❄️ Winter Is Shrinking Here

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We just spent a day on the Yoho Valley Road ski trail and had to share it. It’s an easy, beautifully groomed cross-country route that trades crowds and parking stress for space, silence, and scenery. You don’t need much experience to enjoy it, and the out-and-back setup lets you turn around whenever you’ve had enough. It feels genuinely remote. We didn’t see a single person all day. And yet it’s less than half an hour from Lake Louise. Our experience here.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

THE BOW VALLEY COULD LOSE UP TO 37 DAYS OF WINTER BY CENTURY’S END

What’s Happening? Scientists say the Bow Valley could lose up to 37 days of reliable winter by the end of the century, according to climate models presented at a recent Canmore talk hosted by the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.

Why Winter Matters More Than You Think. Winter isn’t just a vibe. It’s an economic engine. Speakers from Protect Our Winters Canada noted that outdoor recreation contributes $101.6 billion annually to Canada’s economy and supports more than one million jobs. In the Bow Valley, that spans ski hills, guiding, retail, hospitality, and everything tied to snow actually sticking around.

The Science, Simplified. Snow and avalanche scientist Dr. Marc Pons explained that mountain regions are warming 25-50% faster than the global average. Even if total precipitation increases, warmer shoulder seasons mean less snow that stays on the ground. The result: 26 to 37 fewer snow-covered days per year.

Guides Are Already Adapting. This is not a future problem for mountain guides. According to local research shared at the talk:

• 90% report changes in mountain hazards

• 85% have adjusted season timing or length

• 100% are changing where or when they guide

Translation: the playbook is already being rewritten.

Skiing’s Plot Twist. Alberta and B.C. ski resorts may be among the most climate-resilient in Canada, with projected season declines of just 4-8% thanks to snowmaking. But that relative resilience could attract destination substitution. As conditions deteriorate elsewhere, skiers are more likely to travel to places where snow remains reliable. For the Bow Valley, that may mean more visitors, not fewer, increasing pressure on roads, housing, and emissions even as winters shorten.

The Bigger Picture. Mid-winter rain, wetter snow, and unstable avalanche cycles are becoming more common. The message was less doom, more decision-making. Climate models show the direction, but local policy, infrastructure, and planning will shape what winter looks like long before those days are fully lost.

Read more about the impact on the Bow Valley’s winter economy in our full article.

LAST CALL FOR OUR JANUARY ICE CLIMB

We shared this on Monday, and a quick update: registration closes Friday and there are just three spots left. This beginner-friendly ice climbing day runs January 31 in Kananaskis, fully guided by Leviathan Mountain Guides. No experience needed. You’ll learn the basics, climb real frozen waterfalls, and head home with a few cool photos. First come, first served. Full details and booking here.

THE DIGEST

• 🦉 Rare Owl Spotted During 2025 Bow Valley Christmas Bird Count. Nearly 4,000 birds were recorded across Banff and Canmore this December during the annual count organized by Bow Valley Naturalists. The biggest surprise was a long-eared owl, spotted for the first time ever. Observers also logged a rare long-tailed duck near Lake Minnewanka and an unusual surge of 112 American robins. Check out the full bird count numbers and our interview with the Banff Bird Count coordinator.

• ❄️ Kicking Horse Sets All-Time December Snowfall Record. It’s not just Bow Valley ski resorts cashing in this December. About an hour east of Lake Louise, BC’s Kicking Horse Mountain Resort recorded its snowiest December on record, logging 340 cm and breaking the previous high set in 2017. A late-month storm cycle pushed season totals to 540 cm and opened all 3,486 acres, delivering the most consecutive powder days in resort history.

• 💰 Canmore Council Has Formally Moved To Amend Canmore’s Livability Tax. On Monday, we covered how Mayor Sean Krausert was proposing a compromise on the Livability Tax. That update is now official. At Tuesday’s council meeting, council asked staff to bring back proposed changes that would exempt Alberta residents from the higher tax. The higher rate would then apply only to non-Albertan second-home owners, with a final vote expected before 2026 tax rates are finalized.

• 🎤 Local Musician Wins Banff’s Battle Of The Bands. The Tyler Wood Band took first place at the 13th annual Tommy’s Unplugged, a crowd-packed live music competition hosted each winter at Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub in Banff. The event is a bracket-style battle of the bands where local acts compete over multiple nights, judged on musicianship, stage presence, and crowd reaction. Wood, a Bow Valley bus driver by day and country singer by night, is set to release his debut album in 2026.

• 🏘️ Canmore Community Housing Removes Its Executive Director. Canmore Community Housing, the town-affiliated organization responsible for building and managing below-market housing for local workers and residents, confirmed it dismissed executive director Kristopher Mathieu in mid-December. The move marks the third leadership change at the organization in three years. The board says the change reflects a shift toward larger, more complex housing projects. 

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BOW VALLEY ATHLETES NARROWLY MISS OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION AS SKI MOUNTAINEERING DEBUTS

What’s Happening? Bow Valley ski mountaineering athletes came one race short of qualifying Canada for the sport’s Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, after months of international racing that largely ran through local terrain.

A New Olympic Sport, Explained. Ski mountaineering, often called skimo, blends uphill endurance, fast transitions, and technical downhill skiing using ultralight gear. Think endurance racing meets alpine problem-solving. At the Olympics, the sport will feature just two events: a three-minute sprint with skinning, bootpacking, and gates, and a mixed relay lasting more than 40 minutes, where mistakes can erase minutes of work.

