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

Moraine Lake shuttle reservations for 2026 opened this week, and the numbers tell their own story: roughly 120,000 people competed for around 40,000 available spots. The 9 a.m.-noon window is already gone. If you still need a booking, set your alarm for 8 a.m. two days before you plan to visit - that is the window that remains.

Behind the scenes, the valley is heading into summer with a staffing problem it hasn't fully solved. A Canmore job fair this week drew 32 employers and a waiting list, with more than 500 roles still unfilled. Banff National Park welcomed a record 4.5 million visitors last year. Some of the workers serving those visitors are sleeping in vehicles under a town-run programme called Safe Park.

On a brighter note, Banff Sunshine has been voted best ski resort in North America by OnTheSnow's Visitors' Choice Awards, running entirely on natural snow, averaging over 350 inches a year. The season isn't quite finished yet.

If the shuttle lottery isn't appealing, a one-day tour covering Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and Johnston Canyon handles the logistics for you - and leaves the planning to someone else.

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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How to get to Moraine Lake

Roam Transit Banff: The Easy Way to Explore

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Our favourite thing about Baker Creek is the setting. The cabins sit beside a clear glacier-fed stream, and many are just a few steps from the water. You can wake up to the sound of the creek and step outside into the forest surrounded by mountains.

It’s also about a 10-minute drive from Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway. This makes it a convenient base if you’re hoping to get to the lake early before the crowds build.

Evenings are peaceful here, with the creek running through the property and firepits where guests often sit and relax.

Reserve now to stay beside Baker Creek in Banff National Park.

☀️ Spring is making its move in Banff - temperatures climb all weekend long. Friday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 7°C. Saturday turns fully sunny and warmer at 10°C. Sunday keeps the sunshine going and hits an impressive 15°C. Full Forecast Here

🚌 120,000 People, 40,000 Spots. Moraine Lake shuttle reservations for 2026 sold hard on opening day, with roughly 75,000 people queuing at peak - yet most completed their booking in under three minutes. The 9 a.m.-noon window is gone. Set your alarm for 8 a.m., two days out.

🧳 Banff Is Hiring. Finding People Is the Problem. A Canmore job fair drew 32 employers and a waiting list this week, as Bow Valley businesses scramble to fill more than 500 roles ahead of summer. Application numbers are down while visitation keeps climbing - Banff National Park alone welcomed a record 4.5 million visitors last year. Some workers are sleeping in vehicles under a town-run programme called Safe Park.

🚌 Calgary Bus Link to Banff Cancelled for Summer. The On-It Regional Transit service connecting Calgary, Canmore, and Banff has ended ahead of the 2026 season after a request for proposals drew zero bids. Roam Transit will not be stepping in.

🥇 Sunshine Voted Best Ski Resort in North America. Banff Sunshine has taken the top spot in OnTheSnow's annual Visitors' Choice Awards, beating every resort on the continent. The mountain runs entirely on natural snow and averages over 350 inches a year.

🌱 Canmore's Vegan Chef Challenge Has a Frontrunner. Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company leads the Canmore Vegan Chef Challenge midway through voting, ahead of Kain Tayo, Lovely Ice Cream, Wagashi Tea House, and The Iron Goat Pub & Grill. Voting closes 8 May.

🏗️ Banff Centre Plans 85 New Staff Homes. The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is proposing a $46.9-million on-campus housing development to address recruitment problems tied to the Bow Valley's rental market. The centre is the fourth-largest employer in Banff. The town's overall housing shortfall is estimated at 700 to 1,000 units.

🚣 Parks Canada’s Moraine Lake shuttle reservations opened - and it was chaos. Reports of 70,000 people in the virtual queue had one person call it like the Hunger Games, only worse. But it’s worth remembering: this shuttle isn’t the only option. Explore alternatives here.

Finding pet-friendly accommodation in Banff that doesn't treat your dog like an inconvenience - or charge you like it's a separate guest - takes more legwork than it should. These three properties make the whole thing considerably easier.

🏨 Moose Hotel & Suites - Right in the centre of Banff town, which means your morning walk starts from the front door rather than a car park. The rooftop pool is yours to enjoy once the dog is settled, and the location cuts out a lot of the shuttle nonsense that makes pet travel in the park genuinely exhausting. Read The Reviews And Book

⛺ Tunnel Mountain Resort - Sits outside the main town crush, which suits dogs far better than it might suit their owners at first glance. More space, quieter surroundings, and the kind of setting where a dog can actually behave like a dog. The trade-off is a short drive into Banff (or a 30-minute walk), but that's a reasonable deal. Read The Reviews And Book

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs - Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's a castle. And yes, they take dogs - which, given the grandeur of the place, is either deeply civilised or mildly absurd depending on your outlook. The grounds alone justify the stay, and your dog will have no complaints about the walking options on the doorstep. Read The Reviews And Book

✈️ Can foreigners move to Banff? Yes, but you need legal status in Canada first - typically a work permit or permanent residency. Moving to Banff from abroad usually starts with a job offer.

🐻 Is wildlife a concern on Tunnel Mountain? Bears, cougars, and wolves can still be present despite the busy trail - carrying bear spray and staying alert is always recommended in Banff.

🐾 Why has Split Lip been linked to killing other bears' cubs? It is a natural behaviour called sexually selected infanticide, common among dominant male grizzlies - but the incidents involving Split Lip are more dramatic than most, and well worth reading in full. Get the full story.

🚌 Banff Hop-On Hop-Off Bus - Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake - all in one day, no parking headaches. This hop-on, hop-off day pass on the Bow Valley's iconic yellow school buses runs the full route with a local guide on board. Grab the 07:45 departure to make the most of it.

🚶 Canmore History Tour - Canmore wasn't always about boutique coffee shops and mountain views - it was coal country. This 1.5-hour guided walking tour through Canmore's cowboy and coal-mining past covers 3-5km of flat trails and town streets. Meets at the Recreation Centre.

🍽️ Banff Food Tour - Three hours, 4-6 local eateries, and a proper look at what Banff actually tastes like beyond the main drag. This guided food tour through Banff's best hidden bites includes poutine, a Caesar cocktail, and locally made fudge. Starts at the Banff Visitor Centre.

Yesterday’s Question: Which mountain is shown at the end of Banff Avenue in this photo?

✅ Answer: 4) Cascade Mountain - 52% Corrrect.

Cascade Mountain dominates the view at the end of Banff Avenue, but it’s a demanding climb. For a much easier option with great views, see our Tunnel Mountain hike guide.

Visiting the Rockies’ most famous lakes often involves careful planning, especially with restricted access to Moraine Lake and limited parking at Lake Louise. This tour allows you to visit both iconic lakes, along with Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge.

Reserve your seat and leave the planning to someone else

📅 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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