✈️US Tourists Invade Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’ve been buzzing with excitement over here because today’s newsletter is extra special. The votes are in, the numbers are crunched, and we’re finally revealing the BEST restaurants in Canmore and Banff—chosen by you! Back in December, we asked Bow Valley Insiders to name their favourite spots, and now, the results are ready. Find out who made the top 10 in the first link under the Digest!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Two separate avalanche fatalities occurred over the weekend 

• Banff sees big uptick in US tourists this winter

• Ski resorts are stockpiling snow–ya, that’s a thing

• Plus, a new 3-course dinner menu, film screenings, puzzle competitions, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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TWO SKIERS KILLED IN SEPARATE AVALANCHES

What’s Happening? Two backcountry skiers died in separate avalanches on Friday. One occurred in Pipestone Bowl (Lake Louise), the other in Black Prince (Kananaskis Country). Both avalanches were classified as size 2.5 deep slab avalanches, meaning they were large enough to bury or destroy a car.

How the Avalanches Happened:

• Lake Louise: Two skiers were returning to the ski area when one triggered an avalanche. His companion was buried 150-200 cm deep and didn’t survive despite rescue efforts.

• Kananaskis: A skier in a group of four triggered a 100m-wide slide, carrying her 50-80m. She was found quickly, but emergency responders could not save her.

Avalanche Risk at Critical Levels. Banff and Jasper are at high risk, with up to 90 cm of snowfall in five days, doubling the snowpack in some areas. Avalanche Canada warns that the new snow is sitting on a weak, persistent layer, making it highly susceptible to human-triggered slides.

Staying Safe in the Backcountry. Authorities urge skiers to avoid avalanche terrain for now. If heading out, ensure you have proper training, safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel), and always check avalanche forecasts at avalanche.ca. 

BUYING A HOME IN CANMORE SHOULDN’T FEEL LIKE CLIMBING HA LING

So you’ve found that perfect mountain-view place—or maybe you’re upgrading from a condo to something roomier. Either way, you shouldn’t need a law degree just to sign on the dotted line. 

Enter Stringam. They’re lawyers with deep roots in the Bow Valley, ready to guide you through every twist and turn. 

With decades of local know-how, they handle contract reviews, pesky bylaw surprises, and all that fine print. 

Let’s face it: you’d rather be hitting the slopes or discovering a new trail, not wading through paperwork. 

Ready for a smooth, hassle-free home purchase? 

Reach out to Stringam and leave the rocky stuff to the lawyers.

_{*Presented by Stringam Law.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏆Banff & Canmore’s Top Restaurants, Ranked. After surveying 6,000+ Bow Valley Insiders at the end of 2024, we've crunched the numbers and compiled the ultimate list of the top 10 restaurants in Banff and Canmore. These picks are 100% chosen by you—so thank you! Check out the full list and see if your favourite made the cut.

• 🛍️A Fiery Setback, A Thriving Comeback. One year after a devastating fire, Rundle Thrift Shop is officially back! We were at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to capture the grand reopening, and the energy was incredible. From amazing bargains to a fresh start, see it all for yourself—watch our video of the big day!

• ✈️US Tourists Invade Banff. A weak Canadian dollar is drawing more American visitors to Banff and Lake Louise, with some tourists surprised by how affordable it is compared to U.S. ski destinations. Local businesses are seeing up to 70% of their customers from the U.S., making this a growing trend for winter tourism.

• 🌟Banff Gets Another Global Nod. Banff National Park has landed a spot on Architectural Digest’s list of the 21 most beautiful places in the world—the only Canadian destination to make the cut. Praised for its glaciers, hiking trails, and “impossibly bright blue” lakes. Cool, we wake up in a travel magazine—no news there.

• 💪Jasper’s Road to Recovery. Jasper and Banff community groups are managing $8 million in wildfire recovery funds, with $550K from Banff Canmore Foundation going toward food, housing, and mental health support, while Jasper Community Team Society’s $2M is set for long-term aid. Tourism giants like Pursuit and Fairmont have pledged $5.5M, ensuring sustained community rebuilding.

• ✅A New Chapter for Outdoor Education. Mînî Thnî’s new outdoor education building is officially open! Pauw Foundation joined Stoney Nakoda Elders, educators, and leaders to celebrate this new space, designed to deepen students’ connection to the land and culture. With $290K donated since 2022 and more on the way, the program’s impact keeps growing.

NO SNOW? NO PROBLEM. RESORTS ARE STOCKPILING IT

What’s Happening? With winters getting warmer, ski resorts and Nordic centers are turning to snow farming—a technique that stockpiles snow for future use. This method, pioneered in Canada, helps ensure ski seasons start on time, even when natural snowfall is unreliable.

Skiing on Stored Snow. Unlike artificial snowmaking, snow farming doesn’t require freezing temperatures or a water source. Resorts like Banff Sunshine have used it since the ‘70s, relying on wind-pattern analysis and snow fences to collect drifts. Meanwhile, places like the Canmore Nordic Centre store snow under sawdust through the summer, bringing it out in the fall for early-season skiing.

