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

The Bow Valley Parkway will be closed to vehicles tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, and will stay that way until June 25. The 17km stretch from Fireside Picnic Area to Johnston Canyon is cyclists-only for nearly two months - mid-May, before the summer crowds find it again, tends to be the quietest window. If you've been meaning to ride it, that's your cue.

In Canmore, the housing situation got a name and a number this week. Nurse Tim Wood is considering leaving his career because a full-time wage doesn't cover $2,288 a month in rent. The below-market waitlist sits at 311 households, with average tenancy over six years. It's the kind of detail that makes the broader statistic harder to set aside.

On a lighter note, Sunshine Village is bringing back Hotdoggin' on May 1 - Billy Bunny's Hotdog Day, $20 entry, judged categories that include Mule Kicks and Leg Breakers. Before freestyle skiing had a name, this is what it looked like.

If you're heading toward Jasper this summer, the Spirit Island cruise on Maligne Lake is worth the trip - wildlife stops through the valley, Medicine Lake en route, and one of the more recognisable views in the Rockies at the end of it.

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

Wildlife Safety | Bear | Elk | Wolf | Cougar

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If visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is high on your list, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is a very convenient place to stay. The cabins sit about 1 km from Lake Louise, which means you can walk to the lakeshore in around 15–20 minutes instead of worrying about the busy parking lots.

That location also makes visiting Moraine Lake easier. With a Parks Canada shuttle ticket, you can board the Lake Connector shuttle that runs between the two lakes. After a day exploring the trails and viewpoints, returning to a quiet cabin surrounded by trees feels a world away from the crowds

Reserve now to stay close to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

🌦️ The showers are on their way out - Wednesday brings a 30% chance of showers and a high of 14°C, but Thursday clears up with sunny skies and 17°C. Friday holds onto that mild stretch with a mix of sun and cloud at 16°C. A decent start to May! Full Forecast Here

🚲 Bow Valley Parkway Goes Car-Free. The 17km stretch from Fireside Picnic Area to Johnston Canyon is closed to vehicles from April 30 to June 25 - cyclists only. Mid-May tends to be the sweet spot before the crowds find it again.

Drive the Bow Valley Parkway With Us

🏠 The Valley Needs You. Can't House You. Canmore nurse Tim Wood is considering leaving his career because a full-time wage won't cover rent at $2,288 a month. The below-market housing waitlist has 311 households on it - and average tenancy is over six years.

🎿 Hotdogging Returns to Sunshine Village. Before freestyle skiing had a name, it was called Hotdoggin' - and Sunshine is bringing it back on May 1 with Billy Bunny's Hotdog Day. Entry is $20. Judged categories include Mule Kicks, Back Scratchers, and Leg Breakers.

🦉 Owls Win, Climbers Wait. Several Grassi Lakes climbing routes are closed until further notice after great horned owls returned to a nesting site they've used for at least a decade. Affected routes include You Ain't Nothing But a Hang Dog, Memphis, and It's Now or Never.

🔥 Smoke Expected Near Jasper This Week. Parks Canada plans to burn the 29-hectare Razorback unit - one kilometre northeast of the townsite - as early as Friday, with smoke likely drifting in. It's one of nine units in a broader prescribed fire programme. Jasper 2024 tends to answer most of the objections.

🏰 Behind the scenes at the Banff Springs Castle. Small groups get five tastings, a wine cellar visit, and a cooking demo across three hours in a building open since 1888. Book the food tour here.

🍂 Is October a good time to visit Banff? October is a shoulder-season sweet spot - crowds are thinner, trails are quieter, and autumn colour and early snow often share the same stage in the same week.

📸 What is the best time of day to visit the Three Sisters Viewpoint? Early morning or late afternoon gives the best light - low-angle sun deepens the reflections, and midday can be harsh on the iconic pond view.

📅 Does Banff have events and festivals year-round? Yes - festivals and events run in every season across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper, from winter carnivals to summer music festivals.

🚡 Banff Gondola - Skip the four-hour hike up Sulphur Mountain and ride the gondola to 2,281 metres instead. The boardwalk at the top gives you 360-degree views of six mountain ranges - keep an eye out for bighorn sheep near the upper terminal.

📸 Banff Photoshoot Experience - A two-to-three-hour private session with a local licensed photographer, covering up to three locations around the park. If you want professional photos of your time in the Rockies without the awkward selfie struggle, this is worth considering.

🛶 Lake Louise Guided Canoe & Moraine Lake Tour - This six-hour trip solves two logistical headaches at once: immediate canoe access at Lake Louise and guided entry to Moraine Lake, which is closed to private vehicles. Small groups of 14 max.

Banff's town centre gets busy enough in summer that crossing Banff Avenue starts to feel like a logistical exercise. These three properties put you right in the middle of it all - without the remote parking or the ten-minute buffer you have to build into every plan.

🏨 Peaks Hotel & Suites - A solid downtown option with proper suite-style rooms, which matters when you've been on your feet all day and want somewhere that feels like more than a place to sleep. Central location means you're walking to dinner, not planning it. Read The Reviews And Book

🌲 Banff Park Lodge - Tucked just off the main drag, which is either a downside or a feature depending on how you feel about being directly underneath a busy street. A little quieter, still walkable to everything, and generally considered good value for central Banff. Read The Reviews And Book

🏔️ Mount Royal Hotel - One of Banff's older properties, sitting right on Banff Avenue where the action is. If you want to be at the centre of town without any ambiguity about location, this is the one. The heritage character is genuine rather than manufactured, which is rarer than it should be. Read The Reviews And Book

Yesterday’s Question: Which partially frozen waterfall is shown in this photo?

✅Answer: 3) Bow Falls - 92% Correct

Bow Falls often partially freezes in winter, creating a striking scene just minutes from town. Learn more about the walk in our Bow Falls Trail guide.

If you’re hoping to see wildlife and visit Spirit Island, this tour combines both in a single trip. Follow the Maligne Valley, with a stop at Medicine Lake before continuing to Maligne Lake. From there, take a 90-minute cruise to one of the most recognisable views in the Canadian Rockies. All with transport and timing taken care of.

Book now and explore Jasper’s Maligne Valley with ease

📅 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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