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

At 9 a.m. this morning, a meaningful number of people will be refreshing the same webpage at the same time. Roam Transit's Superpass - covering the Banff to Lake Louise to Moraine Lake chain - sells out fast, and once it's gone, it's gone. Be online at 9 a.m. MT if Moraine Lake is on the list. The pass only works for journeys starting in Banff, so Lake Louise stays are out.

Meanwhile, some Banff hotels are quietly weighing whether to leave rooms empty this summer rather than run short-staffed. The staff shortage is real, the demand isn't going anywhere, and the effect on availability is already being felt. If you're visiting and haven't booked accommodation yet, now is a reasonable time to sort that.

Over in Jasper, the Taste of Spring Festival runs April 24 to May 3 - ten days of burger competitions, a self-guided spirits trail, and early menu previews from restaurants across the townsite. We are using it as an excuse to drive the Icefields Parkway next weekend. See you there!

For anyone looking to add something memorable to the trip, the scenic helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka covers ground in 25 minutes that would take most of a day on the trail. Everything else in the newsletter is below.

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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

Moraine Lake In August

Moraine Lake Rockpile Trail

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If you like the idea of a luxury mountain hotel but don’t love the prices that often come with staying in Banff, The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is well worth considering. It sits in the Spring Creek area just a short walk from downtown, so you’re close to Canmore’s restaurants, shops, and galleries while still being an easy drive from Banff National Park.

One of the most popular features is the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs overlooking the Three Sisters Peaks. After a day hiking, sightseeing, or skiing in the Bow Valley, it’s a great place to unwind while taking in one of Canmore’s best mountain views.

Reserve now to enjoy a luxury stay in the heart of Canmore

❄️ A wintry few days ahead - Banff stays firmly in snow globe mode through the weekend. Thursday sees periods of snow with a high of 2°C. Friday brings a chance of flurries and a high of 1°C. Saturday has a chance of flurries and a high of 1°C. Full Forecast Here

🚌 Roam's Superpass to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Opens Today. Roam Transit's Superpass covers the full chain from Banff to Lake Louise to Moraine Lake - be online at 9 a.m. MT today, they go fast. If you're staying in Lake Louise, the pass won't work for you - journeys must start in Banff.

🏨 Book Your Hotel Now or Bank on Luck. A staff shortage is forcing some Banff hotels to consider leaving rooms empty despite full demand. If you're visiting this summer and haven't booked yet, the window is narrowing fast.

🍔 Jasper's Best Excuse to Drive the Parkway. The Jasper Taste of Spring Festival runs April 24 to May 3 - ten days of burger competitions, menu previews, and a self-guided spirits trail across the townsite. The Icefields Parkway is open; the drive up is half the point.

💰 Kananaskis Pass Raises Millions, Covers Half the Bill. The Kananaskis Conservation Pass generates around $15 million a year - but provincial officials confirm annual operating costs run to $20 million, with the gap covered by the province. The pass price hasn't changed since it was introduced in 2021. Will you need a Kananaskis pass for your trip?

🎉 Canada Day Parade Moves to Morning. Banff council deadlocked 3-3 before approving a 10 a.m. start for the Canada Day parade, plus up to $25,000 in extra crowd management. A 10 a.m. parade means leaving Calgary around 7:30 - which narrows the day-tripper math.

A riverfront property two blocks from Banff Avenue has landed on Vrbo's 2026 Vacation Rentals of the Year - the only Alberta entry on a list spanning eight countries, ahead of properties in the US, Mexico, and Europe. More than 60 guests gave it a perfect 10. The full story is inside.

Getting to the Rockies' most iconic spots requires either an early alarm, a shuttle queue, or a minor miracle with parking. These three properties solve that problem by putting you within walking distance of the attraction itself.

🏕️ Johnston Canyon Bungalows - Staying here means you can walk the canyon trail before the coach parties arrive - it genuinely transforms the experience. Read The Reviews And Book

🏔️ Moraine Lake Lodge - The only way to guarantee you're at the lake for sunrise rather than watching it on someone else's Instagram from a shuttle bus. Lodge guests get access that day-trippers simply can't buy. Read The Reviews And Book

🌲 Emerald Lake Lodge - No road-tripping in and out of the park each day - you're already there, on the lake, in Yoho. The location alone justifies the rate for anyone who's done the alternative. Read The Reviews And Book

📅 Can visitors see Boo the grizzly bear? Yes - the refuge is open seasonally from late spring through early autumn.

💰 Is it cheaper to stay in Canmore than Banff? Generally, yes - accommodation in Canmore tends to cost less.

🎉 Are there unique food experiences in Banff beyond just eating out? Yes - Banff offers food and drink experiences, including guided tastings and outdoor cookouts in the mountains.

🏔️ Columbia Icefield and Five Lakes Day Tour - An 11-hour run up the Icefields Parkway taking in Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. This full-day tour from Banff or Canmore handles the driving and parking so you can just watch the scenery unfold. Layer up - it gets cold at the icefield.

🛶 Banff Big Canoe River Explorer - A 1.5-hour paddle upstream on the Bow River in a 12-passenger voyageur canoe, with solid commentary on CPR history and the local ecosystem. Book the Big Canoe tour from the Banff Canoe Club - suitable for families with kids from age two, and you stay largely dry throughout.

🚌 Moraine Lake Double-Decker Shuttle - Private vehicles can't access Moraine Lake Road anymore, so this double-decker shuttle from Deer Lodge is genuinely useful. Grab a seat on the Moraine Lake Big Bus, and you get parking included, elevated views on the way up, and flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Yesterday’s Question: Where can you typically find free parking in Banff?

✅Answer: 2) Next to the Banff railway station - 75% Correct

Free parking is available near the railway station, with an easy walk into downtown. Learn more in our Banff Parking Guide.

This could easily be the standout experience from your Banff trip. The 25-minute helicopter flight over Lake Minnewanka offers a completely different view of the landscape, lifting you above rivers, valleys, and mountain ranges, giving you a perspective you can’t get from the ground.

Book now & see the Rockies from a new perspective!

📅 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 |

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

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Find your next adventure

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