⛑️ Two Fatalities Near Lake Louise

How Far Can $50 Go in Banff?

Author

Bow Valley Insider
September 16, 2026

Good morning, Bow Valley!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Bow Valley Insider Awards. More than 8,400 unique votes were cast for local businesses across the valley, making this a pretty incredible locals’ guide to the places you love most. We’re still tallying everything up, but the results are coming. Expect us to announce this year’s winners in the first week of October.

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

P.S. A big shoutout to Grant Doyle today. He has been referring a whole bunch of friends to BVI, so thank you! Appreciate you helping grow our local community, Grant!

TWO EXPERIENCED HIKERS DIE IN SEPARATE FALLS NEAR LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise (Source: Travel Alberta)

What’s Happening? Two experienced backcountry hikers died in separate falls near Lake Louise just three days apart. A 24-year-old Jasper man died on Recondite Peak on Sept. 9, followed by a 33-year-old Calgary man near Devil’s Thumb on Sept. 12.

The First Fall. The Jasper man was reported missing after he stopped communicating with family and friends while hiking Recondite Peak. Parks Canada Visitor Safety responded by helicopter and located him deceased after a fall.

Recondite Peak is one of the Canadian Rockies’ 58 peaks above 11,000 feet. The approach involves roughly 40 kilometres of travel through unmaintained terrain before the climb itself, which includes difficult scrambling and sections where a rope may be required.

RCMP said the man worked as a guide, was very familiar with backcountry recreation and had appropriate equipment with him. He had also told family and friends there was snow near the summit, which Parks Canada later confirmed.

But officials don’t know whether the snow, wind or other conditions contributed to his fall.

Then, Three Days Later. The Calgary man was hiking with friends from Lake Agnes toward Devil’s Thumb, a route where the final section involves steep scrambling over loose rock and dirt.

During the descent, he moved ahead of some of his companions and took a different route down, with plans to meet the group below.

“They ended up not meeting up with him, and then not being able to reach him by phone,” Lake Louise RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Susan Richter told Bow Valley Insider.

He was reported missing around 4:30 PM. Parks Canada Visitor Safety responded by helicopter and found him deceased at what appeared to be the bottom of a cliff around 6:45 PM.

The Bigger Reminder. Richter emphasized that neither incident appeared to involve inexperienced hikers heading into the mountains unprepared. But she said most backcountry terrain in the Lake Louise area has no cellphone coverage, making a satellite communicator “crucial.”

Neither man has been publicly identified.

THERE’S A REASON CANMORE’S NEW FIREHOUSE SUBS IS CALLED “FIREHOUSE.”

Firehouse Subs, Canmore (Source: Bow Valley Insider)

When Parv Shah decided to open Firehouse Subs in Canmore, the name meant more to him than most people might realize.

Firehouse Subs was founded in 1994 by brothers and former firefighters Chris and Robin Sorensen. But the firefighter connection goes well beyond the decor.

Through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada, more than $6.3 million has been awarded through 438 grants since 2015, helping public safety organizations purchase equipment ranging from AEDs and thermal imaging cameras to protective gear and rescue equipment.

For Parv, that mission was personal.

While working in Jasper during wildfire season, he watched firefighters work long days protecting the community, including crews who had travelled from outside Canada to help.

"Most of us work hard, but first responders put themselves in harm's way for people they may never even know," he told us.

After roughly 15 years working in hospitality, including time in Banff and Jasper, Firehouse gave Parv an opportunity to combine two things he cares about: great hospitality and supporting first responders.

Now he's bringing both back to the Bow Valley.

*Presented by Firehouse Subs.

THE DIGEST

  • 💡 How Far Can $50 Actually Get You In Banff? Banff can chew through $50 remarkably fast, so we set out to see just how far we could stretch that same budget.  Everything from parking to transit, cheap eats, local perks and activities that don’t require mountain-sized spending. Even our publisher Ben, who’s lived in the Bow Valley for years, found a few hacks he didn’t know about. If you’re looking to squeeze more out of Banff without squeezing your wallet, read our full guide. 

