🚆 Train Hits Vehicle in Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

There’s a lot of train news to discuss today. We didn’t plan it that way, it just happened. And we hope you’ll participate in our train poll below, too. We’d make a train joke here, but we don’t want to derail your morning.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers

COULD THE CALGARY-BANFF PASSENGER TRAIN SKIP CANMORE?

What's Happening? A future passenger train between Calgary and Banff could travel straight through Canmore without stopping. With station locations still being decided, Canmore council voted unanimously Tuesday to have Mayor Sean Krausert push the province for a local stop.

Canmore Isn't On The Map Yet. Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan currently identifies Calgary International Airport, downtown Calgary, Cochrane and Banff as stations on the proposed route. Canmore and Mînî Thnî are listed as potential stops that will be considered during the next stage of planning.

That means a train could eventually run directly through Canmore without actually serving it.

"If you run a train through this valley, it should stop in Canmore," Krausert said.

It's About More Than Tourists. A station could connect Canmore residents directly with Calgary and the airport, while giving workers living in Mînî Thnî, Cochrane or Calgary another way to commute into town.

The Town also argues it could bring visitors to local businesses without their vehicles and help reduce traffic and emissions.

"The downside of it not stopping is huge," Krausert said.

But Council Isn't Endorsing The Train. Tuesday's vote doesn't mean Canmore supports the overall rail project. Coun. Wade Graham stressed that questions remain about the project's feasibility and local impacts.

"If a train does run through here, we should have a stop here, absolutely," Graham said. "But we're clearly not there yet."

There Are A Lot Of Unknowns. The Calgary-Banff line hasn't received final approval, and the technology, station locations and costs are still being worked out.

Canmore could also face costs for connecting a station to its local transportation network and potentially maintaining and servicing it. Those costs aren't known yet.

Canmore Has Been Here Before. Council set aside $100,000 in 2021 to study where a passenger station could go, but cancelled the project in 2023 when there was little indication Alberta was moving ahead with the railway.

With the province now funding planning and design, Canmore is making its case early. As Krausert put it, the question of whether the train itself will happen may have already "left the station."

Read our full story

WE TRIED CANMORE’S NEW FIREHOUSE SUBS. HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT.

Firehouse Subs is officially open in Three Sisters, so naturally, we had to investigate.

We recently stopped by the new Canmore location, and the first thing to know is that these aren't exactly shy sandwiches. Firehouse is known for hot, hearty subs with generous portions, and the menu gives you plenty to work through.

There are classics like the Hook & Ladder, with smoked turkey and ham, and the New York Steamer, loaded with corned beef and pastrami. If you're arriving hungry, there's the Brisket Hattrick with brisket, turkey, ham and BBQ slaw. You'll also find meatball subs, Cajun chicken, roast beef, veggie options, salads and a surprisingly serious collection of hot sauces.

The new restaurant is owned by longtime Bow Valley hospitality veteran Parv Shah, who told us he wants quick service to still feel like genuine hospitality. That comes through in the experience.

We barely scratched the surface of the menu, so we'll probably have to go back. Tough assignment.

• Check the location

• Check the menu 

• Read our interview with the owner 

_{*Presented by Firehouse Subs.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚂 Two Escape Injury After Vehicle Collides With Train in Banff. Two people avoided serious injury Saturday after their vehicle collided with an eastbound freight train at the Norquay Road railway crossing. The Town says the vehicle had stopped beneath the crossing arm as the train approached, although exactly how it ended up there remains unclear. Neither occupant required a trip to hospital. The collision temporarily blocked one of Banff’s main entrances, with Norquay Road reopening about 85 minutes after firefighters were first called. Here’s everything we know.

• 🔥 Banff Fire Ban Lifted, But Alcohol Ban Starts Friday. After just over a month, campfires are allowed again in designated fire pits and approved backcountry fire rings. Parks Canada lifted the fire ban Aug. 31 after recent precipitation and cooler temperatures reduced fire danger. But there’s another restriction coming for Labour Day weekend: alcohol and cannabis will be prohibited in Banff National Park campgrounds from 7 AM Friday, Sept. 4, until 11 AM Monday, Sept. 7. Violations can result in eviction, charges or fines up to $25,000. See which Banff campgrounds are included here.

