Hi Everyone! Here's Whatโs Happening This Week!
The Moraine Lake shuttle booking window opens on Wednesday at 8:00 am MDT. Queue numbers are assigned randomly at the bell - not in order of arrival - so the only thing that matters is being in the waiting room before 8:00 am. The road remains closed to private vehicles. We have a full blog post and a YouTube video walkthrough to help you prepare.
Maligne Canyon is closed for the 2026 season following the 2024 wildfire, with no confirmed reopening date.
Ski season is nearly done across SkiBig3, though Sunshine Village is running until May 18 - and has an offer attached worth knowing about before it closes.
If you're still working out where to stay, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore sits below the Three Sisters with heated outdoor pools and prices that make Banff's options look like a separate conversation.
There is plenty happening this week. Dive into the event listings below, or check out the detailed events page on our website.
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If you want to experience the alpine scenery around Jasper without committing to a long mountain hike, the Jasper SkyTram is one of the simplest ways to do it. In about seven minutes, the tram carries you high onto Whistlerโs Mountain, where wide views open up across Jasper National Park, glacier-fed rivers, and surrounding mountain ranges.
Once at the upper station, you can take an easy boardwalk stroll or hike the short Whistlers Summit Trail for even broader views. Interpretive panels explain the landscape and wildlife, and you may spot marmots, pikas, or bighorn sheep nearby. Itโs a straightforward way to reach an alpine viewpoint that would otherwise take hours to hike.
๐๏ธ Fresh from the Rockies
A Hoary Marmot at Sunshine Meadows
๐ PREPARE NOW! Moraine Lake Shuttle Bookings Open April 15. The road is closed to private vehicles - shuttle or nothing. Booking opens at 8:00 am MDT on April 15; log in before 8:00 am to enter the waiting room - queue numbers are assigned randomly at the bell, so anyone logging in after goes straight to the back. Full guide on our blog and a video walkthrough on our YouTube channel.
โ๏ธ Banff gets two golden days before Sunday remembers it's April. Friday and Saturday both deliver mainly sunny to mixed skies and a very fine +14ยฐC. Then Sunday swoops in with a 60% chance of flurries and +5ยฐC. Full Forecast Here
๐ฌ Americans Still Coming to the Rockies. Alberta recorded its best-ever January for international visitors, with US arrivals up more than nine per cent year-over-year. Nationally, tourism is still below pre-pandemic levels - Alberta is the outlier.
๐ฟ Ski Season Winding Down at SkiBig3. Mt. Norquay closes April 19, Lake Louise on May 3. Sunshine Village runs until May 18 - Victoria Day weekend - with anyone holding a season pass from any resort in the world eligible for 50% off lift tickets.
๐ฅ Maligne Canyon Closed for the Season. The trail system from First to Fifth Bridge remains shut in 2026 following the 2024 wildfire - slopes stripped of vegetation now carry a high risk of landslides. No confirmed reopening date. The Fifth Bridge day-use area is open; the canyon itself is not.
๐ฟ Five Courses, Foraged in Jasper. Olive Bistro is running a spring tasting dinner on April 25th - five courses built around wild ingredients and local stories. Seats are limited.
โ๏ธ Banff Snowpack Heading for Records. Snow near Lake Louise and Bow Summit is close to record depth this season, with Skoki running nearly double last year's accumulation. At Athabasca Glacier, one of the most visited spots on the Icefields Parkway, there are 24 cm.
โญ Most Popular Last Issue
๐ด Steak lunch, Bow River views, and a horse-drawn wagon. This Banff cookout ride follows the river to a backcountry BBQ spot - relax by the fire before the ride back. A fun taste of Banff's ranching history. Reserve now.
โYour Questions Answered
๐ Does Banff have events and festivals year-round? Yes - festivals and events run in every season across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, from winter carnivals to summer music festivals.
๐๏ธ Can bears enter towns like Banff and Canmore, and what should you do if you see one? Yes - bears do move through both towns, especially in berry season. Report sightings to authorities, keep your distance, and never approach or feed them.
