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

The Johnston Canyon trail closes on September 7 for three months of rockfall remediation work - lower catwalk, upper falls, all of it. If your autumn plans include the canyon, they need adjusting. Parks Canada hasn't confirmed a later start date despite circulating rumours, so September 7 is the date to plan around.

It isn't the only wildlife story this week. On Tuesday, Parks Canada and the Town of Banff are hosting a free 75-minute Bear Aware webinar covering how to identify bears, read their behaviour, and reduce the chances of an encounter. Two wildlife specialists are leading it, and with the spring ice warning now active across the park's lakes and shorelines, the timing feels appropriate.

Further along the valley, Nakiska is proposing 30km of lift-serviced mountain biking trails and hiking routes for summer 2027 - subject to environmental assessment, wildlife planning, and Indigenous consultation. Year-round operations are the goal, though there's a reasonable distance between proposal and approval.

For anyone already thinking about summer access, the hop-on, hop-off bus covers Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake with guaranteed seating and no parking headaches - which, given how quickly those car parks fill, is worth booking ahead.

We added a few more videos to the YouTube channel. You can find them here.

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

Useful Links

How to get to Moraine Lake

Roam Transit Banff: The Easy Way to Explore

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If you’re travelling with kids, it’s good to know there’s one place in Banff where they can simply be kids for a while. The waterpark at Douglas Fir Resort has the town’s only waterslides, along with a shallow wading pool and indoor play areas where younger visitors can burn off some energy.

It’s the kind of break many families appreciate after a day of sightseeing or hiking. While the kids are busy on the slides, adults can slow things down in the hot tubs or relax nearby. The setup works well for families who want a mix of fun for children and a bit of downtime for everyone else, without needing to leave Banff to find it.

Book now and enjoy Banff’s only waterslides

☀️ Banff is serving up a gorgeous warm stretch - enjoy it before Wednesday pulls the plug. Sunday is sunny with a high of 14°C. Monday hits 17°C and Tuesday peaks at 18°C, both sunny. Then Wednesday brings periods of rain and a cool down to 10°C. Full Forecast Here.

🪨 Plan Around Johnston Canyon This Fall. The main Johnston Canyon trail closes September 7 for three months of rockfall work - lower catwalk, upper falls, all of it. There's an unconfirmed rumour that the start date shifts to after Thanksgiving, but Parks Canada hasn't said so officially.

🚵 Nakiska Plans a Busier Summer. The Kananaskis ski area is proposing 30km of lift-serviced mountain biking trails and hiking routes for summer 2027, targeting year-round operations. The province says an environmental assessment, wildlife plan, and Indigenous consultation are still required first.

🐻 Free Bear Safety Session This Tuesday. The Town of Banff and Parks Canada are hosting a free 75-minute Bear Aware webinar on April 22, covering how to identify bears, read their behaviour, and avoid encounters. Two Parks Canada wildlife specialists are leading it.

🧊 Banff's Spring Ice Warning Is Back. Parks Canada has reissued its spring ice advisory for Banff National Park - lakes, rivers, and shorelines are off limits as the thaw sets in. Parks Canada does not monitor ice conditions and takes no responsibility for anyone who goes out on it.

🐻 Grizzly Hunt Resolution Passes Without Bow Valley. Cardston County's resolution calling for a regulated grizzly bear hunt was carried at the RMA spring convention while MD of Bighorn councillors were in a separate meeting with Alberta's tourism minister. Alberta has banned grizzly hunting since 2006.

The Johnston Canyon E-Bike and Walking Tour keeps things simple - a relaxed ride through Vermilion Lakes and along the Bow Valley Parkway, followed by a walk to the Lower Falls. No parking, no highway checks required.

🚶 Can you walk to Canmore's easy trails from the town centre without a car? Several of the best easy hikes in Canmore start right in or near the town centre, so a car isn't always necessary - ideal if you're based locally or on foot.

🕗 How early do Banff car parks fill up in summer? Downtown lots are typically full by 10 am - arriving early or using free outlying lots saves a lot of frustration.

🥾 Are there any trails where wolves are more likely to be active? Wolves roam widely across both parks. Understanding their habits and territory helps you hike with the right awareness.

Parking in Banff is, to put it diplomatically, a contact sport - especially in summer, when the town lot fills by 9 am, and the side streets become a slow-motion game of musical chairs. These three hotels include free parking, which sounds like a small thing until you've circled Banff Avenue twice with a carload of increasingly irritable family members.

🦊 Fox Hotel & Suites - A well-equipped, suite-style property on the quieter western end of Banff Avenue, far enough from the main scrum to feel civilised, close enough to walk everywhere without effort. Free parking, full kitchens in most suites, and a rooftop hot pool that earns its keep after a long day on the trails. Read The Reviews And Book

🏔️ Ptarmigan Inn - Sits right in the heart of town, which would be a liability if you were arriving by car every morning - but you're not, because you've parked once and you're done. Compact, honest, and priced more sensibly than its location would suggest. Read The Reviews And Book

🫎 Moose Hotel & Suites - One of the newer builds on Banff Avenue, with rooftop pools (plural), spacious suites, and the kind of finish that doesn't make you feel you've compromised. Free parking plus a central location is a combination that takes real effort to find in this town. Read The Reviews And Book

🐻 Boo the Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour - A full-day run out to Golden that packs in a lot - Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, the Spiral Tunnels - but the highlight is meeting Boo, a resident grizzly, at the Kicking Horse refuge. Sighting is guaranteed, or you get a return visit. Lunch included.

⛵ Lake Minnewanka Cruise - A relaxed hour on Banff's largest lake, drifting towards Devil's Gap with commentary on the submerged resort village flooded in 1941. Book the Lake Minnewanka cruise and layer up - it's noticeably colder on the water than in town, even in summer.

🚁 Kananaskis 30-Minute Heli Tour - Departing near Morley, this flight covers the Ghost River, Lake Minnewanka, Mt Yamnuska, and the front ranges of Kananaskis Country. Book the 30-minute heli tour over Minnewanka Lake and Banff for a big aerial overview without a full day's commitment.

Yesterday’s Question: Which major event takes place in Canmore in late August/early Sept each year?

✅Answer: 3) Canmore Highland Games - 54% Correct

The Canmore Highland Games is one of the town’s biggest annual events. See more in our guide to major festivals and events.

Access and parking are a real challenge in summer at places such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake, where access is restricted, and car parks can fill up before sunrise. This hop-on, hop-off bus lets you move between key stops at your own pace, with guaranteed seating and no driving stress.

Reserve your seat and leave the logistics 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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