Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!

You may have seen in the video we posted last issue that Banff's legendary grizzly, The Boss, has emerged from hibernation.

Lake Louise is set to welcome Bear 122 - known locally as The Boss - at the lakeshore this Saturday morning. Visitors are advised to brush up on bear safety before attending, as he has only recently emerged from four months underground and is not what you would call a morning person.

Parking for the event will be limited, given the expected demand; you are advised to explore other options for getting to Lake Louise.

He will be promoting the newly released book, The Little Grizzly That Walked Like A Boss.

In a separate update, we understand talks are ongoing with the agent of Split Lip - The Boss’s long-standing rival - and hope remains that an appearance can be scheduled later in the season.

In other news, the Banff Upper Hot Springs has quietly reopened after heritage bathhouse renovations. Daily 1-10 pm, first-come, first-served, water sitting at 37-40 degrees. No booking required - which, as of this week, puts it ahead of most things in the park.

Finally, if you are planning an overnight around it, Moraine Lake Lodge is worth considering - staying on site means you are directly on the lake rather than navigating the shuttle system, and once the daytime crowds thin out, the place becomes considerably more manageable.

There is plenty happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates!

👉 Sign Up Here to receive “What’s On Banff” five days a week - it’s free!

For many visitors, seeing Moraine Lake means juggling shuttle bookings and tight time windows. Staying at Moraine Lake Lodge removes that altogether. Guests are able to drive directly to the lake, which makes arrival simpler and gives you far more flexibility during your stay.

But the biggest benefit comes at the end of the day. Once the daytime crowds thin out and the last shuttles leave, the area regains a sense of space and quiet. Being on site gives you a rare chance to enjoy Moraine Lake without the chaos of the crowds.

Book now for a calmer visit to Moraine Lake

🌧️ A wet and woolly start to April, but Banff saves the best for last. Wednesday brings a 60% chance of showers at +3°C, and Thursday keeps things unsettled with a 60% chance of flurries at +2°C. Friday redeems the whole week with full sunshine and a gorgeous +8°C. Full Forecast Here.

♨️ Sulphur Mountain's Pool Is Open Again. The Banff Upper Hot Springs has reopened after heritage bathhouse renovations - daily 1-10 pm, first-come first-served, water at 37-40 degrees C. The springs have been running continuously up here since 1886.

🐻 Bear Day Is Coming to Canmore. Alberta Parks is hosting a free Bear Day event at the Canmore Nordic Centre on April 18 - bear safety talks, crafts, and demonstrations. No word yet on whether bears are invited.

🎭 Carter-Ryan Theatre Hosts First Fundraising Gala. The Dream Big Gala brings live performances, a silent auction, and a live auction hosted by Bridget Ryan to the Carter-Ryan Theatre. The evening also includes a sneak peek at the upcoming season.

⛸️ Lake Louise Ice Rink Closes for Season. The Lake Louise ice rink and Ice Bar at the Fairmont Chateau have closed for the winter. The Ice Bar, for anyone who hasn't been, is exactly what it sounds like.

🏛️ Spring Break Drop-In at Canmore Museum. The Canmore Museum is running free drop-in activity days for kids on April 1, 8, and 11, 10 am-1 pm - crafts, scavenger hunt, artefact handling, and an avalanche slide path demo. Adults who want to see the gallery pay $10.

🐻 The Boss Is Back. Bear 122 emerged from his den on March 27 - one of the first confirmed grizzly sightings of the season in the Bow Valley. He looked about how you'd expect after months underground. Check the video.

Banff town is small, but the logistics of getting in and out of it are not - shuttle queues, parking stress, and the slow crawl of Banff Avenue traffic are all part of the package. These three hotels put you right in the middle of it, which turns out to be the smartest move you can make.

🏔️ Peaks Hotel & Suites - A great downtown option with suite-style rooms that give you more space than the average Banff box, useful when you've been in the mountains all day and want somewhere comfortable to actually decompress. Read The Reviews And Book

👑 Mount Royal Hotel - One of Banff's originals, sitting right on Banff Avenue, which means zero transit faff and everything from restaurants to the trail heads walkable from the front door. Read The Reviews And Book

🌲 Banff Park Lodge - Tucked just off the main strip, this one tends to feel quieter than its central location deserves - a rare thing in Banff. Full-service without the full-chaos. Read The Reviews And Book

🤍 Was there really a white grizzly bear in Banff? Yes - a rare white-coated grizzly known as Nakoda lived in Banff and Yoho National Parks, and her story became one of the most closely followed wildlife tales in the Canadian Rockies.

🏔️ Does a Banff pass cover parking in Kananaskis Country? No, the two systems are completely separate, and knowing which pass applies where could save you a fine.

🍂 When is larch season in Banff? The larches typically turn golden for a short window in autumn, making it one of the most popular times to visit - timing your trip carefully is essential.

🚢 Maligne Lake Cruise & Wildlife - A six-hour Jasper day out covering Medicine Lake's bizarre drainage geology, wildlife spotting along Maligne Road, and a 90-minute cruise to Spirit Island.

🐴 1-Hour Bow River Horseback Ride - A gentle loop from the Banff Trail Riders stables along the Bow River, skirting the Cave and Basin Historic Site. Beginner-friendly, an hour in the saddle, and a decent way to see the valley at a quieter pace.

🍽️ Banff Food Tour - Three hours, four to six stops, poutine, a Caesar cocktail, and more local history than you'd expect from a food tour. A great way to find the good spots in town without the usual trial and error.

Yesterday’s Question: Which boardwalk is shown in this photo, a scenic wetland walk in Canmore?

✅Answer: 1) Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk - 62% Correct

Take a closer look at this peaceful wetland walk in Canmore in our guide to the Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk trail.

Reaching Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in summer often means navigating parking restrictions and fitting your plans around fixed tour schedules. This open-top bus tour takes a more flexible approach, with hourly departures that let you manage your time.

Book here and explore on your own schedule

📅 Today’s Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.

BANFF EVENTS | CANMORE EVENTS | JASPER EVENTS | BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS |

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s brand-new Women’s Expedition.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded women by your side, this trip connects you with the local communities you visit ,giving you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side, this trip gives you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

Part of Intrepid’s Women’s expedition range, this eight-day adventure has been thoughtfully designed to support local women in tourism while delivering immersive experiences specifically for women travellers.

You’ll traverse the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos trail in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, spend time in an Andean village learning about daily life, take part in a traditional textile workshop led by local women and experience a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a female shaman.

Find your adventure

✉️ If you’re not already on our mailing list, you can sign up here to receive “What’s On Banff” five days a week - it’s free! 👉 Sign Up Here

💬 Want to get in touch? For feedback, local stories, or questions, reply to this email.

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates

💡 This email contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.