❄️We Have a Snow Problem

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Heads up if you're heading into downtown Banff: the 200 block of Bear Street (from the Brewster Lodge parkade to the Bear Street Mall parkade) is closed until 5 PM Sunday for the Made With Love Food and Cocktail Festival. We’ll be out filming restaurant features all weekend—but none of them are part of the festival, so you won’t catch us on Bear Street. Follow along on Instagram to see where we end up.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Get ready for the annual spring Bow Valley Parkway closure

• Two Bow Valley Restaurants make Canada’s “Top Brunch Spots”

• Our low snowpack isn’t good for this year’s wildfire season

• Plus, concerts, community clean-ups, cold plunges, & more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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BOW VALLEY PARKWAY GOES QUIET (AGAIN)

What’s Happening? Starting May 1, a 17 km stretch of the Bow Valley Parkway—between the Fireside Day-use Area and Johnston Canyon—closes to public vehicles from 8 AM to 8 PM daily. 

Locals, You Know The Drill. If you’ve been around since the COVID days, you know what this means. It’s part of Parks Canada’s spring and fall pilot program that gives cyclists and hikers daytime access to one of Banff’s most scenic routes—now extended through 2030.

Why the Restriction? The parkway winds through rare montane habitat—prime ground for bears, wolves, and cougars. To protect these species, a full closure (including for cyclists) is enforced from 8 PM to 8 AM, allowing wildlife to roam freely at night.

Bring the Bike, Pack the Wipes. There are no water fountains or flush toilets along the route, so BYO water, snacks, and hand sanitizer. Pit stops include Mule Shoe Ridge Trail, Sawback Rest Area, and Johnston Canyon, where the water flows, the tourists gather, and yes—you already know about the hike.

Plan Your Launch Point. Park at Banff’s train station lot, just off Mount Norquay Road, for the easiest access. Businesses along the parkway are still open—just use the Trans-Canada and exit at Castle Junction.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 4-124 SILVERTIP RIDGE

The epitome of scenic tranquility and refined living! 

This stunning mountain-style half duplex is nestled in the highly coveted and picturesque Silvertip community. The breathtaking south-facing views are impossible to ignore, showcasing the iconic Three Sisters, Ha Ling Peak, and East End of Rundle.

Offering over 2,500 square feet of elevated comfort, this home features 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and has plenty of room for all your gear and weekend guests. Whether you're entertaining or unwinding, there’s space and style for every moment!

Additional Features:

✔️Attached Double Car Garage
✔️Chefs Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appliances & Wine Fridge
✔️Convenient BBQ Deck

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

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🎿Mountain Equipment Co. Might be Headed Back to Canadian Ownership. Tim Gu, an Ontario-based textile and real estate player, is reportedly stepping in to buy the struggling retailer. U.S.-based Kingswood Capital, which took over in 2020, would remain on board with a minority stake. A shift that could matter for anyone who’s ever stuffed a pack or waxed a pair of skis.

• 🏆Two Bow Valley Spots Just Cracked Canada’s Brunch Elite. Bridgette Bar (Canmore) and Sky Bistro (Banff) made OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Spots, based on over a million diner reviews. If you’re not familiar, OpenTable is where foodies go to book tables and argue in the comments. We’re big fans of both—but let’s be honest, the real brunch MVP is whoever brings cinnamon buns to the trailhead.

• 🦌Wildlife Corridors Take Centre Stage in Banff. Scientists from across Canada met in Banff to spotlight how wildlife corridors help animals adapt to climate change, migrate, and avoid human conflict. The message? It’s not just about roadkill—it’s about keeping landscapes connected.

• 👣A Trail From Cochrane to Canmore? It’s in the Works. Phase 2 of the Trans Canada Trail expansion aims to link Cochrane to Canmore, filling in a key stretch of the 28,000-km national network. The route’s still TBD, but planning is moving forward—with local input, landowner talks, and a multi-year timeline to map it all out.

• ☕Your Morning Coffee Game Plan. Whether you're fueling up for a sunrise summit or just chasing a better brew, we rounded up Canmore’s best early-morning coffee spots. Check out our full guide, complete with our go-to orders and local insight.

LOW SNOWPACK COULD MEAN DROUGHT, WILDFIRES THIS SUMMER

What’s Happening? Unless Banff and Kananaskis get an “exceptionally large late-season storm,” this year’s mountain snowpack won’t hit normal levels—and that’s a problem.

The Shortfall. Snow water equivalent across the Bow Valley is 65–85% of average. Fortress Mountain is short by 118 mm; Sunshine, down 165 mm. Even typically snowy Skoki Lodge is below normal. Valley bottoms? Already snow-free.

Driest in 138 Years. This past winter was Banff’s driest on record since 1887, with just 15.8 mm of precipitation—roughly a quarter of what’s typical. March brought some relief, but April’s looking weak again.

Why It Matters? Low snow means low streamflow, setting the stage for drought, water shortages, and an elevated wildfire risk. And while one big storm could flip the script (see: the June 2013 flood), it’s a long shot.

The Bigger Picture. Climate experts say we’re seeing more extremes—flood and drought, sometimes in the same year. So whether it’s dry now or wet later, mountain communities should be ready for both.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Public Swim. Enjoy the leisure pool, lazy river & foam toy fun. 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply. 

• Drop-In Figure Skating. Bring your own skates and helmets for a morning skate. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Canmore Recreation Centre. Drop-in fees apply. 

