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

Parks Canada opened Moraine Lake shuttle reservations yesterday morning, and by most accounts, the experience was not a calm one. Reports of 70,000 people queuing in the virtual system circulated quickly, with one person describing it as the Hunger Games, but worse. Whether or not you got a seat, it's worth remembering that the shuttle is one option, not the only one.

Further into the season, Miette Hot Springs returns on May 15 - the warmest springs in the Canadian Rockies, reopening in Jasper National Park after winter. Miette Campground opens two days prior to May 13, which makes the timing useful for a longer stay.

Over in Kananaskis, Nakiska has put forward plans for lift-serviced mountain biking and a mountain coaster, with 2027 as the target. A grizzly bear activity area identified during environmental review has already nudged the planned hub away from its original location - the kind of detail that tends to get buried in a press release.

If the broader plan involves staying near the lakes rather than commuting to them, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is about 1 km from Lake Louise. Guests with a Parks Canada shuttle ticket (for any time) can use the Lake Connector to reach Moraine Lake by simply walking to Lake Louise. After yesterday, this may be the more reliable approach.

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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Missed the Moraine Lake shuttle? Here's what to do

Parks Canada shuttle reservations opened yesterday morning, and if you didn't get a seat, you’re not alone, and you're not out of options - you just need a different plan.

The most flexible alternative is the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which covers Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and other popular spots in the same day. It lets you manage your own timing without locking into a set departure. Good for anyone who wants to see more than just one lake

If you want something straightforward with no logistics to figure out, a direct private shuttle will get you there and back without the Parks Canada booking headache. Costs more, but it's a smoother experience end-to-end.

For a different kind of trip, Moraine Lake Big Bus runs an open-top double-decker between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from the Deer Lodge parking area. No return time to worry about, and there's an accessible lower deck if that matters for your group.

If sunrise is the goal, private sunrise tours depart earlier than the standard shuttle and give you control over how long you stay at the lake. These do sell out - so if that's your plan, book today rather than tomorrow.

For the full breakdown of every way to get to Moraine Lake - including the Parks Canada shuttle process, biking the road, and what to expect on arrival - the complete guide is here.

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.

Travelling by double-decker bus, open on warm days and enclosed when it’s cooler, you’ll visit Moraine Lake for time on the Rockpile Trail before continuing to Lake Louise to explore the shoreline at your own pace. A lunch break in Lake Louise Village is included, and the full day runs 8 to 10 hours, so it doesn’t feel rushed.

Book here and explore on your own schedule

❄️ Snow now, sunshine later - Thursday brings more snow with a high of 2°C. Friday sees a mix of sun and cloud at 4°C. By Saturday, the skies will clear out completely for a sunny 10°C. Full Forecast Here

♨️ Miette Hot Springs Opens May 15. The hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies reopen next month in Jasper National Park. Miette Campground opens two days earlier, on May 13th, for anyone planning to make a weekend of it.

🚵 Nakiska Eyes a Summer Season. Nakiska ski resort has released plans for lift-serviced mountain biking and a mountain coaster at the Kananaskis hill, targeting a 2027 opening. Environmental studies have already flagged a grizzly bear activity area that shifted the hub of summer operations away from its original location.

🍔 Jasper's Taste of Spring Festival Returns. The Taste of Spring Festival runs from April 24 to May 3rd, headlined by a Burger Smackdown where local restaurants compete to build the most over-the-top burger. The Alberta Beer & Spirits Trail - a guided evening across four restaurants - runs May 1st.

⛷️ Norquay Closes With a Race Weekend. The BoZo & Kindercup on April 18th and 19th draws junior racers, Olympians, coaches, and alumni for head-to-head racing. Rob Bosinger, who the event honours, competed at Norquay for decades.

🏂 Red Bull's Pond Skim Hits Sunshine. Jump & Freeze brings 30 teams in costumes and custom-built vehicles across a pond at Goat's Eye on April 25th - Banff Sunshine's first crack at an event that has previously run in Japan, Slovakia, and Kazakhstan.

🏃 Jasper Half Marathon Returns April 25. The Jasper Canadian Rockies Half Marathon offers four distances - 1K to 21K - starting and finishing in the town of Jasper. Entry fees support the Jasper Healthcare Foundation, which has been rebuilding since the 2024 wildfires.

Thanks to everyone who subscribed to our new YouTube channel. We are well on our way to 1000 subscribers. For those who “forgot’’ the link is here.

The Fairmont properties in the Rockies carry a price tag that makes the eyes water - but they also sit at the centre of everything, which changes the maths considerably when you factor in parking fees, shuttle queues, and the genuine chaos of arriving somewhere without a plan.

🦌 Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - A sprawling lakeside lodge rather than a traditional hotel, which means you can walk to almost nothing - but that's rather the point. Jasper is quieter, wilder, and considerably less crowded than Banff, and the Lodge leans fully into that. Read The Reviews And Book

🏔️ Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - You're paying to sleep inside one of the most photographed places on earth, which has the practical advantage of being there before the car parks fill and the tour groups arrive. Early morning on that lake, with nobody else around, is genuinely hard to put a price on. Read The Reviews And Book

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - The Castle in the Rockies sits above town, which sounds inconvenient until you realise you can walk down into Banff and back without once touching a car. It's a proper hotel in the old-fashioned sense - the kind built when people expected to stay somewhere, not just sleep there. Read The Reviews And Book

🚤 Maligne Lake Cruise & Wildlife - Jasper's Maligne Valley is worth the trip on its own, but this six-hour tour adds a 90-minute boat cruise out to Spirit Island. Book the Jasper wildlife tour and Maligne Lake cruise before you go - departures fill up. Layers and a waterproof shell are essential.

🚴 E-bike & Hike to Johnston Canyon - A well-paced four-hour morning that covers serious ground without leaving you exhausted. You'll ride the Bow Valley Parkway before swapping the bike for boots at the canyon. Book this Banff e-bike and Johnston Canyon hike early - it's a popular one.

👻 Banff Ghost Walk - If you fancy knowing what actually went on behind closed doors in Banff's early days, this 100-minute evening walk is worth your time. No jump-scares, just solid local history with a darker edge. Book the Banff ghost walk and bring a warm layer - it cools down fast after dark.

🚧 What happened to Nakoda, the white grizzly bear? Nakoda died in 2024 after a collision with a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway - her sad story highlights the serious dangers roads pose to wildlife in the 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.

🥾 Where are the best places to see the larches in Banff? From alpine hikes to scenic drives, there are options for every fitness level - you do not need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the golden display.

Yesterday’s Question: Which Banff gondola experience includes a boardwalk leading to a historic weather station?

✅Answer: 3) Banff Gondola - 80% Correct

At the top, a boardwalk leads to the old weather station with panoramic views. Find out more in our Best Gondolas in Banff Guide.

If visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is high on your list, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is a convenient place to stay. The cabins sit about 1 km from Lake Louise, so you can walk to the lakeshore, and with a Parks Canada shuttle ticket, you can take the Lake Connector between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Reserve now to stay close to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

📅 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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