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

Somewhere right now, a Banff bartender is doing sums. If the game starts at 6:10 a.m. and it runs to overtime, and the kitchen opens at nine, and half the town shows up in their jerseys - how many pints is that, exactly?

Several bars in Banff and Canmore have done the maths and decided it's worth opening early for Canada's men's hockey final on Sunday. Check our Facebook post for who's unlocking the doors.

Beyond the early morning, there's a reasonable amount of news affecting how busy this summer is going to be. WestJet is adding four new routes through Calgary - Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Campbell River, and Edmonton-Terrace all get non-stop service from May.

And Parks Canada has confirmed free admission returns from 19 June to 7 September via the Canada Strong Pass, with camping at a 25% discount. The mountains will be full. They usually are.

Sunday first, though. Set an alarm.

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

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates!

👉 Sign Up Here to receive “What’s On Banff” five days a week - it’s free!

Visiting the most famous lakes in the Rockies involves significant logistical planning, particularly with the restricted access to Moraine Lake and limited parking at Lake Louise. This tour simplifies the process by handling all transportation and shuttle coordination for you.

You can visit both iconic lakes as well as Johnston Canyon, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. The route is planned to make the most of the day, with time to walk lakeshore trails, take photos, and enjoy a relaxed lunch stop in Lake Louise Village.

If you’re short on time and prefer not to deal with the hassle of coordinating multiple locations, this could be a great option.

Reserve your seat and leave the planning to someone else

🌨️ Enjoy Sunday's sun - snow is coming Monday. Saturday stays cold with a wind chill hitting -23°C. Sunday is the pick of the weekend: clear skies, high of -3°C. Snow arrives on Monday.

🏒 Canada plays for gold on Sunday. It starts at 6:10 a.m. The men's Olympic hockey final drops at 6:10 a.m. Mountain Time. Several Banff and Canmore bars are opening early for the game. Check our Facebook post for options.

✈️ WestJet is adding four new routes through Calgary this summer. Non-stop service from Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and Campbell River launches from May, with Edmonton-Terrace also new. More ways in means more people on Banff Avenue.

🏕️ Parks Canada is offering free admission again this summer. The Canada Strong Pass returns from 19 June to 7 September 2026 - no entry fee at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas. Camping still costs money, but at 25% off.

🎬 Alberta's Rockies are starring in a Netflix romance. Korean romantic comedy Can This Love Be Translated? features the Canadian Rockies, Calgary and Drumheller, released 16 January. Apparently, the mountains are very convincing at looking romantic.

🏔️ Alberta's mountain snowpack is back above normal. After three dry years, February surveys show the best conditions since 2022. The Bow River basin is above normal. Farmers, ranchers, and anyone who drinks water are cautiously pleased.

🚧 Caribou Street alley is closed for three to four weeks. From 17 February, the alley between Banff Ave and Bear St is shut at Caribou St for underground cable work. Caribou Street itself remains closed, too. Plan accordingly.

🏕️ Alberta Parks seeking volunteer campground hosts for summer. The Host Programme puts you in a park all season, welcoming campers and sharing local knowledge. Applications close 1 March.

🚲 E-Bike & Hiking Tour. Enjoy a relaxed ride through Vermilion Lakes and the Bow Valley Parkway before a guided walk to Johnston Canyon’s Lower Falls. This half-day adventure blends scenic cycling with a stunning canyon hike.

See why these 600-pound animals are the real threat on Banff trails

Discover how Canmore lets you live the mountain dream that Banff's restrictions prevent

Learn what to eat, drink, and book ahead for in Banff and the Canadian Rockies before you travel

🏔️ Sunshine Meadows Daily Guided Hike with Gondola - Lonely Planet's #1 Day Hike in Canada, and for good reason. Gondola up to alpine meadows, three turquoise lakes, wildflowers, and jaw-dropping 360-degree mountain views - all with a knowledgeable guide and lunch included. We reckon you'll love it.

🌙 Banff Winter Tour with Dinner & NightRise - Take in Banff's winter icons - Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, then ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for a buffet dinner and the multimedia NightRise experience. Your next adventure.

🏔️ Columbia Icefield & Glacier Skywalk Day Tour - Fancy stepping onto ancient ice and peering 280 metres down from a glass-bottomed walkway? This full-day trip from Calgary and Banff covers Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and the stunning Icefields Parkway before you hit the glacier itself. Not one to miss.

🏰 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.

🏔️ Banff, Yoho & Lakes Day Trip - See Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon & Natural Bridge. 4.9 ⭐ Was $99, now $70 until Mar 14th. Book now

🏔️ Win the Ultimate Banff Getaway Package - Win a 2-night stay at Royal Canadian Lodge, lift passes, and more. Contest runs until Feb 22. Check out the hotel.

Yesterday’s Question

Which short, steep trail at Moraine Lake leads to the famous viewpoint often seen in photos?

✅Answer: 3) The Rockpile Trail - 64% Correct

The Rockpile Trail is a short, quick hike at Moraine Lake that leads up to the classic viewpoint. Getting to the lake takes a bit more planning - here’s how.

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 is also the starting point for many of the area’s best-known hikes, and a practical base for visiting Moraine Lake.

Find out more about this iconic hotel

📅 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 |

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

✉️ If you’re not already on our mailing list, you can sign up here to receive “What’s On Banff” five days a week - it’s free! 👉 Sign Up Here

➡️Know someone who’d enjoy it? Feel free to forward this email. 👉 Sign Up Here

💬 Want to get in touch? For feedback, local stories, or questions, reply to this email.

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates

💡 This email contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.