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

The Perseids peak tonight, and for once the moon is not in the way. A new moon means the sky stays dark, so anywhere clear of town lights should give you dozens of meteors an hour - the Bow Valley Parkway pullouts do the job without much effort.

If you are riding rather than stargazing, a black bear sow with cubs bluff-charged two bikers on Horseshoe Loop Trail in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park. Bear spray was deployed, and the bear retreated. The warning has been in effect since August 7.

If you would rather leave the driving and the parking to somebody else, the hop-on hop-off bus runs to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Lake Louise Gondola on your own timing, with a seat held for you between stops.

Further out, a string quartet is playing Coldplay and Imagine Dragons by candlelight in St Paul's Presbyterian Church, Banff on 2 October and 4 December.

Plan Your Visit To Banff For August | September | October

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This one runs to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the Lake Louise Gondola, and you choose your schedule. No fixed lunch stop, no guide moving the group along, just guaranteed seating between stops.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

East End of Rundle from the Bow River Loop Trail, Canmore

🌠 Meteor Shower Peaks Wednesday Night. The Perseids, an annual run of shooting stars from a comet's dust trail, peak on August 12 alongside a new moon. Expect dozens an hour anywhere clear of town lights - the Bow Valley Parkway pullouts work fine.

🐻 Bear Warning After Bluff Charge Near Bikers. A black bear sow with cubs bluff-charged two bikers on Horseshoe Loop Trail in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park. Bear spray was deployed, and the bear retreated. The warning took effect August 7.

🏔️ Avalanche Canada May Cut Alberta Services. Its provincial contract ended in March with no word on renewal, and the forecaster warns services may be cut. Alberta pays $250,000 a year and sees nearly one in five Canadian avalanche deaths.

🚲 Millennium Park Getting a Kids' Bike Trail. CAMBA and the Town start construction the week of August 17, building a route for strider bikes and small wheels. Interpretive signs will cover wildlife awareness. Work runs in phases into the fall.

🔥 Ottertail Pass Fire Holding at 11.5 Hectares. Two four-person crews are working the fire's edge with pumps and hoses in Kootenay backcountry, with helicopters bucketing from Kootenay Crossing. No threat to public safety. Most smoke over the park is drifting in from elsewhere.

🐟 Hidden Lake Trout Spawn Naturally. Westslope cutthroat trout reintroduced by Parks Canada have been observed spawning in the lake for the first time. They started as eggs, collected and incubated by aquatic specialists before release a few years ago.

🌧️ The forecast keeps promising rain, but so far it's mostly held back - Wednesday calls for showers and a cooler 13°C, Thursday's marked down as straight rain with a dip to 9°C, and Friday brings more periods of rain at 14°C. Worth keeping a jacket nearby just in case. Full Forecast Here

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

🛸 Canmore Cloud Draws UFO Claims. A photo taken above town on August 2 has a UFO researcher claiming a cloaked craft sits inside it. Lenticular clouds form smooth lens shapes over mountains and are routinely mistaken for saucers.

🚣Activities You Might Enjoy

🌌 Banff Night Sky Stargazing and Aurora Tour - Meet at Cave and Basin after dark for a guided walk to a dark-sky clearing, headlamps and ice cleats supplied. If the aurora stays hidden, the constellations over the Bow Valley fill the evening on their own.

🚶 Banff Town Walking Tour with Snack - Two hours away from the crowds of Banff Avenue, taking in the Luxton Home and a bit of Merman folklore, with a sweet treat and a drink along the way. Use code WHATSONBANFF at checkout for a 20% discount.

🚣 Kicking Horse River Whitewater Rafting - Just over the BC border in Golden, this half-day trip runs 12km of Class 2 to 4 rapids, including the Portage Shotgun stretch. All the gear is provided - just bring a swimsuit and towel.

❓Your Questions Answered

🚧 What happened to Nakoda the white grizzly bear? Nakoda died in 2024 after a collision with a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway - her story highlights the serious dangers roads pose to wildlife in the Rockies.

🥩 What kind of food is Banff known for? Canadian classics and Alberta beef feature heavily - Banff's restaurants lean into local ingredients, with everything from hearty comfort food to upscale tasting menus available.

🌊 How long is the Bow Falls walk and is it suitable for beginners? It is a short, easy riverside trail that most visitors complete in under an hour - perfect for families and first-timers of any fitness level.

A live string quartet reimagines Coldplay and Imagine Dragons hits inside the striking St Paul's Presbyterian Church, one of Banff's historic landmarks - surrounded by candlelight.

Catch it 2 October or 4 December 2026, tickets here.

🏕️ Quiz

Which animal is considered a frequent hazard to traffic and pedestrians in the mountain town?

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Yesterday’s Question: Which popular swimming and recreation spot is shown in this photo, located just a short distance from the Canmore town centre?

Answer: 2) Quarry Lake - 46% Correct

Quarry Lake is a relatively short walk from Canmore town centre, with a relaxed loop trail and open mountain views.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 Featured events for today are listed below. Visit our website for a complete list.

Wednesday, August 12

10:00 | Banff Farmers Market | Central Park | Banff

18:00 | Sunset Festival @ Banff Gondola | Banff Gondola | Banff

19:00 | Music Bingo | Melissa's Missteak | Banff

19:00 | Open Mic Night | The Local | Canmore

19:30 | Lloyd Spiegel | artsPlace | Canmore

19:30 | The Cheezie Musical | Carter-Ryan Theatre | Canmore

19:30 | Jasper Historical Tour | Jasper Town | Jasper

20:30 | Line Dancing Beginners | The Dusty Boot | Banff

21:00 | Open Mic/Jam Night | Rose and Crown Canmore | Canmore

21:30 | Line Dancing Intermediate | The Dusty Boot | Banff

22:00 | DJ Bunny Hops | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

22:00 | Tommy's Open Mic | Tommy's Pub | Banff

22:00 | Jesse Peters | Rose and Crown Banff | 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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