How Much Snow Is Too Much?

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

More snow, more winter warnings, and more reasons to slow things down a little. This latest round of snowfall has reinforced that winter is just beginning, especially on the highways and higher routes. It is one of those weeks where checking conditions before heading out really matters.

At the same time, this is exactly when people start thinking beyond winter. August plans are already on the radar for many visitors, and it might surprise you how early things book up. If a summer trip is on your list, now is a sensible moment to start lining up the basics while options are still wide open.

Winter still has plenty to offer, too. Ice Magic is looming at Lake Louise, adding something extra to an already dramatic setting. Snowy conditions actually suit it well, making the lakeshore feel properly wintry.

For anyone staying closer to now, there is also a January discount on Lake Louise trips that has dropped prices on many dates. It is a good reminder that winter experiences do not always have to come with peak pricing.

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

• Banff in January: Read this before planning your trip!

• Banff in December: What to Expect in the Heart of Winter!

🌤️ Today’s Weather

Banff: Mainly sunny, high -15 °C and low -24 °C.
Canmore: Mainly sunny, high -16 °C and low -20 °C.
Jasper: Mainly sunny, high -21 °C and low -28 °C.

👉 For a complete up-to-date forecast for the week ahead, visit our Weather Page.

🏔️ Plan Your Trip

Banff in August: Busy, Beautiful, and Worth Planning For

August is Banff at its most vibrant. The lakes are fully thawed and glowing turquoise, hiking trails are clear at higher elevations, and long daylight hours make it easy to pack a lot into each day. It’s also peak season, which means crowds, full hotels, and busy roads if you don’t plan ahead.

This is the month where small choices make a big difference. Early starts or late evenings help at places like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Johnston Canyon. Using shuttles or Roam Transit instead of driving saves a lot of frustration. August is also prime time for gondola rides, lake cruises, wildflower hikes at Sunshine Meadows, and rafting trips when rivers are still running strong. Wildlife activity increases too, especially bears feeding on berries and the early stages of the elk rut, so awareness matters.

August can be an incredible time to visit, as long as you arrive with a plan and realistic expectations

Seeing Banff from Above: The Banff Gondola in Winter

Winter is one of the best times to ride the Banff Gondola. The air is clearer, the valleys feel quieter, and the views from Sulphur Mountain stretch on forever. The eight-minute ride lifts you straight out of town and into full winter scenery, without needing skis, snowshoes, or a big fitness commitment. It’s an easy way to get high-up mountain views even on cold or short daylight days.

At the top, you can warm up inside, explore the exhibits, and step outside when conditions allow for photos and short walks. The boardwalk toward Sanson Peak stays open in winter and offers big views with minimal effort, though icy patches are common. Evening visits add another layer to the experience, especially when winter programming like Nightrise is running, and the summit takes on a more atmospheric feel.

If you’re planning winter sightseeing and want something memorable that works in almost any weather, the gondola fits easily into a Banff trip.

🏕️ Quiz

Yesterday’s Question

Which glacier is shown in this photo, taken from the popular Parker Ridge hike along the Icefields Parkway?

✅Answer: 4) Saskatchewan Glacier - 24% Correct

🏔️ Fresh from the Rockies

🎿 Record snow, wide-open runs, and a grizzly cameo. Lake Louise is drowning in December powder after breaking its snowfall record, with every run open and snow still falling. The excitement was so real it lured Split Lip out to admire the bounty firsthand.

🧊 Ice Magic returns to Lake Louise in sparkling style. World-class ice carvers transform the lakeshore into a frozen art gallery during SnowDays, with jaw-dropping sculptures set against an iconic alpine backdrop. Access is limited, so this one feels extra special - 👉 see how to catch the magic.

🏔️ January deal alert for Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. Prices on this half-day tour have dropped from $89 to $59 on most January dates, meaning big scenery, guided stops, and hotel pickup for significantly less than usual.

⛺ The Banff camping booking Hunger Games are back. Parks Canada has dropped the 2026 reservation dates, and the main Banff National Park campgrounds open Friday, Jan 23, at 8:00 AM MT. Alarms will be set, coffee will be strong.

🚗 Yet another winter warning hits Highway 93. Snowfall alerts have been stacking up lately, and this one brings more accumulating snow and tricky travel between Jasper, Lake Louise, and Saskatchewan River Crossing.

🍷 Rooftop patio plans move ahead in downtown Canmore. After an appeal, the added building height was approved to allow elevator access to Settler’s Block’s rooftop space, unlocking a public-facing amenity that had been stuck in planning limbo.

⛺ Relief may be coming for Alberta’s campsite scramble. The provincial government plans to add 900 campsites by 2033, including hundreds by 2027, in an effort to keep up with booming demand for outdoor escapes.

❄️ Mark your calendar: Feb 26 is plunge day in Canmore. The 2026 Polar Plunge lands at Millennium Park with registration at 11:00 AM and the big jump at noon. Fifty bucks, freezing water, and full commitment for Special Olympics Alberta.

⭐ Most Popular Last Issue

🐻 Split Lip crashes ski race at Lake Louise. The legendary grizzly made an unexpected appearance on the slopes, forcing officials to shut down a youth ski race mid-event. A very Alberta reminder that wildlife does not check the race schedule.

🏔️ Banff or Canmore: choosing your Bow Valley base matters. They are close on the map but wildly different in feel. One is walkable, busy, and park-central. The other is calmer, roomier, and better for slower evenings after big days. Think carefully before making your decision.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

📅 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 |

Saturday, December 27

13:15 | Wild Life Distillery Tour | Wild Life Distillery | Canmore

14:00 | A Christmas Carol | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

15:00 | Live Music Afternoon | Three Bears | Banff

15:30 | Park Distillery Tour | Park Distillery | Banff

17:00 | Liam Daisley | Canmore Brewing | Canmore

19:00 | Doug Robb: Live | Moxy Banff | Banff

19:30 | ABBA-SOLUTELY Fabulous Show | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel | Banff

20:00 | Live Music Night | St. James Gate | Banff

21:00 | Tyler Wood: Live | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

22:00 | Broken Aviator: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

22:00 | DJ Raven on the Decks | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | DJ Styler Nazo | Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub | Canmore

📅 Got An Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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