• 🥾 We Sent Our Journalist Up Banff’s Norquay Via Ferrata. Our journalist Brendan has virtually no outdoor climbing experience, so naturally, we put him straight onto the Skyline Route, the one with the 55-metre suspension bridge dangling high above Banff. The goal was simple: find out what the Norquay Via Ferrata is actually like for a beginner and whether it’s worth recommending. He came back with strong opinions, some incredible views and plenty of answers. Read our full first-hand review, including what to expect and which of Norquay’s five routes might be right for you. 

• 🛶 Banff Student Paddles Nearly 500 KM to University. Most students move into residence with a car full of boxes. Aven McKay took a canoe. The 19-year-old paddled from Banff to Edmonton in about 12 days before starting her first year at the University of Alberta. Her dad joined her for the first part before McKay continued solo from around Rocky Mountain House. Along the way, she dealt with thunderstorms, fast water, log jams and heat exhaustion before arriving at Edmonton’s Dawson Park. McKay sat down with an Edmonton radio show to share the full journey.

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ALBERTA'S NEW LICENCE PLATE FEATURES A FAMOUS CANMORE RAM

What's Happening? Alberta has launched its first conservation-focused specialty licence plate, featuring two legendary bighorn sheep against Mount Lougheed. One of them is the Canmore Ram, a massive bighorn that became a local fixture in the 1980s before being struck and killed on a highway near Canmore.

There's A Story Behind The Artwork. Grande Prairie wildlife artist Des McCaffery spent nearly three years creating the original painting, called Alberta Monarchs, after being commissioned by the province.

McCaffery told Bow Valley Insider he was given considerable creative freedom, with one requirement: incorporate two famous Alberta rams and Mount Lougheed into an image that could work as both fine art and a licence plate.

"This is home," McCaffery said. "These rams are part of Alberta's history."

One Ram Came From Canmore. McCaffery was able to bring the original mount of the Canmore Ram into his studio for several weeks, allowing him to study its enormous horns up close.

The other animal, known as the Blind Canyon Ram, was harvested in southwest Alberta in 1911 and later recognized as a world record. Its mount was destroyed in a 1971 house fire, so McCaffery reconstructed it using a small collection of old photographs.

And It's Raising Money For Conservation. The plate costs $75, plus a $15 registry agent fee and regular vehicle registration costs. Of the $75, $55 goes to the Alberta Conservation Association for wildlife, fisheries and habitat conservation projects.

Sarah Elmeligi, the MLA for Banff-Kananaskis, was unavailable to comment on what she would like to see the new revenue support locally because she was on vacation at the time of publication. 

The plates became available Sept. 1 through Alberta registries and online.

How Much Could That Raise? B.C. offers an idea of the potential scale. Its conservation licence plate program has surpassed 500,000 plates sold and generated about $12.5 million for BC Parks in 2024-25 alone, supporting more than 220 projects and programs.

Alberta's program is starting from zero, so how much it raises will depend on how many drivers decide the extra cost is worth it.

For McCaffery, there's another payoff: he'll soon get to see his artwork driving around the province that inspired it.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Banff Farmers Market Enters Its Final Month. September is your last chance to catch the Banff Farmers Market before it wraps up Sept. 30. Shop locally grown food, baked goods, art and handmade products from regional vendors. If you’ve been saying you’ll go next week all summer, you’re running out of next weeks. 10 AM - 6 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free.

• Canmore Brewing Group Ride. Canmore Brewing’s Wednesday ride rolls out at 6 PM, led by Ryan Draper, a longtime endurance racer, certified coach, mountain bike instructor and guide. Intermediate and advanced riders will hit a local trail, pick up some pointers and return to the brewery for an 8 PM pint. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free to Ride.*

Thursday

• Stretch Lab Comes to The Yoga Lounge. Joey Arazi leads a 60-minute session combining deep stretching, breathwork and gentle Qi Gong. A good option if a summer of hiking and biking has left the body feeling a little less flexible than usual. 8 PM - 9 PM. The Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply. 

