Tunes, Trails, and Transit Tips

It’s a soggy forecast for the weekend, but we’ve got enough happening to keep your woollies from getting too damp.

Tonight, the Canmore Civic Centre transforms for The Warm Up, a collaborative effort with the Folk Festival. It’s got everything: fire pits, circus performances, and a town-wide party for those who like their music with a side of local atmosphere.

In less harmonious news, Nakiska’s new boundaries are causing a stir in Kananaskis. Popular routes like Troll Falls have been absorbed into the resort’s zone, raising eyebrows among those who value public parkland over private development. Access is technically open for now, but the shift feels a bit like someone moving the goalposts in the middle of a match.

For the Family Day weekend, the golden rule remains: use the bus. Roam Transit is your best friend if you want to see the Gondola or Lake Louise without a mental breakdown. Once you’ve survived the crowds, reward yourself with a bit of culture; the Dolly Parton tribute at the Carter-Ryan Theatre is booking up for its March run. It’s intimate, cheeky, and guaranteed to be better than a three-hour wait for a car park.

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

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Lake Louise is one of the must-see destinations in Banff National Park, but access isn’t easy. Staying at the Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most straightforward ways to experience Lake Louise without the usual challenges.

The hotel sits directly on the lakeshore, which means you can enjoy early mornings and quieter evenings once day visitors have left. Many of the area’s best-known hikes, including routes to Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers, start right outside the hotel.

It’s also a practical base for visiting Moraine Lake, making it easier to fit in shuttle or guided options without juggling long travel days or early starts from Banff.

Find out more about this iconic hotel

❄️ Pack your umbrella and your woollies. Banff is in for a soggy few days with periods of snow forecast through Friday and Saturday before a sunny Sunday reprieve. The 7-day forecast predicts highs of 2°C tomorrow and 1°C on Saturday, dipping to a chilly 0°C by Sunday morning.

🎸 The Warm Up is finally here. Grab your mittens and head to the Canmore Civic Centre starting at 4 PM for free fire pits and circus performances. Realise that the real party requires an All-Access Wristband, giving you entry to 7 downtown venues featuring 20+ local artists throughout the evening.

🚌 Avoid the Family Day car park chaos. Ditch the motor and use Roam Public Transit for the gondola or Lake Louise. Unless you fancy circling the town centre until Tuesday, park at the station for free and save your sanity.

🏔️ Nakiska’s new boundaries are causing a stir. Popular trails like Troll Falls have been shifted into Nakiska’s all-season resort zone without public consultation. While the province claims access remains, conservationists realise this sets a cheeky precedent for private development over park protection.

🎸 Dust off your rhinestones this March. Catch the Dolly Parton tribute from 3 to 29 March at the Carter-Ryan Theatre. With shows most evenings and weekend matinees, you've no excuse to miss this "Iron Butterfly" journey in our favourite 51-seat centre.

🍩 Slide down Alberta’s longest tube lanes. Grab your SkiBig3 Lift Ticket for complimentary tubing at Mt. Norquay, including bonus night sessions this Family Day weekend on 15–16 February 2026. Just realise that if you haven't skied yet, scanning for a tube counts as a full day’s use, so pair it with some laps to get your money's worth.

🍔 Feed the brood for free. This Family Day, kids eat free all day at The Canadian Brewhouse in Banff. Realise that the offer ends at 8:00 PM and is limited to those aged 12 and under, so bring your crew to Main Street early.

🏔️ Moraine & Lake Louise Tour. Skip the parking stress at these iconic lakes with included round-trip transport from Banff. Enjoy 90 minutes at each spot to walk shoreline trails and capture the perfect turquoise water photos. Book now for a relaxed lakes experience.

Are cougar attacks common in Banff? They are extremely rare - cougars are shy animals that almost always slip away unseen - but there's more to the story. See the full guide

Is August a good time to visit Banff? It is summer at its most vivid, with warm days, brilliant turquoise lakes, and a packed calendar of events - but peak crowds and fully booked accommodation mean it takes real planning to get it right.

Is the Three Sisters Viewpoint Trail suitable year-round? Every season offers something different, from golden autumn aspens to a snow-covered winter scene - but conditions and what to bring vary considerably, so it pays to read ahead.

Find out everything you need to know about Split Lip, Banff's notorious cannibal grizzly, before visiting the Canadian Rockies

Discover which festivals and events are happening month by month across Banff, Canmore, and Jasper.

See what to expect on one of Banff's most popular easy walks - Walking the Bow Falls Trail, Banff

🏔️ Banff, Yoho & Lakes Day Trip - See Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon & Natural Bridge. 4.9 ⭐ Was $99, now $74 until Mar 3rd. Book now

🏞️ Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon Winter Tour with Bow Falls and Surprise Corner. Was $99, now $79 until Feb 19. View details.

🏰 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Spring savings now running at Fairmont Banff Springs, with limited-time hotel offers & special rates for select stays. View spring deals

Today’s quiz answer appears at the end of the events section below.

Visiting the Rockies’ most famous lakes often involves careful planning, especially with restricted access to Moraine Lake and limited parking at Lake Louise. This tour allows you to visit both iconic lakes, along with Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge.

Reserve your seat and leave the planning to someone else

📅 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 |

13:00 | Mountain Madness Relay Race | All over Banff | Banff

16:00 | The Warm Up: Folk Festival | Civic Centre Hub | Canmore

17:00 | Riley McPherson: Live | Canmore Brewing Company | Canmore

18:15 | Light Tipi: Songs & Storytelling | The Banff Centre | Banff

18:30 | Mixed Media Heart-Art | artsPlace Canmore | Canmore

19:00 | Live Music Fridays | Moxy Banff | Banff

19:00 | Friday Bingo | Canmore Legion | Canmore

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

20:00 | Lisa Lambe Live | The Banff Centre | Banff

21:00 | Andy Curtis: Live | Tavern 1883 | Canmore

22:00 | Friday Night Vibes DJ LT | High Rollers | Banff

22:00 | Dangerous Cheese: Live | Rose & Crown | Banff

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

✅Answer: 3) By boat or non-motorised watercraft

Spirit Island can only be reached by boat and is one of Jasper’s most iconic sights. For a boating experience closer to Banff, check out Lake Minnewanka.

Yesterday’s Question: Which animal is considered a frequent hazard to traffic and pedestrians in the mountain town?

✅Answer: 94% of you correctly chose Elk.

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