• Yoga at the Library. Unwind with a yoga class at the library! Kick off with a book-themed icebreaker, then stretch into a 45-minute session led by Chie Fujimaru. 6:15 PM. Banff Library. Free.  

Saturday

• Community Clean-Up Crew. Join the Canmore Filipino Canadian Society & Biosphere Institute for a community clean-up. Gloves, bags & snacks provided. Show Canmore some love. 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM, Riverside Park, Canmore. Free. 

• Cold Dip Challenge. Join Lucy Hill Fitness for a Cold Dip Experience in the Bow River. Featuring Wim Hof breathing, cold immersion, and a cozy post-dip meetup at Eclipse Coffee. Boost resilience, clarity, and connection. All levels welcome! 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Canmore Boat Launch. $5.

• Metropolitan Opera Live in HD. Le Nozze di Figaro comes to life with bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as witty Figaro and soprano Olga Kulchynska as clever Susanna. 10:55 AM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25 / $21.25 members / $12.50 youth.

• Slushmore Ski Bash. Celebrate the season at Lake Louise with live music, a wild pond skim, giveaways & more! 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Lake Louise Ski Resort. Free to Attend.

• Music in the Mountains. Valley Winds’ Music in the Mountains is back at the Banff Centre with a full lineup. It’s live, local, and loud—in the best way. Snag your seat for Saturday night before it sells out. 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

Sunday

• 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.

• Strides’ 8th Annual Plogging Event. Jog + pick up trash = plogging! Drop by anytime. $5 pint coupons for all ploggers! 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Strides, Canmore. Free to Attend.

• Spring Art Showcase. Spring vibes & vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ creations await! Explore diverse artwork, jewelry, fashion, and more at this Spring Queer Market. 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Banff Ave Brewery. Free to Attend.

• Garden Fun Meets Expert Talks. Canmore Rotary Club’s free Earth Day event is back—and it’s all about pollinators. Swing by artsPlace for hands-on booths, garden tips, kids’ crafts, and seed giveaways. Then head inside for a keynote with Brian Keating & Sara Jordan-McLachlan. It’s free, but you’ll need to RSVP for the theatre portion. 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. 

• 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

• 🍹Stop by Whitebark Cafe for New Spring Features. Enjoy a refreshing Iced Lavender Matcha in the sun, a Maple Cinnamon Latte during the cold mornings, or grab a Salted Caramel White Mocha for an afternoon sweet treat.

• 🙋🏻Volunteer Opportunity. Banff Elementary’s Mountain Readers program is back and looking for volunteers! Spend 1 hour/week reading with students to help build literacy skills and confidence. Flexible times Mon–Thurs. Email [email protected] to get involved. 

• 👩🏻‍🦰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! Held Fridays at 5 PM from May 2–June 6, with a final celebratory Girls Run on May 24 or 25.

• 🦅The 2025 Spring Eagle Migration Count Ended This Week. Observers at the Mount Lorette Site in Kananaskis posted their daily findings here. The final tally? 77 Bald Eagles, 1093 Golden Eagles, 2 Peregrine Falcons, and a total of 1260 Raptors altogether. 

• 💪Try-It Sports Sampler. New to golf, squash, karate, or paddleboarding? Banff’s low-cost Try-It programs are perfect for beginners of all ages—gear and instruction included! Full details at banff.ca/TryIt. 

• 🕺Free Ecstatic Dance Event. Kick off Season 3 of Ecstatic Dance Banff-Canmore with an evening of movement and music at The Yoga Lounge on May 1 at 7:45 PM Space is limited, so email [email protected]  to save your spot.

CIVIC NEWS

• Exshaw Housing Expansion. The MD of Bighorn is considering a proposed amendment to nearly double housing units in Exshaw’s Mountain Gateway ASP. The first reading was passed on April 8, with a public hearing scheduled for May 15 at 6:00 PM. Council wants community input before deciding.

• Banff Housing Plan. Banff, constrained by national park rules, has long faced a housing crunch. As part of Banff’s Community Plan, the strategy aims to eliminate the 700–1,000 unit shortfall by 2035. Public input is open now ahead of an April 23 open house.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, April 25th, 2025,  5:00 PM: Carlyn Patricia Reilly.  Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, April 25th, 2025,  7:00 PM: Gord March and Friends. Location:Sandtraps, Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, April 25th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Zebra. Location:artsPlace, Canmore.. regular $28.50 / members $24.44 / youth $14.25.

• Friday, April 25th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Jamie Allanach. Location: Rose and Crown Canmore. No Cover.

• Friday, April 25th, 2025,  10:00 PM: MIke Mackenzie Band. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, April 26th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Ellen Braun. Location:artsPlace, Canmore.. regular $28.50 / members $24.44 / youth $14.25.

• Saturday, April 26th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Local Wild Life.  Location: Tavern 1883. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, April 26th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Garrett Barbutto. Location: Rose and Crown Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, April 26th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Mike Mackenzie Band. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

SPORTS

• Big Wins For Two Canmore Hockey Talents. Eagles goalie Alex Scheiwiller was named an AJHL All-Star after a red-hot second half that saw him go 18-2-2. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Canmore-born defenceman Will McLaughlin just joined the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks as a practice player after a standout playoff run with Drumheller. Keep an eye on both.

That’s all, folks!

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