ, happy hour beer prices, door prizes, and good vibes. Family friendly. 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free. 

Saturday

• Clean-Up & Connect. Join Banff and Parks Canada for a Community Clean-Up! Help tidy local neighbourhoods and the National Park. Tools provided. Afterward, enjoy a BBQ, toy exchange, storytime, free clothing swap, and compost bin pick-up. Register solo or with your household. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Sundance Park Pavilion. Free. 

• FireSmart & BBQ. Join in at the park at east end of Peaks for a BBQ to meet members of FireSmartPeaks and to get information on how you can help to protect your home and the neighbourhood against the risk of wildfire. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Peaks, Canmore. Free to attend.

• Awaken Your Qi. Discover the healing power of Spring Forest Qigong in a 2-hour workshop blending gentle movement, breath, and meditation. No experience needed—just come with curiosity and an open heart. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. The Yoga Lounge. $50. 

• Concert & Open Mic. Not the End of the World is a youth-led open mic + concert night that blends music, art, and hope. Join the Future Leaders Youth Council for an event with The Ducks, snacks, and meaningful connection. 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Spring Creek Opera House. By Donation.

• Latin Dance Night. Join the 8PM class to pick up some moves and meet new partners, then keep the energy going with a DJ, social dancing, and snacks. All levels welcome—no partner or experience needed! 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $15.

Sunday

• Rummage Sale. The Spring Community Rummage & Community Cruisers Bike Sale is back! This is a great place to find gently used items such as sporting gear, small kitchen appliances, clothing, books, toys, handmade arts and crafts, and more. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Free to attend.

• Art for the Whole Family. Enjoy free, family-friendly art activities every Sunday at artsPlace Canmore. Two sessions: 10:00–10:45 AM and 11:15 AM–12:00 PM. Free.

• Star Wars Day on the Ski Hill. Embrace your inner Star Wars fanatic, and ski or ride the slopes dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. Dress up as any character from the franchise and save $30 on a full price lift ticket. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sunshine Village. Free.

• Spring Yoga in Canmore. Join CYAN for drop-in, donation-based yoga classes to stretch, breathe, and connect. All are welcome. 8:15 PM - 9:15 PM. Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌷Mom Deserves The Best Blooms! Wendy’s Garden Centre reopens May 10 with stunning hanging baskets, planters, and perennials. Whether she loves bright florals or a lush patio setup, they’ve got the perfect gift. Stop by Roosters Corner (13 Industrial Pl, Canmore) and make Mother’s Day bloom!

• 🧘🏻‍♀️From Yoga Festival to Full Wellness Experience, Remember Banff Yoga Festival? They rebranded it as Well In: Banff and it’s even better now. Tons of yoga, meditation, workshops, live music, and nature sessions—plus a wellness market that’s free and open to the public. If you’ve ever wanted a real reset, this feels like it. Check out the line-up. Runs from May 23-25.

• 📸How to Get The Perfect Banff Sign Photo—Without The Lineup. Tourists wait forever to snap a pic at the Banff sign—but there’s a faster (and smarter) way. We dropped a quick hack in this Instagram video that'll save you time and still get you that iconic shot. Then again, if you live here, your camera roll laughs at the Banff sign.

• 🐕Off-Leash Dog Park. The off-leash park in Sundance Park in Banff is now open. 

• 🚗Safe Park Returns to Canmore. Living in your vehicle in Canmore? The Safe Park program offers a legal, seasonal option for overnight parking. Open to working residents via application, with limited spots available. Unpermitted overnight camping is prohibited and may result in a ticket.

• ☕AeroPress Showdown. Put your coffee skills to the test at the AeroPress Regional Qualifier at Eclipse Coffee Roasters, Canmore on May 24! Compete in a fun, high-energy event for a spot at nationals. Free to watch, and competitors get practice beans and gear time before the 2PM start.

• 🏃‍♀️Girls Running Program Comes to Canmore. Girls ages 6–12 are invited to join Built to Run, a free 6-week running and life skills program by Girls Forward Foundation! Starting today and held Fridays at 5 PM until June 6, with a final celebratory Girls Run on May 24 or 25.

• 🏃‍➡️First49 Returns. The First49 trail running series is back at the Canmore Nordic Centre! This midweek race features a fun 5–7 km course for all levels. Post-run, head to the Bill Warren Centre for food, drinks & live music. Proceeds support CAMBA’s local trail work.

• 👰🏻Model Call Out. Cariad Bridal in Canmore and Meaghan Baxter Photography are looking for 1–2 female models for a dreamy bridal shoot on June 8. Enjoy pro hair and makeup, golden hour magic, and delicious food. This is an unpaid collab—perfect for building your portfolio. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Budget Gap Explained. Banff’s 2024 year-end surplus came in lower than expected. Extra staffing costs and accounting adjustments closed most of the gap. Town officials say they’ve learned from it and will change how they forecast in the future to avoid surprises.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, May 2nd, 2025,  7:30 PM: Ellen Doty. Location:artsPlace, Canmore. $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15.

• Friday, May 2nd, 2025,  10:00 PM: KiVeli. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, 7:00 PM. Canmore Hospital Charity Concert with The Treblemakers. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. By Donation.

• Saturday, May 3rd, 2025,  10:00 PM: KiVeli Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Sunday, May 4th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Roman Rabinovich plays The Goldberg Variations. Location:artsPlace, Canmore. $50 / members $42.50 / youth $25

SPORTS

• AAA hockey expands in Cochrane—Canmore stays focused on homegrown talent. With three new AAA teams launching in Cochrane, more Bow Valley kids may chase elite dreams out east. But Canmore Minor Hockey is doubling down on high-quality, affordable development at home—reminding families that not every future star needs to fast-track their way to the big leagues.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place!