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

A one-year-old grizzly named Fitz cleared a barrier eight to ten feet high at the Calgary Zoo and was tranquilised and returned unharmed. Staff cannot say whether he was out for half an hour or all night.

There is harder news from Banff, where RCMP say a swimmer died at Johnson Lake on Sunday evening. It is the third drowning in the Bow Valley this year and is not being treated as suspicious.

If you are heading to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the open-top double-decker runs hourly between the two and includes Lake Louise parking, which removes the part of the day most people dread.

For Johnston Canyon, the fix is staying at the trailhead. The bungalows put the canyon steps from your door, so you can walk it early or late and skip the parking scramble entirely.

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This open-top double-decker runs hourly between Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, with Lake Louise Parking included.

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

Town of Banff from The Banff Gondola

🐻 Grizzly Cub Escapes Calgary Zoo Enclosure. Fitz, a one-year-old orphan from Diamond Valley, was tranquilised and returned unharmed after clearing barriers eight to ten feet high. Staff cannot say whether he was out half an hour or all night.

🕯️ Swimmer Dies at Johnson Lake. A swimmer drowned in Johnson Lake, Banff National Park, Sunday evening, according to RCMP, who say the death is not being treated as suspicious - the third drowning in the Bow Valley this year.

🚌 Banff Mayor Flags Traffic Blind Spot. DiManno says Parks Canada's Lake Louise visitor management plan treats problem areas in isolation, ignoring shuttle and vehicle traffic spilling into Banff. Bus companies operating in the park have tripled since 2021.

🔥 Kootenay Wildfire Under Control. The lightning-sparked 2026KO04 fire is now under control, with crews patrolling for hotspots as Parks Canada begins demobilising equipment. It was the only wildfire burning in Kootenay National Park.

🚗 New App Tracks Jasper Parking. Parks Canada's JasperNow trip-planning tool shows real-time parking capacity and campground vacancies at Jasper's busiest spots, including self-registration sites - whether it stops anyone from winging it remains to be seen.

☀️ Sunshine and showers keep trading places this week - Wednesday's a clean, sunny 27°C, Thursday brings clouds back with a chance of showers at 23°C, and Friday swings right back to sunny at 27°C. Best to keep a jacket within reach as this one flips day to day. Full Forecast Here

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

🐴 A Wagon Ride to a Backcountry Steak Dinner Trade the usual bus tour for a horse-drawn ride along the Bow River to a backcountry cookout, with steak grilled to order by the fire. Departures are limited each evening this summer. Reserve your spot before they fill up

🚣Activities You Might Enjoy

🛥️ Maligne Lake Cruise & Wildlife Tour - Six hours through the Maligne Valley, stopping at the eerie, seasonally vanishing Medicine Lake before a 90-minute cruise out to Spirit Island, the most photographed spot in the Rockies. Guides know where to look for elk, moose and the odd grizzly along the way.

🐴 Bow River Horseback Ride - A gentle one-hour introduction to the saddle, following the Bow River past the original hot springs where Banff National Park began. Helmets and basic instruction included, so absolute beginners are well looked after.

🐻 Kicking Horse Grizzly Refuge Day Trip - Yoho National Park unfolds across a full day out to Golden, BC - Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, the Golden Skybridge - before meeting Boo, a rescued grizzly living wild in a 20-acre mountainside sanctuary. Sighting is guaranteed, or your next tour is free.

❓Your Questions Answered

🍂 Is September a good time to visit Banff? September is one of the quieter months in Banff National Park - crowds thin after Labour Day, temperatures are comfortable, and autumn colour is starting to show.

🚌 What is Roam Transit in Banff? It is the public bus network serving Banff National Park, connecting towns, trailheads, and major attractions across the Bow Valley.

🗺️ How do you get to the Canmore Engine Bridge? The bridge is easily reached on foot from several points near downtown Canmore - parking and access options are straightforward for all visitors.

The Johnston Canyon trailhead is steps from your cabin, so you can walk it before the crowds show up or after the buses leave, all without the usual hunt for parking.

🏕️ Quiz

What is the name of the canyon near Jasper famous for its limestone walls and waterfalls?

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Yesterday’s Question: Which canyon is shown in this photo, located along the Icefields Parkway?

Answer: 4) Mistaya Canyon - 43% Correct

Mistaya Canyon is a popular stop on the parkway; if you are looking for something closer to Banff, Johnston Canyon is a great option.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

Wednesday, August 19

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

16:00 | Summer Banff Artist in Residence | The Banff Centre | Banff

18:00 | Brewmaster's Dinner | Grizzly BBQ Beer Garden | Canmore

18:00 | Mission Echo | Rose and Crown Banff | Banff

18:45 | Ecstatic Dance | The Yoga Lounge | Canmore

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

19:00 | Trivia Night | The Stand Easy | Jasper

19:30 | Jazz & Sonic Arts Concert | The Banff Centre | Banff

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

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

21:30 | Jazz Jams Session | The Banff Centre | Banff

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

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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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