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

Grizzly 122, The Boss is back at Vermilion Lakes, and Parks Canada has responded the way it usually does when a bear decides a stretch of road belongs to him: by closing it. The overnight closure runs from 8 pm to 8 am daily until further notice, covering the road and shoreline. The $25,000 fine for non-compliance is not a suggestion.

The Jasper Burger Smackdown is running until 14 May across 15 restaurants, with $1 from every burger going to the Jasper Food Bank. We're heading up the Icefields Parkway this weekend for our first run of the year - if you have a tip on which burger is worth the detour, let us know.

In June, Henry Winkler - The Fonz, one Emmy at 72, 41 children's novels - arrives in Banff for the World Media Festival.

If you're trying to fit Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and Emerald Lake into a single day without the parking headache, this one-day tour handles the logistics so you don't have to.

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

Plan Your Visit To Banff For August | September | October

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Visiting the most famous lakes in the Rockies involves significant logistical planning, particularly with the restricted access to Moraine Lake and limited parking at Lake Louise. This tour simplifies the process by handling all transportation and shuttle coordination for you.

You can visit both iconic lakes as well as Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. The route is planned to make the most of the day, with time to walk lakeshore trails, take photos, and enjoy a relaxed lunch stop in Lake Louise Village.

If you’re short on time and prefer not to deal with the hassle of coordinating multiple locations, this could be a great option.

Reserve your seat and leave the planning to someone else

☀️ Banff's warming up nicely to close out April - with sunny skies and rising temps through to the weekend before the rain moves in. Thursday brings sunny conditions and a high of 17°C. Friday tops out at 18°C, also sunny - the pick of the stretch. Saturday sees periods of rain and a cooler 13°C. Full Forecast Here

🐻 The Boss Is Back. Road's Closed. Grizzly 122 is feasting on winterkill suckers at Vermilion Lakes, so Parks Canada has closed the road and shoreline overnight - 8 pm to 8 am daily until further notice. A $25,000 fine applies. "Part of the package," as one retired officer put it.

🍔 Jasper's Burger Smackdown Returns. The Jasper Burger Smackdown runs until 14 May across 15 restaurants, with $1 from every burger sale going to the Jasper Food Bank. Judges pick the best; the public picks the people's choice. We are heading up the Icefields Parkway for our first trip of the year this weekend. If anyone has any tips on which is best, let us know.

🎬 Happy Days. Banff. This June. Henry Winkler, AKA The Fonz - 50 years in Hollywood, one Emmy at 72 - is appearing at the Banff World Media Festival this June. He's also written 41 children's novels.

⛰️ Two Helicopter Rescues Near Lake Louise. Parks Canada has issued a hiking hazard warning for Banff National Park after a record snowpack left Lake Agnes, Cory Pass, and Plain of Six Glaciers buried and avalanche-active. "In the morning, it's frozen solid, and in the afternoon, it's in an avalanche cycle."

🏃 Half Marathon Comes to Kananaskis. The Explore Kananaskis Half Marathon & 10K runs July 25-26 in Kananaskis Country, with a half marathon and 10K across the two days. Organised by RunCalgary, the event bills itself as a race that gives back to the landscape it runs through

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.

🚌 What is Roam Transit, and which areas does it serve? Banff National Park's public bus network links Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and key attractions across the Bow Valley - making it easy to explore the Rockies without a car.

👻 Is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel really haunted? Yes - a ghost bride, a helpful bellman, and a sealed room are among its legends, and the Banff Springs ghost stories get stranger from there.

🏨 Do you need to be a hotel guest to use the spa? Not always - many Banff hotel spas accept day visitors, though booking ahead is strongly recommended.

Banff has a remarkable talent for extracting money from your wallet before you've even decided what to do with your day. These three properties give you a proper base without the eye-watering room rates that pass for standard in town.

🏡 Dorothy Motel - A no-fuss motel that does exactly what it says on the tin: clean rooms, a central location, and none of the pretension that tends to inflate prices elsewhere in Banff. Read The Reviews And Book

🌲 Douglas Fir Resort - Sits just outside the town centre on Tunnel Mountain Road, which sounds like a compromise but is actually a reasonable trade-off - you get more space, quieter surroundings, and rates that won't make you reconsider the whole trip. Read The Reviews And Book

⛰️ Banff Rocky Mountain Resort - Another Tunnel Mountain option with self-contained suites and kitchen facilities, which means you can sidestep Banff's restaurant prices when the mood takes you. The walk into town is manageable; the savings are noticeable. Read The Reviews And Book

🚡 Jasper SkyTram - Canada's longest aerial tramway takes you up to 2,263 metres on Whistler’s Mountain in under eight minutes. The boardwalk at the top covers six mountain ranges, and if you want more, the summit trail adds another 1.4 km of alpine tundra.

🍂 Banff Larch Valley Guided Hike - An 8.8 km trail into one of the Rockies' most scenic valleys, with transport from Banff or Canmore included. Book the guided hike with lunch and transfers - the group format also satisfies Parks Canada's four-person minimum rule during bear season.

🌊 Kananaskis River Whitewater Rafting - A four-hour afternoon on the Kananaskis River, suitable for families with kids aged five. Dam-regulated Class II and III rapids mean consistent water levels regardless of the season - wetsuits and kit are all provided at the base.

Yesterday’s Question: How long does it typically take to walk from the parking area to the Peyto Lake viewpoint?

✅Answer: 2) 15 minutes - 65% Correct

The walk to the Peyto Lake viewpoint is short but uphill. Plan your visit with our Peyto Lake Guide.

Staying here puts you right at the start of the Johnston Canyon trail, so you can head into the canyon before the crowds arrive, or enjoy it later once the tour buses have gone. It also avoids the challenge of finding parking, which often fills early during busy periods.

Reserve now to stay right beside the Johnston Canyon trailhead.

📅 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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