🧢Visitor Caps for Lake Louise?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Holy smokes, today is jam-packed. From a bear wrangler job posting to feral dog concerns and a shocking stat on Banff’s elk population, animals are stealing the spotlight. As for the weekend event lineup? It’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the winter!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Lake Louise is tweaking how they deal with visitors 

• Canmore & Banff are both dealing with illegal short-term rentals 

• Snow Days, aka a bunch of cool winter events, are starting this weekend

• Plus, all the Hockey Day In Canada parties are happening in Canmore!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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LAKE LOUISE OVERLOAD: CALLING FOR SOLUTIONS

What’s happening? Parks Canada wrapped up the first phase of its Visitor Use Management planning for the Lake Louise area, gathering over 1,000 survey responses to validate “desired conditions” for visitor experience, facilities, natural resources, and safety. Key findings point to widespread concerns about overcrowding and transportation.

Crowds: Love them or leave them. Overcrowding topped the list of barriers, cited by 62% of respondents. Parking woes (28%) and frustrations with shuttle services followed close behind. While some praised shuttles as a solution, others blamed them for increasing congestion.

Support: Conditional love. Overall, support for Parks Canada's draft goals ranged from 62% to 75%. Common themes included preserving nature, improving access, and enhancing safety. Skeptics pointed to unclear implementation strategies and the challenge of balancing visitation with conservation.

What’s next? Phase two launches in spring 2025, focusing on action plans to achieve these goals. Expect a mix of visitor caps, shuttle tweaks, and continued engagement with Indigenous partners and stakeholders.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 251B THREE SISTERS DRIVE

Close to downtown but tucked away from the hustle, this home is within walking distance to the Canmore Nordic Centre and around the corner from the Bow River walking paths —mountain living at its finest! 

The open-concept design offers both comfort and luxury while the untouched backyard provides endless privacy!! With no neighbors behind and nothing but serene treed greenspace it’s the perfect spot to kick up your feet and relax. See for yourself, and check out the video property tour here! 

For more information contact Lori and Alex or visit CanmoreAgent.com for a look at what’s new in the market! 

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THE DIGEST

• 🌟Fairmont Banff Springs serves Après at the Castle, a family-friendly event featuring skating, firepits, and champagne lounges. Running Jan. 17–Feb. 2, it kicks off with a performance by figure skater Elladj Baldé tomorrow (Jan. 18). He’s that dude who went viral on TikTok, getting 13 million views for doing a backflip on Spray Lake. 

• 🚧Avalanche control (aka throwing actual bombs from a helicopter) is closing Mt. Stephen, Mt. Field, and Mt. Dennis in Yoho National Park today (Jan. 17). Ski tours and ice climbs in these areas are off-limits for the day. Check Parks Canada for updates. 

• 🏚️🐕Efforts are ramping up on Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation to address stray and feral dog concerns while respecting cultural traditions. A draft animal control bylaw is in progress, and locals are building insulated doghouses and streamlining resources for pet care. Outsiders, stop taking dogs—they often already have homes.

• 🐻We don’t normally feature job postings, but this one’s just too cool not to share: Bear Technician. Yep, you’d be tracking grizzlies, managing bear zones, and educating the public. Up to $30/hr to be a professional bear wrangler? Heck yes! Applications close Jan. 20—don’t hibernate on this one!

• 🦜The annual Christmas Bird Count in Bow Valley tallied over 3,000 birds across 42 species—down from last year’s 44 species. Volunteers braved the winter to track local populations, spotting rare Wilson’s Snipes but missing Canada Geese and ptarmigans. Turns out, cats and windows remain the biggest threats to our feathered friends.

• 🦌Banff’s elk population has dropped 54% since 2018, with wolves, cougars, and a deadly disease contributing to the decline. The latest count tallied just 123 elk, far below the target of 150-300. Wildlife experts are considering changes to their survey timing as climate shifts scatter elk into harder-to-track groups.

CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS

What’s happening? Illegal rentals are under the spotlight in both Banff and Canmore as local officials take action against unauthorized suites and short-term rentals.

Banff: Compliance crackdowns. At 230 Muskrat St., Banff issued stop orders for illegal garage suites after a complaint uncovered unapproved dwellings. The property owner worked with the town to obtain a development permit, converting the garage into a legal triplex. Officials emphasized their priority is safety and compliance, with further enforcement if necessary.

Canmore: Federal funding push. Canmore plans to apply for a federal grant to enhance short-term rental enforcement. The $45.9 million program could fund compliance officers, software, and public education to address illegal rentals. With short-term rentals consuming 15% of Canmore’s housing stock, officials aim to curb their impact on the long-term rental market.

What’s next? Both towns are tackling illegal rentals with unique approaches, balancing enforcement with compliance and community needs.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Bear Street Hub. Experience live entertainment in the heart of Banff, featuring a lineup of talented artists from across Alberta. Enjoy a mix of music, circus acts, street performers, and snow and ice carving demonstrations. 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Bear Street, Banff. Free. 

• Yoga at the Library. A 45-minute class. All levels are welcome. 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM. Banff Library. Free. 

• New Year Bingo! Bingo gets busy in winter...so arrive early for preferred seating and enjoy some great food from Avi's kitchen. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Legion. 