  • ⛰️ The Rules For Naming Mountains Are Surprisingly Specific. Ever wondered who actually gets to name the peaks around us? Alberta has rules, and they’re stricter than you might think. You can’t name a natural feature after a living person, naming rights can’t be bought or auctioned, and appearing on Google Maps doesn’t make a name official. Even familiar names have surprises: Alberta says “Yamnuska” is actually an incorrect pronunciation of Îyâmnathka. And Tunnel Mountain? There was never a tunnel. Here’s what you need to know if you want to name the next peak you summit. 

  • 🧡 A Canmore Man Gave His Kidney To A Banff Resident. After seeing longtime Banff resident Dave Millard’s search for a living kidney donor in a church bulletin, Canmore’s Peter Perren learned he was a match. The pair underwent successful transplant surgery last November, just as Millard was nearing dialysis. Almost a year later, both are back biking, skiing and enjoying the mountains. Their message during Living Donation Week: Alberta has more than 500 people waiting for transplants, including 400+ who need kidneys. 

What Happens After Someone Sees Your Ad?

Do they:

A) Click
B) Buy
C) Forget you existed 3 seconds later

Most businesses don’t know.

We do.

We track leads and actual customers.

Because “awareness” doesn’t pay the bills.

HOUSING INSECURITY IS NOW DRIVING NEARLY 60% OF CALLS TO YWCA BANFF’S CRISIS LINE

Source: Banff YWCA / Facebook

What’s Happening? Housing insecurity has become the dominant reason people are calling YWCA Banff’s 24-hour crisis line. Of 1,195 calls during the 2025-26 fiscal year, 712, nearly 60%, primarily involved housing insecurity, more than twice the number concerning domestic or sexual violence.

And The Number Is Rising Fast. The previous year, the YWCA recorded 472 housing-related calls out of 962 total. That means housing-related calls jumped about 51% in a single year, compared with a 24% increase in overall calls.

YWCA Banff CEO Ebony Rempel told Bow Valley Insider that greater awareness of the housing crisis could partly explain the increase. She also noted that housing insecurity isn’t always visible: someone could be camping, sleeping in a vehicle or temporarily staying somewhere because they have nowhere else to go. 

Lose The Job, Lose The Housing. The Bow Valley’s reliance on staff accommodation can make the situation particularly precarious. YWCA Director of Philanthropy Salina McNamara said losing a job can sometimes leave workers with just days, or even less, to leave their accommodation.

Finding somewhere “suitable, affordable and safe” that quickly can be extremely difficult, she told Bow Valley Insider. Some people become temporarily unhoused, while others stay in situations they otherwise wouldn’t choose simply because they need somewhere to sleep.

What Happens When Someone Calls? The YWCA acts as a first point of contact, assessing what someone needs and connecting them with its own programs or other Bow Valley organizations.

Last year, it provided 3,416 safe nights to 142 people. Its options range from several weeks of free emergency shelter to transitional housing for up to a year and deeply affordable units capped at 30% of a resident’s income.

There’s A Canmore Gap. Canmore residents can access the Banff shelter, but generally can’t move into the YWCA’s longer-term housing because of Banff National Park’s need-to-reside rules.

That’s one problem the proposed $82.5-million Higher Ground development in Canmore aims to address. Its first phase would add roughly 120 emergency, transitional, and affordable homes.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

  • Mid-Week Mountain Bike Ride. Canmore Brewing’s weekly group ride heads out at 6 PM, with local expert Ryan Draper leading intermediate and advanced riders onto a local trail before returning to the brewery for a pint. Come for the ride, discover a new trail, and maybe find a few new riding buddies. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

Thursday

  • Chess Night is Back. Looking for a low-key Thursday night? Chess Night returns to the Canmore Library, with weekly drop-in games running through December 10. All ages and skill levels are welcome, whether you’re learning the basics or looking for a tougher opponent. Sets are available, but bringing your own is a good idea. 5:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free.

  • Daniel James McFadyen at The Drake. Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Daniel James McFadyen brings his indie-folk storytelling and big, warm stage energy to The Drake on Thursday. His shows have been described as equal parts heartfelt and upbeat, with the feel of a late-night festival campfire jam. 9:00 PM. The Drake, Canmore. $19.20 online, $25 at the door.*

  • Country Rock Takes Over The Rose & Crown. Winnipeg four-piece Ferny Turnbull hits the stage, mixing classic rock with blues, southern rock and country. They’ve played more than 150 shows, so expect a high-energy set from a band that spends plenty of time on the road. 10:00 PM. Rose & Crown, Banff. No cover.*

A GENTLE WAY TO GET YOUR TEETH CARED FOR

Dental visits can feel stressful, particularly for patients who are anxious or who have avoided care in the past. Appointments at Floss are designed with that in mind.