• Trivia Night at The Drake. Put all that random knowledge to work Thursday night with three hours of trivia at The Drake Screaming Retriever. Grab a team, a pint and see how much useless information you’ve managed to retain over the years. 8 PM - 11 PM. The Drake Screaming Retriever, Canmore. No cover.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ☕ Canmore's Biggest Coffee Showdown Is Almost Here. Even if you've never brewed an AeroPress, this is one of those events that's surprisingly fun to watch. On Sept. 13, Eclipse Coffee Roasters on Railway Ave will host the Canadian AeroPress Championship regional qualifier, where competitors have just five minutes to brew the perfect cup for a panel of judges. Expect creative brewing techniques, a live DJ, plenty of coffee, and a room full of caffeine-fuelled coffee enthusiasts. Spectating is free. Here's everything you need to know.*

• 🦮 Another Banff Patio Goes Dog-Friendly. Here’s some useful news for local dog owners: you can now bring your pup along to the Juniper Bistro patio. That means mountain views, brunch from $16 or dinner from $33, without having to leave your four-legged dining companion at home. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options for the humans, while dogs get biscuits. Seems like a pretty fair arrangement.*

• 🦵🏻 Get a Free Osteopathy Assessment in Canmore. We recently visited Clement at Osteopathy for All and learned that the source of knee pain while hiking might not actually be your knees. Old injuries, movement patterns or restrictions elsewhere in the body can sometimes contribute, which is why appointments start with a full-body assessment. If pain has been getting in the way of your mountain adventures, Osteopathy for All is currently offering a free assessment. Check out our visit or book your free assessment here.*

• 🫶 Banff Gathering Opens Conversation Around Suicide Prevention. Frankie D’s Donuts is hosting a free community gathering for World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, aimed at making conversations about suicidal thoughts a little easier and less isolating. The evening includes lived-experience stories, optional table conversations, donuts and activities creating messages and comfort items for difficult times. There’s no expectation to share, and trained peer-support people will be available. 7 PM - 9 PM. Banff Public Library. Free, registration required.*

• 🤝 Can We Help Heart Mountain Rescue Find a Storage Sponsor? Heart Mountain Rescue needs a dedicated Canmore space to keep crates, food, bedding, medical supplies and other essentials organized and ready for dogs in need. Its current storage costs $420 a month, and the rescue is looking for a local business or community partner to help. That could mean covering some or all of the cost, donating space or connecting the rescue with someone who can. Interested? Email [email protected].*

• 🚧 Yamnuska Trails Closing for Quarry Blasting. Starting Sept. 2, several hiking and climbing access trails on Mount Yamnuska will close until further notice while blasting takes place at the neighbouring Lafarge Quarry. The closure includes the Climbers’ Access Route, East Ridge, Scramble Route and West Col trails, along with the surrounding 600-metre area. If Yam is on your long weekend hiking list, check Alberta Parks before heading out. 

• 🐻 Bear Warning Expanded Along Rockwall Trail. Parks Canada has expanded its Aug. 26 bear warning from the Floe Lake and Numa Pass area to trails and campgrounds throughout the Rockwall. A female grizzly with a cub has been frequenting the area and displaying aggressive defensive behaviour. Hikers and backpackers should be prepared for an encounter, make noise, carry bear spray, keep pets leashed and properly store anything with an odour.

CIVIC NEWS

• Exshaw Residents Question Creek Work. After two major groundwater floods this June, East Exshaw residents want the MD of Bighorn to revisit its $10.3-million Exshaw Creek mitigation project. Some homeowners are dealing with flooded basements, foundation damage and pumps running around the clock. The MD will consult the province before deciding whether to commission an independent review into whether the project has changed groundwater flows.

LIVE MUSIC

• Thursday, September 2nd, 6:30 PM: Andy Curtis & the Bow River Drifters. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, September 3rd, 9:30 PM: Acoustic Arn & DJ Palf. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• More Girls Are Playing Hockey in Canmore. Canmore Minor Hockey has 57 girls registered for the upcoming season, up from 54 last year, with participation growing particularly among younger players. The association is working to create more opportunities for girls to play together, including dedicated female teams as numbers allow. The bigger goal is retention, giving young players a stronger sense of belonging and reasons to keep playing as they get older. 

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.