• Watch Party. Watch the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada Alumni and Celebrity Classic. Then, join the Alumni Game After-Party at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club, which will be transformed into Canmore’s largest party venue, including a DJ and full bar service. 7:30 PM. Canmore Golf and Curling Club. 

• Comedy Night.Tommy Mellor is known for his deadpan delivery and unique perspectives and stories. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 / $21.25 members.

Saturday

• Java Run Saturdays! Come on out for a run or walk and coffee social! All levels are welcome - always a few groups heading out at different paces for about an hour. Walkers welcome! 9:00 AM. Strides, Canmore. Free. 

• Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada Festival. Ron Maclean will be broadcasting LIVE from the Canmore. Head down to meet NHL alumni, see the Stanley Cup in person, grab a drink in the beer gardens, watch the Ball Hockey tournament, and more.  9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Canmore Golf and Curling Club. Free. 

• Indigenous Workshop. Make your own Tipi Dream Catcher with Stoney artists Kyle Kaquitts and Jarron Poucette. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Listen Studio, Canmore. $50. 

• Women’s Self-Defense. Try out a class at Dark Horse Martial Arts. 11:00 AM. Dark Horse Martial Arts, Canmore. Free. 

• Festival Play Zone. This winter playground offers fat biking, hockey shots, curling, and classic Canadian games. Marvel at snow sculptures and enjoy lively entertainment. 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Banff Central Park. Free. 

• Skijoring. Teams of athletes and horses from Skijor Canada will descend on Banff for a breathtaking exhibition of horse-riding, trick-riding, and ski stunts. Watch Alberta cowgirls, cowboys, and Skijorlings and their horses partner with trick skiers to thrill and entertain the crowd. 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM. 200 Block, Banff Ave. Free.

Sunday

• Winter Safety Day. The Friends of Kananaskis and Alberta Parks are teaming up again to present a day full of discussion, guided hikes, and tips to get you through the winter. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Canoe Meadows Day Use Area. Free. 

• Bastian Burger in Banff. Get ready for bold fashion, wild cowboys, and all the alpine energy you can handle. And of course, burgers. 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Fat Ox, Banff.  

• Skijoring. If you missed it on Saturday, you can check it out on Sunday.  2:00 PM - 3:15 PM. 200 Block, Banff Ave. Free. 

• Music Bingo with Sam.  Join in for five rounds of music bingo with multiple prizes. 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚍Hockey Day Shuttle. Skip the parking hassle and hop on the free shuttle! The shuttle will run from 8:45 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. and has multiple pick-ups and drop-offs. 

• ⛸️ Rentals. If you want to participate in the Hockey Day in Canada events, you need a pair of skates. The Sports Garage has a ton of rentals. 

• 🎉Drag Party. Head down to the Moxy Banff on January 25th for a night of entertainment with the Alpine Drag Club!

• 🧺🥦Mountain Market. Vendor applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Canmore Mountain Market season! Application deadline is March 1, 2025.

• 🏕️Today is the Day! Parks Canada’s campground reservations opens today, albeit on a staggered schedule.

• 🧊Ice Wall in Jasper. This temporary man-made ice structure allows for ice-climbing lines in the heart of town. Check out the pics and details to try it out!  

• 🦮Dog Sled Local Special. Enjoy the scenic trails by dogsled. 10% off weekday bookings from January 6th to February 12th, 2025. Open to locals. 

• 🧗‍♀️Climbing Grant. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident planning a climbing expedition this year, apply for the John Lauchlan Award!

• 🛩Fighter Jets in Canmore. A pair of fighter jets will fly over Canmore on Saturday at approximately 1:05 p.m. in honour of the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada festival. 

CIVIC NEWS

• With SnowDays in Banff, Hockey Day in Canmore, and packed ski hills, it’s clear the Bow Valley needs a coordinated tourism strategy. Regional cooperation could help both towns tackle rising visitor numbers and set a blueprint for managing growth across the area.

• Roam Transit ridership is rising, with the fleet projected to grow from 42 buses in 2025 to 115 by 2050, requiring a new storage facility within five years. Plans include new routes, electric buses, and managing costs as local governments review strategies for Banff and Canmore's growing transit needs.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, January 17th, 2025,  5:00 PM: Ted Woodhouse. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, January 17th, 2025,  9:00 PM: John Michael Lind. Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, January 17th, 2025,  9:00 PM: REWD. Location:Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, January 18th, 2025,  7:00 PM: Mitch Belot. Location:Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, January 18th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Land's End Ensemble. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $40 / members 34 / youth $20.

• Saturday, January 18th, 2025,  9:00 PM: John Michael Lind. Location:Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Hockey. Hockey Day in Canada turns 25 this Saturday, with Sportsnet’s marathon starting at 11 AM. All seven Canadian NHL teams hit the ice, while Canmore hosts U Sports women’s hockey (MacEwan vs. Mount Royal) and the Canmore Eagles face Drumheller. Local pride runs high with Noah Philp’s NHL debut and alumni Brayden Point’s Stanley Cup wins.

• Skiing. Canmore’s Britt Richardson is back on top, snagging a silver medal and fourth place at the European Cup giant slalom in France. The 21-year-old says the confidence boost is just what she needed ahead of her Jan. 21 World Cup return. Meanwhile, Canmore’s Erik Read’s rough season continues, with frustrations mounting.

That’s all, folks!

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