Visits are intentionally scheduled with more time than a typical appointment, so nothing feels rushed and there's room to ask questions at any stage. The pace is guided by your comfort level. Some patients are ready to begin treatment at their first visit, while others prefer to start with a comprehensive assessment and return for treatment when they're ready. 

The environment is set up to reduce stress wherever possible. That includes adjustable, dimmable lighting for sensitivity, migraines, or neurological needs, along with comfort-focused touches like heated chairs, designed to help patients feel more at ease during their visit.

Throughout the appointment, the team explains each step before and during treatment, so patients always understand what is happening and why. The aim is a calm, unhurried experience where patients feel heard and involved in their care.

For anyone who feels unsure about coming in, the focus is simple: meeting patients where they're at and making care feel approachable.

Floss has clinics in both Banff and Canmore. Book your first comprehensive dental hygiene appointment here.

*Presented by Floss.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 📣 Indigenous Bison Celebration Coming To Banff Friday. A free afternoon of Indigenous storytelling, music, dance and hands-on activities is coming to Banff’s Bison Courtyard from 2-5 PM. The lineup includes Stoney and Métis performances, traditional buffalo teachings, a storytelling circle and bison lantern-making. There’ll also be free snacks and refreshments, plus four bison murals exploring the animal’s cultural significance and return to Banff National Park. It’s free and open to all ages. Check the full schedule and map.*

  • 👩‍💼 Calgary Wild FC CEO Speaking in Canmore. The Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce is wrapping up its Women in Business series with Lara Murphy on Sept. 23, co-founder and CEO of Calgary Wild FC, Alberta’s first women’s professional soccer team, and owner of a female-owned commercial construction company. She’ll share how she found her way into entrepreneurship and professional sport, and what she’s learned about taking big leaps along the way. More details here.*

  • 🤝 Free Community Event Explores How Public Policies Affect Bow Valley Residents. Frankie D’s Donuts is hosting its next Donuts & Conversations at artsPlace on Sept. 23, featuring local storytellers sharing how public decisions have affected their everyday lives. Stories may touch on immigration, Indigenous identity, disability, chronic illness and gender or sexual identity, followed by facilitated table conversations. Organizers stress it’s not a political debate, but a chance to hear the human impact behind policy decisions. The event runs 7-9 PM and is free, but registration is required.*

  • 🤝 Three Community Events Take Over Exshaw Saturday. The Exshaw Legion Harvest Market is bringing together local vendors, food and a volunteer bake sale supporting the Veterans Food Bank, followed by a 3 PM meat draw. It’s also part of a bigger day around Exshaw, with a community carnival at the Community Association and Fire Prevention Day happening at the fire hall. Visit all three stops, collect passport stamps and earn a prize. Activities run from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.*

  • 💊 When It Might Be Time to Switch Pharmacies. If you’ve ever waited in a long line, dealt with inconsistent hours, or paid more than expected, you’ve probably thought about switching pharmacies. Most people just don’t, because it feels like a hassle. It’s not. Pharmacies can transfer your prescriptions for you, usually without any paperwork or back-and-forth. At Banff Value Drug Mart, owner and pharmacist Varun handles it directly. You stop in, share a few details, and he takes care of the rest. And if you’re local, you’ll also get 15% off anything in the store, every day of the week.*

CIVIC NEWS

  • Banff Councillors Could Get Paid Medical Leave. Banff is considering a policy that would provide councillors full pay during extended medical or caregiving leave. It could cover up to 27 weeks for most cases and 36 weeks when caring for a critically ill dependent child. Canmore is the only municipality officials found with a similar policy. 

LIVE MUSIC

  • Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Open Mic. Location: Local, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

  • Canmore Eagles Raise Championship Banner Saturday. The defending AJHL champions return to home ice Saturday, where they’ll raise the first championship banner in the franchise’s 31-year history before taking the ice for their season opener. The celebration starts with a pre-game tailgate at the Canmore Recreation Centre at 5 PM, followed by the banner ceremony and puck drop.

That’s all, folks!

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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.

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