A Bow Valley Training Ground. Athletes like Kylee Toth and Emma Cook-Clarke trained primarily in Canmore, Banff, and nearby alpine corridors. The mix of steep terrain, early snow, cold temperatures, and easy access makes the Bow Valley one of the few places in North America that mirrors European race conditions. Just as important, athletes pointed to the local training community as a key advantage.

How Qualification Came Down to One Weekend. Unlike most Olympic sports, skimo has very limited quota spots. Countries must earn them through World Cups and championships before naming athletes. For Canada, qualification hinged on a single World Cup weekend in early December, combined with results from the previous season. When points were tallied, Canada narrowly missed earning a start-line spot.

The Work Behind the Result. Behind the short Olympic-format races is a year-round grind: long aerobic training, transition drills, technical downhill work, and recovery, all on gear far lighter and less forgiving than standard alpine skis. Athletes described the demands as physically intense, time-consuming, and financially challenging.

Why This Still Matters. Despite missing qualification, athletes emphasized pride and momentum. Olympic inclusion is expected to legitimize the sport, boost youth participation, and accelerate development in Canada. For the Bow Valley, it also reinforced its role as a training ground for emerging mountain sports.

Read our interviews with skimo athletes Kylee and Emma in our full article.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Community Chili Night at Wild Flour. Warm up with a bowl and some local tunes. Choose from vegan or beef chili for just $6, while enjoying live music from The Ramblin’ Hey, Ho, Ha’s. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.*

• Watch Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story. This powerful, locally rooted film follows Canmore-based mountain biker Matt Hadley after a life-altering accident costs him his leg. What unfolds isn’t just a recovery story, but a grounded look at resilience, adaptation, and community in the mountains. 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12.75-$15.*

• Snowpack Discussion. This monthly snowpack chat brings the backcountry community together to break down current conditions, what’s skiing well, and what’s worth a second look. With guides, Avalanche Canada, and rescue professionals in the room, expect practical insight and honest conversation. 6:30 PM. Canmore Brewing Company or online. Free.*

Thursday

• Comedy Night. Cackling Crow Comedy brings a sharp, lively stand-up night to Canmore, featuring comics rolling in from Calgary for a tight, high-energy show. Headliner Conner Christmas delivers fast, playful comedy shaped by festival stages and screen work, with support from Anton Matyushin and host Scott Dumas. 8:30 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $17.31.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍣 A Classic Brat Is Back At A 1978 Price. To kick off its new Heritage label, Valbella Gourmet Foods is selling Walter’s Farmer’s Bratwurst at its original 1978 price of $2.85 per pack for January. Lightly seasoned, endlessly versatile, and a longtime local staple, it’s a simple, budget-friendly nod to Bow Valley food traditions that still hold up today.*

• 🎠⛷Skijor Saturday at The Fat Ox. They’re going all in for the daytime skijoring crowd on Saturday the 17th, with the satellite patio bar open, DJ Tenax spinning outside until 4:30 PM, and a couple solid pop-ups indoors. Fire Hat Burning will be on-site doing custom hats, Banff Ave Tattoo is bringing flash tattoos, and a special smash-burger menu is back. Come for one thing, stay for all of it.*

• 💇‍♀️ A Main Street Salon Is Looking to Add a Licensed Hairstylist to the Family. Elli’s Hair West is hiring a full-time stylist for its second-floor Main Street space with big windows, great views, and a true mom-and-pop vibe. Think low stress, supportive team, and a genuinely relaxed environment in Canmore. Apply in person or email Mackenzie Robinson at [email protected].*

• 🚧 Wolf Street Water Main Work in Banff. Wolf Street is closed between Lynx Street and Bow Avenue for excavation to install a new water main for the west building of the Wolf Street Housing Project. Bow Avenue between Caribou Street and Wolf Street is limited to local/resident traffic only. No through access is available. Work is expected to be completed by January 14, weather permitting. 

• 💡Tipi Lantern Workshop. On January 19, join Stoney Nakoda artist Samantha Smalleyes for a hands-on Earth Talk blending creativity and story. Participants will build their own tipi lantern while learning traditional teachings about stars, constellations, and our relationship with the land. Curious, meaningful, and welcoming for all ages. Space is limited, so registration is recommended.*

• 🍃 An Evening Focused On Living Alongside Nature. Taking place on February 13, this evening program brings together rural residents, small communities, and government voices for thoughtful conversation about living and working in shared landscapes. Presentations include The Bow State of the Watershed, exploring how water connects the basin. A prime rib dinner is included.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Planning Department Under Pressure. Banff’s planning department is adding staff to cope with an unprecedented surge in housing applications, with more than 550 files in progress. Council approved one new permanent position and extended two term roles to keep residential projects moving. While housing is the clear priority, officials acknowledge commercial applications are facing delays as staff work to stay afloat.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, 9:00 PM: Thirteen selected DJs will step behind the decks for 20-minute showcase sets, battling it out in front of a live crowd and judges. Only one will rise above the rest. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. $11.30

• Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Dougasaurus Decks. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Speed Skater Connor Howe Will Miss The 2026 Winter Olympics. A lingering back injury derailed Connor Howe’s Olympic bid after he fell short at Canadian qualifiers in Quebec City earlier this week. The 25-year-old, a Beijing 2022 Olympian and recent World Championship medallist, said the injury never fully healed in time. Howe pulled out of World Cups this season to recover and is now weighing next steps, including further rehab, as his season and Olympic hopes come to an early end.

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.