๐ What is the Canmore Engine Bridge, and why is it worth visiting? It's a historic railway bridge turned pedestrian and cycling path, sitting right in downtown Canmore with mountain views that make it one of the best easy stops in the Rockies.
๐๏ธ Sleep Where History Didn't Cut Corners
Banff has plenty of places to stay - most of them built recently, priced aggressively, and designed to look the part without quite being it. These three have actual history behind them, which turns out to matter more than you'd expect when you're surrounded by a hundred-year-old mountain town.
๐ Mount Royal Hotel - Right in the middle of Banff Avenue, which sounds like a liability until you realise it means zero transport faff and a room above the action rather than marooned from it. The Mount Royal has been here since 1908, so it predates most of the tourist infrastructure by several decades - and it shows, in the best way. Read The Reviews And Book
๐ฐ Fairmont Banff Springs - Yes, it's expensive. Yes, everyone knows about it. But there's a reason a castle-sized hotel built into a mountainside in 1888 still draws people who could stay anywhere - it's genuinely extraordinary, and the grounds alone justify the taxi fare from town. If you're going to do Banff properly once, this is the one. Read The Reviews And Book
๐จ King Edward Hotel - One of Banff's quieter survivors, the King Eddie sits on Banff Avenue without making a fuss about itself. Central location means you walk everywhere, skip the shuttle entirely, and still get back to a building that was old before the crowds arrived. Read The Reviews And Book
๐ฃActivities You Might Enjoy
๐ฅพ Banff Premium Private Hiking Tour - Small groups, four trail options - Bow Glacier Falls, Boom Lake, Emerald Basin, or Stanley Glacier - and a certified guide who actually explains what you're looking at. Seven to eight hours in the alpine without the crowds. Bring lunch and two litres of water.
๐ Calgary to Banff & Lake Louise SUV Tour - This 8.5-hour private tour covers the full corridor - Banff Springs, Bow Falls, Lake Louise, and a stop in Canmore on the way back. A decent option if you want the highlights in one go without hiring a car.
๐ Jasper Family Rafting on the Athabasca - Five sets of Class 2 rapids, elk on the banks, ospreys overhead - this hour-long float through Jasper National Park is a good shout for families. Wetsuits provided, ages five and up, no experience needed.
๐๏ธ Quiz
What is the main reason for seasonal closures on parts of the Bow Valley Parkway?
Yesterdayโs Question: Which Rocky Mountain town is shown in the above photo?
โ Answer: 4) Canmore - 45% Correct
Canmore is a popular alternative to staying in Banff - see how the two compare in our guide to Banff vs Canmore.
If you like the idea of a luxury mountain hotel but donโt love Banff prices, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is well worth considering. One of the highlights is the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs overlooking the Three Sisters. After a day hiking, sightseeing, or skiing in the Bow Valley, itโs a great place to relax and take in the views.
๐ธEvents, Activities & Live Music
๐ Todayโs Events are listed below. To view future events, visit our website.
Friday, April 10
17:00 |
Tony Melo: Live |
Canmore Brewing Company | Canmore
19:00 |
Balkan Greek Night: Dinner Show |
The Balkan | Banff
19:00 |
Live Music Fridays |
Moxy Banff | Banff
19:00 |
Open Mic Night |
artsPlace Canmore | Canmore
19:00 |
The Barflyz |
Mineshaft Tavern | Canmore
20:00 |
Live Music Night |
St. James Gate | Banff
21:00 |
Dr. Z Duo: Live |
Tavern 1883 | Canmore
21:30 |
Country: Shannon Smith Band |
Melissa's MisSteak | Banff
22:00 |
Friday Night Vibes DJ LT |
High Rollers | Banff
22:00 |
Zoo Lion: Live |
Rose & Crown | Banff
22:00 |
Five 'N' Dime: Live |
The Drake | Canmore
22:00 |
Mike Burns: Live |
Rose & Crown | Canmore
๐ Got An Event To Share?
๐
Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.
๐ Thatโs All For Now ๐ฌ
Another week of mountain magic awaits!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | Whatโs On Banff

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