A $5 Billion Problem. The U.S. ski industry has lost over $5 billion due to climate change, prompting Vermont’s Craftsbury Outdoor Centre to experiment with woodchip-insulated snow piles. Their efforts now guarantee skiing by U.S. Thanksgiving—plus a bonus July 4th snow party.

The Future of Skiing? As climate unpredictability worsens, expect more resorts to embrace snow farming to keep the slopes open.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Word Search on the Mountain. Search the hill in this thrilling word scramble. Hidden among the peaks are five letters waiting to be unscrambled, revealing a St. Patrick's Day-themed word.10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Banff Sunshine Village. Lift Passes Apply.

• Run Group. Lace up and meet up with other runners at Lululemon on Banff Ave for the Monday night run club. 6:00 PM. lululemon, banff. Free. 

• Earth Talk. This presentation will explore the environmental justice framework and its relevance to affordability and conservation in the Bow Valley. Presented by Adam LInnard and joined by Canmore Mayor Krausart. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library or Online. Free.

• Documentary Screening. Deconstructing Karen is a provocative documentary where white women experience radical honesty about racism, their daily role in upholding it, and their conditioning to ignore it. There will be a panel discussion following the film. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. Free.

Tuesday

• Free Soup. Enjoy a bowl of soup for free every Tuesday. 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Banff Park Church. Free.

• Learn to Sew Workshop. This workshop will teach the fundamentals of using a sewing machine. No equipment, materials, or previous experience is necessary. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Banff Library. Free, but registration is required. 

• Writing Group. Join the writers of the roundtable, aka The Canmore Writing Group, for dedicated writing time. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Malcolm Hotel, Second Floor. Free. 

• Free Games Night. Join BanffLIFE to play games and enjoy free drinks and baked goods. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Wild Flour Bakery, Banff. Free. 

• Movie Night. Set in the influential New York music scene of the early '60s, A Complete Unknown follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan's meteoric rise. 7:00 PM. artsPlace. $12 / youth $6.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🧩Put Your Puzzle Skills To The Test. Jigsaw puzzle pros and casual puzzlers alike—this one’s for you! Go solo or team up for 90 minutes of fast-paced fun at Canmore’s Speed Puzzling Competition. Enjoy a complimentary beverage, a chance to win prizes, and the thrill of racing to the last piece. Sign up today!

• 🍽️Feature Menu at Murrieta’s (March 16 - 20). 3 courses for $45! Butternut Squash Soup or Deep-Fried Rigatoni, then Crispy Cod Sandwich or Grilled Chicken Alfredo, then to finish, Vanilla Mocha Mousse Bar.

• 🚐Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day. The ROAM staff aren’t professional music video stars, but they made a video for you! Remember to thank your driver on Tuesday.

• 🎨Art Sale. These remaining original artworks can be viewed at the Canmore General Hospital until the end of March, and 30% of sales will be donated to The Canmore Area and Health Foundation.

• ⚕️Mental Health Check-In If stress, anxiety, or low moods have been weighing you down, you’re not alone. The Bow Valley Primary Care Network offers mental health support for adults 18+.

• 📸Modelling Opportunity. Pixel Pumas Pro is looking for models to create website content. Sound like you? Contact them via DM or email: [email protected]

• 🏇Spring Enrolment Open. The Bow Valley Equine Adaptive (formally Rundle Riders) has spots available for new participants in their therapeutic and horsemanship programs. 

• 🎭Indigenous Art & Culture Week. Immerse yourself in the rich variety of Indigenous arts and culture at the inaugural Cochrane Indigenous Arts & Culture Week, with activities taking place from March 16 to March 23. Join a luncheon with the Stoney Nakota Elders, enjoy a production by the Smalleyes Family, and much more! 

CIVIC NEWS

• Flag Raised in Canmore. The Franco-Albertan flag, a symbol of the Francophone community's identity and cultural diversity in Alberta was raised in Canmore on March 7th. 

• Council Roundup. The MD of Bighorn Councillors provided updates, including a build-your-own air filter workshop and upcoming community engagement meeting hosted by Lafarge at the Exshaw Community Hall on March 26 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, March 17th, 2025, 5:00 PM: Canmore Celtic Trio: Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover. 

• Monday, March 17th, 2025, 5:00 PM: LIam Cowan, Andrew Staygold, Fred Macphail, Colin Macdonald. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, March 17th, 2025,  6:00 PM: Andy Loops. Location: Rose and Crown Canmore. No Cover. 

• Monday, March 17th, 2025,  9:30 PM: Local Sauce. Location:Tavern 1883. No Cover. 

• Monday, March 17th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Tuesday, March 18th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Jesse Peters. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

SPORTS

• Speed Skating. Connor Howe of Canmore finished at 1:44.78, taking third place in the men's 1,500 meters at the World Championships in Hamar, Norway. 

• XC Ski.  The 2025 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals are bringing over 900 of Canada’s top cross-country skiers to the Canmore Nordic Centre. Catch the action and excitement starting today until March 23 as elite athletes race through one of the country’s premier Nordic venues. The full schedule is here.

That’s all, folks!

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