Hi Everyone! Here's What’s Happening This Week!
A study of Canadian national parks has settled a long-running question: the animal most likely to have a go at you here is not a grizzly. It's an elk. They accounted for 62% of aggressive wildlife encounters between 2010 and 2023, leaving bears, coyotes and deer well behind. Parks Canada's advice is to stay three bus lengths away, which in Banff in August is easier said than done.
Meanwhile, Johnston Canyon closes after Thanksgiving (October 13) for two to three months of slope stabilisation, so plan any visit before then - and don't count on the November and December ice walks going ahead.
If you want waterfalls without the queue, a three-hour guided walk takes in geothermal springs and hidden falls on quieter trails, with a guide who knows where the wildlife is before it knows where you are.
Staying near Lake Louise? The Post Hotel sidesteps the shuttle booking scramble entirely, with a complimentary shuttle to the lake and a private option for Moraine.
Plan a visit to Johnston Canyon | Why you need to hike Johnston Canyon | Johnston Canyon Hike - Banff National Park in July | Take the Hop-on Hop-off Bus | eBike to the canyon
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This 3-hour guided walk trades Banff Avenue for quiet trails, past geothermal springs and hidden waterfalls, with your guide pointing out wildlife along the way.
🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies
Bow River from Canmore Engine Bridge
🦌 Elk Out-Menace the Grizzlies. A study of Canadian national parks found elk behind 62% of aggressive encounters with humans between 2010 and 2023 - well clear of bears, coyotes and deer. Parks Canada's advice: stay three bus lengths back.
🚧 Johnston Canyon Closing This Fall. Parks Canada will close the canyon after Thanksgiving (October 13) for slope stabilisation work lasting two to three months - which likely rules out the early-season ice walks in November and December.
🌌 Jasper Dark Sky Festival Returns. The festival returns October 16-25 with stargazing, live music, scientific demonstrations, workshops and guest speakers. Among the names on the bill this year: astronauts in training.
🔥 Mount Ogden Wildfire Extinguished. The small wildfire on Mount Ogden's west slope in the Yoho Valley has been extinguished - a 0.01-hectare holdover from earlier lightning in the area. There are currently no wildfires in Yoho National Park.
♨️ Lussier Hot Springs Eye Fall Return. BC Parks plans a temporary reopening by early fall for the Lussier hot springs near Canal Flats, closed since January over unstable rocks. Permanent repairs won't start until after spring runoff in 2027.
🌫️ A brief smoke return interrupts the sunny streak before showers roll in - Friday sees smoke drift back with a warm 29°C high, Saturday clears out sunny again at 27°C, and Sunday brings the mix of sun and cloud with showers we'd flagged, cooling to 21°C. Enjoy that one more sunny day before the wetter pattern settles in. Full Forecast Here
⭐ Most Popular Last Issue
🧊For those driving the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier and Skywalk stop requires a booked time slot - worth locking in before the drive rather than turning up and hoping for the best.
🚣Activities You Might Enjoy
🤠 Wagon Ride and Cowboy Cookout - An hour by horse-drawn wagon along the Bow River gets you to 3 Mile Cabin for a steak cooked to order, with beans, coleslaw and a go at lassoing before the ride back over Windy Knoll.
🍽️ Eat the Castle at the Fairmont Banff Springs - Working through five food and drink pairings in different corners of the hotel, from the Rundle Bar to the wine cellar, with a chef's demo and a look at the photo archives. Twelve people maximum.
🏔️ Icefields Parkway Day Trip - An eleven-hour trip along the Parkway, stopping at Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto and Waterfowl before the Columbia Icefield. Pickup from Banff, Canmore or Calgary.
❓Your Questions Answered
🗺️ Can one Parks Canada pass cover both Banff and Jasper? Yes, a valid pass covers Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay - but there are still extra costs that catch visitors off guard.
🌄 What can you see from the top of Tunnel Mountain? The summit offers sweeping views across Banff townsite, the Bow Valley, and surrounding peaks - impressive for a hike you can do before lunch.
👻 Does Banff have a haunted history? Surprisingly, yes - the Rockies have a rich history of ghost stories and local legends stretching back over a century.
Avoid the Parks Canada shuttle lottery. This hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to Lake Louise and a private shuttle to Moraine Lake.
🏕️ Quiz
Which national park is home to the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve?
Yesterday’s Question: Which body of water is shown in this photo, famous for its vibrant turquoise colour and historic wooden lodge?
✅Answer: 1) Emerald Lake - 65% Correct
Emerald Lake is about a 90-minute drive from Banff; looking for somewhere closer to town? Check out Lake Minnewanka instead.
🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.
FULL EVENT CALENDAR | BANFF & LAKE LOUISE | CANMORE | JASPER NP
BANFF HAPPY HOURS | CANMORE HAPPY HOURS
Friday, August 7
15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff
17:00 | Rooftop Sessions | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff
17:00 | Full Moon Swap | Canmore Public Library | Canmore
18:00 | Sunset Festival @ Banff Gondola | Banff Gondola | Banff
18:30 | Live Musician Night | The Dusty Boot | Banff
19:00 | Bingo Night | Canmore Legion | Canmore
19:30 | Balkan Greek Dinner Show | Balkan Restaurant | Banff
19:30 | The Cheezie Musical | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore
19:30 | Jasper Historical Tour | Jasper Town | Jasper
21:00 | Jam Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper
22:00 | Friday Night Vibes DJ LT | High Rollers | Banff
📅 Got An Event To Share?
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👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
Another week of mountain magic awaits!
We're so glad you're here for the ride.
Keep exploring and sharing, and we'll see you in the next issue with another full lineup of Banff happenings.
Jill & Kevin | Editor | What’s On Banff
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