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

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Banff's resort hotels have long relied on seasonal workers to keep things running, but a case that wound through Ontario courts last year has put a sharper edge on that story. An employment agency owner has been fined $70,000 after 90 Mexican nationals were found working without authorisation across four hotels in the Banff and Jasper corridor - this after he'd already received an 18-month house arrest sentence in Ontario in 2023. The agency kept operating regardless.

If Moraine Lake is on your list this summer, this is your last reminder: shuttle bookings open 8 am TODAY, and they go fast. We've put together a full walkthrough on the blog and on YouTube so you're not fumbling through the Parks Canada system at 8 am.

On the Bow Valley Parkway, a 20 km/h slow zone is in effect near Pilot Pond to protect the local reptile population.

For something indoors this week, a small-group food tour inside the Fairmont Banff Springs takes you behind the scenes of the hotel's dining operation, with tastings made from Alberta ingredients and a bit of castle history along the way.

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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Our favourite thing about this place is its setting right beside the mighty Athabasca River. Adirondack chairs line the riverbank, so you can sit with a coffee and watch the powerful current rush past while taking in the surrounding mountains.

The chalets are also a great choice for families. The grounds have lots of open space, with grassy areas and picnic tables, so there’s plenty of room for kids to run around and play. After a day exploring Jasper National Park, you can relax by the river while the kids burn off the last of their energy.

Reserve now to stay beside the Athabasca River in Jasper

❄️ Winter's giving Banff one last bear hug - before loosening its grip heading into the weekend. Wednesday brings periods of snow with a high of 3°C. Thursday stays snowy and cold at 1°C. Friday offers some relief with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 5°C. Full Forecast Here

⚖️ One Agency, Ninety Workers, One Conviction. An Ontario employment agency owner has been fined $70,000 after 90 Mexican nationals were found working without authorisation across four resort hotels in the Banff and Jasper corridor. He had already received an 18-month house arrest sentence in Ontario in 2023. One Team kept operating.

🚧 Maligne Canyon Closed for 2026. Landslide risk from the 2024 wildfire has kept Maligne Canyon shut for the season - icewalks included. Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, and Sunwapta Falls remain open. No reopening timeline confirmed - though the full canyon walk is on our YouTube if you need a fix.

🌨️ April Doing April Things. A snowfall warning is in effect for Canmore starting Wednesday afternoon, with 10 to 25 cm expected - and locally up to 30. Snow clears Thursday evening.

🐻 Bear Day Hits the Nordic Centre. Bow Valley WildSmart is running bear awareness hikes at the Canmore Nordic Centre this Saturday, with five departure times between 9:15 am and 2:15 pm. Registration opens 60 minutes before each hike, capped at 20 people.

🦎 Lizards in Banff? The Bow Valley Parkway, a 20 km per hour slow zone near Pilot Pond, is back. Find out what it is all about.

🐻 Two orphaned grizzly cubs found a new home. Last September, their mother was killed near Diamond Valley. Found too small to survive alone, they were brought to the Calgary Zoo, which had just lost its last two grizzlies. Read the full story and watch the videos. Have tissues ready.

🌅 Moraine Lake Sunrise & Sunset Tour - Skip the Parks Canada shuttle lottery and join this small-group tour to Moraine Lake at sunrise or sunset instead. You get the Rockpile views without the midday crowds - blankets and headlamps included for the cold ones.

🚣 Kananaskis River Rafting - If you fancy getting wet in a good way, this afternoon rafting trip on the Kananaskis River tackles Class II-III rapids through genuine Rockies scenery. Kids from age five are welcome. Around 45 minutes from Banff, wetsuits provided.

🧊 Columbia Icefield & Skywalk - Two experiences in one: step onto the Athabasca Glacier aboard a six-wheeled Ice Explorer, then walk a glass-bottomed walkway 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley. Wind-proof layer essential - it's significantly colder up there than you'd expect.

📅 Do Banff gondolas run year-round? Seasonal availability varies - some run across multiple seasons, while others are more limited. Checking before you travel avoids a wasted trip.

⏱️ How long does the Grassi Lakes hike take? Most people complete the round trip in one to two hours, though it's worth budgeting extra time to enjoy the lakes at the top.

🗺️ Where does The Boss roam? His range covers Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay - a reminder that wildlife in the Rockies moves across a vast, connected landscape with no regard for boundaries.

The Icefields Parkway is one of the great drives on the continent, but most people do it as a day trip, rushing past 230 kilometres of wilderness to tick off the highlights before dark. These three HI wilderness hostels let you slow down, sleep inside the park, and actually be somewhere rather than passing through it.

🏔️ HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel - Sitting at the junction of Highway 1 and the Parkway, this is the most accessible of the three, which still means no Wi-Fi, shared facilities, and zero fuss. It's a genuinely useful base for Lake Louise hikes without Lake Louise prices. Read The Reviews And Book

🦟 HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel - The name is honest, which is a good sign. Set in the trees about 24 kilometres north of Lake Louise, this one puts you deep enough into the Parkway corridor that you'll have the morning trails largely to yourself. Wood-heated, basic, and better for it. Read The Reviews And Book

🌊 HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel - Rampart Creek is the kind of place that rewards people who actually want quiet. Bring your own supplies, expect no signal, and wake up to scenery that most Parkway visitors are still in their cars trying to reach. Read The Reviews And Book

Yesterday’s Question: What natural feature is shown in this photo?

✅ Answer: 1) Takakkaw Falls - 62% Correct

Takakkaw Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies - see our guide to Takakkaw Falls for what to expect when you visit.

This small-group experience takes you behind the scenes of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel as you visit several dining areas inside the historic building. You’ll enjoy a series of tastings made with locally sourced Alberta ingredients, meet members of the culinary team, and hear stories about the hotel’s history as you explore its grand hallways.

Reserve now to enjoy a guided food experience inside the Banff Springs.

📅 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 |

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